Changes

[[file:applied-paleontology_fig17-2.png|300px|thumb|{{figure number|2}}Typical ostracods.]]

[[file:applied-paleontology_fig17-2.png|300px|thumb|{{figure number|2}}Typical ostracods.]]

Ostracods are microscopic crustaceans whose fossils are found in Cambrian to Holocene rocks. They occur in most marine and nonmarine depositional environments and are generally excellent environmental indicators. The paleontologic application of ostracods is limited because (1) they are rare in many sections and (2) many species are endemic to local basins, so their age and environmental ranges are poorly understood. Ostracods typically have rapid evolutionary rates and are useful biostratigraphic tools in some situations:

Ostracods are microscopic crustaceans whose fossils are found in [[Cambrian]] to Holocene rocks. They occur in most marine and nonmarine depositional environments and are generally excellent environmental indicators. The paleontologic application of ostracods is limited because (1) they are rare in many sections and (2) many species are endemic to local basins, so their age and environmental ranges are poorly understood. Ostracods typically have rapid evolutionary rates and are useful biostratigraphic tools in some situations:

* In Paleozoic sequences

* In Paleozoic sequences