Ostracodes 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 ostracodes 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. Ostracodes typically have rapid evolutionary rates and are useful biostratigraphic tools in some situations: | Ostracodes 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 ostracodes 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. Ostracodes typically have rapid evolutionary rates and are useful biostratigraphic tools in some situations: |