It is commonly called as mussel shrimp.It is a small ostracodan crustacean.It bears in large numbers in stagnant ponds.The segmented body is completely enclosed in a protective bivalved carapace which makes it appear like a miniature clam.The anterior end of the body bears a large median eye.The antennules and the antennae are large and also help in swimming.The only appendages are two pairs of thoracic legs. It swims with the first pair of legs .The abdomen lacks appendages but ends in a pair of small caudal ramii. It is omnivorous, feeding on small organisms and detritus. The females are common and their eggs usually develop parthenogenetically as males are not known in certain genera.
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