Atlas of Atlantic Ostracods
Taxon details
Gigantocypris dracontovalis Cannon, 1940
- Order:
- MYODOCOPIDA
- Family:
- Cypridinidae
- Size range (females):
- 8-10 mm
- Size range (males):
- 7-9 mm
- Depth:
- abyssopelagic
Notes
34 records
This species was described by Cannon from the western Indian Ocean, and Poulsen (1962) concluded that the Atlantic species is synonymous with it. It is a smaller and more oval in shape than muelleri, which is the most frequently encountered species in the Atlantic. It has been taken in very large numbers in benthopelagic tows off the Goban Spur to the southwest of Britian. The live coloration is quite distinct, being tinged with purple and the eye-shine of the naupliar eye is golden. It is quite common at depths >3000m, but it has been assumed that all the specimens are the same species. However, the size variation of adult females with eggs or embryos in the brood pouch is considerable, even though being such a fragile species getting reliable length measurements is a problem.
| All | n | Mean mm | s.d. | Range mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 24 | 10.03 | 1.17 | 8.42-11.80 |
| Male | 6 | 9.68 | 0.33 | 9.33-10.33 |
| A-1 | 19 | 7.44 | 0.38 | 6.75-8.08 |
| A-2 | 6 | 5.65 | 0.47 | 5.17-6.33 |
| A-3 | 1 | 4.17 | ||
| A-4 | 2 | 3.08-3.42 | ||
| A-5 | 1 | 2.58 |
