The Distribution and Zoogeography of Freshwater Ostracoda (Crustacea) in the West Indies, with Emphasis on Species Inhabiting Wells

Abstract

The distribution of freshwater Ostracoda in the islands of the West Indies and part of the Venezuelan mainland is discussed. The ostracod fauna of wells and epigean habitats is compared. Some species, e.g. Cypretta spp. are found significantly more often in wells, others are only found in epigean habitats, e.g. Hemicypris spp. and Cypris subglobosa . Some species are found significantly more often in epigean habitats, e.g. Stenocypris major , others seem to have no preference, e.g. Physocypria affinis and Cypridopsis spp.