Gigantocypris

Gigantocypris
Preserved specimens at Oxford University Museum
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Ostracoda
Order: Myodocopida
Family: Cypridinidae
Subfamily: Cypridininae
Tribe: Gigantocypridinini
Hartmann, 1974
Genus: Gigantocypris
Müller, 1895
Species

See text

Gigantocypris, sometimes known as giant ostracod or giant seed shrimp, is a genus of ostracod crustaceans in family Cypridinidae, and among the most well-known members of the class Ostracoda (together with Vargula hilgendorfii). Its members are extremely large for ostracods, measuring up to 3.2 cm (1.3 in) across, have a globular shape, are typically semi-transparent orange or reddish, and have a large pair of mirror-like eyes that are used to locate their small animal prey. They are found worldwide in dark, deep and cold oceans.