Recent ostracods from the Venice lagoon (NE Italy)

In the Venice lagoon, ostracods from 99 recent samples were studied. The bi ocoenosis is more abundant in the inner margin, near some little channels. The microfaunal analysis delimited three estuarine associations, with numer ous valves of Cyprideis torosa, and one marine association (Pontocythere tu rbida). Salinity, hydrodynamics, nutrients and substrate are the main facto rs which control the distribution of these microorganisms. This distributio n is very similar in other recent lagoons of Italy.