Biogeography and disparity within the genus Cryptocandona (Crustacea, Ostracoda)

Information on carapace morphology of eight Recent ostracod species of the genus Cryptocandona (Candoninae, Candonidae, Cypridoidea), living in surfac e and groundwater habitats in Europe and Japan, allows to appreciate their pattern of disparity (i.e. morphological diversity). A morphometric analysi s of the outlines of adult female valves using Elliptic Fourier Analysis is performed on individuals belonging to geographically separated populations . The data, displayed in a multidimensional morphospace, is analysed using Principal Component Analysis. It is shown that carapace shape patterns of t he various species overlap within the Cryptocandona morphospace. The degree of morphological change of the carapaces of Cryptocandona species is evalu ated within the context of their geographical and ecological distribution. Comparative data on various Candoninae lineages facilitate discussion on th e limits of allocation of fossil candonines to the genus Cryptocandona usin g only carapace-shape criteria.