Potamocypris smaragdina is a species of ostracod crustacean in the family Cyprididae, subfamily Cypridopsinae. It is known from both Europe and North America.Martens & Savatenalinton 2011. A subjective checklist of the Recent, free-living, non-marine Ostracoda (Crustacea). Zootaxa 2855: 65.
Potamocypris smaragdina colonizes (fish)ponds, lakes and slow flowing streams. It is one of the most common freshwater ostracods in the United States.
Description The carapace of P. smaragdina is subreniform in lateral view. Its valves are covered with stiff setae and small pits. The carapace size ranges from 0.60 to 0.79 mm. Colour: light green to yellowish green with two transverse green stripes.
The second antennae carry swimming setae that extend beyond the tips of the terminal claws.Meisch, C. 1985. Revision of the Recent West European species of the genus Potamocypris. Part II. Species with long swimming setae on the second antennae. Travaux scientifiques du Musée d'histoire naturelle de Luxembourg 6: 36.
Reproduction All known European populations consists of females only. In North America, both unisexual and bisexual populations have been recorded.Meisch, C. 1985. Revision of the Recent West European species of the genus Potamocypris. Part II. Species with long swimming setae on the second antennae. Travaux scientifiques du Musée d'histoire naturelle de Luxembourg 6: 37-38.
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