Carbonita (crustacean)

Carbonita is a genus of small, extinct ostracods belonging to the order Podocopida. These tiny crustaceans are found as fossils primarily in Carboniferous and Permian-age rocks, dating back approximately 360 to 252 million years ago.

Carbonita species are characterized by their bivalved carapace, which encloses the soft body. The carapace is typically smooth or ornamented with subtle ridges or tubercles. The size of Carbonita individuals is generally quite small, often less than 1 millimeter in length.

Fossil evidence suggests that Carbonita likely inhabited freshwater or brackish water environments, such as lagoons, ponds, and shallow lakes associated with coal-forming swamps of the Carboniferous period. They were likely detritivores or filter feeders, consuming organic matter in the water and sediment.

The study of Carbonita and other fossil ostracods provides valuable insights into past environments and climates. Their abundance and sensitivity to environmental conditions make them useful indicators of paleoecology. The distribution and diversity of Carbonita can also be used to help correlate rock layers and understand the geological history of specific regions.