👉 Ostracods are a group of marine invertebrates that belong to the clade Cnidaria. They are characterized by their unique, segmented bodies and tentacles, which they use for feeding, protection, and communication with other members of their colony. In addition to their segmented bodies, ostracods have a relatively large number of spines (or tentacles) attached to each segment. These tentacles serve as defense against predators, protect the body from the elements, and communicate with