Abstract

  This paper deals with the distribution of modern Ostracoda in surface sediments along the Arctic coast at Barrow, northern Alaska (71021' N, 156040' W). A total of 10 species of Ostracoda belonging to 6 genera from 23 samples have been identified. Two types of marine and non marine Ostracoda existed in the area. The marine Ostracoda are eurysaline and shallow water species that normally live in frigid and subfrigid climatic zones. The non marine Ostracoda are eurytopic and cold-hardy species that mainly live in fresh waters.
  Salinity and major ion composition and contents of water bodies are important environmental parameters which influence the occurrence and distribution of both marine and non marine Ostracoda. Based upon the distribution and ecological characteristics of modern
Ostracoda fauna, four types of assemblages were distinguished in Barrow: 1) Lagoon assemblage, 2) Estuarine assemblage, 3) Riverine assemblage nearby estuary, and 4) Lake assemblage. Elofsonia susitnensis and Cytheromorpha knikensis were discovered in the river mouth and riverine bodies with very low salinity in the study area. This information provides some new insights about the Arctic Ostracoda and its environment.