Ostracods as proxies for past seagrass: A review

• Ostracods, supported by other proxies, are suggestive of past seagrass.
• Seagrass ostracod faunas began in the Campanian (Late Cretaceous).
• Ostracods may be related to mid-Cretaceous halophytes.
• Indication of longevity and fidelity of ostracod–seagrass relationship.
• For past seagrass interpretation, a multiproxy approach is useful.

Recently, attention has been drawn to the recognition of past seagrass for which a number of proxies have been proposed. Several studies have quoted ostracods as having some value as proxies, particularly Loxoconcha, Xestoleberis and Aurila. Although these may be found in a variety of marine environments, they are often found with faunas containing seagrass or which can be interpreted as in proximity to seagrass. In such situations, they may be found with other possible seagrass proxies such as sirenians, lucinid bivalves, soritid and other benthic foraminiferans. The presence of Loxoconcha, Xestoleberis and Aurila and other ostracods may be suggestive of past seagrass environments, the interpretation of which is strengthened by the presence of other proxies in some collections.