The shell of the ostracod Halocypris inflata (Dana, 1849) examined by the ion beam etch technique

Abstract. Bombardment of the shell of the myodocopid ostracod Halocypris inflata (Dana, 1849) with charged ions (ion beam etch technique) has resulted in the elucidation of the chitin structure of the cuticle. We show that this technique has produced results that support earlier transmission electron microscopical studies and we demonstrate the importance of the ion beam etch technique not only to ostracod research but to the study of organic material in general.