Characteristics of Chydoridae

body totally ensheathed by carapax and head-shield, 5 pairs of phyllopodes, sometimes with a rudimentary 6^th pair, first two pairs of legs as grab organs, in males the first pair with strong hook, abdomen in females mostly w/o dorsal sealing points, simple ephippium (mostly with one egg), about 180 species, all benthic or on plants