An order of the subclass Podocopa, class Ostracoda, that consists of the extant suborder Podocopina and the extinct Metacopina. There is agreement on the assignment of the Cypridoidea, Bairdioidea, Cytheroidea, and Darwinuloidea to the Podocopida; however, some researchers also include the Sigillioidea, and others consider the Terrestrichtheroidea a podocopid taxon of equivalent rank. In all podocopids the two valves fit firmly, hermetically sealing the animal inside when closed. Although variously sculptured, none of the podocopids have strong vertical lobation like that found in the Paleocopa.