Some of the types of ostracods she worked with were primary types, as well as topotypes. These were collected from above and below the surface of the ground. Nadeau observed that there existed a multiplicity of variations not only between species of ostracods, but among each species as well. This research was based on the Kansas ostracods. She discovered that the variations within the Kansas ostracods was mainly caused by variations or mutations within individuals. She also found that sex and age of ostracods to be contributors to the variation. She spent eight years studying
carboniferous ostracods and studying the different types of variations among this species. ==Legacy==