Branchinecta lynchi

The vernal pool fairy shrimp, Branchinecta lynchi, is a species of freshwater crustacean in the family Branchinectidae. It is endemic to the U.S. states of Oregon and California, living in vernal pools as well as non-vernal pool habitat. They range in size from 0.43 to 0.98 inches (11 to 25 mm) long. Vernal pool fairy shrimp are listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List, and has been listed as Federally Threatened species since 1994.[2]

Branchinecta lynchi
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Crustacea
Class:
Branchiopoda
Order:
Anostraca
Family:
Branchinectidae
Genus:
Branchinecta
Species:
B. lynchi
Binomial name
Branchinecta lynchi
Eng, Belk & Eriksen, 1990

Description

Vernal pool fairy shrimp are usually translucent, however some have been observed to be white or orange.[3][4]

They feature stalked compound eyes, no carapace, and eleven pairs of legs. The fairy shrimp swim by moving their legs from front to back in a wave-like motion. They eat algae, bacteria, protozoa, rotifers, and detritus, and are eaten by birds and other animals, notably by the tadpoles of spadefoot toads.[3]

Vernal pool fairy shrimp have a lifetime of about two months. They usually hatch in early January, and die in early March.[5]

The female fairy shrimp lay drought-resistant eggs shortly before they die. The eggs sink to the bottom of the vernal pools, embedding into the soil when they dry. When the vernal pool refills the next winter, the eggs hatch, starting the process over.[3][4][5]

Habitat

Vernal pool fairy shrimp have been found in vernal pools in southern Oregon, and parts of California. They can survive if the pool's temperature is between 43 °F (6 °C) and 68 °F (20 °C). In Oregon, they have been discovered in the Agate Desert, around Agate Lake, and on the Upper and Lower Table Rocks.[3][4][5][6] In California, fairy shrimp have been found in 32 locations in the Central Valley from Shasta County to Tulare County, and in the Coast Range from Solano County to San Benito County. They have also been found near Soda Lake, Santa Barbara County, the Santa Rosa Plateau, and Riverside County.[3]

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References
  1. Inland Water Crustacean Specialist Group (1996). "Branchinecta lynchi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1996: e.T3047A9552141. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T3047A9552141.en.
  2. "State & Federally listed endangered & threatened animals of California" (PDF). CA dept. of fish and wildlife. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-05-03. Retrieved 2014-01-17.
  3. "Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp". United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
  4. "Fairy Shrimp Found on Southern Oregon Preserves". The Nature Conservancy. Archived from the original on December 15, 2006. Retrieved November 7, 2010.
  5. "Agate Lake Resource Management Plan" (PDF). United States Bureau of Reclamation. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
  6. "Mounded Prairie/Vernal Pools". Bureau of Land Management. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
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