Vernal Pool Fairy ShrimpBranchinecta lynchi
About this species
- Length
- 0.8 in
- Wingspan
- 0.3 in
From our Collectors' field notes
Filter Feeding
These shrimp use their many pairs of feathery legs to constantly sweep microscopic algae, bacteria, and tiny bits of floating detritus right into their mouths as they swim.
Ephemeral Fairies
These shrimp are entirely restricted to "vernal pools"—temporary ponds formed by winter rains that completely dry up by summer.
Defense
By living exclusively in temporary puddles that eventually dry up, they completely avoid their biggest predator: fish. Their glassy bodies make them hard for birds and frogs to spot in the murky water.
Locomotion
These quirky critters spend their entire lives swimming completely upside down. They glide through the water by beating their 11 pairs of legs in a rhythmic wave.
Resting Phase
Their resting eggs, called "cysts," are almost indestructible. They can survive being completely baked, frozen, or dried out for decades, just waiting for the next big rainstorm to hatch.