Notostracan
Guides
Lepidurus packardi
Vernal Pool Tadpole Shrimp
Lepidurus packardi is a federally endangered, California endemic freshwater microcrustacean in the order Notostraca. It is an ephemeral wetland specialist restricted to vernal pools and other temporary water bodies. The species is a key food source for larval California Tiger Salamander and acts as an ecosystem engineer through bioturbation. It reaches approximately 5 cm in length with a shield-like carapace up to 3.5 cm long.