Temporary-pools
Guides
Branchinecta
fairy shrimp
Branchinecta is a genus of fairy shrimp (Anostraca) comprising approximately 50 species distributed across all continents except Australia. The genus includes the largest anostracan, Branchinecta gigas, reaching up to 10 cm in length, and the highest-altitude crustacean, B. brushi, recorded at 5,930 m elevation. Species occupy diverse temporary freshwater habitats from Arctic and Antarctic regions to high-elevation Andean pools. Two species, B. gaini and B. granulosa, have been synonymized based on molecular evidence showing insufficient genetic differentiation.
Branchiopoda
Branchiopods
Branchiopoda is a class of small, primarily freshwater crustaceans unified by the presence of gills on their appendages—giving the group its name from Greek 'bránkhia' (gill) and 'poús' (foot). The class comprises fairy shrimp (Anostraca), tadpole shrimp (Notostraca), clam shrimp (Spinicaudata, Laevicaudata, Cyclestherida), and water fleas (Cladocera/Diplostraca), plus the extinct Devonian Lepidocaris. Most are filter-feeders on plankton and detritus, though notostracans are opportunistic omnivores. Many species inhabit temporary pools and produce desiccation-resistant resting eggs, allowing survival through dry periods.
Chirocephalidae
fairy shrimp
Chirocephalidae is the second largest family of fairy shrimp (Anostraca), characterized by a reduced or vestigial maxilla, more than two setae on the fifth endite, divided pre-epipodites, and widely separated seminal vesicles. The family includes nine genera: Artemiopsis, Branchinectella, Chirocephalus, Dexteria (extinct), Eubranchipus, Linderiella, Parartemiopsis, Polyartemia, and Polyartemiella. Former families Linderiellidae and Polyartemiidae are now included within Chirocephalidae. Most species are distributed in the Holarctic region.
Hemiosus
Hemiosus is a genus of water scavenger beetles in the family Hydrophilidae, tribe Berosini. The genus was established by Sharp in 1882. Species within this genus are found in the Neotropical region, particularly in the Andes of Colombia. Recent taxonomic work has described new species based on detailed examination of male genitalia and other morphological features.
Laevicaudata
clam shrimp
Laevicaudata is a suborder of small branchiopod crustaceans commonly known as clam shrimp, characterized by a laterally compressed bivalved carapace that encloses the entire body. The group contains approximately 36 described species in the single family Lynceidae, with the genus Lynceus as the primary representative. Laevicaudatans inhabit temporary freshwater habitats worldwide, with documented occurrences across six continents including remote insular locations. The group has been historically understudied compared to other large branchiopods, though recent taxonomic revisions have clarified species boundaries, particularly in Australia where six species are now recognized.