Temporary-waters
Guides
Acanthocyclops
Acanthocyclops is a genus of freshwater copepod crustaceans in the family Cyclopidae, originally described by Friedrich Kiefer in 1927 as a subgenus of Cyclops. Species within this genus inhabit diverse aquatic environments ranging from temporary ponds to large permanent lakes. The genus has been validated through ecological studies demonstrating distinct habitat preferences and life history strategies among closely related species.
Lynceidae
clam shrimp
Lynceidae is a family of small, bivalved crustaceans commonly known as clam shrimp, classified in the order Laevicaudata. The family contains approximately 5 genera and more than 20 described species, with the genus Lynceus being the most species-rich and well-studied. Members are distinguished from other clam shrimp families by specific morphological features of the carapace, head, and male clasping appendages. Lynceidae species inhabit temporary aquatic habitats across multiple continents, though many species have restricted distributions due to habitat destruction.
Lynceus
clam shrimp
Lynceus is a genus of clam shrimp in the family Lynceidae, comprising approximately 13 described species. These small branchiopod crustaceans inhabit temporary aquatic habitats, including desert rockholes, gnammas, and dolines. The genus has been subject to recent taxonomic revision, particularly in Australia where six species are now recognized. Species identification relies on morphological characters including male first thoracopod structure, head and rostrum form, antenna 2 spinal patterns, carapace shape, and the female lamina abdominalis.
Streptocephalus
Rams-horn Fairy Shrimps
Streptocephalus is a genus of fairy shrimp (Anostraca) found in temporary freshwater habitats across Africa, Australia, Eurasia, and the Americas. Its distribution reflects an ancient Gondwanan origin. The genus is characterized by distinctive mandibular morphology adapted for processing diverse food sources. Species in this genus are obligate inhabitants of ephemeral aquatic environments, with life cycles synchronized to the temporary nature of their habitats.