Draft:Triops: From the Devonian to the Present

In the last decade, small water bodies across the world have experienced record temperatures and historical water shortages. This does not just affect the farmers and ranchers, who often use ponds as a reliable supply of water for their crops and livestock. These changes have had serious effects on the plant and animal species of these important ecosystems. Over thirty percent of all inland water exists within these small standing water bodies.(Graupner, 2023) Many species have been affected by climate change, but of these species, few are more bizarre than the tadpole shrimp. These strange little crustaceans, also known as triops, possess an incredible adaptation. As eggs, they can enter a state of diapause, for up to seventy years, or until the pond fills back up to a sufficient depth. After being fertilized, the eggs settle into the substrate to be reanimated later. These creatures evolved during the Devonian period, over 350 million years ago and remain virtually unchanged.(Central Michigan University, Paragraph One) One would think that this would make them resistant to droughts and warm water temperatures. However, in their natural habitats, tadpole shrimp populations are declining. However, releasing groups of primeval crabs into the wild willy-nilly is not the answer. It will take a coordinated effort that is carefully planned and surgically executed; with a technical, thought through approach, they may have a chance of recovery as a species. (Lazic, 2023) How we interact with triops today will be key to their survival in the future.

References

Central Michigan University.Zooplankton of the Great Lakes: Triops Longicaudatus. Oxford University Press Inc., New York, Publish date not found. people.se.cmich.edu. 1, November 2024.

Graupner, Johannes. Small Water Big Concerns: Climate Change and Water Scarcity Endanger Ponds. Leibniz Association, 30, August 2023. igb berlin.de. 1, November 2024

Lazic, Sladjan. Are Triops an Endangered Species. Triops Galaxy, 19, October 2023. triops galaxy.de. 29, October 2024.