Major Group: Crustacea
Minor Group: Notostraca
Family: Triopsidae
This minor group is represented in Australian freshwaters by a single family, Triopsidae. |
Descriptive Features: large dorsal shield-shaped carapace, attached at anterior end only
sessile compound eyes
number of segments and legs large and variable (35-71)
1st 11 segments (thorax) each bear a pair of foliaceous appendages
last segment bears 2 long backward pointing caudal rami (tails)
median supra anal plate present or absent
breeding females with ovisacs on 11th pair of thoracic appendages
Total length: up to 35 mm (not including caudal rami). |
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Lepidurus apus |
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Taxonomic Checklist: Species
Lepidurus apus Linnaeus
Triops australiensis Spencer & Hall |
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Distribution: Australia wide
Sensitivity Rating: SIGNAL grade 1
Functional Feeding Group: scrapers |
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Kiewa River area, Vic |
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Ecology: Instream habitat: Shield shrimps occur in ephemeral lentic waters. They are benthic and burrow into soft substrata.
Feeding ecology: Notostracans are omnivores feeding on algae, bacteria, protozoans, rotifers and plant matter.
Habit:
Life history: Eggs can withstand long periods of desiccation and are activated by the presence of water. Eggs hatch to microscopic larval forms with only three appendages, antennules, antennae and mandibles. Larvae undergo several moults before attaining adult form. |
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Information Sources: Gooderham & Tsyrlin 2002, Hawking & Smith 1997, Ingram et al 1997, Williams 1980, Timms 2006
Key to Species: Williams 1980 |
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