Triops

This is a Triops. I gave my son one of those triops breeding kits. It was a big succes!
This one lived just under three months which is very old for a triops. Picture made with a revesed 35mm pentax lens

comments (16)

RMFelix

Lion

Great! most beautiful species, and a great photo! Almost like we are looking to more than 200 million years of history, there are fossils of Tripos cancriformis that date back to the Upper Triassic. This ones and lots of other species (living fossils) are a great example of arguments that not support Darwin's Evolution model. Cheers* Posted 9 years ago

JHoppenbrouwers

Grizzly Bear

Thanks Felix! Their survival strategy is also great, The eggs can stay dry for decades and still hatch when they come in contact with water. Posted 9 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Holy crap, this is insane! I think you posted one of the best photos on the platform. This one has it all: incredible subject, perfect exposure, a mysterious species, and the whole gives a real alien atmosphere, a universal wonder about all things living.

You should be VERY proud of this one, Jeroen. And you should sell it, it's magazine cover material. Posted 9 years ago

JHoppenbrouwers

Grizzly Bear

Thanks Ferdy :)! Normally i brush the floating particles in the water away with lightroom but i didn't with this one. I also liked the alien/ space look of the background. Posted 9 years ago

morpheme

Lion

That's pretty cool - about how big are they? I've never noticed one in a pond, even when looking for tadpoles, minnows or frogs, so I'm guessing they must be fairly tiny or fairly rare - or both! Posted 9 years ago
1. JHoppenbrouwers
  
  Grizzly Bear
  
  Thanks for the comment!
  Fully grown the shield is about as big as a thumbnail, and with the full tail about one inch. But they are very well
  camouflaged! I often had a hard time finding him between the pebbles in a small plastic turtle tank. Posted 9 years ago
2. 1. morpheme
    
    Lion
    
    I'll have to keep my eyes open - the distribution map shows them present in this area and we come across plenty of seasonal ponds on our hikes. That would definitely be a neat thing to see. Posted 9 years ago
  2. 1. JHoppenbrouwers
      
      Grizzly Bear
      
      It would be really cool to see one in its natural habitat! And the seasonal ponds would be the best place to look for them. Many Triops species can be found in your area. here is a link to the different Triops species and where you can find them
      http://mytriops.com/articles/triops_species2.stm#tlongicaudatus . Also just found out that even in northern Europe there are some Triops species to be found. Posted 9 years ago

Mark Ridgway

Lion

That is a truly mind-blowing shot! Thanks for sharing it.
Posted 9 years ago
1. JHoppenbrouwers
  
  Grizzly Bear
  
  Thanks Mark! Posted 9 years ago

Claire Hamilton

Lion

I think all the adjectives have been used already, absolutely fantastically and awesomely stunning! Posted 9 years ago

JohnR

Lion

Awesome click!!!! :D Posted 8 years ago

englishindiangirl

Lion

Wonderful! Can you really find them in England? We have a pond near us - I'd love to go ' pond dipping' with my grandson and look for one of these. Posted 8 years ago

englishindiangirl

Lion

I've just 'googled' these and now I know exactly what I want for Christmas! Posted 8 years ago

Flown Kimmerling

Lion

From today's JungleDragon Facebook post:
"Longtail Tadpole Shrimp (Triops longicaudatus)-

Triops longicaudatus is a relatively solitary freshwater crustacean within the Order Notostraca. This particular species can be found in North America, South America, the Caribbean, Japan, and some Pacific Islands. It typically resides at the bottoms of warm vernal pools, puddles, and ponds--but it has also become a popular aquarium pet.

With a lifespan of 40-90 days, it must molt daily in order to keep up with a fast growth rate. To meet its metabolic requirements, it must eat around 40 percent of its own body mass in food every day. It spends the majority of its day feeding on detritus, mosquito larvae, aquatic plants, rotifers, and small invertebrates (including fellow Triops).

Interestingly enough, it has multiple modes of reproduction. Its primary reproductive strategy is parthogenesis--which involves the production of offspring from unfertilized eggs. This strategy has led to female-dominant populations. Other methods include selfing (hermaphroditic reproduction) and sexual reproduction. Sexual reproduction is the least likely method employed as most populations of Triops are primarily comprised of females.

While the Triops longicaudatus is highly adaptable to changes in its environment, it still faces the threats of human activity and habitat disruption. It is a major source of food for birds and woodfrogs, and plays an important role in nutrient distribution for smaller organisms within vernal pools. It is highly effective at decreasing populations of mosquitoes (particularly Culex sp.) and thus provides some protection against the West Nile virus.
{Spotted in the Netherlands by JungleDragon user, By JHoppenbrouwers} #JungleDragon" Posted 6 years ago, modified 6 years ago

Flavio

Lion

This is just stunning, what a piece of art, congratulations! Posted 3 years ago

The Triops longicaudatus

"Triops longicaudatus" is a freshwater crustacean of the order Notostraca, resembling a miniature horseshoe crab. It is characterized by an elongated, segmented body, a flattened shield-like brownish carapace covering two thirds of the thorax, and two long filaments on the abdomen.

Info 7 1

Similar species: Shield Shrimps

Species identified by JHoppenbrouwers