Oregon Fairy Shrimp
Eubranchipus oregonus
This record describes Eubranchipus oregonus (species). Recorded family: Chirocephalidae. Recorded order: Anostraca.
Identification and Appearance
Found only in vernal pools, at risk and endangered in many regions, eggs can lie dormant through drought, and are thought to be dispersed by waterfowl.
Wikipedia reference for Eubranchipus oregonus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eubranchipus oregonus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Branchiopoda
- Order
- Anostraca (Brine Shrimp and Fairy Shrimp)
- Family
- Chirocephalidae
- Genus
- Eubranchipus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southern British Columbia, Oregon, Washington, Norrthern California.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Eubranchipus oregonus Creaser, 1930
About Brine Shrimp and Fairy Shrimp: the wider group
Order-level background for Anostraca, the group containing Eubranchipus oregonus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Anostraca (fairy shrimp and brine shrimp) includes ~300 described species. Brine shrimp (Artemia) eggs can survive complete desiccation for decades - NASA has even hatched them after spaceflight exposure.
Ecological role of the group
Fairy shrimp inhabit temporary pools that fill with seasonal rains. Their drought-resistant eggs can remain viable in dry soil for 10-20 years, hatching when conditions are right. They are critical food sources for migratory waterbirds.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Brine shrimp are a $1.6 billion industry - their eggs (cysts) are harvested from the Great Salt Lake in Utah and sold worldwide as fish food in aquaculture. Sea-Monkeys, the iconic toy, are actually brine shrimp (Artemia).
Recorded sources for this group: Great Salt Lake ecology, aquaculture industry, NASA. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Oregon Fairy Shrimp (6)
Photo credits: Contributed by Connor E.J. Graham