Lepidurus packardi

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Lepidurus packardi

ESA)[2][3]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Branchiopoda
Order: Notostraca
Family: Triopsidae
Genus: Lepidurus
Species:
L. packardi
Binomial name
Lepidurus packardi
Simon, 1886

Lepidurus packardi, the vernal pool tadpole shrimp, is a small, rare species of tadpole shrimp (Notostraca) found in temporary ponds of the western United States.[4]

Distribution

The

endemic to California, where it lives in the endangered vernal pool
type of habitat, and other freshwater aquatic habitats including ponds, reservoirs, ditches, road ruts, and other natural and artificial temporary water bodies.

The animal is found in several regions of California, including the

Sierra Nevada
foothills.

The southeastern Sacramento Valley contains about 15% of the remaining vernal pool

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, Travis Air Force Base, and the Jepson Prairie Preserve. In the San Joaquin Valley it has been noted at the Merced and San Luis National Wildlife Refuges. There are occurrences in the Sierra foothills region in Tulare, Fresno, Merced, and Stanislaus Counties.[5] It occurs outside California in the Agate Desert of Oregon.[6]

Description

Lepidurus packardi is about 5 centimeters (2.0 in) long. It has a shield-like

compound eyes, up to 48 pairs of phyllopods (swimming appendages), and two cercopods, pincer-like appendages at the end of its telson, or tail segment. It is similar to,[6] but distinct from,[7] the related species Lepidurus couesii. The sexes can be distinguished by noting the egg sacs attached to the eleventh phyllopods of the female.[6]

The adult is omnivorous, collecting food items with its phyllopods as it swims, climbs on vegetation, or digs in sediment.[6] It is an ecosystem engineer in that it causes bioturbation, producing so much turbidity when it digs through the sediment that it may alter the ecology of its pool habitat by reducing plant cover.[8]

Reproduction occurs when temporary pools fill with water. Larger females have higher

parasitic echinostome fluke.[9]

Conservation

Lepidurus packardi is a listed federally as an

IUCN RedList.[1]

Threats to L. packardi include anything that destroys, degrades, or fragments its ephemeral pool habitat. Nine percent of historical vernal pool habitat remains today, and it is fragmented and isolated. Expanding urban development is the cause of habitat destruction in many areas. Agricultural development is another cause. The construction of the University of California, Merced, campus was scheduled to alter the habitat in the area, but it also included plans for protection of over 20,000 acres (8,100 ha).

Habitat can also be degraded when the local hydrology is altered, making the land too dry or permanently wet. There are many local conservation projects tailored to the needs of each region.[5]

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T11615A3296166.en
    . Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Vernal pool tadpole shrimp (Lepidurus packardi)". Environmental Conservation Online System. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  3. ^ a b 59 FR 48136
  4. ^ ITIS Report: Lepidurus packardi (TSN 684669)
  5. ^ a b USFWS. Lepidurus packardi Five-year Review. September 2007.
  6. ^ a b c d e Lepidurus packardi. The Nature Conservancy.
  7. S2CID 198969112
    .
  8. S2CID 24270007.[permanent dead link
    ]
  9. S2CID 26307328
    .

External links
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