Hundreds of strange creatures of prehistoric appearance (and origin) have emerged these days after a heavy downpour in northern Arizona (USA). According to officials at the Wupatki National Monument where the events took place, these animals hatched from their tiny eggs and began swimming around a temporary lake that appeared in the desert landscape.
These tadpole-sized creatures called triops “They look like little horseshoe crabs with three eyes”as described by the authorities of this protected area.
Their eggs can lie dormant in the desert for decades until enough rain falls. It’s like creating lakes that provide suitable terrain and climate for fry to develop and lay eggs for future generations, according to Central Michigan University.
Triopes are so rare that when tourists report seeing them in a temporary rain-filled lake, park staff didn’t know everything about them and I had no protocol in mind for what to do with these animals.
In fact, they initially believed it might be a population of toads that live in underground burrows during the dry season and emerge to spawn after rains.
However, according to local media, they had no idea what these creatures were, which they had never seen before.
three-eyed crustacean
Triopes, meaning ‘three eyes’ in Greek, are sometimes called ‘dinosaur shrimp’ due to their long evolutionary history; The ancestors of these crustaceans evolved during the Devonian period (419 to 359 million years ago), and their appearance has changed little since then.According to Central Michigan University.
Triopes, however, would not be considered “living fossils” because they are not exactly identical to their ancestors, but their external physical resemblance is immense.
There are two genera in the Triopsidae family – Triops and Lepidurus – which together contain up to 12 species. Examples found on Wupatki, triops longicaudatusIt is a species found in short-lived freshwater ponds known as spring ponds in North, Central and South America, but scientific analysis is needed to confirm this.
After hatching, Triops can reach a length of four centimeters, with a shield-shaped shell that looks like a miniature helmet. They have two large black-rimmed compound eyes (like those of a dragonfly or a bee) and a small ocellus, or simple eye, between them.
Experts said triops can live for up to 90 days, but the lake formed after rains in this region only lasts for three to four weeks. now, heThe birds became aware of their presence, and ravens and raptors dived into the water to devour the creatures.According to Wupatki National Monument officials.
What you need to know:
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triops, which Means “three eyes” in Greek, they are sometimes called “dinosaur shrimp” because of their long evolutionary history; According to Central Michigan University, the ancestors of these crustaceans evolved during the Devonian period (419 million to 359 million years ago) and their appearance has changed little since then.
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There are two genera in the Triopsidae family, Triops and Lepidurus. together they contain up to 12 speciesCentral Michigan University reported.
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Creatures found in Wupatki, triops longicaudatusIt is a species found in short-lived freshwater ponds known as spring ponds in North, Central and South America, but scientific analysis is required to confirm.
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