Hundreds of unusual creatures with a prehistoric look have appeared after a heavy rainstorm in northern Arizona, United States. Officials at the Wupatki National Monument reported that these animals hatched from tiny eggs and began swimming in a temporary lake that formed in the desert landscape.
These tadpole-sized animals are triops. They have been described as resembling small horseshoe crabs with three eyes by the authorities at the protected area.
Their eggs can lie dormant in the desert for many decades until sufficient rainfall creates the right conditions for their development. It is a process that creates temporary lakes suitable for fry to grow and lay eggs for future generations, according to Central Michigan University.
Triops are so rare that when visitors report seeing them in a temporary rain-filled pond, staff at the park often admit they do not have a complete protocol for handling these creatures.
In the early days, officials suspected a population of toads living in underground burrows during the dry season and emerging to spawn after rains.
Local media noted that they had no clear understanding of these creatures, having never seen them before.
three-eyed crustacean
Triops, meaning three eyes in Greek, are sometimes called dinosaur shrimp due to their long evolutionary history. The ancestors of these crustaceans developed during the Devonian period, roughly 419 to 359 million years ago, and their appearance has changed little since then, according to Central Michigan University.
While triops resemble their ancient forebears, they are not exact living fossils because they have evolved in various ways over time.
There are two genera in the Triopsidae family, Triops and Lepidurus, and together they include up to 12 species. A specimen observed at Wupatki matched the description of triops longicaudatus, a species found in short-lived freshwater ponds known as spring ponds across the Americas, though scientific verification is needed.
After hatching, Triops can reach about four centimeters in length. They carry a shield-shaped shell that resembles a small helmet. Their two large black-rimmed compound eyes sit on the sides, with a small simple eye between them.
Experts note that triops can live up to 90 days, yet the rain-fed lake in this region typically lasts only three to four weeks. Ravens and other birds quickly learn of the new food source, diving into the water to feast on the creatures, according to officials at the Wupatki National Monument.
What you need to know:
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Triops means three eyes in Greek, and the creatures are often called dinosaur shrimp because of their long evolutionary history. The ancestors arose during the Devonian period between 419 and 359 million years ago, and their appearance has changed little since then, as noted by Central Michigan University.
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There are two genera in the Triopsidae family, Triops and Lepidurus, together totaling up to 12 species, according to Central Michigan University.
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The animals found at Wupatki are thought to be triops longicaudatus, a species associated with short-lived spring ponds in the Americas, though confirmation requires scientific study.
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It is important to note that the environment can sustain these creatures briefly after heavy rains, and the period of visibility is limited.
For researchers and park visitors, the emergence of these crustaceans offers a rare glimpse into a flash ecosystem that appears with the rain and then disappears as the land dries.
The events at Wupatki National Monument illustrate how quickly desert aquatic habitats can come and go and how fragile these ephemeral populations can be. Observers are reminded that more study is needed to understand the full range and behavior of triops in this region and to determine the best practices for observing and protecting them.