Zoology Faculty Work

Title

On the Natural History and Functional Morphology of the Clam Shrimp, Lynceus brachyurus Müller (Branchiopoda: Laevicaudata)

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2014

Publication Title

Journal of Crustacean Biology

Volume Number

34

Issue Number

6

DOI

10.1163/1937240X-00002279

Abstract

The small bivalved clam shrimp, Lynceus brachyurus Müller, 1776, is seasonally abundant in two long-duration vernal pools in central Ohio, USA. Previously unrecognized anatomical features include dorsal patches of spines or filaments on posterior trunk segments, diverse medial spines on the dorsal lobes of the leg exopods, two-segmented dorso-lateral appendages on the male eleventh segment, and brown coloration on portions of male legs. It can swim actively, but is basically benthic. Females are sometimes totally quiescent. Gut contents, observation, and experiments showed a diet of substrate scrapings, suspended detritus, and small zooplankton. Females ovulate following male stimulation and produce new egg batches without an intervening molt. Repeated matings are needed to produce the large egg masses often carried. Larvae were first collected in late February, and adults in late April. Lynceus was found in nine of the eleven years studied, being absent in the years that followed two years of high rainfall.

ISSN

0278-0372

First Page

677

Last Page

703

Link Out URL

https://doi.org/10.1163/1937240X-00002279

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