NFR Any idea what this insect is is?

[mcswny]

Found in swimming around in some standing water in the California Sonoran desert.
4 foot wide stone basin filled with water in the middle of some extremely dry and inhospitable terrain.

 

[Cabezon]

They are likely vernal pool fairy shrimp, Brachinecta lynchi (see here). The species is listed as a Threatened Species by the U.S.FWS. This crustacean species ranges from south-central Oregon through the Central Valley of California to about Los Angeles. They are in the same group (class Branchiopoda) as brine shrimp (Artemia = "sea monkeys"). Species in this class have gills that branch off many of their appendages, including their 11 pairs of swimming legs.
They are opportunistic filter feeders in vernal (ephemeral) pools (see here and here). When the pools fill with rain, eggs ("cysts") that have rested in the sediment hatch out. These eggs are extremely resistant to harsh conditions, even digestion by predators. This allows the eggs to survive for multiple years until winter rains refill the pools. The fairy shrimp mature after 18 days and can reproduce at 40 days. They typically live for a maximum of 90 days and can reach 1 inch. A female carries fertilized eggs in a sac under her body. In some cases, the eggs are deposited on the bottom or are buried in the bottom of the drying pool when the mother dies. The hardy eggs then stay in the sediment until the next major rain event.
Steve

 

[mcswny]

They are likely vernal pool fairy shrimp, Brachinecta lynchi (see here). The species is listed as a Threatened Species by the U.S.FWS. This crustacean species ranges from south-central Oregon through the Central Valley of California to about Los Angeles. They are in the same group (class Branchiopoda) as brine shrimp (Artemia = "sea monkeys"). Species in this class have gills that branch off many of their appendages, including their 11 pairs of swimming legs.
They are opportunistic filter feeders in vernal (ephemeral) pools (see here and here). When the pools fill with rain, eggs ("cysts") that have rested in the sediment hatch out. These eggs are extremely resistant to harsh conditions, even digestion by predators. This allows the eggs to survive for multiple years until winter rains refill the pools. The fairy shrimp mature after 18 days and can reproduce at 40 days. They typically live for a maximum of 90 days and can reach 1 inches. Females carry fertilized eggs in a sac under her body. In some cases, the eggs are deposited on the bottom or are buried in the bottom of the drying pool when the mother dies. The hardy eggs then stay in the sediment until the next major rain event.
Steve

I love this place, thank you so much Steve.

 

[BriGuy]

I love this place, thank you so much Steve.

I agree! I propose a motion to grant @Cabezon "Forum Legend" status.

 

[FinLuver]

I agree! I propose a motion to grant @Cabezon "Forum Legend" status.

I second it…

 

[Pigs]

Cool

 

[Troutnut]

Cool find! I've never seen one in a desert pool before, not that I've looked in very many of those. I have found fairy shrimp in little wet potholes alongside alpine lakes in Wyoming. I think they're the reason why some popular high-lake "scud" patterns are tied with little marabou tails.