Branchinecta lindahli

Irving P.
Aug 31, 2023
2 min read

Updated: Aug 31

Taxonomy and Classification

• Phylum: Arthropoda

• Class: Branchiopoda

• Order: Anostraca

• Family: Branchinectidae

• Genus: Branchinecta

• Species: B. lindahli

• Authority: Ferris, 1917

Branchinecta lindahli, commonly known as the Versatile Fairy Shrimp, belongs to the order Anostraca and the family Branchinectidae. First described by Packard in 1874, this species is notable for its adaptability to a wide range of ephemeral freshwater habitats, including vernal pools, irrigation ditches, prairie potholes, and playas. It can tolerate significant variation in water chemistry—especially in alkalinity, turbidity, and salinity—making it one of the most ecologically flexible fairy shrimp species in North America

The distribution of B. lindahli is extensive across western and central North America. It ranges from Alberta, Canada, down through the western United States into Baja California, Mexico. Populations have been documented from Iowa to California, and it is particularly widespread in California’s vernal pool ecosystems. Its broad range and ecological tolerance have raised concerns about potential hybridization with more localized and endangered species, such as Branchinecta sandiegonensis

The characteristics outlined below may exhibit variations influenced by environmental conditions, population dynamics, and the organism's age.

IDENTIFIABLE TRAITS OF THIS SPECIES

Male Second Antenna:

Branchinecta is a diverse genus of fairy shrimp characterized by a suite of morphological traits that facilitate species-level identification and ecological specialization. Males exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism, particularly in the second antennae, which are often modified into grasping structures used during mating. These antennae vary in shape, segmentation, and presence of distal lobes or hooks, serving as reliable taxonomic markers.