Belonging to the Branchipodidae order, Branchipodopsis affinis demonstrates adaptability to a diverse range of environments, particularly favoring ephemeral rock outcrop pools during the warmer seasons. This species is frequently observed not only in Mongolia but also in other parts of Asia.
This genus, such as Branchipodopsis affinis, are notably found in small, temporary rock pools. These pools have exceptionally low electrolytic conductivity, indicating a minimal presence of soluble salts, acids, or bases. ("Branchipodopsis," Wikipedia).
Anatomy:
The characteristics outlined below may exhibit variations influenced by environmental conditions, population dynamics, and the organism's age.
Head:
Second Antenna:
Male: The shrimp has a structure called a Clypeus, which has a broad base process that is split into two lobes at the tip. The outer lobe is rounded and smooth, or it may have a small sharp projection on the inner side, which may not be visible in some cases. The inner lobe is more cone-shaped and sharp-pointed. There is a small, rounded, leaf-like process (lamelliform process), and the joint at the tip is strongly curved inwards, blunt and broad (Kangarloei, Behrooz Atashbar & Roohi, 2021, Zootaxa 4908, pp. 558-570: 563).
Female: Reduced second antennae
Thorax:
Dorsolateral Process:
Male: absent
Female: unknown
Thoracopods:
Consistent between sexes with spines and fine setae on the edges of the limbs.
Reproductive Segments:
Male: pair of penes.
Female: Resting egg broods are typically modest in size, generally consisting of fewer than 80 eggs, and are produced nearly on a daily basis. The pouch for carrying eggs (brood pouch) is oval-shaped. (Brendonck et al., 2000).
Cyst:
Spherical cysts exhibit a wrinkled or crumpled appearance.
Abdomen:
There is a pair of small spines on the lower surface of the last abdominal segment on males.
Tail:
Cercopods:
Male: The tail appendages (cercopods) have outer edges that are strongly curved outward, with bristles (setae) along the entire length. There are small, spine-like bristles on the inner edges along the entire length. (Thiéry and Jean, “Branchipodopsis buettikeri, New Species,” 2008).
Female: The tail appendages have straight margins with long feathery bristles (plumose setae) along the outer margins and the distal two-thirds of the inner margins. (Thiéry and Jean, "Branchipodopsis buettikeri, New Species," 2008).
Morphology:
Size: 2.cm to 2.5cm in length, contingent on prevailing environmental conditions.
Coloration: body is transparent but may have hues of tans, and pinks.
Captivity and Growth:
Growth is influenced by multiple factors such as temperature, salinity, and care. These temperature ranges are based on our experience but do not represent the maximum or minimum.
Hatching Temperature Range: 60 to 78 °F.
Temperature Range for Adults: 60 to 78°F.
Hatching: At temperatures of 60 to 78 Fahrenheit, nauplii appear after 24 to 48 hours.
Growth Rate: Branchipodopsis species stand out as frontrunners in the temporal race, achieving maturation typically within a week post-inundation (Brendonck et al., 2000). This species demonstrates a rapid growth trajectory, attaining sexual maturity in approximately 7 to 10 days, and have an average lifespan of 8 to 10 weeks in captivity.
Behavior: This species prefers to swim in open water, feeding on microorganisms in the water column, and is constantly swimming more or less in a stationary manner. Males are more sporadic than females.
Reproduction: males use their second antenna to latch onto the females only taking but a few seconds to mate.
References:
"Branchipodopsis." Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branchipodopsis.
Brendonck, L., Hamer, M. L., Riddoch, B. J., & Seaman, M. T. "Branchipodopsis species — specialists of ephemeral rock pools." African Journal of Aquatic Science, vol. 25, no. 1, 2000, pp. 98-104. DOI: 10.2989/160859100780177668.
Thiéry, Alain, and Séverine Jean. “BRANCHIPODOPSIS BUETTIKERI, NEW SPECIES (ANOSTRACA, BRANCHIPODIDAE), THE FIRST ARABIAN (SULTANATE OF OMAN) REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GENUS OF FRESHWATER FAIRY SHRIMPS, WITH BIOGEOGRAPHICAL REMARKS.” Laboratoire de Biologie animale - E.A. 2202 Biodiversité, Université de Provence, 3 place Victor Hugo, case 18, 13331 Marseille Cedex 3, 2008.
Kangarloei, Behrooz Atashbar & Roohi, Maryam. "Branchipodopsis affinis Sars, 1901. First record of Branchipodopsis affinis Sars, 1901 (Crustacea: Anostraca) in Iran (Bazargan, West Azerbaijan): Ecology, Morphology and Genetics." Zootaxa, vol. 4908, no. 4, 2021, pp. 558-570, p. 563.