Streptocephalus sealii

Irving P.
Oct 24
1 min read

Taxonomy and Classification

• Phylum: Arthropoda

• Class: Branchiopoda

• Order: Anostraca

• Family: Streptocephalidae

• Genus: Streptocephalus

• Species: S. sealii

• Authority: Ryder, 1879

• Synonyms: Streptocephalus floridanus Packard, 1880

• Subspecies: S. sealii sealii, S. sealii coloradensis

Streptocephalus sealii, commonly known as the spiny tail Fairy Shrimp, belongs to the family Streptocephalidae. This species can be found in a diverse range of habitats, including ephemeral pools, predominantly during the spring and summer months of the year. It can be frequently observed in various geographical distributions within North America shown below.

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:

In Streptocephalus, species-level identification is primarily based on the morphological differentiation of the male second antennae, which function as clasping organs during copulation. These antennae exhibit species-specific variation in structure, including differences in segmentation, curvature, presence of distal lobes, spines, and frontal appendages. The configuration of these features is highly conserved within species and serves as a reliable diagnostic character in taxonomic keys.