Streptocephalus texanus

Taxonomy and Classification

• Phylum: Arthropoda

• Class: Branchiopoda

• Order: Anostraca

• Family: Streptocephalidae

• Genus: Streptocephalus

• Species: S. texanus

Streptocephalus texanus, commonly known as The Greater Plains Fairy Shrimp, belongs to the family Streptocephalidae. This species can be found in a diverse range of habitats, including ephemeral pools, predominantly during the warmer seasons 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.

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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.

Body length: Adults range from 10–25 mm

Head: Equipped with stalked compound eyes and a median naupliar eye

Thorax: Bears 11 pairs of phyllopodia used for locomotion, respiration, and feeding

Abdomen: Lacks appendages and terminates in cercopods

Conservation Status

Conservation metrics (e.g., population trend, legal status, habitat fragmentation) are marked as data deficient

Gallery:

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INaturalist - Streptocephalus texanus