Species
Tadpole Shrimp
Crustaceans
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Tadpole shrimp, genus Triops, are small freshwater crustaceans named for their tadpole-like shape, with a broad, shield-like carapace covering the front of the body and a long, tapering tail. Often called living fossils because their basic body form has changed little across an exceptionally long fossil record, they inhabit temporary pools that form after rain, hatching quickly from drought-resistant eggs that can remain dormant in dry soil for years, then growing to maturity and reproducing within just a few weeks before the pool dries again.
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