Lepidurus apus viridis
Tadpole shrimps come from an ancient line of crustaceans and are under threat from human changes to their habitat. It also manages to reproduce without males
As Brachiosaurus and Stegosaurus were roaming the Earth, tadpole shrimps evolved, swimming underfoot, and their ancestors go back to the Carboniferous period (over 300 million years ago). Spawning in temporary freshwater ponds, tarns and wetlands from tiny eggs, less than half a millimeter in diameter, Lepidurus apus viridis is found across the motu, ranging from Hawke’s Bay, Manawatū-Wanganui, Taranaki and Wellington to Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago. With a prominent shield covering much of the body, these animals look a bit like horseshoe crabs, but they are not related.
Although this is a subspecies found in Australia; the Aotearoa populations stand out by having an entirely parthenogenetic female population. With no males in sight these sisters are doing it for themselves, thriving in various environmental extremes. As eggs they need to survive summer droughts and freezing winters, lying dormant until they are immersed in water to hatch in spring.
From the most recent conservation status assessment (2018), L. apus viridis is classified as ‘Threatened – Nationally Endangered’, meaning they face a high risk of extinction in the short term. Information on Aotearoa populations is patchy at best. While their precarious lifestyle in temporary water bodies makes them endearing and unique, it also makes them difficult to survey. Threats to their habitat include wetland draining and modification, stock access, invasive species and climate change.
Check these links for more info on the Tadpole Shrimp in NZ
Wikipedia: Information on Lepidurus apus viridis
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