Tiny creatures living in seasonal pools across Arkansas are helping scientists better understand some of the state’s most unusual and important ecosystems.
Katie Morris, Aquatic Ecologist with the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, says fairy shrimp are among Arkansas’ most fascinating and least-known freshwater animals.
The tiny crustaceans live in vernal pools, small and shallow pools of water that typically fill during the winter and spring before drying up later in the year.
Fairy shrimp have developed a remarkable way to survive those changing conditions.
Their eggs, known as cysts, can remain dormant in dry soil for long periods. When water returns to the pools, the cysts can hatch and begin another generation.
Arkansas is home to at least 7 distinct species of fairy shrimp, including the rare Coastal Plains Fairy Shrimp.
Although fairy shrimp are only about 1/2 inch to 1 inch long, they serve an important role in the environment. The small crustaceans provide food for waterfowl and other wildlife.
The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission manages a system of 83 Natural Areas covering nearly 80,000 acres throughout Arkansas. The areas help protect rare plants, animals and natural communities.
Morris encourages Arkansans to pay closer attention to seasonal pools of water because even what appears to be a small puddle can contain an entire ecosystem filled with remarkable wildlife.
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