A reference image of the triangular species. Photo: I am a nature lover
Every year, in the middle of the Nevada desert (USA), burning man, one of the most popular art festivals in the world. To achieve this, during the nine days of the event, thousands of artists, enthusiasts and visitors inhabit Black Rock City, a commuter town that sits amidst the dust and heat of the Great American Sandbank.
This year, despite the expected high temperatures, an unprecedented event occurred: a storm arrived just days before the end of the event that began on August 27. But not only that. Amidst the flood that soon formed, mysterious creatures began to emerge outwards: ‘Dinosaur Shrimp‘.
Dormant for years, thrips and angel shrimp — tiny crustaceans — lie dormant in the desert sediments, egg-shaped, until floods create the right conditions for them to surface.
Burning Man visitors have shared photos of the creatures on social media. Photo: @SONICASIDA
When many of the 70,000 people in attendance wanted to flee Black Rock City (due to the large amount of mud in the surrounding area), the small animals arrived. The Bureau of Land Management It said it is normal for angel shrimp to hatch during spring floods and there are organizations and volunteers to help protect them.
How about dinosaur shrimp?
Triops are a genus of small, three-eyed crustaceans. According to the IFL Science Portal, they are called dinosaur shrimp because they are one of the oldest species on the planet. For example, species Triops cancriformis It is approximately 220 million to 250 million years old.
In 2010, Guinness World Records recognized Triops cancriformis as the oldest living organism since it was determined that they had not changed their shape in 200 million years. According to Eye Naturalist, they have two inner compound eyes (capable of detecting rapid movements) and a simple one in the middle. Its body and head are covered by a flat, oval shell.
Triops can measure up to 7 centimeters and have approximately 11 segments on their thorax. They feed on plankton, insect larvae, worms and even tadpoles. They usually live at the bottom of puddles and ponds.
