Niphargellus glenniei, also known as the south-western groundwater shrimp,[2] is a species of amphipod from within the family Niphargidae. A native of the United Kingdom, it has been placed in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan list of priority species. It is the first aquatic troglobite to be given a conservation status within the UK.[3]
Niphargellus glenniei | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Malacostraca |
Order: | Amphipoda |
Family: | Niphargidae |
Genus: | Niphargellus |
Species: | N. glenniei
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Binomial name | |
Niphargellus glenniei (Spooner, 1952)
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Synonyms[1] | |
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Description
editNiphargellus glenniei lacks pigment and is eyeless, much like other Stygofauna.[2] It will reach sexual maturity at around 2.5–3 mm long.[4] N. glenniei can be distinguished by a lack of spines on its telson lobes and rounded palmar angles on the organisms gnathopods.[4]
Distribution and habitat
editNiphargellus glenniei is endemic to England, where it has been recorded in 143 sites within the southwest of the country.[5] It is restricted to the counties of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset.[6][4]
Niphargellus glenniei lives in freshwater habitats such as caves, aquifers, wells, springs, quarries and mines.[2] The species has been recorded to live in alkaline limestone habitat, but also on acidic granite.[4]
References
edit- ^ "Niphargellus glenniei". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ a b c "Niphargus glennei - South-western Groundwater Shrimp". www.cornishbiodiversitynetwork.org. 20 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ Knight, Lee (2008). "The Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) for Niphargus glenniei (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Niphargidae): The first British troglobite to be listed". Researchgate.net. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Niphargus glenniei". Hypogean Crustacea Recording Scheme (hcrs.brc.ac.uk). 20 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ "Niphargus glenniei (Spooner, 1952) British Cave Shrimp". nbnatlas.org. 20 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ "Niphargellus glenniei (Spooner 1952)". eol.org. 20 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.