Typhlocaris Galilea
Description
The relict species was first described in 1909, by William Thomas Calman.
The shrimp are semi-transparent and blind. Adult specimens are approximately 3 inches (7.6 cm) long. Their diet probably consists mainly of a small red tubificid worm, Isochaeta israelis.
Distribution
The shrimp is endemic to one chamber of a Roman cistern, Ein-Nur octagonal pool (the private property of a monastery, at 32°52′25″N 35°32′57″E / 32.8736°N 35.5493°E), and a warm (27 °C or 81 °F), sulphuric, saline subterranean spring that feeds it, at Tabgha, on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee in Israel.
Conservation
The species is now critically endangered, as the extraction of ground water has allowed foreign water into the pool, changing its composition and temperature. It is legally protected (Section 5, paragraphs D and E, of the Fisheries Rules of 1937 as amended).
In 2013, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority approached the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo to develop a captive breeding programme for the species, with a view to later reintroduction.
See also
- Ayyalon Cave - a similar ecological niche where a related species lives
References
- ^ Henk K. Mienis. "Rediscovery of Heleobia annandalei in the Octogon pool of Tabgha, Israel" (PDF). Tentacle. IUCN/SSC Mollusc Specialist Group. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
- ^ W. T. Calman (1909). "On a blind Prawn from the Sea of Galilee (Typhlocaris galilea, g. et sp. n.)". Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. 2nd ser., Zoology. 11 (5): 93–97. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.1909.tb00194.x.
- ^ Karin Kloosterman (May 6, 2013). "Blind shrimp spared from extinction at Bible Zoo in Jerusalem". Green Prophet. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
- ^ Moshe Tsurnamal & Francis Dov Por (1971). "The subterranean fauna associated with the blind palaemonid prawn Typhlocaris galilea Calman". International Journal of Speleology. 3 (3/4): 219–223. doi:10.5038/1827-806x.3.3.3.
- ^ Rivka Gonen (2000). Biblical Holy Places: an Illustrated Guide. Paulist Press. ISBN 080913974X.
- ^ M. Tsurnamal (1978). "Temperature preference of the blind prawn, Typhlocaris galilea Calman (Decapoda, Caridea)". Crustaceana. 34 (3): 225–234. doi:10.1163/156854078x00781. JSTOR 20103277.
- ^ M. Tsurnamal (1978). "The biology and ecology of the blind prawn, Typhlocaris galilea Calman (Decapoda, Caridea)". Crustaceana. 34 (2): 195–213. doi:10.1163/156854078X00736. JSTOR 20103268.
- ^ "Legal analysis of the measures adopted by Mediterranean coastal states to minimize the impact of fishing activities on marine ecosystems and non-target species" (PDF). Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas. 2003. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
Further reading
- Annandale, N. (1912). "The blind prawn of Galilee". Nature. 90 (2244): 251. Bibcode:1912Natur..90..251A. doi:10.1038/090251a0. S2CID 3979705.
External links
- Charles Fransen (2013). "Typhlocaris galilea Calman, 1909". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species.