Typhlocaris galilea | |
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Male. Plate from Calman, 1909 | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Malacostraca |
Order: | Decapoda |
Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
Infraorder: | Caridea |
Family: | Typhlocarididae |
Genus: | Typhlocaris |
Species: | T. galilea
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Binomial name | |
Typhlocaris galilea
Calman, 1909
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Typhlocaris galilea is a species of troglobitic shrimp in the genus Typhlocaris, and is endemic to one pool and spring that feeds it, at Tabgha in Israel. The species is critically endangered and a conservation programme to conserve the species has begun.
The relict [1] species was first described in 1909, by William Thomas Calman. [2]
The shrimp are semi-transparent and blind. [3] Adult specimens are approximately 3 inches (7.6 cm) long. [3] Their diet probably consists mainly of a small red tubificid worm, Isochaeta israelis. [4]
The shrimp is endemic to one chamber of a Roman cistern, Ein-Nur octagonal pool (the private property of a monastery, [1] at 32°52′25″N 35°32′57″E / 32.8736°N 35.5493°E), and a warm (27 °C or 81 °F), [5] sulphuric, [5] saline [1] subterranean spring that feeds it, at Tabgha, [6] on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee in Israel. [3] [7]
The species is now critically endangered, as the extraction of ground water has allowed foreign water into the pool, changing its composition and temperature. [3] It is legally protected (Section 5, paragraphs D and E, of the Fisheries Rules of 1937 as amended). [8]
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. [3]