This is an interesting one that has some contradicting information. This subspecies has recently been split into two different lineages, T. c. simplex and T. mauritanicus simplex, but if I were to guess this individual is part of the former. Some literature classifies it as its own species T. simplex. Some sources claim this is a gonochoric species, but this one is a hermaphrodite
This is fascinating. I spotted this place by accident and had to Google what I was looking at.
Turns out these fascinating little creatures are tadpole shrimp! There's only TWO groups in the UK - New Forest pond and a pond in Scotland. I'm not sure which of the sub-types they fit into but most likely "simplex". They're extremely endangered in the UK as a result.
Of all the shrimp to land on by accident it was one of the most fascinating for a Brit! Subscribing - thanks!
Yes it's a tadpole shrimp! There have been efforts for conservation breeding of the shrimp in the UK, but I couldn't tell you if they still are/ever got into operation. Although probabaly not simplex, they could be their own subspecies of cancriformis. Triops taxonomy is pretty messy ๐