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Anaspidaceans: Anaspidacea

Anaspidaceans And People

Anaspidaceans and bathynellaceans are considered to be very primitive relatives of krill, crabs, shrimps, lobsters, and crayfish. Studying them may reveal how these animals have evolved, or gradually changed to survive in their environment, over millions of years.

SOMETHING FISHY DOWN UNDER

Water pollution is not the only threat to aquatic animals in Australia. Like all native freshwater crustaceans, anaspidaceans evolved in the absence of trout. Australian colonists introduced these fish from Europe. Without natural defenses against trout, anaspidaceans can only survive in isolated branches of streams and rivers that are out of reach from these hungry predators. Four species of anaspidaceans are listed as Vulnerable, but more species may be considered as scientists learn more about them.

Additional topics

Animal Life ResourceMollusks, Crustaceans, and Related SpeciesAnaspidaceans: Anaspidacea - Physical Characteristics, Behavior And Reproduction, Anaspidaceans And People, No Common Name (anaspides Tasmaniae): Species Account - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, DIET, CONSERVATION STATUS