Tadpole Shrimp
VU

Tadpole Shrimp

Triops cancriformis

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triops_cancriformis

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Triops cancriformis faces severe population declines primarily due to the destruction and degradation of temporary wetland habitats across Europe. Agricultural intensification has eliminated many seasonal pools through drainage and conversion to farmland, while remaining habitats suffer from pollution, eutrophication, and altered hydrological cycles. Climate change poses an additional threat by disrupting the precise timing of pool formation and drying cycles that this species requires for successful reproduction.

Threat summary

Habitat

Triops cancriformis inhabits temporary freshwater pools, seasonal ponds, and ephemeral wetlands that fill with water during spring and dry out in summer or autumn. These shallow, nutrient-rich habitats are typically found in agricultural landscapes, floodplains, and natural depressions across Europe.

FRESHWATER· majorFRESHWATER· major

Threatened in Algeria

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Blind SnailVU

Blind Snail

Cecilioides acicula

Unknown
VU

Small Three-toed Skink

Chalcides minutus

Declining
EN

Chafarinas' Skink

Chalcides parallelus

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Tadpole Shrimp classified as Vulnerable?
Tadpole Shrimp is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Triops cancriformis faces severe population declines primarily due to the destruction and degradation of temporary wetland habitats across Europe. Agricultural intensification has eliminated many seasonal pools through drainage and conversion to farmland, while remaining habitats suffer from pollution, eutrophication, and altered hydrological cycles. Climate change poses an additional threat by disrupting the precise timing of pool formation and drying cycles that this species requires for successful reproduction.
Where does Tadpole Shrimp live?
Tadpole Shrimp occurs in Algeria, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, and Botswana (plus 44 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Tadpole Shrimp?
The main threats to Tadpole Shrimp are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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