Typhlocaris ayyaloni is a species of troglobitic shrimp in the family Typhlocarididae.[3]

Typhlocaris ayyaloni
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Suborder: Pleocyemata
Infraorder: Caridea
Family: Typhlocarididae
Genus: Typhlocaris
Species:
T. ayyaloni
Binomial name
Typhlocaris ayyaloni
Tsurnamal, 2008[2]

Description

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This species grows to 4 to 5 cm in length and is blind.[4]

Distribution

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Typhlocaris ayyaloni species was discovered in 2008 in the Ayalon Cave in Israel, 100 meters below ground, with no natural access to the surface. It was found living in a small pool of sulphide-rich, brackish water. It is one of eight new species recently discovered in the area, the others being Tethysbaena ophelicola, Metacyclops longimaxillis, Metacyclops subdolus, Akrav israchanani (a land species, only found dead and also in other parts of the cave), Ayyalonia dimentmani (land species), Lepidospora ayyalonica (land species), and a still-unnamed species in the genus Collembola.[4]

Threats

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This species is endangered as it is known only in the Yarkon-Taninim Aquifer, which is experiencing diminishing water levels. It is one of the main sources of water in Israel.[3]

References

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  1. ^ De Grave, S. (2013). "Typhlocaris ayyaloni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T197640A2494186. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T197640A2494186.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Typhlocaris ayyaloni (Tsurnamal, 2008)". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  3. ^ a b De Grave, S. (2013). "Typhlocaris ayyaloni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T197640A2494186. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T197640A2494186.en. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  4. ^ a b "New species thrive in Ramle underworld". The Jerusalem Post. August 14, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2014.