🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨

Triops longicaudatus is commonly known as a tadpole shrimp, because the body superficially resembles a frog larva. Triops longicaudatus is a fairly large tadpole shrimp, with a length of 10 to 40 mm long, a width of 3 to 8 mm, and a mass of 2 to 2.5 g. The body of T. longicaudatus tends to be a brown or grayish-yellow color, and is segmented into a head, thorax, and abdomen.

Triops longicaudatus can exhibit several different reproductive methods. While T. longicaudatus may reproduce sexually, it is very rare, and the majority of populations are female-dominated. As such, parthenogenesis is the most common method of reproduction. A third reproductive strategy is selfing (self-fertilization), which can exist in a population that is largely composed of hermaphrodites. In all cases, fertilization is external.

Triops longicaudatus has three eyes that are most likely used to identify food and potential partners (if reproduction for the population is sexual). Posterior to the eyes is a dorsal, nuchal organ that is most likely used for chemoreception.

These small crustaceans use appendages called phyllopods to push themselves forward in the water. They are constantly moving during the day and are found swimming in the water column. These crustaceans possess exopods which allow them to dig in the mud in search for food.