Typhlocaris galilea

Typhlocaris galilea is a species of troglobitic shrimp in the genus Typhlocaris, and is endemic to one pool and spring that feeds it, at Tabgha in Israel. The species is critically endangered and a conservation programme has begun.

Typhlocaris galilea
Male. Plate from Calman, 1909
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Crustacea
Class:
Malacostraca
Order:
Decapoda
Infraorder:
Caridea
Family:
Typhlocarididae
Genus:
Typhlocaris
Species:
T. galilea
Binomial name
Typhlocaris galilea
Calman, 1909

Description

The relict[1] species was first described in 1909, by William Thomas Calman.[2]

The shrimp are semi-transparent and blind.[3] Adult specimens are approximately 3 inches (7.6 cm) long.[3] Their diet probably consists mainly of a small red tubificid worm, Isochaeta israelis.[4]

Distribution

The shrimp is endemic to one chamber of a Roman cistern, Ein-Nur octagonal pool (the private property of a monastery,[1] at 32.8736°N 35.5493°E / 32.8736; 35.5493), and a warm (27 °C or 81 °F),[5] sulphuric,[5] saline[1] subterranean spring that feeds it, at Tabgha,[6] on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee in Israel.[3][7]

Conservation

The species is now critically endangered, as the extraction of ground water has allowed foreign water into the pool, changing its composition and temperature.[3] It is legally protected (Section 5, paragraphs D and E, of the Fisheries Rules of 1937 as amended).[8]

In 2013, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority approached the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo to develop a captive breeding programme for the species, with a view to later reintroduction.[3]

See also
  • Ayyalon Cave - a similar ecological niche where a related species lives

References
  1. Henk K. Mienis. "Rediscovery of Heleobia annandalei in the Octogon pool of Tabgha, Israel" (PDF). Tentacle. IUCN/SSC Mollusc Specialist Group. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  2. W. T. Calman (1909). "On a blind Prawn from the Sea of Galilee (Typhlocaris galilea, g. et sp. n.)". Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. 2nd ser., Zoology. 11 (5): 93–97. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.1909.tb00194.x.
  3. Karin Kloosterman (May 6, 2013). "Blind shrimp spared from extinction at Bible Zoo in Jerusalem". Green Prophet. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  4. Moshe Tsurnamal & Francis Dov Por (1971). "The subterranean fauna associated with the blind palaemonid prawn Typhlocaris galilea Calman" (PDF). International Journal of Speleology. 3 (3/4): 219–223. doi:10.5038/1827-806x.3.3.3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-03-22.
  5. Rivka Gonen (2000). Biblical Holy Places: an Illustrated Guide. Paulist Press. ISBN 080913974X.
  6. M. Tsurnamal. "Temperature preference of the blind prawn, Typhlocaris galilea Calman (Decapoda, Caridea)". Crustaceana. 34 (3): 225–234. doi:10.1163/156854078x00781. JSTOR 20103277.
  7. M. Tsurnamal (1978). "The biology and ecology of the blind prawn, Typhlocaris galilea Calman (Decapoda, Caridea)". Crustaceana. 34 (2): 195–213. doi:10.1163/156854078X00736. JSTOR 20103268.
  8. "Legal analysis of the measures adopted by Mediterranean coastal states to minimize the impact of fishing activities on marine ecosystems and non-target species" (PDF). Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas. 2003. Retrieved May 7, 2013.

Further reading
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