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Home/Species/ Conservancy Fairy Shrimp

Branchinecta conservatio

Eng, Belk and Eriksen, 1990

Conservancy Fairy Shrimp

G2Imperiled Found in 80 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G2ImperiledGlobal Rank
EndangeredIUCN
HighThreat Impact
Conservancy fairy shrimp (Branchinecta conservatio). Photo by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Public Domain (U.S. Government Work), via ECOS.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, https://www.usa.gov/government-works
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.120525
Element CodeICBRA03010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryInvertebrate Animal
IUCNEndangered
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumArthropoda
ClassBranchiopoda
OrderAnostraca
FamilyBranchinectidae
GenusBranchinecta
Other Common Names
conservancy fairy shrimp (EN)
Concept Reference
Eng, L.L., D. Belk, and C.H. Erikson. 1990. California Anostraca: Distribution, habitat, and status. Journal of Crustacean Biology 10(2): 247-277. Online: https://www.jstor.org/stable/1548485?refreqid=excelsior%3A2bde55ee67369e6bd73730d3e4616d34&seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2022-02-17
Change Date2008-10-01
Edition Date2022-02-17
Edition AuthorsHunting, K. (2022)
Threat ImpactHigh
Range Extent20,000-200,000 square km (about 8000-80,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences6 - 20
Rank Reasons
This species is restricted to approximately ten disjunct localities each comprised of one to twenty separate vernal pools in areas that face some continued agricultural development. The range has suffered an extensive long-term population decline due to habitat loss. Currently, the majority of the known populations are protected from direct habitat loss by conservation easements or are found on public lands, but additional threats and stochastic events at most sites are ongoing although there has been no evidence of increase or decrease overall in the range of the species.
Range Extent Comments
The range extent of this species is about 34,000 km2 based on a concave hull analysis (10% sensitivity) of both location and Element Occurrence data from the California Natural Diversity Database.
Occurrences Comments
The California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB 2021) documents 47 extant Element Occurrences. The USFWS (2012) aggregates these into 10 populations which, for the purposes of this assessment, are Conservancy fairy shrimp occurrences.
Threat Impact Comments
Historical habitat loss and degradation was the primary factor in steep population declines. Since that time, a significant proportion of the vernal pool habitat occupied by this species is protected through conservation easements and other mechanisms. Loss to urban development, conversion to agriculture, reduced vernal pool water quality from agricultural run-off continue but at a reduced rate when compared to historical losses. The isolated and fragmented nature of the remaining populations and the effects of climate change, including habitat shifting and more frequent desiccation of pools from temperature extremes, make this species highly vulnerable to continued decline.
Ecology & Habitat

Description

See Eng et al. (1990) for a complete scientific description.

Diagnostic Characteristics

Is most similar in appearance to B. lindahli. See Eng et al. (1990) for distinguishing characters.

Habitat

This species is typically associated with large, clay-bottomed vernal pool playas with turbid water (Vollmar, 2002); however, three pools in Butte Co. and two pools in Solano Co. at the Montezuma wetlands are atypical, because they are relatively small in area and have very low turbidity (Vollmar, 2002). Inhabits turbid, slightly alkaline, large, deep, vernal pools and winter lakes in California grassland areas. Eng et al. (1990) reports that all pools were filled with winter and spring rains and lasted into June. Occupies large (3975-7500 square meter) to very large (13,654-30,363 square meter) clay-bottomed vernal pools and vernal lakes (356,253 square meters) on Tuscan and Merhten geological formations and on Basin Rim landforms in Tehama, Merced, and Solano Counties, respectively; in western Merced County, it occurs in medium (1394-3903 square meter) to very large (52,500 square meter) alkali pools on Basin and Basin Rim landforms (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1992). Ranges in elevations from 5-145 m (see Eriksen and Belk, 1999).

Reproduction

The eggs are dropped from the brooding female to the benthos. The eggs hatch when the vernal pools and swales fill with rainwater and the immature stages rapidly develop into adults. Other life history characteristics include mean days to mature (36.5), mean days to reproduce (46.2), mean population longevity in days (113.9) (Helm, 1998).
Palustrine Habitats
TEMPORARY POOL
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN2
ProvinceRankNative
CaliforniaS2Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
1 - Residential & commercial developmentRestricted (11-30%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
1.1 - Housing & urban areasRestricted (11-30%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
2 - Agriculture & aquacultureRestricted (11-30%)Serious or 31-70% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
2.1 - Annual & perennial non-timber cropsRestricted (11-30%)Serious or 31-70% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
9 - PollutionPervasive (71-100%)UnknownHigh (continuing)
9.3 - Agricultural & forestry effluentsPervasive (71-100%)UnknownHigh (continuing)
11 - Climate change & severe weatherPervasive (71-100%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
11.1 - Habitat shifting & alterationPervasive (71-100%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
11.3 - Temperature extremesPervasive (71-100%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)

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Roadless Areas (80)
California (79)
AreaForestAcres
BackboneShasta-Trinity National Forest11,466
Bakeoven RidgeShasta-Trinity National Forest46
Bell QuinbyShasta-Trinity National Forest11,556
BlackKlamath National Forest6,530
Bonanza KingShasta-Trinity National Forest16,402
BoulderKlamath National Forest435
Box CampKlamath National Forest858
Burnt Lava FlowModoc National Forest8,387
Callahan FlowKlamath National Forest3,231
Callahan FlowModoc National Forest6,618
Castle Crags AShasta-Trinity National Forest113
Castle Crags BShasta-Trinity National Forest1,619
ChanchelullaShasta-Trinity National Forest3,915
China Springs AShasta-Trinity National Forest25
China Springs BShasta-Trinity National Forest568
ChinquapinShasta-Trinity National Forest22,040
Condrey Mtn.Klamath National Forest2,923
Cow CreekShasta-Trinity National Forest22,627
Cow CreekSix Rivers National Forest1,271
CrapoKlamath National Forest1,487
Devils RockShasta-Trinity National Forest16,209
Dog CreekShasta-Trinity National Forest5,001
EagleShasta-Trinity National Forest6,553
East BeegumShasta-Trinity National Forest8,425
East ForkShasta-Trinity National Forest6,201
East GirardShasta-Trinity National Forest27,894
Fisher Gulch BShasta-Trinity National Forest4,791
Granite PeakShasta-Trinity National Forest122
GriderKlamath National Forest10,647
Hobo GulchShasta-Trinity National Forest88
Indian CreekKlamath National Forest5,011
IshiLassen National Forest21,805
Jacobs (fs)Klamath National Forest577
JohnsonKlamath National Forest10,652
KangarooKlamath National Forest40,617
KelseyKlamath National Forest3,237
Kettle Mtn.Shasta-Trinity National Forest4,589
Lake EleanorShasta-Trinity National Forest397
Little French CShasta-Trinity National Forest11,529
MayfieldLassen National Forest14,444
Mt. EddyShasta-Trinity National Forest7,232
Mt. HoffmanKlamath National Forest802
Mt. Shasta AShasta-Trinity National Forest676
Mt. Shasta BShasta-Trinity National Forest2,809
Mt. Shasta CShasta-Trinity National Forest292
Murphy GladeShasta-Trinity National Forest1,015
MuseKlamath National Forest238
Orleans Mtn.Klamath National Forest49,090
Orleans Mtn.Shasta-Trinity National Forest57
Orleans Mtn. BSix Rivers National Forest17,183
Orleans Mtn. CSix Rivers National Forest15,589
PantherShasta-Trinity National Forest12,016
PattisonShasta-Trinity National Forest29,299
Penney RidgeShasta-Trinity National Forest5,226
Pilot CreekSix Rivers National Forest9,192
Polk SpringsLassen National Forest9,466
PortugueseKlamath National Forest18,915
ProspectLassen National Forest4,078
RussianKlamath National Forest21,771
Salt GulchShasta-Trinity National Forest6,511
Sespe - FrazierLos Padres National Forest106,910
ShacklefordKlamath National Forest1,679
SiskiyouKlamath National Forest54,039
Siskiyou ASix Rivers National Forest1,017
Siskiyou BSix Rivers National Forest18,871
Slate CreekShasta-Trinity National Forest6,636
SnoozerKlamath National Forest23,414
South ForkShasta-Trinity National Forest16,786
Stoveleg GapShasta-Trinity National Forest61
Timbered CraterLassen National Forest4,096
Tom MartinKlamath National Forest9,031
Trail LakeLassen National Forest1,124
Ukonom CreekKlamath National Forest4,621
UnderwoodSix Rivers National Forest6,591
UnderwoodShasta-Trinity National Forest3,046
Weaver BallyShasta-Trinity National Forest829
Wells MountainShasta-Trinity National Forest5,919
West BeegumShasta-Trinity National Forest5,198
West GirardShasta-Trinity National Forest37,516
South Dakota (1)
AreaForestAcres
Indian CreekBuffalo Gap National Grassland24,666
References (19)
  1. Eng, L.L., D. Belk, and C.H. Erikson. 1990. California Anostraca: Distribution, habitat, and status. Journal of Crustacean Biology 10(2): 247-277. Online: https://www.jstor.org/stable/1548485?refreqid=excelsior%3A2bde55ee67369e6bd73730d3e4616d34&seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents
  2. Eriksen, C. H. and D. Belk. 1999. Fairy Shrimps of California's Puddles, Pools, and Playas. Mad River Press: Eureka, California.196 pp.
  3. Helm, B.P. 1998. Biogeography of eight large branchiopods endemic to California. Pages 124-139 in C.W. Witham, E.T. Bauder, D. Belk, W.R. Ferren, Jr. and R. Ornduff (eds.) Ecology, Conservation, and Management of Vernal Pool Ecosystems- Proceedings from a 1996 Conference. California Native Plant society, Sacramento, California.
  4. Holland, R. F. 1996. Great Valley Vernal Pool Distribution: Photorevised 1996. Pages 71-75 in: C.W. Witham, E.T. Bauder, D. Belk, W.R. Ferren Jr., and R. Ornduff (Editors). Ecology, Conservation, and Management of Vernal Pool Ecosystems – Proceedings from a 1996 Conference. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. 1998. https://vernalpools.ucmerced.edu/sites/vernalpools.ucmerced.edu/files/page/documents/1.7_great_valley_vernal_pool_distribution_photorevised_1996_by_robert_f._holland.pdf
  5. Marty, J.T. 2005. Effects of cattle grazing on diversity in ephemeral wetlands. Conservation Biology 19:1626-1632.
  6. McLaughlin, P. A., D. K. Camp, M. V. Angel, E. L. Bousfield, P. Brunel, R. C. Brusca, D. Cadien, A. C. Cohen, K. Conlan, L. G. Eldredge, D. L. Felder, J. W. Goy, T. Haney, B. Hann, R. W. Heard, E. A. Hendrycks, H. H. Hobbs III, J. R. Holsinger, B. Kensley, D. R. Laubitz, S. E. LeCroy, R. Lemaitre, R. F. Maddocks, J. W. Martin, P. Mikkelsen, E. Nelson, W. A. Newman, R. M. Overstreet, W. J. Poly, W. W. Price, J. W. Reid, A. Robertson, D. C. Rogers, A. Ross, M. Schotte, F. Schram, C. Shih, L. Watling, G. D. F. Wilson, and D. D. Turgeon. 2005. Common and Scientific Names of Aquatic Invertebrates from the United States and Canada: Crustaceans. American Fisheries Society Special Publication 31. 545 pp.
  7. Pyke, C.R. 2004. Habitat loss confounds climate change impacts. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 2:178-182.
  8. Pyke, C.R. 2005a. Assessing climate change impacts on vernal pool ecosystems and endemic branchiopods. Ecosystems 8:95-105.
  9. Pyke, C.R. 2005b. Interactions between habitat loss and climate change: Implications for fairy shrimp in the Central Valley Ecoregion of California, USA. Climate Change 68:199-218.
  10. Pyke, C.R. and J.T. Marty. 2005. Cattle grazing mediates climate change impacts on ephemeral wetlands. Conservation Biology 19(5):1619-1625.
  11. Rogers, D. C. 2013. Anostraca catalogus (Crustacea: Branchiopoda). The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 61(2):525–546.
  12. Rogers, D.C. and B.J. Hann. 2016. Class Branchiopoda (in Chapter 16, Phylum Arthropoda). Pages 437-477 in J.H. Thorp and and D.C. Rogers (Editors), Thorp and Covich’s Freshwater Invertebrates, 4th edition, Volume II: Keys to Nearctic Fauna. Academic Press.
  13. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1992. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposal to determine Endangered Status for Four Fairy Shrimp and the Vernal Pool Tadpole Shrimp in California. Proposed Rule. Federal Register. 57(90):19856-19862.
  14. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2005. Recovery plan for vernal pools ecosystems of California and Southern Oregon. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, Oregon. xxvi + 606 pages.
  15. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2007. Conservancy fairy shrimp (<i>Branchinecta conservatio</i>) 5-year review: Summary and evaluation. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, Sacramento, California. 30 pp.
  16. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2012. Conservancy Fairy Shrimp (<i>Branchinecta conservatio</i>) 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Sacramento Field Office, Sacramento, CA. https://ecos.fws.gov/docs/five_year_review/doc4012.pdf
  17. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2017. Final Critical Habitat Designation, Conservancy Fairy Shrimp. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Geographic Information System (GIS) data, Biological Information and Observation System (BIOS) layer ds 256. https://apps.wildlife.ca.gov/bios/
  18. Vollmar, J.E. 2002. Chapter 2: Landscape Setting. In J.E. Vollmar (ed.). Wildlife and Rare Plant Ecology of Eastern Merced Countys Vernal Pool Grasslands. Vollmar Consulting: Berkeley, California.
  19. Wells, M.I., S.A. Hathaway, and M.A. Simovich. 1997. Resilience of anostracan cysts to fire. Hydrobiologia 359:199-202.