TRIASSIC TRIOPS......from the age of the dinosaur
Monday, 12. January 2009, 23:11:38
An introduction to some amazing little creatures known as 'Triops'
The "Triops" name comes from the Greek phrase meaning "three eyes."
If you look closely at this picture, you will see that the Triops, indeed, has three eyes!This is because they date back to the time of the dinosaurs, they are also called dinosaur shrimp.Some people call them tadpole shrimp because of their shape, which is similar to the tadpole of a frog.
Ttiops are crustaceans that look like miniature horseshoe crabs. Larger members of the crustacean family include crabs and lobsters. Smaller members are brine shrimp, fairy shrimp and daphnia. Triops have a relatively short lifespan of 20 to 90 days and grow quickly to their adult length of 1 to 2 inches. How large they grow depends on the amount of light and food they recieve. After hatching, they often double in size daily!
UNCHANGED FOR MILLIONS OF YEARS
Triassic Triops are actual prehistoric creatures which are identical to their prehistoric ancestors.
Triops survived the centuries during interrupted states of suspended animation or 'diapause'. The suspended animation enables the Triops to survive seasonal drought.
MORE ABOUT SUSPENDED ANIMATION
Scientists have found that Triops' eggs can remain in this no-growth state of suspended animation for more than 15 years. Researchers also have learned that at the same time the embryos enter diapause, their eggs develop a thick, drought-resistant shell, or chorion. This may be why millions of years after the last dinosaur walked from the planet, Triops are still going strong. In addition to Triops, other animals enter diapause during conditions that are unfavorable for growth. The list includes crustaceans / fish / insects / chickens, and even deer.
Researchers are studying diapause to see how it might benefit humans. These benefits could include retarding the aging process, arresting the growth of cancer, and even extending space travel.
WHERE DO TRIOPS NORMALLY GROW ?
Triops grow in many parts of the world, including:
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Japan
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Russia
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North America
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Africa
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Australia
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Central America
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West Indies
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Hawaii
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Galapagos Islands
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India
HOW DO TRIOPS REPRODUCE ?
Because Triops live in temporary ponds that dry up with the change of seasons, they must complete their life cycle and reproduce within a very short period of time. The adult Triops die when the ponds disappear, so survival of these crustaceans depend on the eggs deposited deep in the mud or substrate. Certain members of the genus Triops are capable of single-parent reproduction, while others utilize sexual reproduction.
SO, WE ASK, "ARE THESE REALLY PREHISTORIC CREATURES ?
Yes! When Triops first appeared on the earth, the continents as we know them today were still unformed. The earth consisted of one large ocean and a single land mass known as Pangaea. Later, when dramatic upheavals divided the body of land and formed today's continents, our hearty little Triops continued to inhabit temporary ponds all over the world!
OK...THEN HOW DID TRIOPS OUTLIVE THE DINOSAUR ?
The Triops eggs we buy in kits today were raised on special aquatic farms, but in nature they inhabit temporary ponds all over the world. These ponds usually dry up during certain times of the year when there is no rainfall. Although the adult Triops die during these droughts, the embryos remain in a state of diapause until the rains return and fill up the temporary ponds once again, making it safe for them to hatch.
there are various kits you can buy to grow
these amazing little creatures,
try it!
WIDGETIZE
Dennis # 14. January 2009, 22:25
Tracy # 15. January 2009, 08:05
Yeah, these little creatures are quite funny to watch, they show off
We ve got a tank with a couple in at the moment, and loads of eggs ready to hatch when these ones die. Think they're a good way to educate the kids
night wolf # 8. February 2009, 05:13
cool info
Tracy # 8. February 2009, 18:04
i forgot to feed the only one we had left, n its now dead
we noticed though that they are in fact cannibals
but....we have loads more eggs to hatch at some stage.
we re gonna grow 2 seperate tanks this time and apparently u can boost their size and turn them into 'super' triops lmao
we shall see....
Dennis # 8. February 2009, 21:28
I know they'll like you.
So this is one of evolutions dead ends? Or is it?
This leads to a whole bunch of intriguing questions- for one: how do they process the optic images?
Tracy # 8. February 2009, 22:30
Go on...they re incredibly cheap to buy and u could have sooooooo much fun with them
Thank u for ur hospitality by the way, the same applies to you over here, but you know ur welcome anytime
Dennis # 8. February 2009, 23:14
Tracy # 9. February 2009, 02:01
Anonymous # 6. November 2009, 00:26
wow triops
Anonymous # 6. November 2009, 00:27
wow triops
Dennis # 7. November 2009, 13:06