Niphargellus glenniei

Niphargellus glenniei, also known as the south-western groundwater shrimp,[2] is a species of amphipod from within the family Niphargidae. A native of the United Kingdom, it has been placed in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan list of priority species. It is the first aquatic troglobite to be given a conservation status within the UK.[3]

Niphargellus glenniei
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Superorder: Peracarida
Order: Amphipoda
Family: Niphargidae
Genus: Niphargellus
Species:
N. glenniei
Binomial name
Niphargellus glenniei
(Spooner, 1952)
Synonyms[1]
  • Niphargus glenniei Spooner, 1952

Description

Niphargellus glenniei lacks pigment and is eyeless, much like other Stygofauna.[2] It will reach sexual maturity at around 2.5–3 mm long.[4] N. glenniei can be distinguished by a lack of spines on its telson lobes and rounded palmar angles on the organisms gnathopods.[4]

Distribution and habitat

Niphargellus glenniei is endemic to England, where it has been recorded in 143 sites within the southwest of the country.[5] It is restricted to the counties of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset.[6][4]

Niphargellus glenniei lives in freshwater habitats such as caves, aquifers, wells, springs, quarries and mines.[2] The species has been recorded to live in alkaline limestone habitat, but also on acidic granite.[4]

References
  1. "Niphargellus glenniei". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  2. "Niphargus glennei - South-western Groundwater Shrimp". www.cornishbiodiversitynetwork.org. 20 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  3. Knight, Lee (2008). "The Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) for Niphargus glenniei (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Niphargidae): The first British troglobite to be listed". Researchgate.net. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  4. "Niphargus glenniei". Hypogean Crustacea Recording Scheme (hcrs.brc.ac.uk). 20 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  5. "Niphargus glenniei (Spooner, 1952) British Cave Shrimp". nbnatlas.org. 20 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  6. "Niphargellus glenniei (Spooner 1952)". eol.org. 20 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.


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