Triops

Triops are a genus of freshwater crustaceans belonging to the order Notostraca. These small animals, also known as tadpole shrimp, are characterized by a distinctive body shape: a large, oval, shell-like carapace covering the head and thorax, and a slender abdomen with a forked tail. They typically inhabit lakes, ponds, and temporary pools, primarily in Europe and North America.12

Triops are bottom-dwellers, feeding on organic debris and small aquatic animals. A remarkable adaptation is their eggs, which are highly resistant to drying out and can remain viable in soil for years, hatching when the pools are refilled with water. Crustaceans, as a subphylum, encompass a vast array of invertebrate animals, with Triops being one example within this diverse group.13