Typhlocaris galilea explained

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 to conserve the species has begun.

Description

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

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

Distribution

The shrimp is endemic to one chamber of a Roman cistern, Ein-Nur octagonal pool (the private property of a monastery, at), and a warm (27C),^[4] sulphuric, saline subterranean spring that feeds it, at Tabgha,^[5] on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee in Israel.^{[6] [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. 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.

See also

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

Further reading

• Annandale . N. . 1912 . The blind prawn of Galilee . . 90 . 2244 . 251 . 10.1038/090251a0 . 1912Natur..90..251A. 3979705 . free .

External links

• Charles Fransen . 2013 . Typhlocaris galilea Calman, 1909 . 588095.

Notes and References

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