General Description

Body flattened and enclosed within two oval sections of the carapace. Legs and antennae extend from the gap between the two sections of the carapace. Body up to 2 mm long.

Biology

Seed Shrimps swim by extending their legs and antennae out from the carapace, and wriggling them around. They can withdraw their legs and antennae inside the carapace, close the two sections together and survive for short periods (months) without water.

Distribution

Worldwide. Mainland Australia and Tasmania.

Habitat

Open water or on the bottom, in streams, ponds and wetlands.

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