Arctic tadpole shrimp

Overview

Borgstrøm’s university leaflet describes a shield covering the front of the adult body and part of the tail. Two long tail filaments extend beyond the measured body. Brown colouring can have a greenish cast. Later juvenile stages live near bottom sediment. Algae, detritus and animals contribute to an omnivorous diet.

Qvenild and colleagues report fishless high-Arctic ponds and, farther south, permanent lakes with fish. Resistant eggs can outlast freezing and drying. A supra-anal plate distinguishes Lepidurus from Triops, but its size varies; Svalbard animals have shorter plates. Regional observations do not establish fixed anatomy or life-cycle timing for every population.

Origins & earliest records

Established living species.

Evidence & interpretation

Selected institutional species accounts.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Skjoldkreps – et arktisk dyr i norske innsjøer

   Reidar Borgstrøm · 1997

2. 02

   Ecology and distribution of the Arctic Tadpole Shrimp Lepidurus arcticus

   Tore Qvenild and colleagues · 2025

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Institutional research accountUniversity research leafletResearch access: 2026-10-11
2. Research synthesisFauna norvegica 44:9–27Research access: 2026-10-11

Image credits

AI interpretation of Lepidurus arcticus.

Shield and tail follow Borgstrøm; plate follows Qvenild. Fine appendages and detail conceptual, not specimen evidence.