Ancient crustaceans that hatch in Michigan's vernal pools each spring and vanish weeks later. No genome exists for any of the 21 species in this genus. We intend to sequence the first.
Last updated: March 2026. Awaiting response from Michigan Vernal Pool Patrol before proceeding with collection.
Vernal pools are ecologically sensitive habitat. Pausing collection efforts until we hear back from MNFI on appropriate protocols and partnership opportunities.
MilestoneNCBI search confirms no nuclear genome assembly for any of the 21 species in the genus. Only mitochondrial genomes for two Japanese species.
DataPending coordination with MNFI and the Vernal Pool Patrol. Once partnerships are established, we'll organize community collection events at appropriate sites.
Fairy shrimp are among the oldest living lineages of crustaceans, largely unchanged for hundreds of millions of years. They survive in one of the most unpredictable habitats on Earth — temporary pools that form in spring and vanish by summer. Their eggs, called cysts, can remain dormant in dried mud for years or even decades.
Michigan is home to at least two species: Eubranchipus bundyi (the knobbed-lip fairy shrimp, common and widespread) and E. neglectus (less common). They are ecological indicators of healthy vernal pool habitat — pools that also support breeding salamanders, frogs, and invertebrate communities.
Despite their ecological importance, fairy shrimp are genomically invisible. A reference genome would open the door to population genetics, conservation genomics, and evolutionary biology across the entire genus.