black sea red data book - Department of Biology

Synonyms: None
Branchinectella media Schmankewitsch, 1873
Common names: Russ: Brankhinektella srednyaya; Ukr: Brankhinektella serednyaya
Taxonomic description. One of two species of this genus of fairy shrimp, shaped
more or less like an Artemia, in the fauna of Eurasia.
IUCN Status
World level:
Black Sea Regional level: EN
Subregion level: EN (Ukrainian sector)
Distribution. The species range includes South Europe, Northern Kazakhstan, North
Africa (Marocco, Algeria). Discovered in the north-west Black Sea basin in saline
waters of the Kinburn peninsula and adjacent areas of the Kherson and Mikolaiv
districts (Golaya Pristan, Ochakov).
Habitat type, Critical habitats, Limiting factors. Saline water-bodies (salinity 1.5-
4.0 ppt), drying-out lakes in saline swamps.
Biology. A halobiont; a filtering organism which feeds on phytoplankton, detritus,
organic matter and bacteria. Active at water temperatures of 4-24 °C for 35-55 days
(from late March to late May). Produces resting eggs, in 3-6 broods of 12-120 eggs
each. Length of the different life cycle periods: nauplial 10-14, prereproductive -12-
17, reproductive - 26-34 days.
Order ANOSTRACA
Family CHIROCEPHALIDAE
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