''Typhlocaris ayyaloni'' is a species of troglobitic

shrimp A shrimp (: shrimp (American English, US) or shrimps (British English, UK)) is a crustacean with an elongated body and a primarily Aquatic locomotion, swimming mode of locomotion – typically Decapods belonging to the Caridea or Dendrobranchi ...

in the family Typhlocarididae.

Description

This species grows to 4 to 5 cm in length and is blind.

Distribution

''Typhlocaris ayyaloni'' species was discovered in 2008 in the Ayalon Cave in Israel, 100 meters below ground, with no natural access to the surface. It was found living in a small pool of sulphide-rich, brackish water. It is one of eight new species recently discovered in the area, the others being '' Tethysbaena ophelicola'', '' Metacyclops longimaxillis'', '' Metacyclops subdolus'', '' Akrav israchanani'' (a land species, only found dead and also in other parts of the cave), '' Ayyalonia dimentmani'' (land species), '' Lepidospora ayyalonica'' (land species), and a still-unnamed species in the genus ''

Collembola Springtails (class Collembola) form the largest of the three lineages of modern hexapods that are no longer considered insects. Although the three lineages are sometimes grouped together in a class called Entognatha because they have internal m ...

''.

Threats

This species is endangered as it is known only in the Yarkon-Taninim Aquifer, which is experiencing diminishing water levels. It is one of the main sources of water in Israel.

References

Endemic fauna of Israel Palaemonoidea Cave shrimp Crustaceans of Israel Crustaceans described in 2008 {{Caridea-stub