The brine shrimp, or brine shrimp, is an ancient underwater creature that not only plays an important role in the ecosystem but also has a unique and fascinating history. These tiny crustaceans may just be an inconspicuous creature in an aquarium, but their history is full of mysteries and surprises.
Braised shrimp belongs to the genus Artemia, which is the only genus of the family Braised shrimp. It is believed that the earliest record of braised shrimp can be traced back to the mid-10th century in Lake Urmia, Iran. At that time, a geographer said It is a "water dog". However, the Lymington shrimp reported by Schlösser in 1775 is a more definite record.
"Brine shrimp can survive in sparsely populated, high-salt environments, which naturally allows them to avoid the threat of most predators."
Brine shrimp can tolerate salinity of 25‰ to 250‰ (25-250g/L), which is the key to their survival. Not only do they avoid many predators in highly saline waters, they also demonstrate their resilience. Brine shrimp use pairs of appendages to swim rhythmically, and their breathing is carried out through hairy structures on the legs.
The reproduction method of braised shrimp is very unique. Female brine shrimp ovulate approximately every 140 hours. Under suitable conditions, the eggs can hatch almost immediately. In extreme environments (such as low oxygen or high salinity), they will lay eggs to form dormant eggs, which we call dormant eggs. Egg sac. These egg sacs can be preserved in a dry environment without oxygen for up to two years, a process known as cryptosurvival.
"When placed in salt water, the egg sacs can hatch within a few hours, and the resulting larvae are the beginning of life."
Nowadays, the humus balls of braised shrimps are highly valued in the breeding industry. The larval brine shrimp that hatch from the egg sacs are ideal feed for fish and other crustaceans. Because brine shrimp are nutritious and easy to handle, they are the first choice for farmers.
Brine shrimp are widely used in biological toxicity testing, and they have become an important model organism for studying the effects of environmental pollution and toxins. Although their toughness makes them unsuitable as sensitive indicator species, their use facilitates toxicological studies under controlled experimental conditions.
While brine shrimp are abundant in some areas, some localized species are under threat. For example, A. franciscana has been widely introduced in the Americas beyond its native habitat, often overpowering native species. In addition, A. urmiana originating from Lake Urmia in Iran is experiencing habitat destruction. In the process of ensuring the diversity and survival of brine shrimp, how to effectively protect these organisms has become an urgent problem that needs to be solved.
Surprisingly, the egg sacs of brine shrimp have also entered space with human space exploration. In several space missions, scientific researchers have brought brine shrimp egg sacs to the moon and other spaces to test the impact of radiation on life. The adaptability and survival strategies of brine shrimp have aroused widespread curiosity in the scientific community, and their future application potential in space exploration is undoubtedly unlimited.
The story of braised shrimp is full of mystery and surprise. How they display unique biological characteristics and survival strategies in various extreme environments may inspire us to think about the resilience of life in an ever-changing world. How powerful?