British Cave shrimp
Fast Facts
Latin name: Niphargus glenniei
Notable feature: No eyes, white, smaller than most other cave shrimp (3mm long)
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Where in the UK: Subterranean habitats in Devon and Cornwall
British Cave Shrimp (Niphargus glenniei) © Andy Lewington
The British Cave Shrimp (Niphargus glenniei) is a species of blind cave shrimp that can be found in groundwater aquifiers, such as caves, mines, springs, wells and boreholes. This species is endemic to Britain – meaning that it cannot be found anywhere else in the world!
These habitats are often in total darkness, so, the British Cave Shrimp has no need for eyes. Instead, they have extra-long legs and antennae to feel around and detect food with, consisting of mats of microorganisms growing on surfaces and organic matter washing in from above.
Despite their relatively recent discovery in 1948 by Brigadier E.A. Glennie of the Cave Research Group, the British Cave Shrimp has an ancient lineage. DNA evidence shows Niphargus species arose about 88 million years ago, 23 million years before the dinosaurs went extinct! Groundwater crustaceans were also amongst the few invertebrates that weathered the ice age in the UK. Living underground kept them insulated from the frozen conditions on the surface. The British Cave Shrimp and its close Irish relative Niphargus irlandicus are currently believed to be the oldest animal species in the British Isles, present for at least 19.5 million years!
- Size: 3mm
- Life span: Unknown
- Diet: Micro-organisms and organic matter
- Reproduction: Little is known about the reproduction of this species specifically. However, it’s likely that they reproduce similarly to other freshwater cave shrimp species. Females will carry their eggs that hatch into fully formed ‘mini’ shrimp that grow into adults – a process known as ‘direct development’, meaning that they skip the larval stage.
- When to see: Caves in Cornwall and Devon.
- Population Trend: Unknown
- Threats: There are no immediate threats to this species, however, over-abstraction or pollution of the groundwater is likely to be detrimental.
- Interesting Fact: Aquatic animals which live underground, like the British Cave Shrimp, are called Stygobites.
How you can help:
Buglife work to increase awareness of invertebrates and support nature’s recovery through our projects and campaigns. You can read more about Britina’s endemic invertebrates in our report.
You can support our work by joining our community.
You can also take part in the Hypogean Crustacea Recording Scheme, which encourages the public to submit records of these little-known stygobitic crustaceans.
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