Heavy Rainfall in US Desert... Ancient 'Shrimp' Awakens from Dormancy

Mudskippers Existing on Earth for Hundreds of Millions of Years
Eggs Buried in Sand Hatch Again

Recently, the desert in Nevada, USA, which experienced unprecedented heavy rain, turned into a muddy field, and 'shrimp' hatched from the soil, surprising local residents.

On the 4th (local time), the overseas science media 'IFL Science' reported that sudden heavy rain poured down in Black Rock City, a temporary city in Nevada, isolating about 70,000 festival participants.

The Burning Man festival was in full swing there. Burning Man is a festival where tens of thousands of people gather in an empty desert to build structures and enjoy artworks over a period of about ten days. However, on the 27th of last month, heavy rain suddenly fell on the Black Rock Desert, turning the ground into mud, and most participants were stranded.

Fairy shrimp hatched in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada, USA [Image source: SNS X (X) capture]

While waiting for rescue, some participants witnessed a unique sight. According to IFL Science, fairy shrimp hatched in the muddy field where rainwater had pooled. These shrimp, resembling small insects, swam in the shallow water.

The official scientific name of fairy shrimp is Branchiopoda, or more specifically, Anostraca. These shrimp have existed on Earth for hundreds of millions of years and have changed little in appearance over a long period, continuing to reproduce to this day, earning them the nickname "living fossils."

The eggs of these shrimp are so small that they are almost indistinguishable from grains of sand and can survive in dry, moisture-free land. The eggs that had been dry in the area where the lake dried up and became a desert came into contact with water due to the heavy rain and resumed life activities.

Regarding this, IFL Science explained, "This ancient crustacean does not require complicated conditions to awaken," adding, "After the monsoon passes, it will enter dormancy again until suitable conditions, that is, heavy rain, occur."

However, they added, "It takes a little over a week to lay eggs, but the weather in the Nevada desert is changing," and "the shrimp will have to compete for survival."

Meanwhile, the Burning Man festival officially ended on the 4th at 2 p.m. when the vehicle driving ban was lifted. As of that day, it was reported that about 64,000 people remained stranded at the event site.