Linderiella occidentalis (the California fairy shrimp or California Linderella) is a species of fairy shrimp native to California. It is a small (about 1 cm long) crustacean in the family Chirocephalidae family. It has a delicate elongated body, large stalked compound eyes, no carapace, and eleven pairs of swimming legs. It glides gracefully upside down, swimming by beating its legs in a complex, wavelike movement that passes from front to back. Like other fairy shrimp, L. occidentalis feeds on algae, bacteria, protozoa, rotifers and detritus.
Most fairy shrimp found in California belong to the family Branchinectidae. These include the threatened vernal pool fairy shrimp, which is often found in the same pools. California fairy shrimp are smaller than Branchinecta and have distinctive red eyes.
Read more about Linderiella Occidentalis: Life Cycle, Distribution, Conservation, Further Reading