Dietary data suggest large branchiopods may be an underrecognised food resource for a wide range of waterbirds

Abstract

Globally, large branchiopod crustaceans such as brine shrimp, fairy shrimp, clam shrimp and tadpole shrimp are typical organisms of temporary waters. These macroscopic crustaceans can be highly abundant and reach a substantial biomass. While the brine shrimp (Artemia spp.), found in hypersaline wetland systems worldwide, is currently the only large branchiopod widely acknowledged as a food source for waterbirds, various single accounts in literature indicate that other large branchiopods could also be important prey. Recent research implies the role of large branchipods in supporting bird migration is larger than previously expected but it is unknown which birds might benefit the most. Summarising information from 68 papers, we found that at least 57 bird species consume large branchiopods. Herons and storks typically prey on tadpole shrimp while fairy shrimp and brine shrimp are eaten by ducks and waders. Overall, these records suggest that large branchiopods may be an underrecognised food source for waterbirds. This may be because they are not a well-known taxon and because they have become exceedingly rare in areas of the world where most wetland research takes place.