Tadpole shrimp

The fascinating world of Triopsidae unveils creatures that are seemingly time travelers from prehistoric epochs, dating back over 200 million years. Known for their unique three-eyed structure, members of Triopsidae have a third central eye that serves more primitive light-sensing functions, rather than providing high-resolution vision. This feature might sound like the making of a mythical creature yet underscores the evolutionary marvels within the animal kingdom. Though they resemble horseshoe crabs, Triopsidae are more closely related to other branchiopods like fairy shrimps. Immersed in freshwater habitats, these living fossils continue to intrigue scientists with their ancient lineage and remarkable survival strategies through cryptobiosis, allowing them to withstand extreme environmental conditions.