The
alteration between dryness and wetness poses problems for animals.
The conditions completely suit neither aquatic nor land animals.
Some creatures have adapted very well by having a short life cycle.
In
1974, a very exciting discovery was made in Rahasane turlough.
Fairy shrimp- Tanymastix Stagnalis were found for the first time
in Ireland. This species is quite
common on the continent. It is
quite probable that the eggs of these creatures were caught in mud
stuck to the feet of migratory birds. As
Rahasane often has up to 25,000 birds, they would be effective transporters of
the eggs. This little creature is
2.5 cm long and swims gracefully along on its back.
Tanymastix
Stagnalis – fairy shrimp
Small numbers of Atlantic Salmon pass through the Dunkellin River where it flows overground but they do not use it for spawning.