Some like it hot:Phallocryptus fahimiisp. n. (Crustacea: Anostraca: Thamnocephalidae) from the Lut desert, the hottest place on Earth

Scientists have discovered Phallocryptus fahimii, a new species of fairy shrimp endemic to the Lut Desert, recognized as the hottest place on Earth with surface temperatures reaching 78.2°C. This extreme habitat, characterized by shallow, ephemeral pools filled seasonally, harbors this resilient crustacean, which is closely related to its Mongolian counterpart, P. tserensodnomi. The species was identified through combined morphological and molecular genetic analyses, revealing distinctive male traits such as a long frontal organ and curved labral process. This discovery highlights the Lut Desert's unique biodiversity and contributes to our understanding of life in extreme environments.

Schwentner, M., Rudov, A. V., & Rajaei, H. (2020). Some like it hot:Phallocryptus fahimiisp. n. (Crustacea: Anostraca: Thamnocephalidae) from the Lut desert, the hottest place on Earth. Zoology in the Middle East, 66(4), 331–341. https://doi.org/10.1080/09397140.2020.1805139