Hayekina

Hayekina is a taxonomic genus of extinct crustaceans belonging to the order Notostraca, commonly known as tadpole shrimp or shield shrimp. Fossil evidence indicates that Hayekina species existed during the Triassic period. They are significant for understanding the evolutionary history of the Notostraca and provide valuable information about the palaeoecology of the environments they inhabited. Hayekina fossils are typically found in sedimentary rocks, particularly those formed in temporary freshwater environments like ponds and ephemeral lakes. Key characteristics used to identify Hayekina fossils include the shape and ornamentation of the carapace, as well as the morphology of their appendages, though preservation of the latter is often incomplete. Further research and fossil discoveries continue to refine our understanding of the genus Hayekina and its place within the broader Notostraca lineage.