The Hay’s Spring Amphipod. Image via Michelle Brown/Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Invertebrate Zoology.
Plans for a proposed light-rail Purple Line, which would connect D.C. to the Maryland suburbs could be delayed because of an unlikely reason: A rare, endangered shrimplike crustacean.
According to the Post, a recent study of the Purple Line’s environmental impact “erred in omitting the colorless crustacean as an endangered species that must be avoided or protected,” activists say. The proposed plans for the the Purple Line go right through one of the parts of Rock Creek Park where the crustacean reportedly lives. Yes, that’s right, the Hay’s Spring Amphipod is so endangered that it only lives in certain springs in Rock Creek Park.
So, what else do we know about this endangered creature? Well, it’s a federally listed endangered species and is “commonly referred to as Washington D.C.’s most famous endemic,” according to the Nature Conservancy. The amphipod also only reportedly lives in five springs along Rock Creek, which are located within a three-mile stretch. The little guy doesn’t grow greater than 10 millimeters and lives mostly underground in the creek, making it grey in color and eyeless.
But do we really know about the Hay’s Spring Amphipod? Well, DCist tracked one down and has an exclusive interview with it:
DCist: Hi, so you’re a Hay’s Spring Amphipod, right?
Hay’s Spring Amphipod: That’s right.
DCist: What’s your name?
HSA: I don’t have a name, I’m an amphipod. Hell, my kind doesn’t even have eyes!
DCist: Well, how do you distinguished between each other?
HSA: I mean, we’re endangered, there’s not that many of us and we all live in the same creek. It’s not that difficult.
DCist: I see. Anyway, so they’re talking about building a light rail through your home. How do you feel about that?
HSA: Not too good! This is my home, my family and I have lived here our entire lives. How would you feel if someone came in and just started changing everything about your community?
DCist: Well, I do live in D.C., that kind of thing happens all the time.
HSA: Fair, fair. I do have to say though, as much as I don’t want my home destroyed, there’s still so much of the world I haven’t seen. Pretty much all of it, actually. It would certainly be nice to have access to the light rail system so I can get out and visit other parts of the world.
DCist: Trust me, you’re better off staying put then going to visit the Maryland suburbs. Plus, you don’t have eyes, so you wouldn’t actually be able to see anything.
HSA: Hey! I have other senses!
DCist: I’m sorry.
HSA: It’s OK.
