Artemia is a non-selective filter feeder of organic detritus, microscopic algae as well as
bacteria. The Artemia biotopes typically show a very simple trophical structure and low
species diversity; the absence of predators and food competitors allows brine shrimp to
develop into monocultures. As high salinity is the common feature determining the presence
of Artemia, the impact of other parameters (temperature, primary food production, etc.) may
at most affect the abundance of the population and eventually cause a temporary absence of
the species.
As Artemia is incapable of active dispersion, wind and waterfowl (especially flamingos) are
the most important natural dispersion vectors; the floating cysts adhere to feet and feathers
of birds, and when ingested they remain intact for at least a couple of days in the digestive
tract of birds. Consequently the absence of migrating birds is probably the reason why
certain areas that are suitable for Artemia (e.g. salinas along the northeast coast of Brazil)
are not naturally inhabited by brine shrimp