New 'vampire crab' species discovered in Gunung Jerai
KUALA LUMPUR: A new species of freshwater "vampire crab" has been discovered on Gunung Jerai in Kedah, adding to Malaysia's growing list of endemic highland wildlife.
Known scientifically as Geosesarma bunian, the crab belongs to a genus of vividly coloured, land-dwelling crabs, often referred to as vampire crabs due to their glowing eyes and dark hues. Unlike typical crabs, they live entirely in freshwater and hatch directly into their juvenile form.
The species was found at elevations above 1,100 metres and is named after the elusive "Orang Bunian" of Malay folklore — spirit beings believed to inhabit hidden forest realms. The name reflects both the crab's striking appearance and the fact that it had escaped scientific detection until now.
The discovery was made by a team of three researchers from the National University of Singapore and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, working in collaboration.
Their findings were published in the Raffles Bulletin of Zoology on March 19.
"The combination of colour, claw structure and reproductive features clearly sets this species apart from its closest relatives," the authors noted in the paper.
Geosesarma bunian is closely related to other species in its genus but can be distinguished by the shape of the male reproductive organ and the unique pattern of bumps on its claws.
The team encountered the crabs at night, nestled in soil burrows along a forest path. One specimen was seen perched on a low shrub, suggesting the species may be at least partly arboreal.
Specimens have been deposited at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum in Singapore for further study and reference.
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