Latest news with #OrangBunian
The Star
09-05-2025
- Science
- The Star
QuickCheck: Have they discovered a new vampire crab on Gunung Jerai?
DISCOVERIES of new species often excite the scientific community and the public alike, especially when they are found in mysterious and remote locations. Recently, reports have surfaced about a new species of vampire crab discovered on Gunung Jerai in Kedah. Could this incredible find be true? Verdict: TRUE A new species of vampire crab, named Geosesarma bunian , has been discovered at an elevation of 1,100 metres on Gunung Jerai. This crab is part of the Geosesarma genus, which includes freshwater species known for their vibrant appearances. The name bunian draws from local folklore, referring to mythical forest spirits known as Orang Bunian. These beings are often imagined as elusive and beautifully adorned, mirroring the crab's striking colours and its previously unnoticed presence in the wild. Adapted perfectly to its freshwater environment, this crab does not need to migrate to the sea for reproduction. Its large eggs hatch directly into juvenile crabs, a unique trait that sets it apart from other crabs. This discovery was announced in a paper authored by Peter K. L. Ng, S. Khadijah-Ahmad, and Amirrudin B. Ahmad and published in the Raffles Bulletin of Zoology this year. As a side note, the "vampire crab" moniker has nothing to do with the little critters eating habit, but rather with the bright, contrastingly yellow eyes of some species of Geosesarma. Aside from Malaysia, species of these freshwater crabs can also be found across Southeast Asia, India and even on several Pacific islands. References: 1. 50183-vampire-crabs-origins-
The Sun
09-05-2025
- Science
- The Sun
Rare, glowing-eyed ‘vampire crab' found in Gunung Jerai
PETALING JAYA: A striking new species of land-dwelling freshwater crab has been discovered on Gunung Jerai in Kedah, offering a rare glimpse into Malaysia's highland biodiversity and its hidden forest life. Scientifically named geosesarma bunian, the crab belongs to a genus often dubbed as 'vampire crabs' due to their glowing eyes and shadowy colouring. ALSO READ: Activists warn of growing threats to M'sian wildlife Unlike typical crustaceans, these crabs hatch directly into their juvenile form and are fully adapted to freshwater habitats—an unusual trait among crab species. According to a post on the Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS) Facebook page, the newly identified species was discovered at over 1,100 metres above sea level and is named in tribute to Malay folklore. It references the Orang Bunian—mythical forest-dwelling spirit beings said to live unseen among the trees. Discovered during a night expedition by a trio of researchers from the National University of Singapore and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, the crabs were found burrowed in soil along forest trails, with one even spotted perched on a shrub, hinting at semi-arboreal behaviour. 'The combination of colour, claw structure and reproductive features clearly sets this species apart from its closest relatives,' the authors noted in their paper, published in the Raffles Bulletin of Zoology on March 19. Geosesarma bunian can be distinguished by the shape of its male reproductive organ and a unique arrangement of bumps on its claws. These morphological details mark it as genetically distinct from other members of the Geosesarma genus. Specimens of the species have been safely stored at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum in Singapore, where they will serve as reference material for future studies.
New Straits Times
09-05-2025
- Science
- New Straits Times
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.
