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Time of India
3 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
KU researchers discover two new freshwater crab species
1 2 Kochi: Experts at Kerala University's (KU) department of aquatic biology and fisheries have discovered a new genus and two new species of freshwater crabs in the Western Ghats region. A new genus of the crab was reported from the Ranipuram hill station in the Kasaragod portion of Western Ghats and has been named 'Kasaragodina'. These crabs, found only in the biodiversity hotspot of Western Ghats, were collected from a small stream with moderate water flow through grasslands. They were located under leaf litter and small stones. This study was published in the latest issue of the international journal, Journal of Crustacean Biology. The crabs have a brown-orange carapace with numerous black spots on the sides. Their large legs are orange with black spots on the outer surfaces. One of the new crab species was named Kasaragodina shebae in honour of Dr Sheeba, a zoology department lecturer at University College, Thiruvananthapuram. The second species of freshwater crab, Pilarta vaman, was discovered in the Gavi region of the southern Western Ghats in Kerala. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo This species has a more square-shaped carapace. The name 'vaman' was given to indicate the small size of this species. This study was published in the international journal Zootaxa. The new Pilarta species was collected near grasslands in the Gavi protected area. The discovery of another Pilarta species in the state's protected areas highlights the high diversity of freshwater crabs in these mountain ranges. Dr Smrithi Raj, who initiated the study, said, "The endemic nature of freshwater crabs in the Kerala portion of Western Ghats is more pronounced than in any other fauna; 70% of the freshwater crabs found in Kerala are endemic to this region. The true diversity of freshwater crabs in Western Ghats is unclear due to their secretive nature, making them difficult to collect as most are nocturnal and hide in deep burrows. This poses a challenge for researchers," she said. These small creatures can serve as good indicators of various environmental conditions, emphasising the need to understand them better, said Biju Kumar, head of the aquatic biology department at KU and vice-chancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
New freshwater crabs discovered in the Western Ghats in Kerala
Recent studies launched by researchers at the Department of Aquatics Biology and Fisheries, University of Kerala, have led to the discovery of a new genus and two new species of freshwater crabs from Western Ghats regions in Kerala. The new genus and species, belonging to the freshwater crab family Gecarcinucidae, was spotted in the Ranipuram Hill Station, Kasaragod district. It has been named Kasargodia sheebae. The other new species, also from the Gecarcinucidae family, was spotted in Gavi, Pathanamthitta district. This species belongs to the genus Pilarta and has been named Pilarta vaman, the researchers said. The Journal of Crustacean Biology has published the findings on Kasargodia sheebae, while a paper on the Pilartavaman has appeared in the journal Zootaxa. Both discoveries are by the same team; Smrithy Raj and A. Biju Kumar from the Department of Aquatics Biology and Fisheries, and Peter K.L. Ng, Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore. In the case of Kasargodia sheebae, the name of the new genus, Kasargodia, is derived from the northernmost Kerala district, while the species name is derived from the name of Sheeba Smrithy Raj, the wife of Smrithy Raj who assisted him on field trips. Kasargodia sheebae is distinguished by brownish-orange carapace with numerous black spots. The limbs bearing the claws are orange with black spots. The specimens were collected from a small mountain stream flowing through grasslands. The other new species, Pilarta vaman, is named after Vaman, one of the avatars of Vishnu in Hindu mythology. The name alludes to the small size of this crab. The carapace of this species is more quadrate. Specimens were collected from a small mountain stream at Gavi. 'The crabs appear to be rare, as only two individuals were found,' the Zootaxa paper noted. The Western Ghats mountain range harbours many endemic freshwater crab species, as proven by numerous recent discoveries, the researchers said. 'The actual diversity of freshwater crabs in the Western Ghats is unclear, because of their secretive nature and they are difficult to collect. Most are nocturnal and hide in deep burrows, presenting a challenge for researchers,' they said. The endemism of freshwater crabs in the Kerala section of the Western Ghats, which is close to 70%, is higher than that of any other group of organisms. However, both Kasargodia sheebae and Pilarta vaman face anthropogenic threats, according to the researchers. The tourist flow to the grasslands where these crabs were found pose significant threats to their habitats, they said.
