Green Minute News:
A new species of freshwater crab has been found in Ramadurg, Belagavi district, Karnataka, India. Oziotelphusa cf wagrakarowensis is a rare species of crab that has been discovered in the Western Ghats, one of the world’s eight hottest hotspots for biological diversity.
According to a study by scientists, there are an estimated 4,000 species of crabs in the world so far. In India, 125 different species of crabs have been identified. At present, 62 different species of freshwater crabs have been identified in the genus Gecarcinusidae and identified in the Western Ghats region.
The crabs of the Western Ghats offer half of the diversity of the Indian freshwater crabs. About two-third of crab species has been reported from the Western Ghats in the last two decades. In fact, recent surveys have indicated that Western Ghats is home to many rare and endemic species. Added to this, Western Ghats is a global hotspot for endemic species.
And there has been lot of new findings of amphibians and reptiles – highlighting the region’s biodiversity. Compared to the diversity of crabs in the North-Western Ghats and Mid-Western Ghats regions, the South-Western Ghats region is relatively rich in crab diversity.
Freshwater crabs play an important role in maintaining freshwater ecological balance in addition to being of economic importance in tropical freshwater ecosystems.
The Oziotelphusa crab of the genus Gecarcinusidae is slightly different from other species of crabs and is brown in colour. The horns are attractive according to its size. It is creamy in colour and has a red or dark pink colour on the top, with small dots. The size is about 1.5 inches wide and 2.5 inches long.
This species of freshwater crab was discovered by biodiversity researcher Manjunath S Nayak, Spider researcher Shashi Kambannavara and Sangamesh in the marshy areas of Idagalla in Kadagada at Idagalla village in Ramadurga taluk.
Freshwater crabs play a vital role in maintaining the health and balance of aquatic ecosystems. They act as nutrient cyclers, habitat modifiers, and are important food sources for various other species. Their presence is also an indicator of good water quality. Freshwater crabs are considered pointers for flourishing aquatic ecosystems.