Manjunath S Nayak:
Another new species of crab Ghatiana karnataka sp. nov. has been discovered in the Western Ghats revealing the rich biodiversity and crab diversity in the central Western Ghats. Ghatiana karnataka was discovered by frontline forest staff of Kollur beat in Udupi division along with the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) Zoologist Santanu Mitra and has been published in a scientific open access journal.
The laterite blocks in Western Ghats are a haven for Ghatiana species. The discovery of Ghatiana karnataka shows how significant these ancient Gondwana era laterite rock formations are for conservation. This is the first new crab species found in Udupi district of Karnataka. The discovery of Ghatiana karnataka sp. nov. increases the number of recognized species in the genus Ghatiana to 15 and is the eighth species of this genus – recorded from the state of Karnataka.
The new crab species was discovered by Beat Forester Ajmeer at Mavinkaru village in Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary. Upon observing the species, he reported it to his senior – Gopal Naik, seeking further guidance.
On his part, Beat Forester Ajmeer K said the discovery of a new crab species is due to inspiration from C R Naik and Gopal Naik – frontline forest staff from Uttar Kannada district who have discovered new species of frogs and crabs.
Speaking to the Green Minute News, Karnataka PCCF (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife warden Kumar Pushkar said, “Ajmeer had devoted considerable time to studying the species in addition to carrying out his regular duties. Along with performing his daily responsibilities, he spent several days studying the species and worked with scientists to document it in a scientific journal. It is a matter of pride for us.”
Referring to similar discoveries made by beat foresters from different forest circles in Karnataka, Chief Wildlife Warden Kumar Pushkar said the findings reflect the importance the state places on biodiversity conservation and scientific research.
Ruthren P, DCF Kundapura who holds the additional charge of Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary said, “The new species is important for conservation which reveals there are many more and such undiscovered species in the Western Ghats.”
The Gecarcinucid freshwater crab genus Ghatiana is currently recognized for 14 species and all are endemic to the Western Ghats in India. Half of the currently known species of Ghatiana have been reported from Karnataka and that too in the central part.
During a recent faunistic survey of the coastal region of Western Ghats in Karnataka, Ajmeer K, Beat Forester collected some specimens of unknown crab species from the forested village of Mavinkaru in the Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary. This area lies within the central Western Ghats.
Based on detailed morphological examination, these specimens were described as a new species known as Ghatiana karnataka sp. Nov. The discovery of this new crab species Ghatiana karnataka sp. Nov suggests that more exploratory survey needs to be undertaken all along the Western Ghats.
Zoologist from ZSI Santanu Mitra told Green Minute News this new finding further highlights the rich and still incompletely documented freshwater crab diversity in the Western Ghats and further underscores the need for more extensive faunistic surveys along the Western Ghats especially Central Western Ghats.
The scientific paper entitled ‘A new Freshwater crab Ghatiana karnataka sp. nov (Decapoda: Brachyura: Gecarcinucidae) from Karnataka, India’ was authored by Santanu Mitra, Crustacea Division, Zoological Survey of India, West Bengal and Ajmeer K, Beat Forester, Kollur West Beat, Kollur wildlife range, Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary.