Pilarta Vaman. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Recent studies initiated by scientists at the Department of Biology and Fishing Aquatics, the University of Keral, led to the discovery of a new family and two new types of freshwater crabs from the regions of the western Ghats in Kerala.
The new family and the species belonging to the family of freshwater crabs were seen at Ranipuram Hill in the Karagod district. This was called Kasargodia Sheebae. Another new species, also from the Gecarcinucidae family, was seen in Gavi, Pathanamthitta district. This species belongs to the genus Pilarta and was named Pilarta Vaman, the scientists said.
The Journal of Crustacean Biology published findings on the Sheebae Casargodia, while Plamanan paper appeared in the Journal of Zones. Both discoveries are in the same team; Smithy raj and a. biju kumar from the department of aquatics biology and fisheries, and fisheries, and petter kl n, lee con Con
In the case of the Sheebae Casargodie, the name of the new Kasargodie family is derived from the northernmost district of Keral, while the generic name is derived from the name Sheeba Smith Raj, the wife of Smith Raj, who helped him on field trips. Sheebae Kasargodia is characterized by a brownish orange circle with numerous black spots. The limbs carrying claws are orange with black spots. The samples were collected from a small mountain stream flowing through grassland.
Another new species, Pilart Vaman, is named after Vaman, one of the Avatars Vishnu in Hindu mythology. The name mentions the small size of this crab. The crushed of this kind is more quadrible. The samples were collected from a small mountain stream in Gavi. “Crabs seem rare because only two individuals were found,” Zootaxa said.
Kasargodia Sheebae | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The Western Ghats mountain range contains many endemic freshwater crab species, as evidenced by numerous recent discoveries, scientists said. “The real diversity of freshwater crabs in Western Ghats is unclear because of their secret nature and is difficult to collect them. Most of them are night and hides in deep burrows and represents a challenge for scientists,” they said.
Endemism of freshwater crabs in the Kerala section of Western Ghats, which is almost 70%, is higher than in another group of organisms. According to scientists, however, according to scientists face anthropogenic threats of cassargodium and Pilart Vaman. The tourist flow to grassland, where these crabs were found by significant threats for their habitats, they said.
Published – 9. August 2025 17:16
