Exotic crab species completely inhabit the tree in India

Scientists discovered a species of crab that lives on trees in forests in southern India.

Scientists at the University of Kerala, India, discovered a strange new species of crab, living on trees in the forests of the Western Ghats, south of India. They are described in a paper published in Crustacean Biology April 3.

The local Kani tribe knew about the existence of these special crabs and helped the team find them. In recognition of their efforts, the crab species is scientifically named Kani maranjandu.

A Kani maranjandu crab.(Photo: University of Kerala).

This is the first time scientists have discovered a species of crab that lives entirely on trees. Their houses are puddles in the hollows of trees, instead of on the surface like normal crabs.

The little-known Kani crab maranjandu is partly due to their shy nature. The people of the Kani tribe taught researchers how to determine the position of an animal by searching for pieces of wood chips and air bubbles pushed out of the hole in the tree. Crab Kani maranjandu has a dark purple shell and elongated legs suitable for tree life.

Scientists say this is a very important discovery. Cua Kani maranjandu plays the role of an indicator creature in the field of ecology. Where there are many crabs, it proves that the forest ecosystem is still good.

"Big tree vents are this unique crab habitat. We need to protect large trees in the degraded forest ecosystem in the Western Ghats," said Biju Kumar, member of the group. research, said.