FRESH WATER CRABS
Relative to the small size of Sri Lanka, it has a unique and significantly richer freshwater crab diversity compared to other Asian countries. Recent studies have shown that Sri Lanka has 52 freshwater crab species. All the freshwater crabs belong to the family Gecarcinucidae.
We have an exceptionally high endemic crab fauna, 51 species are endemic to the island and many of them are in real danger of extinction. Approximately 80% of the crabs are restricted to the wet zone of the island. Some of the threats facing by these unique animals are already identified. Mainly the principal investigator of this project together with his colleagues assessed the conservation status of the Sri Lankan freshwater crabs in 2005. |
As mentioned in that study, these data are used to assess the global IUCN red list. Because of these studies, it is very clear that Sri Lankan freshwater crab fauna is in real danger. According to IUCN 2015, 24 species of Sri Lankan freshwater crabs are listed as Critically Endangered and another 10 species as Endangered. It is noteworthy to mention that mainly the principal investigator of this project describes 22 species of fresh water crabs. In addition, M. M. Bahir have discovered and described 12 new species from southern India (with his colleague Professor Darren Yeo of the National University of Singapore) where there are only about 40 described species at present. These research findings are highlighted by the Indian Scientists recently.
It is known that only a handful of freshwater crabs have wide distributions and tolerant for severe land use changes. Many species have very small distribution ranges; therefore, it is very important to document the species richness and distributions of these animals. Freshwater crabs receive very little publicity and conservation attention, in spite of their key role in aquatic food webs and ecosystem functioning.
In the same time, it is clear that not many students or researchers are interested to study freshwater crabs. In this proposed study, we are trying to train several interested young students to study and proceed on conservation of the unique freshwater crabs of Sri Lanka. We are collaborating with the Department of Wildlife Conservation, Professor Peter K. L. Ng and Professor Darren Yeo of the National University of Singapore; Dr. Natalie Beenaerts of the Biodiversity, Phylogeny and Population Studies, Centre for Environmental Studies, Hasselt University, Belgium. In addition, we are working closely with some Indian scientists working on freshwater crabs.
It is known that only a handful of freshwater crabs have wide distributions and tolerant for severe land use changes. Many species have very small distribution ranges; therefore, it is very important to document the species richness and distributions of these animals. Freshwater crabs receive very little publicity and conservation attention, in spite of their key role in aquatic food webs and ecosystem functioning.
In the same time, it is clear that not many students or researchers are interested to study freshwater crabs. In this proposed study, we are trying to train several interested young students to study and proceed on conservation of the unique freshwater crabs of Sri Lanka. We are collaborating with the Department of Wildlife Conservation, Professor Peter K. L. Ng and Professor Darren Yeo of the National University of Singapore; Dr. Natalie Beenaerts of the Biodiversity, Phylogeny and Population Studies, Centre for Environmental Studies, Hasselt University, Belgium. In addition, we are working closely with some Indian scientists working on freshwater crabs.