11 new species of freshwater crab found in Western Ghats

Mumbai: Around 11 new species and 1 genus of freshwater crab were found in the Western Ghats in Maharashtra, according to a report published in Zootaxa. The research, conducted by Tejas Thackeray, the younger son of Uddhav Thackeray, along with Sameer Kumar Pati included stretches of Konkan, Satara, Kolhapur and Ahmednagar. The research spanned across 2016 and 2017.

The new genus discovered by the team has been named ‘Sahyadriana’ derived from ‘Sahyadri’, the name of Western Ghats in Marathi Language.  The team stated that the genus is endemic to this mountain range, proving once again the importance of protecting and preserving this biodiversity hotspot. Mr Tejas Thackeray said, “This entire project is a result of my field team’s sheer hard work. I would like to thank the Maharashtra state forest department for granting me permits.”

The eleven species are— Ghatiana botti, Ghatiana pulchra, Ghatiana rathbunae, Gubernatoriana longipes, Gubernatoriana marleshwarensis,  Gubernatoriana wallacei,  Sahyadriana billyarjani, Sahyadriana pachyphallus, Sahyadriana sahyadriensis, Sahyadriana tenuiphallus and Sahyadriana woodmasoni

Mr Thackeray also thanked former Maharashtra principal chief conservator of forest, Shree Bhagwan, for his assistance and enabling smooth work for the project. “Most importantly, I would like to thank my co-author Dr Sameer Kumar Pati, who I have worked with for  four years for helping me describe these stunning jewels that I found across the valleys and mountains of Sahayadris,” said Mr Thackeray.