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Parathelphusa reticulata Ng, 1990
| Family Name: | Parathelphusidae |
| Taxonomic Group: | Invertebrates (Crustacean, Crab and Prawn) |
| Common Name: | Swamp Forest Crab |
Name
Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | Found in well-shaded acid water swamp forests with tea-coloured water of low pH (5.0 - 5.5). Digs burrows by the side of muddy banks. Very secretive, only active nocturnally. Feeds on plant matter predominantly, but also scavenges for animal matter when the opportunity arises. |
|---|---|
| Habitats | Forest, Freshwater, Freshwater Swamp Forest |
| Distribution | Known only from a part of the Nee Soon Swamp Forest. The species is endemic to Singapore. |
| Nature Reserves | Central Catchment Nature Reserve |
Conservation
| Trends & Threats | Habitat deterioration. |
|---|---|
| Scientific Interest & Potential Value | This species is one of the animals which are endemic to Singapore forests. It is very remarkable in that up to the late 1980s, no specimens were known of this species at all, and there had been no indication that a second species of Parathelphusa might in fact be present in Singapore (the more common P. maculata is found throughout much of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and in parts of Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra). The swamps where P. reticulata lives have been well studied in the past, but the animal was probably missed because of its secretive habits. |
| Conservation Notes | Since 1990, the species has been known only from a 20 hectare area in the Nee Soon Swamp Forest, but may be found in small numbers in other small isolated swampy parts in the adjacent areas. Continued protection of the Nee Soon Swamp Forest and surrounding buffer areas is essential. |
Status
| Species Status | Native |
|---|---|
| Singapore Red Data Book Status | Endangered (EN) [2008], Endangered (E) [1994] |
| IUCN Red List | Critically Endangered |
Photos
References
| References | Davison, G.W.H., Ng, P.K.L. & Ho, H.C (Eds.). 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book (2nd Edition). Singapore: Nature Society (Singapore). 285pp Ng, P.K.L. & Wee, Y.C. (Eds.). 1994. The Singapore Red Data Book (1st Edition). Singapore: Nature Society (Singapore). 343pp |
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