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Favus granulatus Lanchester, 1900
| Family Name: | Leucosiidae |
| Taxonomic Group: | Invertebrates (Crustacean, Crab and Prawn) |
| Common Name: | Rubble Crab |
Name
Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | Littoral (intertidal) and sublittoral coral rubble and gravel. |
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| Habitats | Coral Reef, Marine |
| Distribution | Known only from Singapore. |
Conservation
| Trends & Threats | The loss of our intertidal coral reefs and the destruction of sublittoral habitats by dumping or pollution are serious threats to the survival of this species and its allies. It had been found in Siloso Beach in Sentosa (the reef there has since been "improved") and Pulau Semakau (the reef there is now heavily silted over). |
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| Scientific Interest & Potential Value | This species was collected and described from Singapore at the beginning of the 20th century. It remains endemic to Singapore, with only some male specimens having been collected here in recent years. Its excellent camouflage amongst coral rubble makes it virtually undetectable. This species is an example of a poorly studied but highly diverse grouping of animals that live in littoral and sublittoral coral rubble. Its heritage value is substantial as it was a new genus and new species discovered from Singapore adn is not yet known elsewhere. A related species in another genus, Alox somphos Tan & Ng, 1995, was also first described from Singapore, and has similar habits. This species faces all the same conservation problems as Favus. |
| Conservation Notes | Sufficient stretches of littoral and sublittoral reefs must be conserved and uncontrolled dumping must be stopped. |
Status
| Singapore Red Data Book Status | Endangered (EN) [2008] |
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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 |
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