DISCOVERIES of new species often excite the scientific community and the public alike, especially when they are found in mysterious and remote locations.
Recently, reports have surfaced about a new species of vampire crab discovered on Gunung Jerai in Kedah.
Could this incredible find be true?
Verdict:
TRUE
A new species of vampire crab, named Geosesarma bunian, has been discovered at an elevation of 1,100 metres on Gunung Jerai.
This crab is part of the Geosesarma genus, which includes freshwater species known for their vibrant appearances.
The name bunian draws from local folklore, referring to mythical forest spirits known as Orang Bunian.
These beings are often imagined as elusive and beautifully adorned, mirroring the crab’s striking colours and its previously unnoticed presence in the wild.
Adapted perfectly to its freshwater environment, this crab does not need to migrate to the sea for reproduction.
Its large eggs hatch directly into juvenile crabs, a unique trait that sets it apart from other crabs.
This discovery was announced in a paper authored by Peter K. L. Ng, S. Khadijah-Ahmad, and Amirrudin B. Ahmad and published in the Raffles Bulletin of Zoology this year.
As a side note, the "vampire crab" moniker has nothing to do with the little critters eating habit, but rather with the bright, contrastingly yellow eyes of some species of Geosesarma.
Aside from Malaysia, species of these freshwater crabs can also be found across Southeast Asia, India and even on several Pacific islands.
References:
1. https://www.livescience.com/
