Ngan mayla gen. et sp. nov, a new blind potamid cave crab from Borneo, Kalimantan (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamoidea, Potamidae), and three other unidentified cave crabs from the same region

Danièle Guinot ¹, Paula A Rodríguez Moreno ²

⁰Institut de Systématique; Evolution; Biodiversité (ISYEB); UMR7205 CNRS; MNHN; EPHE Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle; Sorbonne Université; Paris cedex 05; France. daniele.guinot@mnhn.fr.

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December 8, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

A new genus and species of blind, depigmented freshwater cave crab, Ngan mayla, was discovered in Borneo. This highly adapted species adds to the limited known troglobitic potamids globally.

Area Of Science

Zoology
Carcinology
Speleobiology

Background

Freshwater cave crabs are rare, with few fully adapted troglobitic species known globally.
Borneo's karst regions are potential hotspots for undiscovered subterranean fauna.

Purpose Of The Study

To describe a new genus and species of freshwater cave crab from East Kalimantan, Borneo.
To characterize the unique morphological adaptations of this new troglobitic species.
To assess its taxonomic relationship with other known cave crabs.

Main Methods

Morphological examination of collected specimens, including detailed analysis of appendages and sensory organs.
Comparative analysis with existing descriptions of potamid and gecarcinucid crabs.
Field collection in Lubang Gedung Cave and Lubang Tebot Cave, Merabu Karst.

Main Results

Description of Ngan mayla gen. et sp. nov., a blind, depigmented, and dolichopod potamid crab from Lubang Gedung Cave.
Ngan mayla exhibits extreme troglobitic adaptations, including unique cheliped morphology.
Two additional unidentified cave crabs were collected: an Isolapotamon sp. and a potential new genus of gecarcinucid.

Conclusions

Ngan mayla gen. et sp. nov. represents a significant addition to the known diversity of highly troglobitic freshwater crabs.
The discovery highlights the Merabu Karst as a critical area for cave biodiversity research.
Further research is needed to fully classify the unidentified gecarcinucid crab and understand the distribution of cave crabs in Borneo.