Vampire crab? New species identified after orange creature found in Thailand swamp
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While exploring a freshwater swamp forest in Thailand in 2016, a group of researchers noticed something peculiar: a minuscule bright orange creature gripping onto the fruits of palm plants and scurrying across tree roots.
Now, scientists have determined that the tiny creatures are a new species of vampire crabs, identified as Geosesarma todaeng in a study published July 20 in Tropical Natural History. Researchers used crabs collected in December 2016 and December 2021 to learn about the new species.
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The freshwater crabs are tiny, measuring about half an inch long by half an inch wide, according to the study. They are slightly wider than they are long.
The nocturnal creatures are distinguishable by their coloring, which fades from bright orange at their claws to dark brown on their back and legs, experts said. Mixed in to the orange and brown are “pale blue spots and flecks.” The crabs are yellow on the under side of their bodies.
Researchers said their discovery marks only the third species of vampire crab, or Geosesarma, known in Thailand. The new species differs from other vampire crabs because it has a swollen gastral region and males have different features in their gonopods — which are used to transfer sperm.
Vampire crabs earned their name from their coloring, which can include yellow eyes and a purple or orange shell, according to LiveScience. However, this species does not exhibit the same yellow eyes.
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The crabs — which were found in a freshwater swamp in the Narathiwat Province in southern Thailand — inhabit tree roots, leaves, leaf stalks and stems of plants about 2- to 3-feet above the water surface, researchers said. The creatures “immediately drop into the water” below them if they are disturbed.
This story was originally published July 21, 2023 at 2:24 PM with the headline "Vampire crab? New species identified after orange creature found in Thailand swamp."
