New species of estuarine crab was discovered in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu

Researchers of Annamalai University have discovered a new species of estuarine crab in the mangroves of Parangipettai near the Vellar River estuary in the Cuddalore district.

About the Species:

• The species has been named Pseudohelice Annamalai in recognition of Annamalai University’s 100 years of service in education and research. 
• This is the first-ever record of this genus, Pseudohelice, collected from high intertidal areas in front of the CAS.
• So far, only two species — Pseudohelice subquadrate and Pseudohelice Latreille.
  
     

• Features:
  • Pseudohelice Annamalai is distinguished by dark purple to dark grey coloring, with irregular light brown, yellowish brown, or white patches on the posterior carapace with light brown chelipeds. 
  • The new species is small and has a maximum width of up to 20 mm.
  • The species inhabits muddy banks of mangroves, and the burrows were located near the pneumatophores of  Avicennia
  • Burrows have a depth of 25-30 cm and are branched, with larger pellets around the entrance.
  • This species is not aggressive and can move fast like other intertidal crabs.
  • As many as 17 species of intertidal crabs have been recorded in the same region.

Significance of the Species:

• The occurrence of Pseudohelice in India links the distribution gap between the western Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean.
• The new species provides additional evidence of the geographic isolation of the eastern Indian Ocean for some marine organisms.

Location: The Vellar River Estuary