Journal archives for September 2021

September 12, 2021

Manager Interview #1

Greetings to all 651 members of Crabs of the World! Thanks to everyone for adding your crab observations to the project. We now have 1752 species!! That's 72 more than just six weeks ago. Please remember to add each observation to the project, as they are not automatically added by iNaturalist.

In this post, we have the first in a series of interviews with this project's Managers. Then there are links to some interesting new crab species, and finally more links to some spectacular observations.

Valentin de Mazancourt is a taxonomist, a Manager of Crabs of the World, and a Curator on iNaturalist.

How did you first become interested in crabs?
For as long as I can remember, I have always been looking around for small critters to observe them. Professionally, I had to decide on a specialization during my studies. I was very interested in insects but also loved the sea, so I thought that crustaceans were just the insects of the sea (technically, it's the other way around, insects are just land crustaceans!) and so I started working with them.

Did you study about crabs at the university?
My zoology professor was particularly interested in crabs and I learned a lot about them with him. Then, for my Master's internship I began to work in the Crustacean collection of the Museum of Natural History of Paris, and learned even more about crabs, especially freshwater species.

Are you currently involved in research or studies about crabs?
Yes, I recently described a new species of freshwater crab that I collected from New Caledonia (Richerius marqueti). I am also working on revising the taxonomy of the Hymenosomatidae of New Caledonia and will soon begin to study another freshwater family, the Varunidae.

Do you have any favorite crab species?
I know they aren't actually crabs, but I love the land hermit crabs (Coenobita), I have several in a terrarium at home (one of them since 2012!) and they are really fun to watch as they interact with each other.

Where do you go to find crabs?
Most of my observations are made walking on beaches, but I occasionally find some while scuba diving. Usually, whether you are on a beach at low tide, walking along a tropical river or diving, your best way to find crabs is to look under rocks, but never forget to put it back as you found it!

Is there a crab you want to see that you have never seen?
I would love to see a wild coconut crab, it's the largest terrestrial arthropod on Earth and they have very interesting behavior.

Here are a few species that are new to our project:

A beautiful Demania baccalipes (a Round Crab) by @rohithsrinivasan in India:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/91022706

In Japan, @crabspromenade has posted several new crabs, not yet “Research Grade;” maybe you have the expertise to confirm them? Here’s a Geothelphusa marginata (a Eurasian Freshwater Crab):
www.inaturalist.org/observations/91400582
and Chiromantes ryukyuanum (a Sesarmid Marsh Crab)
www.inaturalist.org/observations/91629622

Many wonderful new crab species, about 20 (!), were posted by @smithsonian_marinegeo from the Florida Museum of Natural History and University of Hong Kong's Swire Institute of Marine Science in Hong Kong. (Also not yet “Research Grade.”) Here’s a spectacular new Porcelain Crab, a Lissoporcellana spinuligera:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/90540690
and a stunning Heteropilumnus ciliatus (Heterotremata):
www.inaturalist.org/observations/90540481

And finally, two fabulous observations from a few years ago, posted recently:

A Dardanus lagopodes (Hairy Red Hermit Crab) with blue (not yellow!) antennae was IDed by @grahammcmartin in Mozambique:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/59465642

In Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, @argentinasubmarina shows us an assembly of Paralomis granulose (False King Crab):
www.inaturalist.org/observations/92577181

Please bring any unusual crab observations to my attention to highlight in the next post.

Posted on September 12, 2021 05:46 PM by wendy5 wendy5 | 4 comments | Leave a comment