Kani maranjandu explained

Kani maranjandu is a species of tree crab first identified in 2017.^[1] K. maranjandu has, to date, only been observed in the forests of the Western Ghats in Kerala, India., it is the only species in the genus Kani.

Taxonomy

Kani maranjandu represents a newly discovered genus (Kani), named for the local Kani tribe.^[2] The discoverers have placed the genus within the family Gecarcinucidae.^[1]

Characteristics

Kani maranjandu is distinguished from other crabs of the family Gecarcinidae by its distinctive carapace and the structure of the male abdomen, as well as its very long walking legs.^{[1] [3]} The species is entirely arboreal, relying on water held in small hollows of trees for survival.^[3]

Distribution

Kani maranjandu type locality is the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala in the Western Ghats. It is endemic to this area.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Description of a new genus and new species of a fully arboreal crab (Decapoda: Brachyura: Gecarcinucidae) from the Western Ghats, India, with notes on the ecology of arboreal crabs. Appukuttannair. Biju Kumar. Smrithy. Raj. Peter K. L.. Ng. Journal of Crustacean Biology. 3 April 2017. 37 . 2 . 157–167 . 10.1093/jcbiol/rux012. free.
2. News: The Hindu . New tree-living crab species found in Kerala . PTI . 4 April 2017 . 2017-04-05.
3. Web site: New species of tree living crab found in Western Ghats. phys.org. 3 April 2017. 5 April 2017.
4. Rajesh . L. . Raj . Smrithy . Pati . S.K. . Biju Kumar . A. . The freshwater crabs (Decapoda: Brachyura) of Kerala, India . Journal of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries . 2017 . 5 . 135, 140–141 . none.