A new species of crab has been discovered in Kenting, Taiwan, during the Long-Term Ecological Research project in the Kenting National Park Sea Area. Kenting National Park entrusted National Taiwan Ocean University to conduct the research.
In June last year, a Dubai tanker stranded on the beach of Jialeshuei, Kenting.
Dr. Ho Ping-ho of National Taiwan Ocean University was investigating the oil spill’s impact on the ocean when he discovered two individuals of the new crab species.
The new crab’s carapace is 2.5 cm (1-inch) wide and red with white spots, leading researchers to call it the “strawberry crab.”
The two individuals were females and were dead when they were discovered. They have been made into specimens.
Researchers have confirmed that this species has not been documented before, and classified it in the genus Neoliomera.
Ho said that only male crabs’ gonopods are useful in distinguishing species, so he hopes to find a male specimen of the crab.
