Geothelphusa miyazakii
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| Geothelphusa miyazakii | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Infraorder: | Brachyura |
| Family: | Potamidae |
| Genus: | Geothelphusa |
| Species: | G. miyazakii |
| Binomial name | |
| Geothelphusa miyazakii (Miyake & Chiu, 1965) | |
Geothelphusa miyazakii, or Miyazaki’s crab, is a species of freshwater crab in the family Potamidae, endemic to Taiwan.[2] It inhabits mountain stream environments and plays an important ecological role as both a scavenger and prey species.[2]
Description
The carapace of G. miyazakii is nearly quadrate and smooth, measuring approximately 23 mm in length and 29 mm in width.[4] The crab is predominantly dark purple, with distinct orange coloration on the chelae (claw fingers) and limb joints.[4] Males exhibit marked sexual dimorphism, having unequal-sized chelipeds, while females possess smaller and more symmetrical claws.[2] The walking legs are slender and equipped with fine spines and setae (bristles).[4]
Distribution and habitat
Geothelphusa miyazakii is native to Taiwan, with a known range including northern regions such as Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, and Yilan.[2][4] It inhabits low-elevation mountain streams between 50 and 200 meters above sea level, where it shelters in mud burrows or under rocks in moist, shaded environments.[4][3]