Singapore's Chilli Crab

When most people talk about Singapore and crabs, the image of Singapore's signature Chili Crab dish comes to mind. Would it not be ironic for Singapore to have no crabs of our own. even with such a dish being one of the country's most famous dish? Luckly, we do not have 1, but 3 species of endemic crab that call Singapore home: the Johora singaporensis, the Irmengardia johnsoni and the Parathelphusa reticulata.

Mad rush to save this Singapore freshwater crab

The Singapore freshwater crab,  Johora singaporensis, has been making head line news this year as we struggle to find and maintain its population in the wild as habitat loss continues to poss a problem to the species. Staying in fast-flowing clean freshwater streams, these tiny crabs live out their lives, up until recently, out of the public eye. With 2 remaining known wild populations, scientist are struggling to help these crabs get back on their feet again. Not much is known about the ideal conditions, lifestyle and even the decline of the freshwater crabs and so scientist are in a mad rush trying gleam as much knowledge from these wild populations in order to start captive breeding programmes in order to boost populations numbers and prevent the species from going extinct.

Johnson's freshwater crab

The Johnson's freshwater crab, Irmengardia johnsoni, is another tiny crab, faring only slightly better then its cousin. This crab has its home in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Central Catchment nature Resesrve. Facing habitat loss as well, it may well be wiped out as the new Cross Island Line intends to make its route under the reserve, threatening the streams this native crab inhabits by ground works.

The Singapore Swamp Crab hiding among leaf litter

Lastly the Singapore Swamp Crab, Parathelphusa reticulata, is one of the most critically endangered animals, it inhabits a small area of 20 hectares in the Nee Soon Swamp Forest. This crab is not as small as its freshwater cousins, but the small locality it limits itself to is a problem that pose a threat to its entire population.

Singapore's endemic crabs have only been discovered for around 40-50 years and yet they are already on the verge of extinction. If we want to continue to live along side these small marvels, Singaporeans in their own right, we are going to have to be more sensitive to the impacts we have on our own environment.

References

Cai, Y. (2013). Singapore Freshwater Crab top view. Retrieved from https://mygreenspace.nparks.gov.sg/the-endangered-singapore-crab/

Choy, H. Johnson's freshwater crab. Retrieved from https://lovemacritchie.wordpress.com/johnsons-freshwater-crab/

Chua, K. (2014). Parathelphusa reticulata (swamp forest crab). Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/roarkstiggs/14685667974

Florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg,. Flora Fauna Web - animal detail. Retrieved 25 October 2015, from https://florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg/special-pages/animal-detail.aspx?id=399

Florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg,. Flora Fauna Web - animal detail. Retrieved 25 October 2015, from https://florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg/special-pages/animal-detail.aspx?id=398

Khew, C. (2015). Plan to save Singapore freshwater crab from extinction. The Straits Times. Retrieved 25 October 2015, from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/plan-to-save-singapore-freshwater-crab-from-extinction

Tan, S., & Cai, Y. (2015). The Endangered Singapore Crab | My Green Space. Mygreenspace.nparks.gov.sg. Retrieved 25 October 2015, from https://mygreenspace.nparks.gov.sg/the-endangered-singapore-crab/