An annotated checklist of mangrove brachyuran crabs from Malaysia and Singapore

Abstract

The mangrove brachyuran fauna of Singapore and Malaysia is generally regarded as well studied. This is not the case. Over a hundred brachyuran species are now known from mangroves in Peninsular and East Malaysia, a substantial part of the known fauna in these waters. In Singapore, for example, of the approximately 350 brachyurans known, 76 (i.e. ca 22%) are mangal species. The systematics of several groups remain very unsatisfactory. The taxonomy of the Sesarminae, the largest subfamily of the Grapsidae and the dominant group in most mangroves, is still very unstable, with the identities of many ecologically important genera and species still unclear. A revision is still unavailable. Until recently, representatives of the families Hymenosomatidae and Leucosiidae were unknown from mangroves. Detailed collections and studies have resulted in the discovery of new genera and species from areas as purportedly well explored as Singapore. The Sarawak mangrove brachyuran crab fauna is based almost entirely on one paper written 40 years ago whilst that of Sabah is almost unknown. Although the state of mangal brachyuran systematics in Malaysia and Singapore is still in an exploratory phase, the mangroves in these two countries are relatively well-known compared to those of the surrounding regions. The present annotated checklist of mangal brachyuran species is intended to guide future systematic work in these countries, as well as to assist ecologists and other mangrove biologists. This is especially in view of the important role of crabs in mangroves.