Unveiling in the latest chapter of “Tropical Natural History” – the 23rd issue, an intriguing discovery merits our attention. The scholarly article narrates a tale of discovery by a team of devoted researchers from Thailand, headed by no other than Pan Yeesin. As a prominent member of the Technology and Industries Department within the confines of Prince of Songkla University’s Faculty of Science and Technology in Pattani province, Pan has been making strides and making headlines.
This exciting discovery did not happen in isolation. There was an unfettered scientific partnership with fellow scientists from the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Natural History Museum in Songkhla province, alongside the venerable Professor Peter Ng. The latter serves as an eminent scholar from the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, a globally recognized institution for biodiversity research.
The spotlight of their research captures the unique ‘Geosesarma Todaeng’ vampire crabs. These captivating creatures were discovered flourishing beneath the roots of Lum Phee – a species of palm, scientifically known as eleiodoxa conferta. This plant species adorns a swamp forest in Narathiwat with its presence.
The newly found species, a lowland variant, falls under the G. Foxi species group. Its unique identity comes to the fore through distinctive features of its carapace, male pleon, and male first gonopod. Like its geosesarma brethren, the Todaeng boasts a square carapace, claws that shimmer in hues of yellow or orange, and legs with shades ranging from black to light brown. What sets it apart is the noticeably pronounced arc of its carapace when observed from the front, as Pan graciously elucidates.
A fascinating revelation follows the discovery of the Geosesarma Todaeng. It commendably expands the count of known Geosesarma species in Thailand to a trifecta. Two other members of the G. Foxi species group had previously been recorded – the charming G. Krathing, a native of Chanthaburi province, and the alluring G. Serenei, found in Nakhon Si Thammarat province.
In the echoes of this scientific triumph, another voice gains prominence – Reungrit Phromdam. As an established scientist affiliated with the Sirindhorn Natural History Museum, Reungrit holds an optimistic stance on future discoveries. He eagerly anticipates a continuation of their exploration in the southern Thai swamps, in search of more Geosesarma crabs undiscovered thus far.
Reungrit makes a thought-provoking observation – these fascinating little beings have never been spotted in the canals or waterways that connect to the swamp or mangrove forests or even those which lead to the sea. This discovery just provides a tantalizing hint of the hidden marine biodiversity waiting to be uncovered, possibly rewriting scientific understanding and providing rich content for prospective issues of “Tropical Natural History”.
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