Scientists identify 15th Ghatiana crab species in Karnataka's Western Ghats

Scientists conducting field surveys in the Western Ghats have announced the discovery of a previously unknown crab species that falls under the genus Ghatiana. The find adds a fifteenth member to the list of Ghatiana crabs documented from Karnataka, underscoring the region's rich aquatic biodiversity.\nThe Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is known for its high endemism across many taxa, and the identification of a new crustacean highlights the ongoing need for systematic taxonomic research in the area.\nAccording to the research team, the new species exhibits distinct morphological traits that differentiate it from the fourteen earlier described Ghatiana species in the state. The addition expands the scientific understanding of crab diversity in the Western Ghats and may inform future conservation strategies for freshwater habitats.