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Freshwater crab (Isolapotamon bauense)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 13054042

Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation (Project No. 13054042) - Freshwater crab - Awarded $5,000 on August 01, 2013

The study centres on ecological questions (distribution, habitats, feeding, population size, growth, sex ratio and nutritional properties), threats and conservation status of freshwater crab, Isolapotamon bauense which is endemic to Borneo and categorized as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List. Existing knowledge indicated that the crab may restrict in habits and possibly has small range of occurrence, whereas threats from overexploitation for consumption or commercialization has not yet assessed. Information obtained from the study would be useful for effective conservation of the species include proposing the crab to be listed in the Wildlife Protection Ordinance of Sarawak.

The study site is located in Kuching Division, southeast of Sarawak State, Malaysia. It comprised sandstone and limestone outcrops, which surrounded by settlements and farmlands. Activities of the project are summarized below;

1. Quantification of spatial distribution and mapping of crab occurrence.

2. Evaluation of habitat and food preference.

3. Determination of population size, growth and sex ratio.

Activities (1-3) are useful to justify how much area need to be protected to maintain a thriving population of the crab. 

4. Determination of nutritional properties. This information is useful to solve potential conflict between conservation and utilization of the crab in the future.

Project documents