This critically endangered species found only in Nee Soon Swamp Forest, may soon make its way to other locations on the island owing to the breed and release efforts of NParks. Nocturnal and elusive, the little spotted swamp forest crab species only found in Singapore, have been hatched successfully in captivity and released back into the wild. The tiny freshwater crabs that only grow up to 4 cm as adults, are difficult to study, capture and spot, and usually hide by burrowing into the sides of the muddy banks of the Nee Soon Swamp Forest being the only place these crabs are found in Singapore.
The critically endangered species have been bred in the lab of the National Parks Board (NParks) conservation facility in a push to boost the population of the crustaceans and establish more colonies in nature sites around the island.
Researchers who were part of the efforts to protect rare animals and plants native to Singapore, leading the initiative stated that saving the Parathelphusa reticulata or reticulated swamp forest crab could play a part in combating climate change. The area which is located southeast of Seletar Reservoir in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, is S’pore’s last remaining freshwater swamp forest. Singapore swamp forest crabs could be seen in artificial habitats at the conservation facility of NPark, where 12 adult specimens collected in 2018 and brought there by scientists have been closely observed to better understand the optimal environment where they breed and thrive. Although initially, researchers brought natural stream water from the swamp for the critters, they later discovered the crabs could adapt well to treated tap water which meant that the species could potentially survive in other nature parks as well. Mr Ng, manager of NParks’ National Biodiversity Centre said that since the species is tolerant to water conditions, it is believed that they could be introduced to potentially more sites within the nature reserves of Singapore.
Researchers have bred two generations of the species since 2019,, which is said to be the first successful attempt in the world to produce swamp forest crabs in an artificial environment. While some baby crabs were returned to Nee Soon Swamp Forest, 20 others were released at an undisclosed nature park last week prior to which the adaptability of the crabs was tested with water from the new spot. The location was not revealed to prevent the public from hunting for them, thus threatening their survival while site research was conducted to ensure the location had fewer natural predators such as fish that may feed on them.
It is hoped that by introducing the species to different areas in Singapore, they could build new colonies elsewhere since if something happened to Nee Soon Swamp Forest, the crabs would be wiped out, explained Mr Ng.
Researchers will regularly conduct night surveys over the next 6 months and measure the size of the crustaceans to determine if they are doing well in their new environment. If they grow in their new environment, Mr. Ng said they plan to translocate more crabs into this habitat, hoping to eventually establish a population there.
Group Director of the NParks’ National Biodiversity Centre, Mr. Ryan Lee, stated that this species of crabs mostly feed on leaf litter and help with the nutrient recycling process which will, all in all, result in a positive ecosystem service that will provide cooler temperatures, cleaner air, and make Singapore more livable.
Presently, over 120 animal and plant species are under the recovery initiative that is aimed at safeguarding threatened or endemic native flora and fauna in the country with NParks looking to enhance this number to 160 by 2030.
