Two New Crab Species Found In Freeport Work Area

A new crab species named Typhlocarcinops raouli which was found in the mouth of the Ajkwa River, PT Freeport Indonesia area in Mimika Regency, Papua Province. (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Two new crab species, Typhlocarcinops robustus and Typhlocarcinops raouli, were found in the Ajkwa estuary area, the work area of PT Freeport Indonesia / PTFI in Mimika Regency, Papua Province.

The discovery adds to the long list of new species discoveries in PTFI's work area, which stretches from the coastal area to alpine forests more than 4,000 meters above sea level.

Reported by Antara, Wednesday, October 21, LIPI's oceanography expert, Professor Dwi Listyo Rahayu, who was involved in this research in Timika, stated that environmental monitoring was carried out to obtain basic information about the biodiversity in PTFI's work area.

"The river in Mimika and the biodiversity in it is a very rich ecosystem, especially because it is a habitat for many species such as crabs. The cooperation between PTFI and LIPI is important so that research and monitoring functions can be carried out optimally," said Professor Dwi, one. the only taxonomy of hermit crabs in Indonesia.

Until now, new species have been found in the form of 29 flora and 101 fauna, 50 species of insects, 2 species of mammals, 26 species of reptiles, 2 types of fish, 21 types of crabs, and other types.

Two new species of crab, subphylum Crustaceans, were discovered when PTFI and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) conducted routine monitoring.

The research team who discovered the unique physical characteristics of the two species then carried out further research.

After going through an assessment process for almost four years, the two species were declared as new species.

The main physical characteristics of both are in the shape of the body and the claws.

Typhlocarcinops robustus has a body shape and claws that look sturdy and strong, like the name robustus, which in Latin means sturdy.

While Typhlocarcinops raouli has a rectangular body with slender and fluffy claws.

The name given is a form of homage to Raoul Serène, a crab expert from France who studied crabs from this group.

Since PTFI's research was conducted in 2001. in the estuary and mangrove areas, at least 103 species of the Crustaceans subphylum have been found in this area, 21 of which are new to science.

Monitoring and research activities at the mouth of the Ajkwa River are routinely carried out by PTFI every six months as a form of company compliance with the 1997 AMDAL 300K.

Not only at river estuaries, environmental conservation activities are also carried out in all PTFI work areas, both in the highlands and lowlands.

"The analysis results from every environmental research we carry out, including basic information on biodiversity in PTFI's work area, are always taken into account by PTFI management in making operational decisions, so that we can always minimize the impact of operations on the environment. We also regularly report research results. this is to the government, "said PTFI Environment Department Senior Manager Gesang Setyadi.