Ghatiana Karnataka Discovered in Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary

Ghatiana karnataka, a new species of freshwater crab, has been discovered at Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary in Udupi district, Karnataka. The discovery reports its taxonomy, appearance, year-round sightings, habitat preferences, and bio-indicator relevance, along with key features of the sanctuary.

Ghatiana karnataka and Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary:

Dimension	Key Details
Taxonomy (family)	Taxonomic placement comprises the Ghatiana family.
Western Ghats count and endemicity	Species discovery record comprises 15 Ghatiana species in the Western Ghats, with 8 endemic to Karnataka, including Ghatiana karnataka.
Appearance (male)	Male morphology comprises a dark-purple body, a light-pink to mauve V-shaped mark on the carapace, and light-pink claws.
Appearance (female)	Female morphology comprises a grey-violet front and a dark grey-brown rear.
Seasonal activity	Year-round activity comprises sightings across all seasons, unlike other Ghatiana crabs that hide or are hard to find in dry periods.
Habitat	Habitat comprises areas near perennial streams in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests.
Shelter pattern	Shelter use comprises laterite rocks during the monsoon, and moist tree cavities or rock crevices during other seasons.
Bio-indicator relevance	Bio-indicator relevance comprises freshwater crabs being highly sensitive to habitat degradation and pollution, and the thriving presence of Ghatiana karnataka indicating an unpolluted, pristine forest ecosystem.
Mookambika WLS core feature	Core location comprises Kodachadri Peak.
Mookambika WLS waterfalls	Waterfall features comprise Koosalli Waterfalls, Belkal Theertha Waterfalls, and Hidlumane Falls.
Mookambika WLS rivers	River system comprises River Chakra and River Souparnika passing through the sanctuary.
Mookambika WLS fauna	Faunal presence comprises endangered lion-tailed macaque and slender loris, alongside leopards, tigers, sloth bears, and sambar deer.