New record of Varuna litterata (Fabricius, 1798) from Meru Betiri National Park, East Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Some freshwater crabs can be found from brackish up to the freshwater habitats. The crab of the family Varunidae, i.e. Varuna litterata (Fabricius, 1798) has unique migration distribution pattern because it is a euryhaline and catadromous species. The Varunid species is distributed throughout the Indo Pacific region. The purpose of this study was to determine the existence of V. litterata in Meru Betiri National Park (MBNP). Specimens were collected along the rivers passing Andongrejo and Bandealit resorts in MBNP by road sampling method on various habitats, and from lowland up to the middle stretch. The collected specimens were preserved in 70% ethanol. V. litterata was found mainly in settlements at lowland area. This species can migrate to the freshwater as far as 31 Km from the coast. During the collecting time, large females were found in coastal area showing this species association with marine life.