All scientists like to search for new and rare species which they can name for posterity. With only 1.8 million species of plants and animals described, and perhaps tens of millions still out there, the opportunity is excellent. In marine crabs, it is still easy to find new species – most of which are small and have very cryptic habits. It is therefore extremely pleasant to find a relatively large new species of crab! This one, a species of Liagore of the family Xanthidae, grows up to 8 cm in width. There are only two species of Liagore in the world, both of which are covered with purple spots. This one from Santo, is plain coloured – also extends the range of the genus far to the east of the Pacific. Another nice species is this tree-climbing crab near mangroves – apparently a new species of Scandarma!

Only the third species of the genus Liagore known to science – and it appears to be new!

What appears to be a new species of tree-climbing mangrove crab of the genus Scandarma