Status of Tiny Colombian Freshwater Crabs in the Urban Environment

Located in the Colombian Andes, Manizales is a hub for researchers studying the well-being of a native species of small freshwater crabs in the city’s parks and streams.

Colombia has an impressive number of over 100 registered species of freshwater crabs, making it the second-highest country in terms of diversity. However, these crabs face various threats including climate change, deforestation, and urbanization. Globally, 43 out of the 122 countries with freshwater crabs have species that are in need of protection.

Doctoral student in ecology, Juan Mateo Rivera Pérez, from the Federal University of Pará (UFPA) in Belém, Brazil, and the first author of a June 2023 paper published in the journal Aquatic Ecology, has launched a groundbreaking project to determine and compare the ecological niche of the Strengeriana fuhrmanni species of freshwater crabs in Colombia.

Rivera explains, “I am currently investigating the impact of anthropogenic changes such as urbanization, agriculture, and livestock on the populations of endemic crabs belonging to the Pseudothelphusidae family. Although crabs are known for their sensitivity to environmental changes and have been mentioned in studies on environmental quality, they have never been a priority until now.”

The study reveals that the distribution pattern of crabs in Manizales city has been steadily declining due to urbanization, which restricts their ability to disperse and forage in the streams of the city’s eco-parks. However, Rivera sees this as an opportunity to identify key areas, study feeding relationships with other species such as frogs, and analyze environmental variables.

Colombian carcinologist, Ada Acevedo-Alonso, from the Corporación Autónoma Regional de Boyacá (CORPOBOYACA), who was not involved in the study, emphasizes how crucial it is to examine the impact of urbanization on freshwater crustaceans. She explains, “Urbanization brings channelization, loss of forest cover, dam construction, and pollution, all of which have significant effects on freshwater environments.”

Crazy About Crabs

Juan Mateo Rivera Pérez hails from Paso Nuevo, San Bernardo del Viento in Córdoba, Colombia, known as the “Land of the Blue Crab.”

Rivera shares, “From a young age, I cultivated a deep connection with crabs, learning about them and their habitats. During my undergraduate studies at the University of Caldas in Manizales, Colombia, I developed an interest in the study of aquatic macroinvertebrates.” This fascination led Rivera to focus on researching freshwater crabs within the Pseudothelphusidae family in the Caldas department.

Later, Rivera pursued a Master’s degree in Brazil and continues his Ph.D. studies there, aiming to understand how human-induced changes impact the diversity of aquatic insects. He states, “I am now utilizing my knowledge and applying it to the study of crabs in the region.” Rivera believes that the significance of scientific research in the Global South lies in its unique perspectives and understanding of the diverse ecosystems found there.

Acevedo-Alonso, another Colombian carcinologist, focuses on combating the invasive Louisiana crawfish (Procambarus clarkii) that was introduced into Colombia in the mid-1980s.

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