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Scientific Name: Varuna litterata Fabricius, 1798

Synonym: Cancer litterata Fabricius, 1798 (Currently unaccepted)

English Name: Oceanic Paddler Crab; Herring Bow Crab
Local/Bangla Name: Guli kakra (গুলি কাঁকড়া), Gulli kakra( গুল্লি কাঁকড়া), Chiti kakra( ছিতি কাঁকড়া)
Crab : Varuna litterata

Photo: GBIF

Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Family: Varunidae
Description:
The carapace of this species is flat and square-shaped, with a smooth surface and a straight front. The anterolateral margins exhibit three broad, low, but sharp teeth each. The middle of the carapace forms an H-shape. The chelipeds are symmetrical, and the inner border of the arm is denticulated. The inner angle of the wrist bears a large sharp spine, while the inner surface of the palm is granular. In males, the palm lacks a patch of hairs at the finger cleft. The propodus and dactylus are extended and fringed with hairs at the posterior margin, and the legs have three terminal articles that are compressed, dilated, and plumed. In terms of coloration, the carapace displays a mottled pattern of black and brown, while the entire body is brown with numerous blackish spots. The size of the carapace is reported to be 35mm in length and 38mm in width.
Habitat & Distribution in Bangladesh:
Varuna litterata usually inhabits the mangroves, estuarine and freshwater environments, in shallow sub- tidal regions and usually found under rocks, logs and dead leaves. It lives in burrows along the embankments or sides of pools, creeks and shallow banks. The species is recorded from the River Meghna and Sangu. The species is likely to be more widespread in the river mouth and mangroves of Bangladesh
Environment:
Marine, Freshwater and Brakishwater
Main References:

Ahmed ATA, Kabir SMH, Ahmad M, Rahman AKA, Haque EU, Ahmed ZU, Begum ZNT, Hassan MA, Khondker M (2008) Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh, Vol. 18. Part II Arthropoda: Crustacea. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka 226 pp

DNA Barcodes from Bangladesh
GenBank Accession Number:
Other DNA Barcodes & Nucleutide Sequences
BD IUCN conservation status:
Other Information