Ghatiana, Karnataka

• Ghatiana is a genus of freshwater crabs belonging to the family Gecarcinucidae.
• It was established as a genus in 2014 by Pati & Sharma.
• Distribution: The genus is restricted to the Western Ghats of India.
• Karnataka: Several species of Ghatiana are known from Karnataka, particularly the Central Western Ghats/Uttara Kannada region.
• Habitat: Species can inhabit laterite rocks, water-filled holes and evergreen-forest habitats.
• Ghatiana dvivarna: A species described from the Central Western Ghats of Karnataka, associated with holes in laterite rocks.
• Ghatiana sanguinolenta: Described in 2023 from the Central Western Ghats; it was reported as the fifth Ghatiana species from Karnataka at the time.
• Ghatiana dvirupa: Described in 2024 from Kali Tiger Reserve, Uttara Kannada, Karnataka; its proposed common name is “Mr. and Mrs. Ghat Crab” because males and females differ in coloration.
• Ghatiana dhritiarum: A new species described in 2026 from Uttara Kannada, Karnataka. It inhabits water-filled holes of tree trunks and laterite boulders in evergreen forests.
• Biodiversity significance: Ghatiana illustrates the high endemism and taxonomic diversity of freshwater crabs in the Western Ghats.

Prelims MCQ

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding Ghatiana:

1. It is a genus of freshwater crabs.
2. It belongs to the family Gecarcinucidae.
3. Its known distribution is associated with the Western Ghats of India.
4. Species of the genus have been recorded from Karnataka.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation: Ghatiana is a genus of freshwater crabs of the family Gecarcinucidae, restricted to the Western Ghats, with multiple species recorded from Karnataka.