Maltese freshwater crab

Maltese freshwater crab
Freshwater crab in a stream in Baħrija, Malta.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Crustacea
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Decapoda
Family:	Potamidae
Genus:	Potamon
Species:	P. fluviatile
Subspecies:	P. f. lanfrancoi
Trinomial name
Potamon fluviatile lanfrancoi Capolongo & Cilia, 1990

The Maltese freshwater crab (Qabru) is a subspecies of freshwater crab, endemic to certain areas within the Maltese Islands. It is very rare and its numbers have been decreasing in recent years.

General features

The Maltese freshwater crab (known as the Qabru in Maltese) is a decapod (a crustacean with 10 legs). It can grow up to 80 millimetres (3 in) in width. It is greenish-grey with some orange-yellow patches occasionally.

Habitat

The Maltese freshwater crab is found where fresh water / running water is present throughout the year although it does live near pools and springs too. It is found in Imtaħleb, Baħrija and San Martin in Malta and in Lunzjata Valley in Gozo.^[1]

When threatened, the crab takes shelter by hiding under rocks or stones in the water and among vegetation, or by entering the burrows it digs. These burrows are dug in mud or clay and can be more than 50 cm deep. Part of the burrow is normally flooded.^[1]

Food

The Maltese freshwater crab is carnivorous and feeds on other smaller animals such as tadpoles. It usually feeds after sunset.^[1]

Population

Sadly, the numbers of this freshwater crab are steadily declining as a result of pollution of water, drying up of streams and because of its capture by humans.^[1]

See also

• Endemic Maltese wildlife

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Joe Sultana, Victor Falzon, ed (2002). Wildlife of the Maltese Islands. BirdLife Malta, Nature Trust. ISBN 9-9909-66-02-1.