Geosesarma ambawang

Small, typically terrestrial crabs. Excellent climbers. Can be kept in paludariums. Do not destroy plants. Live in groups, are social animals.

Geosesarma ambawang

Latin name:

Geosesarma ambawang

Trade names:

Geosesarma nothophorum, Mandarin, Geosesarma pontianak

Discoverer:

Ng, Peter K. L. (2015)

Scientifically described:

Yes

Availability in trade:

Probably

Occurrence:

Gunung Ambawang - Pontianak - West Borneo – Indonesia

Occurrence map
Image source: own work based on Google Maps

Environment

Tropical forest floor, near watercourses.
Sandy substrate, mountain forest area.

Environment
Image source: Google Maps

Additional information

Climbs on bushes and small trees.

Appearance

  • Carapace – divided into two colors: dark brown/reddish-brown and cream/gray
  • Legs – reddish-brown
  • Claws – light red/orange
  • Eyes – white, yellow-white
  • Underside – red

Geosesarma ambawang
Image source: Garnelio

Notes

Geosesarma ambawang and Geosesarma pontianak are very similar but differ in biological features.

Eye color:

  • Geosesarma pontianak → deep yellow eyes
  • Geosesarma ambawang → light, white eyes

Carapace shape:

  • Geosesarma ambawang → proportionally wider carapace
  • Geosesarma pontianak → more square-shaped carapace and longer, slimmer legs

Due to their similarity and close geographic range, Geosesarma ambawang is often mistakenly labeled as Geosesarma nothophorum or Geosesarma pontianak.

It is probably available in trade but difficult to distinguish from closely related species.

May be mixed with other species.