Amamiku amamensis
Japanese Name: アマミミナミサワガニ
Chinese Name: 奄美阿神蟹
English Name: Amami Freshwater Crab
Origin: Endemic to Tokunoshima and Amami Oshima
The genus Amamiku, named after the Ryukyuan goddess of creation, Amamiku, includes this species. Initially thought to be a subspecies of the Okinawa Candidiopotamon Freshwater Crab (Candidiopotamon okinawense), it was reclassified as a separate genus in 2004. The Amamiku genus consists of two species: Amamiku amamensis, found on Tokunoshima and Amami Oshima, and Amamiku occulta, which is exclusive to Tokashiki Island.
The carapace of the Amami Freshwater Crab measures around 3 cm wide, with a distinctive notch at the front edge near each eye socket. Its eggs are about 3 mm in diameter, larger than those of other freshwater crabs, resulting in relatively large juvenile crabs upon hatching.
References:
奄美群島の山や里のカニ
