This new crab species and the ecosystem it depends on are under drastic threats that include:

1. Habitat destruction, fragmentation and encroachment by logging in the forest to create further cocoa farms;

2-Subsistence hunting for local food consumption of many different groups of animals, including freshwater crabs (other population of new Sudanonautes species) and threatened amphibians (Conraua goliath). And hunting specimens of new Magnaoras species for traditional medicine.

3-The frequent use of agro-chemicals by the extensive cocoa farms of the area that drain into the aquatic systems and poison fish and other invertebrates (juveniles of crabs). The above threats underline the urgent need for more research aimed at implementing conservation interventions/actions to protect this threatened crab species.

In this respect, the goal of this project is (1) to investigate biological characteristics (reproductive biology and population structure), (2) to assess immediate threats to habitats of this species, such as deforestation and pollution, and (3) to investigate abiotic and biotic factors that influence the crab’s population dynamics.

These data will be valuable for the IUCN Red List assessment for this crab species. Community training to build awareness and involve local communities in monitoring efforts are also crucial components for a conservation action plan.

This project is hosted by the Unit of Conservation and Biodiversity Discovery at the Cameroon Association for Research on Crustaceans and other Aquatic Resources (Obala, Po. Box 43). The results and recommendations from this proposed project will be shared with: (1) local people (younger and senior), during the educational component, (2) stakeholders involved in the conservation of nature/biodiversity in Cameroon, students and local scientists from Universities during conferences, (3) the international scientific community through articles and publications.