EVIDENCE OF THE EARLIEST FRESHWATER DECAPOD FOSSIL FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA (CRUSTACEA: DECAPODA: BRACHYURA)

摘要

We report the first evidence for Miocene brachyuran freshwater crabs from Southeast Asia, a hotspot of extant freshwater crab biodiversity. This confirms the presence of potamoid freshwater crabs in Southeast Asia during the Miocene, as suggested by previous molecular clock estimates. The specimen (one claw fragment) originates from the Middle to Late Miocene site of Vieng Phouka, Lao People's Democratic Republic. Sedimentological and palaeontological data indicate the former existence of alternatingswampy and lacustrine environments, inhabited by the crab and a low-diversity gastropod fauna.