Project Title: A revision of the freshwater crabs of Vietnam

Selected publications:

Naruse, T., R. Segawa & S. Shokita , 2004 . Amamiku , a new genus for the true freshwater crab, Candidiopotamon amamense Minei, 1973 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamidae), from the Central Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Zootaxa, 653: 1-8.

Naruse, T., 2005. Species of Moguai Tan and Ng, 1999 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Camptandriidae) from brackish waters in the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, with the description of a new species. Zootaxa, 1044: 57-64.

Naruse, T., S. Shokita & Y. Cai, 2006 . Neocaridina iriomotensis , a new species of land-locked freshwater shrimp (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae) from Iriomote Island, southern Ryukyus, Japan. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 119(1): 25-31.

Naruse, T. & P. K. L. Ng, (in press). On a new species of cavernicolous crab of the genus Sesarmoides Serène & Soh, 1970 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Sesarmidae) from Sulawesi. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology.

Naruse, T., S. Shokita & P. K. L. Ng (in press). A revision of the Geothelphusa levicervix species group (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamidae), with descriptions of three new species. Journal of Natural History.

Research interests: I have worked on systematics of the true freshwater crabs of the Ryukyu Isladns, Japan. True freshwater crabs are an interesting group in terms of biogeography and evolutionary history, as they lack a pelagic larval stage and their life histories are independent from the sea. Those of the Ryukyus are no exception. They are also highly speciated and relict compared to the continental fauna. In addition, one group shows great morphological radiation and adaptations for a wide variety of habitats ranging from aquatic to terrestrial environments.

I am expanding my research interest not only to the other geographical regions’ freshwater crabs, but also to other groups of crabs, such as the Grapsoidea, Camptandriidae, Hymenosomatidae, etc. Based on the knowledge and data of this broad areas of research, I also intend to tackle biogeographical issues.