Dongsha Island boasts a variety of crustacean species, some of which are unique to South China Sea and have never been seen on Taiwan Island. This year (2019), the Marine National Park Headquarters appointed Professor Shih Hsi Te to investigate the crustacean and hermit crab resources in the intertidal zones and land areas of Dongsha Island. The investigation also involved the monitoring of the changes in the quantity and distribution range of the dominant species (cardisoma carnifex, coenobita rugosus, and fiddler crabs) on Dongsha Island. This is to explore the connection between the species within the National Park and the environment.

The Marine National Park Headquarters stated that this year’s investigation of the crustacean resources on Dongsha Island’s land and marine areas recorded 81 species from 27 families. Among them, a total of 25 species were newly-recorded from Dongsha Atoll. Two species were newly-recorded from Taiwan. They are the mirograpsus cf. asper in the macrophthalmidae family, and the cherusius cf. triunguiculatus in the domeciidae family.

Newly-recorded from Dongsha Island were the thalassograpsus harpax, pilumnus vespertilio, and thalamita integra. The Marine National Park Headquarters will strengthen its ecological investigation, scientific research, and environmental protection.