Taxonomic Account and Records of Brachyuran Fauna (Crustacea: Decapoda) in the Selected Coastal and Mangrove Areas of Tawi-Tawi, Philippines

Brachyuran fauna, or the true crabs, are among the species-rich but poorly recognized species, particularly in the Philippines. While numerous studies have focused on specific groups or regions, a comprehensive, country-wide checklist of Philippine crustacean decapods has not been published since 1959. This study provides an updated taxonomic account of the Mindanao brachyuran fauna from selected localities in the province of Tawi-tawi, including distributional records. A total of 11 sampling sites along the coastal and mangrove areas were explored for the collection of crab specimens from May to July 2024. Crabs were manually collected by hand, sexed, measured, photographed, and preserved in 75% ethanol. Identification was based on available taxonomic keys, peer-reviewed literature, and validated online databases. A comprehensive literature review of their taxonomic records and distribution, including ecological information, was also conducted. This study documented 24 species of brachyuran fauna belonging to 12 families from selected coastal and mangrove areas of Tawi-tawi Province, Philippines. Among the species, the most widely distributed across sampling sites were Ocypode ceratophthalmus, Micippa philyra, Thranita crenata, Baptozius vinosus, Paraleptuca crassipes, and Calappa hepatica. The findings highlight the considerable taxonomic diversity of brachyuran crabs and emphasize the rich biodiversity associated with the coastal and mangrove ecosystems of Tawi-Tawi Province. Moreover, the study provides important baseline taxonomic data that may serve as a reference for future biodiversity assessments, ecological monitoring, and conservation initiatives. Overall, the study underscores the importance of continued research and conservation efforts aimed at protecting the diverse crab fauna of Tawi-Tawi, Mindanao, Philippines. Further extensive surveys and taxonomic investigations are strongly recommended to improve existing records on species diversity and distribution, particularly in poorly explored coastal habitats throughout the country.