“Papua holds the greatest diversity of freshwater crayfish in the world, yet many species remain scientifically undescribed,” said Rury Eprilurahman.

“Our goal is to help establish a valid taxonomic foundation while promoting the protection of these increasingly vulnerable species,” he added.

New Species from Papua’s Hidden Rivers

The seven newly described species originate from various remote regions of West Papua:

1. Cherax veritas — Misool Island, Raja Ampat

2. Cherax arguni and Cherax kaimana — northern Kaimana district

3. Cherax nigli — southern Kaimana

4. Cherax bomberai — Fakfak

5. Cherax farhadii and Cherax doberai — Teluk Bintuni region

“These species can be clearly distinguished from each other, both morphologically and genetically,” the researchers wrote in their publication.

DNA Reveals Unique Lineages

To further validate their discoveries, the team performed mitochondrial DNA analyses using the 16S rRNA gene fragment.

Results revealed that the seven new species represent genetically distinct lineages, supporting their classification as separate species.

“This is crucial, as some species may look deceptively similar. Without molecular analysis, we risk misinterpreting their evolutionary relationships,” Eprilurahman explained.

By combining classical morphology with molecular systematics, the researchers ensured a scientifically sound and responsible approach to species identification.

Aquarium Trade as a Starting Point

Intriguingly, some of the initial specimens were obtained through the aquarium trade.

“Many of these species first appeared in the aquarium hobby market in Europe or Jakarta,” Rury noted.

“From there, we traced their origins and collaborated with local contacts in Papua to confirm the natural habitats.”

While not ideal, the aquarium trade occasionally provides an early clue to the existence of undescribed species.

Nevertheless, Rury emphasized that all field sampling and data collection were conducted ethically and following conservation permits.

Vital for Conservation Efforts

This discovery is significant not only for taxonomy but also for conservation.

West Papua is a global hotspot for freshwater biodiversity, yet its ecosystems face mounting threats from deforestation, mining activities, infrastructure development, and illegal wildlife trade.

By enhancing the region’s species inventory, the findings will contribute to more targeted and effective conservation planning.

“If we don’t even know which species are present, how can we protect them?” Rury asked.

“With this knowledge, we can push for more sustainable management of freshwater habitats.”

Much More Yet to Be Discovered

While seven new species have now been formally described, the researchers believe Papua’s Cherax diversity is still vastly underexplored.

“Papua is incredibly vast. There are countless rivers, lakes, and cave systems that remain unexplored,” Rury said.

“I’m confident we will continue to discover new species in the future.”

The same team has previously described other species, including:

• Cherax warsamsonicus (2017)
• Cherax alyciae and Cherax mosessalossa (2018)
• Cherax wagenknechtae (2022)
• Cherax rayko and Cherax phing (2024)

This highlights Papua’s status as a global hotspot for freshwater crayfish diversity.

Continuing the Legacy of Holthuis

Since Holthuis pioneered the study of the world’s freshwater crayfish in the mid-20th century, modern tools like Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and advances in molecular systematics now offer unprecedented insights.

But fieldwork remains irreplaceable.

“There is no substitute for direct exploration in nature,” Rury emphasized.

“Papua still holds many mysteries, and we have only scratched the surface.”

Through a combination of field exploration, global collaboration, and rigorous science, today’s researchers — following in the footsteps of L.B. Holthuis — continue to unveil new chapters in our understanding of Indonesia’s extraordinary freshwater biodiversity.

Reference:

Lukhaup C., Eprilurahman R., von Rintelen T. (2025). Seven New Species of Crayfish of the Genus Cherax (Crustacea, Decapoda, Parastacidae) from Western New Guinea, Indonesia Arthropoda 3(2):10. https://www.mdpi.com/2813-3323/3/2/10

[Author: Formasigen]

During the discussion session, the UGM Biotechnology Laboratory team presented their recent research progress, including:

• Development of miniature orchid varieties using the CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing system
• Identification and analysis of model plants to support miniature orchid development
• Characterization of the ERECTA gene structure, which plays a role in orchid morphology regulation

On Friday, 25th of April 2025 at 1-2 PM, Gentalk 5 was held in the Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Biology UGM. This program is targeted for all Formasigen members and Biology UGM students in general. Mrs. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., as Formasigen’s supervisor lecturer, also attended this program. Gentalk is an active discussion and sharing session between alumni or senior student and Formasigen’s member about the undergraduate thesis they are working on. In this Gentalk edition, the speakers are Jessica Desviana and Naely Muna Camelia, Faculty of Biology UGM students batch 2021 under the supervision of Prof. Dra. Tuty Arisuryanti, M.Sc., Ph.D for their undergraduate thesis.

On Sunday, April 26, 2025, from 09.00 to 12.00 WIB, the 1st National Mini Workshop themed “Constructing a Phylogenetic Tree” was successfully held online and open to the public. The event was attended by Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., Head of the Genetics and Plant Breeding Laboratory and academic advisor of FORMASIGEN. This workshop served as a platform to share knowledge on genetics and provided practical training on various methods for constructing phylogenetic trees. The session featured speakers Muhammad Fatih, S.Si., Muhammad Ariq Alfito, S.Si., and Muhammad Sena Budiman, S.Si., all of whom are recent graduates of the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Class of 2021, with total 11 participants.

The event began with an opening by the MC, Husna ‘Ainun Rahmawati, followed by welcoming remarks from the Head of the Laboratory and FORMASIGEN Advisor, as well as from the Workshop Coordinator, Muhammad Syahrul Firdaus. The workshop included presentations and demonstrations on the use of software tools for phylogenetic tree construction. Specifically, the trees were built using the Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference methods. Participants also engaged in a hands-on session, where they practiced constructing phylogenetic trees under the direct guidance of the speakers. The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session with the audience. This Mini Workshop was organized in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). As the first Mini Workshop held this year, it is hoped to mark a positive beginning, fostering meaningful discussions and collaborations among genetics researchers.