Natural History of Jamaican Land Crabs - the Colonisation of Land and Evolution of Brood Care

On the Caribbean Island of Jamaica are living many endemic species of animals and plants. Some groups, like the land snails and freshwater and terrestrial crabs establish the highest density of endemic species worldwide. From one marine ancestor, who colonised Jamaica’s freshwater streams and land about 4.3 Million years ago then new species crab species have evolved and thriving in bromeliad leaf axils, rock rubble, empty snail shells, caves and mountain streams. One species, the Bromeliad Crab, Metopaulias depressus, lives in the bromeliad plants even high above the ground in the forest canopy and has evolve for crabs a distinctive high degree of social organisation (eusocial).
In this film, I document the results of our research on the evolution of the Jamaican Crabs.

more information you find here:
http://www.science-media.de/RD_publ_ns.htm

Видео Natural History of Jamaican Land Crabs - the Colonisation of Land and Evolution of Brood Care канала Rudolf Dr. Diesel