AUSTRALIAN CRABS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22498, 16 February 1935, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN CRABS

STUDY ON BARRIER REEF FORMER DANCER’S CAREER (Fbom Ods Own Corbespootkit.) SYDNEY, February 6,. , The fascination-oF nature study often leads men’s feet away from their chosen path in life. If they take up such a study as a hobby they often find that the hobby rules their profession. If they follow it as a profession, they often find it swamps all others interests. Australia’s outstanding example of enthusiasm in a naturalist is Mr Mel Ward, one-time eccentric dancer and now one of " the world’s leading authorities on crabs. Mr Ward, a son of Mr Hugh Ward, well-known theatrical entrepreneur, was a popular and clever “ star ” of revues and musical plays. He commanded a handsome salary. His services were always in demand. But the interests of hia hobby gradually filled his life to the exclusion of his profession, until he decided to forsake the “ hoards ” and

win fame as a naturalist. Although hi is only occasionally in Sydney, he is on the staff of the Australian Museum here. He spends most of his time on the islands of the Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Queensland, with headquarters on Lindeinan Island. Of 05Q species of crabs listed in Australia, 211 are from Lindeman Island, “ tabbed ” bj Mr Ward, who, on one of his infrequent visits to Sydney, told this week something of his work. The extraordinary form and variety of crabs make strong appeal to Mr Ward, There are crabs which swim, and crabi which would drown in water. He sometimes comes across the swimmers on a calm day, perhaps 40 miles from land, On the other hand, there, are bush crabi in New Guinea, with lungs instead •oi gills—consequent on the change in theil habitat—which would drown. Crabi may be found in the tree tops, and in the greatest depth of. ocean. Some carry shells to hide themselves under. Otheri escape from their enemies by covering themselves with seaweed. Living in tha body of giant clams, the male and lemali of a particular species of crab are fre* quently found. They are not parasitic, but they never leave the clam. They are accommodated near the feeding apparatus, and are content with tha “crumbs from the rich man’s table. About the size of the thumb nail, they are almost sightless, and their bodiei are not hard. Only one species of clam is their home. Mr Ward also studies the general natural history of Lindeman Island—-its lizards, spiders, snakes and insects. Hil •objective is to have one island in tha Barrier Reef region completely surveyed, from a natural history standpoint, 'so that any ntauraiists who want to study the reef will have information at theif disposal. ■ '■