Robert L. Chang, a colorectal surgeon from Manila, has taken many trips up to the Philippines highlands. Considering himself a naturalist, he explores the rugged terrain on the northern island of the country.
On one trip, about 55 miles south of the capital city, Chang stopped at the freshwater streams atop Mount Manabu.
Looking through the “pristine” rocky streams, he saw the brown legs of a crab sticking out from the stones.
He grabbed a few of the crabs and brought them to a contact who reached out to a group of researchers to take a closer look.
It was a new species.
