Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Sulawesi has endemic shrimp of the harlequin species named Caridina woltereckae which has beautiful colors, but has been included in the list of critically endangered species.

"The combination of maroon and white makes this species look beautiful and is hunted by ornamental fish traders," Daisy Wowor, a researcher in the Center for Biological Research said, according to the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) website quoted by Indonesia Window here, Friday.

Daisy discovered the endemic shrimp species of Lake Towuti, South Sulawesi in 2009.

"Caridina is the name of the genus, while the name of the species Woltereckae is a tribute to a crustacean researcher, Eva Woltereck," Daisy pointed out.

In addition, she also found several other species of ornamental shrimp such as Caridina mahalona in Lake Malili, South Sulawesi and Caridina longidigita in Lake Poso, Central Sulawesi.

"Lake Towuti is an ancient lake formed by the oligotrophic tectonic process. The character of oligotrophic lakes that have clear water, nutrient-poor, but adequate oxygen content is the right ecosystem for some endemic flora and fauna species," she explained.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has included Caridina woltereckae on its list of endangered species.

"In addition to human factors, the number of invasive fish and the deteriorating quality of lake have been threatening the life of this endemic ornamental shrimp," Daisy said.

Reporting by Indonesia Window