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Crabs are edible crustacean like shrimp, prawns, crayfishes and lobsters which comprise major sources of nutrients. As good source of food and medicinal component, crabs play important role in the food chain of the ecosystem. Crabs are consumed as food in many countries. When compared with fish, they rank third after shrimp and lobster (Savad and Raghavan, 2001) 1 . They are found in aquatic and terrestrial environment, and irrespective of evolutionary adaptation return to water to deposit their brood. In Africa, they are important aquatic organisms, and very many species are found in all types of freshwater habitats (Dobson, 2004) 2 . There are many species of freshwater crabs that are grouped in two genera (Potamon and Potamonautes), and two families (Potamonidae and Patamonautidae) in Africa. Basic information gathering, such as abundance and distribution is an important approach in quantifying their role in fresh water ecosystem (Cumberlidge, 2011) 3 . Some of the crabs found along inland rivers need to return to the sea to reproduce (Connell and Robertson, 1986) 4 . The underside of the crab is used to establish gender of the species. The abdomen is folded under the cephalothorax and outline of the abdomen of the male is narrow triangle and two pairs of gonopods revealed if the abdomen is peeled back. The abdomen of the female is widened and peeling it back reveals four pairs of feathery appendages, the pleopeds. Several marine species have been encountered in freshwater near the coast, and some occur as adults in freshwater wet lands and cannot be classed as true freshwater crabs (Dobson, 2004) 2 . Population status of the various habitats; generic divergence and conservation of threatened crab species; have been reviewed by many brachyuran investigators. Some of the investigations were centred on ecosystems in Africa. The need for global review of conservation with reasonable attention to sustainability and strategy was recently observed. Abstract: Crabs are crustacea of significant nutrition and medicinal values, with many species inhabiting aquatic and terrestrial environment. Further exploration of vast region of the globe could reveal many more species than already identified. Gradient of species richness could be evident from mangrove forest through savanna to desert region with perennial water source. Freshwater crabs are sensitive to pollution silting and deforestation, which some time result in redistribution outside natural habitats. Dramatic change in habitat could lead to rapid decline in population. Some threatening conditions such as agriculture, housing and industrial development have tampered with rich diversity of species in most habitats around the globe. Habitat restriction due to environmental degradation could be a major threat to local population and species diversity. Monitoring of the population and integrity of range and identification of threatened species are worthwhile conservation efforts. Land utilization for various economic purposes should however be in agreement with recruitment conditions of endangered species. Conservation strategy might also consider such biological aspects that promote reproduction and cultivation of the crab species.

Evaluation of the Strategy of Utilization and Conservation of Freshwater Crab