National Taiwan Ocean University professor Ho Ping-ho says the crab looks like a species living in the areas around Hawaii, Polynesia and Mauritius.
Two female polka-dotted strawberry crabs of the new species died shortly thereafter, possibly because the water in the area was polluted by a cargo ship that ran aground.
Professor Ho Ping-ho of National Taiwan Ocean University said he made the discovery while carrying out research on the environmental impact from a shipwreck last year on the beaches of southern Kenting National Park.
The two female crabs, with the bigger one measuring one inch in size, have been made into specimens.
