EcoWorldly

Two-thirds of all species of freshwater crabs may be at risk of extinction, according to a recent study. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessment, produced by scientists from the Zoological Society of London and Northern Michigan University, found that all 1280 known freshwater crab species are at risk while one in six species have an “elevated risk of extinction.”  Those in Southeast Asia are most vulnerable.

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Freshwater Crabs

Freshwater crabs are essential elements in the freshwater ecosystem.  Feeding on algae, leaves and detritus, they serve as an important source of food for bigger prey. In fact, some rely heavily on freshwater crab for survival. And many fisheries and fishermen depend on crab as a source of income. Factors contributing to the reduction include loss of habitat, pollution, invasive species and alterations to drainage.

Freshwater Crab Assessment

This marks the first worldwide assessment of extinction risk for freshwater invertebrates. While nearly 230 species should be considered near threatened, vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered, there was not enough information for evaluation for the other 630 species.  Although none of the species are currently extinct, some species have not been seen for nearly 100 years.

The study, Freshwater Crabs and the Biodiversity Crisis: Importance, threats, status and conservation challenges, was published in the journal Biological Conservation. 
Freshwater crab photo by Frente via Creative Commons license.
 

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