Singapore crab featured among the world's 100 most threatened lifeforms

A freshwater crab found only in Singapore is featured among the 100 most threatened lifeforms on the planet. Conservationists fear these organisms will be allowed to die out because none of these species provide humans with obvious benefits.

“All the species listed are unique and irreplaceable. If they vanish, no amount of money can bring them back,” said a co-author of the report. Their declines have mainly been caused by humans, but in almost all cases scientists believe their extinction can still be avoided if conservation efforts are specifically focused.

The report, called Priceless or Worthless?, was presented at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in South Korea today. The publication hopes to push the conservation of 'worthless' creatures up the agenda that is set by NGOs from around the globe.

For the first time ever, more than 8,000 scientists from the IUCN Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC) have come together to identify 100 of the most threatened animals, plants and fungi on the planet. But conservationists fear they’ll be allowed to die out because none of these species provide humans with obvious benefits.

Read the report as an e-book, more on the IUCN website.

From the Toddycats blog

Johora singaporensis is found only in Singapore, in undisturbed primary hill forest streams, under rocks or leaf litter. Feed on plant detritus as welll as worms present in soft mud of the stream. They are mainly nocturnal. It is known only from Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and a very small population in some streamlets in Hillview and near Bukit Batok. From the NParks Flora and Fauna website.

More about Johora singaporensis

• Teo Siyang's posts Uniquely Singaporeansis! and Crabbing@Polunin Stream
• Johnson's Freshwater Crab a National Treasure in Peril by Chua Yi Teng
• Talk by N. Sivasothi and David Ng in 2008.
• A fact sheet on IUCN Red List website.
• Have a Crabby National Day about all kinds of crabs in Singapore by Ivan Kwan