List of critically endangered arthropods facts for kids

Critically endangered (CR) species face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Did you know that many amazing creatures are in danger of disappearing forever? When an animal or plant is "critically endangered," it means there's a very high chance it could become extinct in the wild. This is the most serious warning given by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a group that keeps track of how healthy different species are.

As of July 2016, the IUCN listed 394 types of arthropods as critically endangered. Arthropods are a huge group of animals with exoskeletons, like insects, spiders, and crabs. This means about 4 out of every 100 arthropod species that have been checked are in deep trouble. Some of these are even thought to be possibly extinct, meaning we might not find them in the wild anymore.

Critically Endangered Arthropods: A Closer Look
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Critically Endangered Arthropods: A Closer Look

Arthropods are super important for our planet's ecosystems. They help with things like pollination, breaking down dead stuff, and being food for other animals. Losing them can cause big problems for nature. Let's explore some of the arthropod groups that are critically endangered.

Centipedes: Fast Hunters in Danger

Centipedes are speedy, many-legged creatures that hunt other small animals. Sadly, some centipede species are critically endangered. For example, the Ityphilus melanostigmus and Mecistocephalus cyclops are two centipedes facing a very high risk of extinction. Protecting their homes is key to helping them survive.

Seed Shrimps: Tiny Survivors at Risk

Seed shrimps, also known as ostracods, are tiny crustaceans that look a bit like small beans with legs. They live in water, often in caves or underground. Two critically endangered species are Kapcypridopsis barnardi and Spelaeoecia bermudensis. Their small habitats are very sensitive to pollution and changes.

Arachnids: Spiders and Their Relatives

There are 47 types of arachnids that are critically endangered. This group includes spiders, scorpions, and harvestmen. Many of these unique creatures live in very specific places, making them vulnerable.

Harvestmen: Long-Legged Wonders

Harvestmen, sometimes called "daddy longlegs," are arachnids with long, thin legs. They are not spiders, though they look similar. The Seychelles blind harvestman (Benoitinus elegans) is one example of a critically endangered harvestman. Many of these species are found only on small islands or in specific forests.

Spiders: Web-Spinning Wonders in Peril

Spiders are amazing predators, and many are critically endangered. The Desertas wolf spider (Hogna ingens) is a large spider from a small island that is in great danger. Another unique one is the Kanthan cave trapdoor spider (Liphistius kanthan), which lives only in a specific cave. The beautiful Peacock tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica) is also critically endangered, often due to habitat loss and illegal pet trade.

Other Arachnids: Unique and Threatened

Beyond spiders and harvestmen, other arachnids are also struggling. The Seychelles forest scorpion (Lychas braueri) is a critically endangered scorpion from the Seychelles islands. These species often have very small living areas that are easily disturbed.

Branchiopods: Fairy Shrimp and Their Kin

Branchiopods are small crustaceans, like fairy shrimp, that often live in temporary pools of water. They are very important for their ecosystems. The Stone mountain fairy shrimp (Branchinella lithaca) is a critically endangered species. These animals are very sensitive to changes in their water sources and habitats.

Millipedes: Gentle Giants Facing Threats

Millipedes are slow-moving arthropods that help break down plant matter in forests. The Major black millipede (Doratogonus major) is a critically endangered species. Many millipedes are threatened by the destruction of their forest homes.

Maxillopods: Tiny Crustaceans in Danger

Maxillopods are a diverse group of small crustaceans that include barnacles and copepods. Many of them live in marine environments or underground waters. Antrisocopia prehensilis and Erebonectes nesioticus are examples of critically endangered maxillopods. Their small sizes and specialized habitats make them very vulnerable.

Malacostracans: Crabs, Lobsters, and More

Malacostracans are a large group of crustaceans, including many animals you might know, like crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and even woodlice. There are 125 malacostracan species that are critically endangered.

Isopods: Woodlice and Their Aquatic Cousins

Isopods are a group of crustaceans that include the familiar woodlouse. Some isopods live in water, including caves. The Spiky yellow woodlouse (Pseudolaureola atlantica) is a critically endangered species. Many cave-dwelling isopods are at risk because their underground water sources can be easily polluted.

Amphipods: Small but Important

Amphipods are small crustaceans that often live in fresh or saltwater. The Dandenong freshwater amphipod (Austrogammarus australis) is a critically endangered species. Like many small aquatic creatures, they are very sensitive to water quality and habitat changes.

Decapods: Crabs, Crayfish, and Shrimp

Decapods are a very well-known group of crustaceans, including crabs, crayfish, and shrimp. A large number of decapod species, 106 to be exact, are critically endangered.

Crayfish: Freshwater Friends in Peril

Many freshwater crayfish species are critically endangered. The Central north burrowing crayfish (Engaeus granulatus) and the Oklahoma cave crayfish (Cambarus tartarus) are just two examples. These crayfish are often threatened by habitat loss, pollution, and invasive species.

Freshwater Crabs: Unique Island Dwellers

Many critically endangered crabs live in freshwater, especially on islands. The Singapore freshwater crab (Johora singaporensis) is a prime example, found only in a few small streams in Singapore. These crabs are very sensitive to changes in their freshwater homes.

Shrimp: Tiny but Important

Some shrimp species are also critically endangered. The Florida cave shrimp (Palaemonetes cummingi) lives in underground caves and is at high risk. Protecting these unique habitats is crucial for their survival.

Insects: The Most Diverse Group in Danger

Insects are the largest group of arthropods, and many are critically endangered. There are 195 insect species and two subspecies on the critically endangered list.

Orthoptera: Grasshoppers and Crickets

The order Orthoptera includes grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. Many of these jumping insects are critically endangered.

Grasshoppers: Leaping Towards Extinction

Some grasshoppers, like the Adana grasshopper (Chorthippus antecessor), are critically endangered. Many are threatened by habitat loss due to farming or development.

Crickets and Katydids: Sounds of Silence

The Mahé boulder cricket (Phalangacris alluaudi) is a critically endangered cricket. Katydids, like the Santa Monica shieldback katydid (Aglaothorax longipennis), are also facing serious threats. These insects often rely on very specific plants or habitats.

Hymenoptera: Bees, Wasps, and Ants

Hymenoptera includes important pollinators like bees, and social insects like ants. The Rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) is a critically endangered bumble bee in North America, facing threats from pesticides and habitat loss. The Sri Lankan relict ant (Aneuretus simoni) is a very old type of ant that is also critically endangered.

Lepidoptera: Butterflies and Moths

Lepidoptera are butterflies and moths, known for their beautiful wings. The Prairie sphinx moth (Euproserpinus wiesti) and the Sinai baton blue butterfly (Pseudophilotes sinaicus) are critically endangered. Many butterflies and moths are threatened by habitat destruction and changes in the plants they need for food.

Beetles: Diverse and Threatened

Beetles are an incredibly diverse group, and many are critically endangered. The American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus) is a large, important beetle that helps clean up nature. It is critically endangered due to habitat loss. The Coral pink sand dunes tiger beetle (Cicindela albissima) is another unique beetle at high risk.

Odonata: Dragonflies and Damselflies

Odonata includes the graceful dragonflies and damselflies. Many of these beautiful insects are critically endangered, often because their wetland and river habitats are being destroyed or polluted. The Molokai damselfly (Megalagrion molokaiense) from Hawaii is one such example. The Libellula angelina is another critically endangered dragonfly.

Other Insects: Unique Species in Danger

Many other unique insects are also critically endangered. The Lord Howe Island stick insect (Dryococelus australis) was once thought to be extinct but was rediscovered on a tiny island. It is still critically endangered. The Pygmy hog-sucking louse (Haematopinus oliveri) is a tiny louse that lives only on the critically endangered pygmy hog.