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List of endangered invertebrates facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Status iucn3.1 EN
Endangered (EN) species are considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Imagine a world where some of the most amazing tiny creatures are in danger of disappearing forever. These creatures are called invertebrates, and they don't have a backbone. Things like snails, crabs, butterflies, and spiders are all invertebrates.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a global organization that keeps track of how many species are at risk. In July 2016, they reported that 1,163 invertebrate species were endangered. This means these species face a very high chance of becoming extinct in the wild. They also listed 36 types of invertebrate subspecies as endangered.

To decide if a species is endangered, the IUCN uses special rules. These rules help them figure out which animals are in the most trouble. Some species are even more at risk; these are called critically endangered. When we combine both endangered and critically endangered invertebrates, there are 2,150 species that need our help.

Sometimes, scientists don't have enough information about a species to know if it's in danger. These species are called "data deficient." Even though we don't know much about them, the IUCN suggests we should still pay close attention to them. Many of these species live in small areas or have small populations, making them likely to be threatened.

This article will explore some of the fascinating invertebrate species that are currently endangered.

Molluscs: Snails, Clams, and Octopuses

Molluscs are a large group of soft-bodied animals. Many have hard shells, like snails and clams. There are 507 mollusc species and nine subspecies that are endangered.

Gastropods: Snails and Slugs

Gastropods include all kinds of snails and slugs, both on land and in water. A total of 448 gastropod species and seven subspecies are endangered.

Land Snails and Slugs (Stylommatophora)

This group includes most land snails and slugs. About 187 species and two subspecies are endangered. Some examples include:

  • Eua zebrina
  • Splendid partulina (Partulina splendida)
  • Pachnodus niger
  • Aaadonta constricta
  • Ba humbugi
  • Advena charon
  • Boninena callistoderma
  • Stock Island tree snail (Orthalicus reses reses)
  • Ctenophila caldwelli
  • Careoradula perelegans
  • Cumberland land snail (Meridolum corneovirens)
  • Mitchell's rainforest snail (Thersites mitchellae)
  • Rock snail (Codringtonia codringtonii)
  • Actinella carinofausta
  • Kern shoulderband (Helminthoglypta callistoderma)
  • Kaputar pink slug (Triboniophorus sp. nov. 'Kaputar')

Water Snails (Littorinimorpha)

Many freshwater and marine snails belong to this group. There are 147 endangered species and three subspecies. Some examples are:

  • Tumbling Creek cavesnail (Antrobia culveri)
  • Duckwater pyrg (Pyrgulopsis aloba)
  • Ocmulgee marstonia (Marstonia agarhecta)
  • Pecos assiminea (Assiminea pecos)
  • Cape Leeuwin snail (Austroassiminea letha)
  • Devil tryonia (Tryonia diaboli)

Other Water Snails

Other endangered water snails include:

  • Spiny river snail (Io fluvialis)
  • Painted rocksnail (Leptoxis taeniata)
  • Tulotoma (Tulotoma magnifica)
  • Black nerite (Theodoxus prevostianus)
  • Striped nerite (Theodoxus transversalis)
  • Shortspire pondsnail (Stagnicola idahoensis)
  • Pinto abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana)

Bivalves: Clams and Mussels

Bivalves are molluscs with two shells, like clams, oysters, and mussels. There are 57 endangered species and two subspecies.

Freshwater Mussels (Unionida)

Many freshwater mussels are in danger. 54 species and two subspecies are endangered. Some important examples are:

Cephalopods: Octopuses and Squids

Cephalopods are smart molluscs like octopuses and squids. Two species are currently endangered:

  • Cirroctopus hochbergi
  • Opisthoteuthis mero

Cnidarians: Corals and Sea Anemones

Cnidarians are simple aquatic animals like jellyfish, corals, and sea anemones. Many of them are important for ocean ecosystems. There are 28 endangered species in this group.

Hydrozoans: Fire Corals

Hydrozoans include animals like fire corals. Several species of Millepora fire corals are endangered, such as:

  • Millepora alcicornis
  • Millepora dichotoma
  • Millepora tenera

Anthozoans: True Corals and Sea Anemones

This group includes most corals and sea anemones. 26 species are endangered.

Stony Corals (Scleractinia)

Stony corals are the main builders of coral reefs. Many are endangered due to climate change and pollution. Some examples include:

  • Acropora roseni
  • Mediterranean pillow coral (Cladocora caespitosa)
  • Boulder star coral (Montastraea annularis)
  • Montipora dilatata
  • Porites desilveri

Sea Pens and Sea Anemones

Other endangered anthozoans include the sea pen Crassophyllum thessalonicae and the sea anemone Paranemonia vouliagmeniensis.

Arthropods: Insects, Spiders, Crabs, and More

Arthropods are the largest group of animals on Earth, with hard outer shells and jointed legs. This group includes insects, spiders, crabs, and centipedes. There are 616 arthropod species and 27 subspecies that are endangered.

Centipedes (Chilopoda)

Centipedes are long, many-legged predators. An endangered species is the Seychelles long-legged centipede (Seychellonema gerlachi).

Arachnids: Spiders, Scorpions, and Harvestmen

Arachnids include spiders, scorpions, mites, and harvestmen. There are 72 endangered arachnid species.

Spiders (Araneae)

Many spiders are endangered, often due to habitat loss. Some examples are:

  • Kauaʻi cave wolf spider (Adelocosa anops)
  • Parambikulam large burrowing spider (Haploclastus kayi)
  • Beautiful parachute spider (Poecilotheria formosa)
  • Bengal ornamental (Poecilotheria miranda)
  • Reddish parachute spider (Poecilotheria rufilata)

Other Arachnids

Endangered arachnids also include some harvestmen (Opiliones) like Biantes albimanus and Samoa sechellana, as well as mites like the Fading beetle mite (Scheloribates evanescens).

Crustaceans: Crabs, Shrimp, and Crayfish

Crustaceans are mostly aquatic arthropods, like crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and crayfish. There are 170 endangered species and six subspecies.

Fairy Shrimp and Tadpole Shrimp (Branchiopoda)

These small freshwater crustaceans are important food sources. Endangered species include:

Millipedes (Diplopoda)

Millipedes are slow-moving arthropods with many body segments. Endangered species include:

  • Badplaas black millipede (Doratogonus furculifer)
  • Seychelles giant millipede (Sechelleptus seychellarum)
  • Seychelles pill-millipede (Sechelliosoma forcipatum)

Malacostracans: Crabs, Lobsters, and Isopods

This large group includes many familiar crustaceans. There are 170 endangered species and six subspecies.

Isopods

Isopods include woodlice and aquatic species. Endangered isopods include:

  • Clifton cave isopod (Caecidotea barri)
  • Lee County cave isopod (Lirceus usdagalun)
  • Speocirolana thermydromis (Speocirolana thermydronis)
Amphipods

Amphipods are small, shrimp-like crustaceans. Endangered species include:

Decapods: Crabs, Shrimp, and Crayfish

Decapods are a diverse group with ten legs. 154 species and two subspecies are endangered.

Crayfish

Many freshwater crayfish species are endangered, such as:

Crabs and Shrimp

Endangered crabs and shrimp include:

Insects: Butterflies, Beetles, Dragonflies, and More

Insects are the most diverse group of animals. There are 343 insect species and 21 subspecies assessed as endangered.

Cockroaches (Blattodea)

Some cockroach species are endangered, such as Gerlach's cockroach (Nocticola gerlachi).

Grasshoppers and Crickets (Orthoptera)

This group includes grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. 91 species and two subspecies are endangered. Examples include:

  • Slender restio grasshopper (Betiscoides meridionalis)
  • Parnassos stone grasshopper (Glyphanus obtusus)
  • Seychelles palm cricket (Metioche bolivari)
  • Lila Downs' friar grasshopper (Liladownsia fraile)
  • Zayante band-winged grasshopper (Trimerotropis infantilis)
  • Big-bellied glandular bush-cricket (Bradyporus macrogaster)

Bees and Wasps (Hymenoptera)

Important pollinators like bees can also be endangered. Examples include:

Moths and Butterflies (Lepidoptera)

Lepidoptera includes many beautiful moths and butterflies. 51 species are endangered.

Swallowtail Butterflies (Papilionidae)
Other Butterflies
  • Illidge's ant blue (Acrodipsas illidgei)
  • Bathurst copper (Paralucia spinifera)
  • Seychelles crow (Euploea mitra)
  • Madeiran speckled wood (Pararge xiphia)
  • Madeiran brimstone (Gonepteryx maderensis)
  • Canary Islands large white (Pieris cheiranthi)

Beetles (Coleoptera)

There are 72 endangered beetle species. Some examples are:

  • Yanbaru long-armed scarab beetle (Cheirotonus jambar)
  • Pitt Island longhorn beetle (Xylotoles costatus)
  • Goldstreifiger (Buprestis splendens)
  • Columbia river tiger beetle (Cicindela columbica)
  • Violet click beetle (Limoniscus violaceus)

Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata)

Dragonflies and damselflies are important predators in many ecosystems. 97 species and 19 subspecies are endangered. Examples include:

  • Cacao shadowdamsel (Palaemnema baltodanoi)
  • Jungle threadtail (Elattoneura caesia)
  • Jamaican hypolestes (Hypolestes clara)
  • Humped knobtail (Epigomphus camelus)
  • Columbia clubtail (Gomphus lynnae)
  • Glittering demoiselle (Calopteryx exul)
  • Syrian demoiselle (Calopteryx syriaca)
  • Cretan spectre (Boyeria cretensis)
  • Fruhstorfer's junglewatcher (Hylaeothemis fruhstorferi)
  • Amatola malachite (Chlorolestes apricans)
  • Beautiful petaltail (Petalura pulcherrima)

Other Insect Species

Other endangered insects include:

  • Mccarthy's plant-louse (Acizzia mccarthyi)
  • Giant torrent midge (Edwardsina gigantea)
  • Seychelles winged stick insect (Graffaea seychellensis)
  • Large blue Lake mayfly (Tasmanophlebia lacuscoerulei)

Echinoderms: Sea Stars and Sea Urchins

Echinoderms are marine animals like sea stars, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers. Several sea cucumber species are endangered, including:

  • Japanese spiky sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus)
  • Holothuria lessoni
  • Holothuria nobilis
  • Brown sea cucumber (Isostichopus fuscus)
  • Prickly redfish (Thelenota ananas)

Other Endangered Invertebrate Species

Some other fascinating invertebrates facing extinction include:

  • Oregon giant earthworm (Driloleirus macelfreshi)
  • Giant Gippsland earthworm (Megascolides australis)
  • Macroperipatus insularis (a velvet worm)
  • Tasmanipatus anophthalmus (a velvet worm)

See also

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List of endangered invertebrates Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.