A summary of species that became extinct in the 2010s.The speed of extinction is accelerating

This article alone is numerous, but ... it's just the tip of the iceberg.

Lonesome George was the last survivor of the Pinta tortoise that survived on Pinta Island in the Galapagos Islands. George's death in 2012 is a perfect story in telling the extinction of the species because of its charismatic presence.

The population of Pinta tortoises plummeted in the 19th century as whalers caught them in large quantities for food. Lonesome George was discovered and captured by zoologist Jozsef Vagvolgyi in 1971. No individual Pinta tortoise has been identified at the end of George.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declared the extinction of Pinta tortoises in the wild in 1996. Researchers tried to mate with other giant tortoise species to retain George's gene, but they did not fulfill their wishes and reached the end of their lives in 2012. The legend of George, which was widely covered in the media at that time, is still being handed down.

Accelerating extinction speed

But George's story is not a classic example of extinction. Snails, called small gems, that lived only on Malaysian limestone hills were extinct when cement companies destroyed the hills. It's a more mascot-like extinction story than George.

Scientists estimate that the extinction of today's species is accelerating to 1000 times faster than it happens naturally, with dozens of species extinct per day. However, only species that no one cares about, such as invertebrates and plants, are becoming extinct. It is also difficult to guess how serious the ecosystem crisis is and how much knowledge we have.

There may be 5 to 10 million, or perhaps 1 trillion, of species on Earth, but less than 2 million are known. The IUCN Red List lists only 1000 extinct species (or wild extinct species), but one study found that 7% of species are extinct when including invertebrates. ..

The species that IUCN declared extinct in the 2010s are summarized below (160 species are summarized in the original text). It will take several decades before the extinction is declared, as it will take several decades after the last confirmation of its existence. The declaration of extinction means that the government has determined (abandoned) that there is no need for investigation or protection.

The extinction of these species, of course, represents an ecosystem crisis, but how they became extinct symbolizes the present era.

・ Destruction of habitat

・ Invasion of alien species intentionally or carelessly

·Environmental pollution

·overfishing

・ Climate change

Species extinction is a combination of several of these factors. Few species live extensively, and many are limited to specific mountain or river basins.

Local plant and animal species play important roles in maintaining the normality of ecosystems, such as balancing the composition of the atmosphere, cleaning water, and pollinating.

Even if they are not extinct, a reduction in the number of these species will affect the ecosystem.

Let's not only touch on the dark story, but also what humanity can do to avoid the extinction of species. The more areas we protect and the more we value the lives of our species, the more we can prevent the extinction of many species.

The list here shows the seriousness of the ecosystem crisis and that human activity in a particular area can lead to the worst of the ecosystem.

If you have hope, that's fine. However, in order for us humans to keep the global environment healthy as one species and coexist with other species, the international community must work together and take serious and radical actions. ..

Species declared extinct by IUCN in the 2010s (alphabetical order. Common names in parentheses)

Bettongia anhydra (Desert bettong)

Little is known about the exact habitat of the only murine kangaroo (looks like a rat plus a kangaroo) discovered by scientists investigating the Australian desert. It was last identified in 1933 and is believed to have been extinct, probably due to invasive cats and foxes. The official declaration of extinction by IUCN is 2016.

Conilurus capricornensis (Capricorn rabbit-rat)

This little nocturnal rat has been found in an Australian cave with fossils that appear to have been before the arrival of Europeans. No live individuals have been found, and scientists believe they have become extinct due to wildlife and land-use changes in exotic cats. A relatively new skull was discovered in 2003, raising expectations that it might still be alive, but not discovered, and in 2016 IUCN declared extinction.

Dusicyon avus (Dusicyon avus)

The widespread dog lived in the plains of Pampas and Patagonia in South America. Archaeologists have found evidence of it in a cemetery believed to date from the 2nd century BC, and it is believed that it was probably kept as a pet. The exact time of extinction is unknown, but radiocarbon dating indicates that it was extinct between 326 and 496 years ago. It is said that the theory that the cause of extinction is that it lost the competition for survival with hunting and domestic dogs is predominant. IUCN was added to the extinction list in 2015.

Leporillus apicalis (Lesser stick-nest rat)

A large nest-building mouse that lived in southern Australia. It was rarely seen at the beginning of the 20th century, and indigenous people reported that the decline was noticeable from the 1930s to the 1940s. A long time after being declared extinct by the IUCN, a corpse was found in a cave in western Australia, which upgraded it from an endangered species to an endangered species, but returned to the extinction list again in 2016.

Melomys rubicola (Bramble Cay melomys)

According to reports, Bramble Cay Melomys, a rodent on a small island on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, is said to be the first mammal to be extinct due to global warming. Due to the loss of food plants due to the storm surge, the population has decreased since 1983 and has disappeared since 2009. IUCN declared extinction in 2016.

Notomys robustus (broad-cheeked hopping mouse)

This large-cheeked dipodidae is known only for its head bones and fur found in owl vomit in southern Australia in the 19th century, and no living individuals have been found. It seems that it lived in an area with a lot of rocks and a little water flowing. In 2016 IUCN declared extinction.

Pennatomys nivalis (Nevis rice rat)

Navis Rice Rat, which lived on the island of Caribbean, was an indigenous food, but was extinct by the killifish and mongoose brought in by European settlers. IUCN declared extinction in 2011.

Pipistrellus murrayi (Christmas island pipistrelle)

Bats that lived on Australian Christmas Island were hiding in the gaps between trees, such as behind tree trunks and under dead leaves. Extensive acoustic surveys, initiated in the 1990s, have reduced numbers in real time and have begun to disappear from their habitat. By 2008, there was only one habitat, and in 2009 the population dropped sharply to four. It also failed to secure an individual that became the last one while the Australian government hesitated for several months to permit a conservation project to preserve the species. The last time scientists could see the individual was August 27, 2009. IUCN has declared extinction in 2017. The cause of the extinction may have been due to the influence of alien species, but 75% of the island's primeval forest remains after the arrival of the settlers, which remains a mystery. IUCN blames the Australian government for hesitating protection policies.

Pseudomys auritus (Long-eared mouse)

This rat, which lived in Australian forests and bushes, is only known to have come from traces collected by scientists in the 1800s. IUCN seems to think that it lost the competition for survival because of the variation in proportion compared to small species. It was declared extinct in 2016.

Sus bucculentus (Indo-chinese warty pig)

This desert warthog lived in the forests of Southeast Asia, but was last recorded in 1892. Scientists say they only have information from two skulls. The recent discovery of the skull has raised expectations that it may still be alive, but DNA research suggests that it may be from a common wild boar in Southeast Asia. I came to the conclusion that it is expensive. After being certified as extinct, IUCN declared extinction again in 2016 after canceling the extinction due to lack of data.

Acrocephalus luscinius (Guam reed-warbler)

Acrocephalus (a member of the sparrow) breeds around the world, including the Pacific Islands, but its habitat is threatened by development and alien species such as cats and mice. Guan reed-wilderi was commonly found in freshwater wetlands in Guam, but since 1968 the population has declined sharply due to the invasion of pesticides, snakes, and fires. IUCN declares extinction in 2016.

Aegolius gradyi (Bermuda saw-whet owl)

This unique little owl has been found to have been inhabiting Bermuda since the 17th century by recent fossil studies. Extinct because settlers felled forests and brought in cats and mice. IUCN declared extinction in 2014.

Akialoa ellisiana (Oahu'akialoa)

The Hawaiian Islands are one of the areas where the decline of species due to human activities is the most remarkable, and honeybees are a typical example. Since each of the honeybees derived from a variety of plants can only live in specific areas of the Hawaiian Islands, the number of honeybees that can be confirmed at present has decreased to less than half of the initial number. This Oahu'akialoa disappeared due to illness and forest development and was officially declared extinct in 2016.

Alectroenas payandeei (Rodrigues blue-pigeon)

According to fossil research, the pigeon has been inhabiting the island of Mauritius Rodrigues in the Indian Ocean since the 17th century. It is highly possible that the mice brought in by the shipping company were extinct without waiting for the 18th century. In 2014, it was retroactively added to the IUCN extinction list.

Aplonis ulietensis (Raiatea starling)

Inhabiting the island of Raiatea in French Polynesia, the bird is known only in 18th-century paintings and has not been identified since. It was officially declared extinct in 2016, but it is believed that the cause is a mouse brought in by humans.

Bermuteo avivorus (Bermuda hawk)

The cause of the extinction of the hawks endemic to Bermuda in the 17th century is not clear, but it seems that bringing in wild pigs and hunting are likely. IUCN added this hawk to the extinction list in 2014.

Chenonetta finschi (Finsch's duck)

According to fossils, the large flightless duck Finsch's duck lived in New Zealand's forests. Although it had traces of inhabiting until the 1500s, it disappeared due to being eaten by humans and the introduction of alien species. In 2017, it was officially added to the extinction list.

Coenocorypha barrierensis (North Island snipe)

The brown sandpiper, with its long, round beak, disappeared last after being seen in 1870 on New Zealand's Little Barrier Island. It is believed that the excessive introduction of exotic mammals caused scholars to become extinct before they began recording their survival status. It was in 2016 that the extinction was officially declared.

Colaptes oceanicus (Bermuda flicker)

According to traces discovered by scientists in recent years, this woodpecker inhabiting Bermuda was extinct in the 17th century when colonial rule took place due to a decrease in primeval forest and an increase in invasive species. IUCN declared extinction in 2017.

Columba thiriouxi (Mauritius woodpigeon)

According to fossil research, Mauritius woodpigeon lived on the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean until around 1730. It was extinct due to its ease of hunting and the invasion of the black rat. IUCN declared extinction in 2017.

Alinea luciae (St. Lucia skink)

The lizards that inhabited this Caribbean region are believed to have become extinct in 1937 due to the introduction of mongoose. All subsequent thorough investigations were missed, and the extinction was officially declared in 2015.

Chelonoidis abingdonii (Pinta Island tortoise ｜ Pinta Island tortoise)

Lonesome George was born around 1910 on Pinta Island in the Galapagos Islands. By the time George was born, few surviving pinta tortoises were due to the mass capture of pinta tortoises by whalers in the 19th century. An exotic goat brought in in 1979 destroyed a native plant, making it even more difficult to survive. Protected in 1971, George was moved to another island. Subsequent large-scale investigations did not reveal any individual Pinta tortoises, which were declared extinct in the wild environment in 1996.

Scientists made efforts such as trying to mate with other species to preserve George's gene, but the wish did not come true and George, the last survivor, died in 2012. In 2016 IUCN declared extinction.

Clelia errabunda (Underwood's mussurana)

Underwood's mussurana, a long-recorded black and large snake predator, was last identified on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia in the 1800s. The cause of the extinction is not clear because the island has undergone various changes by humans, but it is clear that the snake has disappeared. IUCN declares extinction in 2016.

Contomastix charrua (Contomastix charrua)

This little lizard was found in the Cabo Polonio floret layer on the coast of Uruguay. Since 1977, no records have been recorded by naturalists, and it is believed that it has become extinct due to the effects of tourism during the breeding season. IUCN declared extinction in 2016, but there are still doubts that it may have been a mutation of a similar species.

Copeoglossum redondae (Redonda skink)

This species of lizard lived on the island of Redonda, which belongs to Antigua and Barbuda in the Caribbean. Records by naturalists began in 1863, but they became extinct due to the reduction of endemic plants that were used as food by goats and mice brought in by humans and the predation by mice. Not found in investigations since 1873. IUCN declared extinction in 2016.

Cyclura onchiopsis (Navassa Rhinocerous iguana)

This iguana lived on the small island of Navassa in the Caribbean. The last individual seems to have been killed by a naturalist, but the cause of its extinction is unclear. Some argue that it was caused by alien goats and mice, while others argue that it was killed by miners. IUCN declared extinction in 2011.

Emoia nativitatis (Christmas Island whiptail-skink)

Until the 1970s, lizards were common on Australian Christmas Island. It was in 1998 that scientists noticed that this lizard, which prefers a place where light shines through the gaps in the trees, began to diminish. It disappeared from the natural environment only five years after its habitat was confirmed in 2005. Extinction involves a number of factors, including the introduction of exotic yellow crazy ants and wolf snakes, and the destruction of habitats by mining. In 2014, the last individual named Gump died. IUCN declares extinction in 2017.

Erythrolamprus perfuscus (Barbados racer)

The Barbados-specific snake, about 1 meter long, disappeared last when it was seen in the school playground in 1963. It seems to have become extinct due to large-scale development and an increase in alien species such as mongoose, cats and mice. It was added to the IUCN extinction list in 2016.

Leiocephalus cuneus (Leiocephalus cuneus)

This large lizard lived in the Small Antheil Islands, preying on small creatures, but has not been recorded since the 17th century. This brave lizard seems to have fought for survival with an alien species of rat. IUCN declared extinction in 2016.

Nactus soniae (Reunion nactus)

Scientists get little information from this gecko fossil. It seems that lizards have inhabited since the 1500s, but they are thought to have been extinct due to invasive species. Extinction was declared in 2019.

Bradycellus chavesi (Sao Miguel ground-beetle)

The ground beetle lived only in a small area of ​​less than one square mile (about 2.6 square kilometers) on the island of São Miguel in the Atlantic Ocean. Due to the drought caused by climate change, the habitat was not confirmed at the end of 1919, and IUCN declared extinction in 2018.

Calathus extensicollis (Pico ground beetle)

The large, carnivorous ground beetle lived in the highlands of the Pico of the Azores in the Atlantic Ocean, but the last survey in 1859 made it impossible to identify the individual, and IUCN declared extinction in 2018. I did.

Centrobunus braueri (Centrobunus braueri)

The last time a naturalist identified a spider in the forest of Seychelles was in 1894. Spiders that have lost the necessary environment are extinct because cinnamon, an alien species, has occupied the habitat. IUCN declares extinction in 2014.

Dicrogonatus gardineri (Gardiner's giant mite)

This giant mite inhabited the island of Mahe in the Seychelles Islands, but the records by scholars were cut off at the end of 1909, and two recent surveys did not produce any results. It is said that the cause of extinction is the loss of endemic plants due to the breeding of alien species cinnamon. The IUCN declaration of extinction is 2014.

Eucarlia alluaudi (Eucarlia alluaudi)

The millipede was last confirmed on the island of Marianne in the Seychelles in 1892. The island was abandoned after it was developed as an agricultural land, resulting in its replacement by invasive species. IUCN declared extinction in 2014.

Geonemertes rodericana (Geonemertes rodericana)

This worm, endemic to rotten and moist forests, was discovered in 1918 on the island of Rodrigues in Mauritius. From the time the island was developed for agriculture until it was replanted in recent years, it was left unsuitable for decades. Investigations were conducted, including in 1993, but they were never found again. In 2014, IUCN declared extinction.

Hirstienus nanus (Hirstienus nanus)

Scientists also have little information about this spider. It seems that it was the last to be witnessed on Mahe Island in the Seychelles Islands in 1908. Extinct due to the destruction of invading cinnamon trees and habitats. It was declared extinct in 2014.

Labidura herculeana (St. Helena giant earwig)

The world's largest earwig, about the size of a hand, lived on the island of St. Helena in the Atlantic Ocean. The last time scientists visited the island to get specimens was in 1967. The large rocks in which the earwigs were hiding were removed by development and preyed on by alien species threatened their survival. Later, scientists discovered traces, and IUCN declared extinction in 2014, despite the slight hope that it would still be under a rock in a remote location.

Melanoplus spretus (Rocky mountain locust)

It is not clear why this grasshopper, which was the most common in North America, has become extinct. According to a 1875 report, its habitat was 110 miles x 1800 miles (about 510,000 square meters). Nevertheless, there are no records since 1902. It is believed that this is due to changes in land use and the cultivation of soil used for breeding. It seems that there is no possibility that it still exists, but IUCN declared it extinct in 2014 because no trace was found.

Metazalmoxis ferruginea (Metazalmoxis ferruginea)

This spider, endemic to Mahe in the Seychelles Islands, was last recorded in 1892. Extinct due to the introduction of alien species of plants. It was declared extinct by IUCN in 2014.

Alburnus nicaeensis (Iznik she maya)

This Cyprinidae freshwater fish was found in Lake Iznik in the Republic of Turkey until the late 20th century. IUCN declared extinction in 2014 as fisheries released other species into the lake and the numbers plummeted.

Anabarilius macrolepis (Anabarilius macrolepis)

Anabarilius macrolepis was a fish endemic to Lake Yilong in China, but the lake dried up in 1981 due to the large amount of lake water used for agriculture, and no individuals were identified, and it was officially extinct in 2011.

Aphanius splendens (Golcuk killifish)

Medaka, which inhabited only Lake Gölcük in Turkey, lost the competition for survival with alien species released by fishermen into the lake, and was finally disappeared in the 1980s, and IUCN declared extinction in 2014.

Atherinella callida (Cunning silversid)

Cunning silversid is known as a fish that lived in the rivers of Veracruz, Mexico. It was last confirmed in 1957 and became extinct due to deterioration of the habitat, environmental pollution, and dam construction. IUCN declares extinction in 2019.

Bythinella gibbosa (Bythinella gibbosa)

The freshwater snail, which lived around Toulouse in France, has disappeared for the past 50 years due to the destruction of the river by urban development, and IUCN declared extinction in 2010.

Cambarellus alvarezi (Cambarellus alvarezi)

Inhabiting only one wetland in Mexico, this freshwater crayfish has been extinct due to a dramatic decline in populations since 1989, when groundwater began to be pumped in large quantities as agricultural water, and eventually the wetlands were depleted. IUCN declares extinction in 2010.

Chambardia letourneuxi (Chambardia letourneuxi)

When scientists discovered evidence of shellfish in the Nile Delta, the mussel was thought to be extinct, but was confirmed alive in the early 20th century. However, despite extensive investigations, it has not been discovered since then and was declared extinct by IUCN in 2010.

Cyprinodon arcuatus (Santa Cruz pupfish)

A type of medaka that lives in springs and artificial ponds in Arizona, USA, is thought to have arrived from upstream wetlands. Extinct due to changes in water use and the release of largemouth bass. IUCN declared extinction in 2013 because it couldn't be seen for decades, but there seems to be a slight hope that it might still be swimming in someone's aquarium. is.

Galba vancouverensis (Galba vancouverensis)

Inhabited in southern Vancouver Island, Canada and San Juan Island, Washington, USA, this snail has no record since 1939. It seems likely that it has become extinct due to environmental pollution caused by development. It was declared extinct in 2017.

Germainaia geayi (Germainaia geayi)

Little is known about this mussel, but it is believed to have inhabited Madagascar in the 1900s, with traces found in Australia and New Zealand. It was not found in a survey conducted in a suitable location on Madagascar, and IUCN declared it extinct in 2016.

Acalypha dikuluwensis (Acalypha dikuluwensis)

A plant endemic to the Katanga Plateau, which is rich in copper in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It disappeared from 1959 due to open-air mining, and IUCN declared extinction in 2012.

Acalypha wilderi (Acalypha wilderi)

This small, rare shrub, which lived in the forests of Rarotonga Island in the South Pacific, was last unidentified in 1929 due to development and was officially declared extinct in 2014.

Amaranthus brownii (Amaranthus brownii)

This plant, which belongs to the genus Amaranthaceae, has been confirmed to inhabit only Nihoa Island in the Hawaiian Islands. This species could not be protected even in a small, confined area, and it was no longer seen last in 1983 after losing to the breeding of exotic plants, and in 2018 IUCN declared extinction.

Angraecopsis dolabriformis (Angraecopsis dolabriformis)

This small flowering plant was mostly harvested in 1892 on Sao Tome Island, off the Atlantic coast of central Africa, and was unidentified by human destruction during the 19th and 20th centuries, and IUCN announced in 2018. Declared extinction.

Basananthe cupricola (Basananthe cupricola)

Flowering plants that lived only in the copper-rich grasslands of Congo were last unidentified in 1980 due to resource mining and were declared extinct in 2012.

Centaurea pseudoleucolepis (Centaurea pseudoleucolepis)

This plant endemic to the Sea of ​​Azov in Ukraine is considered to be a hybrid with other plants, so it could not be confirmed at the end of 1930 and was officially extinct in 2011.

Cyanea eleeleensis (Cyanea eleeleensis)

Shrubs that lived in Hawaii's wetland forests. Due to invertebrates such as pigs, goats, weeds, rats, snails and slugs brought in by humans, the number has decreased sharply, and it was not discovered at the end of 1977. IUCN declared extinction in 2016.

Cyperus rockii (Kaua'i flatsedge)

This grass-like plant lived along a stream through Kauai, Hawaii. The last recorded by naturalists was in 1916, and the cause of the extinction is believed to be invasive species and wild pigs. It was declared extinct in 2016 by IUCN.

Cyrtandra olona (Cyrtandra olona)

The last shrubs that lived in the mountains of Kauai, Hawaii were identified in 1909. It seems that the reason why it went extinct was that it lost the competition for survival with the invading plant species. IUCN declared extinction in 2016.

Delissea subcordata (Oha)

A flowering shrub called Oha, which lived in low-altitude forests on Oahu, Hawaii, was extinct due to alien invading plants and animals. Forty traces were found in 2008, but in 2015 IUCN declared extinction.

So far, we have introduced 60 species, but there are still 100 more. After that, please read the original text.