Spineless - Status and Trends of the World's Invertebrates

One fifth of the world’s invertebrates may be threatened with extinction according to ‘Spineless’, a report published by the Zoological Society of London, in conjunction with IUCN and Wildscreen. Invertebrates may be the most diverse and numerous group on this planet, but despite current efforts they are still underrepresented in conservation plans and are understudied.

More than 12,000 invertebrates from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species were reviewed by conservation scientists who discovered freshwater species to be under the highest risk of extinction, followed closely by terrestrial and marine invertebrates. The findings from this group of global, regional and national assessments provide important insight into the overall status of invertebrates. Together they indicate that the threat status of invertebrates is likely very similar to that of vertebrates and plants.

Spineless highlights the vital role which invertebrates play in ecosystem, provisioning, and regulatory services. An example of their huge economic importance is the predicted loss of $100 million to fisheries by 2015 if the current trend in coral reef degradation continues.

Through Spineless, the importance and plight of some of the most fascinating and diverse species is brought to life.

Read the Spineless report online

Spineless - Status and trends of the world's invertebrates report (4mb) (4.8 MB)

Spineless - Status and trends of the world's invertebrates report (10mb) (4.8 MB)

IUCN Red List
Wildscreen