Mass extinction in poorly known taxa.

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Biodiversity Science
• Conservation Biology

Background:

• The widely discussed extinction crisis is questioned due to a low number of recorded species extinctions.
• This low figure is largely because the conservation status of invertebrates, which comprise the majority of biodiversity, remains unevaluated.
• Current extinction rate projections often exclude invertebrates, leading to potentially inaccurate assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the actual extinction rate of species on Earth.
• To highlight the underrepresentation of invertebrates in extinction crisis assessments.
• To advocate for the inclusion of invertebrates in future biodiversity loss evaluations.

Main Methods:

• Extrapolation from a random sample of land snail species.
• Utilized two independent analytical approaches for robust estimation.
• Focused on invertebrates as a proxy for overall biodiversity status.

Main Results:

• An estimated 7% (130,000 species) of Earth's species may already be extinct.
• The perceived extinction crisis is masked by a focus on terrestrial vertebrates in conservation efforts.
• Invertebrate assessments are critical for a realistic understanding of current extinction rates.

Conclusions:

• The current extinction crisis is likely significantly underestimated due to the exclusion of invertebrates.
• A comprehensive assessment of invertebrate species is essential for accurate biodiversity loss monitoring.
• Including invertebrates in extinction scenarios is vital for understanding and addressing the sixth mass extinction event.