[Photo by Prof. Adriana Vella]

The National Endangered Species Day, celebrated on the 21 May comes only one day before the International Biodiversity Day.  These days are there to highlight important needs to safeguard species and biodiversity in the face of the sixth mass extinction currently underway.

In the Maltese Islands, many species are fast declining in numbers and one good example is the Freshwater crab that has been the subject of a detailed field and genetic study to find out the current conservation status of this species.

Jointly supported by ERA and the University of Malta, this research has been able to assess for the first time the full detailed population status and structure using molecular genetics as well.

The research team led by Prof. Adriana Vella has consequently supplied ERA with a Red List Fiche assigning the Maltese Freshwater crab the conservation status of Critically Endangered. 

This means that this species is very close to becoming extinct in the Maltese Islands unless strict protection and management does not urgently take place.

The freshwater crab is the Maltese national invertebrate species, declared so by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) in 2018.

The conservation biologists involved in the various aspects of this work caution against quick restoration or reintroduction programs that do not take in to consideration the fragility of Maltese freshwater habitats and the Critical condition of the fragmented populations.

Each population varies in its genetic diversity with some already showing very limited diversity which make them prone to loss of resilience in the face of environmental changes, diseases, climate change and increasing disturbance.

The genetic identity and diversity of each of the small populations left needs to be consider before planning any movements and captive breeding programmes to plan for the most effective results.

More can and needs to be done to safeguard this and many more species on land and at sea to reduce the number of endangered species nationally.

Contact: Prof. Adriana Vella