Abstract
The critically endangered Singapore freshwater crab, Johora singaporensis, is among the 100 most threatened species in the world. The species is endemic to Singapore and known from only a few hill stream localities. Conservation approaches so far have largely focused on basic descriptive research into the animal’s taxonomy, autecology and distribution, and on in situ site conservation and management. In an effort to enhance and ensure the long-term survival of this flagship aquatic invertebrate, a conservation strategy was recently developed along International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines to integrate efforts and approaches into a cohesive action plan. This article outlines the background, development processes (including analysis of threats), and follow-up that have led to publication of the Singapore freshwater crab species conservation strategy, which is to our knowledge, the first for a single invertebrate species.
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Acknowledgments
The late Dr. Michael Türkay, and Dr Tadashi Kawai are gratefully acknowledged for the invitation to DYCJ to present a talk on which this article is based at the 8th International Crustacean Congress (Conservation and Biology of Freshwater Decapoda symposium), and for the opportunity to contribute to the present volume. We are deeply grateful for the help and support of NUS, NParks, WRS, IUCN/SSC SCPSC and FCSG, and all the other contributors and participants, of the FCCRT and the J. singaporensis conservation effort. The WRS Conservation Fund (WRSCF) is acknowledged for its generous funding and support of the FCCRT, J. singaporensis ex situ breeding facility, and ecological monitoring work. Further financial support of ongoing J. singaporensis research and conservation efforts from the following sources is also acknowledged: NParks (NUS grant no. R-154-000-652-490); and WRS Ah Meng Memorial Conservation Fund (NUS grant no. R-154-000-613-720).
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Yeo, D.C.J. et al. (2016). Conservation First: Strategic Planning to Save the Critically Endangered Singapore Freshwater Crab, Johora singaporensis . In: Kawai, T., Cumberlidge, N. (eds) A Global Overview of the Conservation of Freshwater Decapod Crustaceans. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42527-6_13
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