Here's some of the good new and bad news, and other discoveries.Some animals are no longer on the Red List such as the File clam (Lima lima) on the left, and and the Leaf oysters ( (Isognomon ephippium) on the right.
Also off the list are the Polished nerites (Nerita polita) and the Spotted top shell (Trochus maculatus). But the Flat-spire nerite (Nerita planospira) has been added to the list.
Off the list are the Miliaris cowrie (Cypraea miliaris) on the left and the Onyx cowrie (Cypraea onyx) on the right, and many other cowries also.
Leaving only three on the list: the Arabian cowrie (Cypraea arabica), the Tiger cowrie (Cypraea tigris) and the Gold-ring cowrie (Cypraea annulus).Meanwhile, I found some new things from the Red Data book. Like the true identity of this feisty crab.
According to the Singapore Red Data Book, this crab had been known for a long time as Eriphia smithii which is restricted to the western part of the Indian Ocean. The one in Southeast and East Asia is a new species and was recently named Eriphia ferox for its fierce temperament. We can still call it the Red-eye reef crab as we always do. Sadly, we make acquaintance with this crab as it joins the Red List.And this little animal is NOT a mole crab. It's Gomeza bicornis, a masked burrowing crab belong to Family Corystidae.
According to the Singapore Red Data Book, these crabs are usually buried in the sand with only their antennae sticking out. The interlocking hairs on the antennae probably form a breathing tube for the buried crab!And from the Red List I finally find out what these elegant snails are.
They belong to Family Turritellidae. Alas, so far, I've only seen shells of dead snails, usually occupied by a hermit crab.Sadly, some animals have beed added to the list. While the Brown or Floral egg crab (Atergatis floridus) was already on the 1994 list, it has been joined by the Red egg crab (Atergatis intergerrimus).
Other crabs that have been added to the Red List include the Spotted box crab (Calappa philargius) below left and the other two box crabs on our shores Calappa lophos and Calappa hepatica.
Also sadly joining the list, are our Velcro crabs (Camposcia retusa).Among the echinoderms, the large, marvellous Cake sea stars (Anthenea aspera) have been added to the list. They come in a wide range of patterns and colours as these two Cake sea stars show.
Other additions include the Cryptic sea star (Cryptasterina sp.) and the Key-hole sand dollar (Echinodiscus truncatus).Also joining the list are the Ocellated sea cucumber (Stichopus ocellatus).
And the Basket star - Euryale aspersa - is listed as Data deficient, possibly Endangered, but Chay Hoon found one at Sisters Island!And an animal that is listed as 'Presumed Nationally Extinct' is the Watering pot shell (Brechites penis).
We saw one at Changi last year! That's why I think it's important to keep going out to check up on our shores.I've also uploaded a new page about the Red List, plus a page about the shores we have lost.
