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Extinction of Animal Life on Planet Earth. Exceptional Loss of Biodiversity

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Global Research, October 11, 2015
Pixable 16 September 2014

Update 6/22/2015: On Friday, a study published by experts from Stanford, Princeton and the University of California-Berkeley declared the world’s vertebrates are going extinct 114 times faster than the natural rate of extinction, according to the Huffington Post.

The researchers write that “these estimates reveal an exceptionally rapid loss of biodiversity over the last few centuries, indicating that a sixth mass extinction is already under way.”

Last year, we published the following list of every animal that went extinct in the last century. Updating it today to highlight the most recent study and news that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service have declared the eastern cougar extinct. And we’re dangerously close to losing 13 more animal species.

Take a look at our post from last year, and keep in mind the words of the study’s lead author, Gerardo Ceballos: “If it is allowed to continue, life would take many millions of years to recover and our species itself would likely disappear early on:”

The number of extinct animals is difficult to calculate and always higher than the estimate. In some cases, a species is presumed extinct — none have been seen in years — but it’s yet to receive official extinction status by the IUCN. But the important thing to remember is that extinction is not a historical problem — it’s a contemporary issue.

Below, take a look at every animal (except insects, which are extremely difficult to catalogue but which you can find here) that went extinct in just the last 100 years.

The list is based on research provided by the Sixth Extinction, a website created to “enhance free public access to information about recently extinct species,” and in order of their approximate date of extinction. We’ve included all the animals confirmed extinct by the IUCN, and added a few more declared extinct by other credible individuals and organizations.

We hope this list helps you reflect on the color, diversity and magnificence of life in our world, and especially our oceans. As well as how much more colorful and diverse it might be if we took better care of natural habitats.

*Where we could not picture the exact animal, we’ve put the species name in gray text and provided an image of a closely related species.

2015 — Eastern Cougar, Puma Concolor Couguar

(Source: Wikimedia)

2013 – Formosan Clouded Leopard, Neofelis nebulosa brachyura

(Source: “LeopardusBrachyurusWolf” by Joseph Wolf)

2012 — Pinta Island Tortoise, Chelonoidis abingdoni

(Source: Flickr/Putneymark)

2011 — Vietnamese Rhino, Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus

(Source: “Rhinoceros sondaicus in London Zoo” by T.Dixon)

This is the Javan rhino, rhinoceros sondaicus sondaicus, a very similar subspecies to the extinct Vietnamese rhino.

2009 — Christmas Island Pipistrelle, Pipistrellus murrayi

(Source: Hfc-hersfield.de)

2007 — Chinese Paddlefish, Psephurus gladius

(Source: “Psephurus gladius” by Muséum d’histoire Naturelle)

2007 — Yangtze River Dolphin, Lipotes vexillifer

(Source: “Lipotes vexillifer” by Alessio Marrucci)

2004 — Po’o-uli, Melamprosops phaeosoma

(Source: “Poʻouli” by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

2002 — Vine Raiatea Tree Snail, Partula labrusca

(Source: Islandbiodiversity)

2000 — Pyrenean Ibex, Capra pyrenaica pyrenaica

(Source: “Pyrenean Ibex” by Joseph Wolf)

1998 – Nukupuu, Hemignathus lucidus

(Source: “Nukupuu Hemignathus lucidus” by Jean Gabriel Prêtre)

1997 — Western Black Rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis longipes

(Source: Rhinoresourcecenter)

1997 — Aldabra Banded Snail, Rhachistia aldabrae

(Source: Islandbiodiversity)

1996 — Zanzibar Leopard, Panthera pardus adersi

(Source: “Zanzibar Leopard 2″ by Peter Maas)

1996 — Swollen Raiatea Tree Snail, Partula turgida

(Source: “Partula turgida national museum of scotland” by Geni)

1989 — Golden Toad, Incilius periglenes

(Source: “Bufo periglenes2″)

1987 — Dusky Seaside Sparrow, Ammodramus maritimus nigrescens

(Source: Bagheera)

1986 — Atitlan Grebe, Podilymbus gigas

(Source: “Atitlán Grebe”)

1985 — Alaotra Grebe

(Source: Paul Thompson/Birdlife International)

1985 — Eungella Gastric-Brooding Frog, Rheobatrachus vitellinus and Rheobatrachus silus

(Source: “Rheobatrachus silus”)

Rheobatrachus silus (extinct 1983), pictured above, is a close relative of the Eungella Gastric-brooding Frog.

1985 – Kaua’i ‘O’o, Moho braccatus

(Source: “Moho braccatus” by Walter Rothschild)

1985 — Christmas Island Shrew, Crocidura trichura

(Source: Supergreenme)

1984 – Amistad Gambusia, Gambusia amistadensis

(Source: “Gambusia punctata” by Günther, A. C. L. G.)

The Cuban gambusiaGambusia punctata, pictured above, is a close relative of the Amistad Gambusia.

1983 — San Marcos Gambusia, Gambusia georgei

(Source: TPWD)

1983 — Kama’o, Myadestes myadestinus

(Source: “Zzzkamao” by F.W. Frohawk)

1983 — Guam Flycatcher, Myiagra freycinet

(Source: Anne F. Maben)

1983 — Aldabra Warbler, Nesillas aldabrana

(Source: Robert Prys-Jones)

1982 — Galapagos Damselfish, Azurina eupalama

(Source: “Galapagos damsel” by Edmund Heller and Robert E. Snodgrass)

1981 — Marianas Mallard, Anas oustaleti

(Source: “Anas platyrhynchos oustaleti last male” by Eugene Kridler)

1979 — Southern Day Frog, Taudactylus diurnus

(Source: “Taudactylus eungellensis 1″)

Pictured above is the Eungella Torrent Frog, Taudactylus eungellensis – a close relative of the Southern Day Frog.

1978 — White-eyed River Martin, Eurychelidon serintarea

(Source: “PseudochelidonSirintarae” by L. Shyamal)

1977 — Colombian Grebe, Podiceps andinus

(Source: Worldbirds/Humboldt)

1977 — Eiao Monarch, Pomarea fluxa

(Source: “Pomarea pomarea” by Louis Isidore Duperrey & René-Primevère Lesson)

The Maupiti monarch, Pomarea pomarea, pictured above, is a close relative to the Eiao Monarch and the also extinct Nukuhiva Monarch, Pomarea nukuhivae (1940).

1976 — Javan Tiger, Panthera tigris sondaica

(Source: “Panthera tigris sondaica 01″ by Andries Hoogerwerf)

1976 — Madagascan Dwarf Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus lemerlei

(Source: “Hippopotamus lemerlei” by FunkMonk)

In addition to this hippo, the following related species also went extinct:  the Lesser Madagascan Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus laloumena; the Madagascan Pygmy Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus madagascariensis; the Madagascan Pygmy Hippopotamus; and the Hippopotamus madagascariensis

1975 — Longjaw Cisco, Coregonus alpenae

(Source: Esasuccess)

1975 — Round Island Burrowing Boa, Bolyeria multocarinata

(Source: “Casarea dussumieri IleRonde 860513″ by Jjargoud)

The Round Island ground boa, Casarea dussumieri, pictured above, is in the same family as the Round Island Burrowing Boa.

1975 — Phantom Shiner, Notropis orca

(Credit: Garold Sneegas)

In 1961, the Phantom Shiner’s relative the Durango Shiner, Notropis aulidion also went extinct.

1974 — Guam Flying Fox, Pteropus tokudae

(Source: Andrew Isles)

1973 — Fijan Bar-Winged Rail, Nesoclopeus poecilopterus

(Source: “Nesoclopeus.poecilopterus.ofgh” by depictions from ‘Beitrag zur Fauna Centralpolynesiens’)

1972 — Lake Pedder Earthworm, Hypolimnus pedderensis

(Source: Petermaas)

1972 — Bush Wren, Xenicus longipes

(Source: “XenicusLongipesBuller” by Buller, Walter Lawry)

1971 — Santa Cruz Pupfish, Cyprinodon arcuatus

(Source: “Death Valley Pupfish spawning in Salt Creek”)

The Death Valley Pupfish, Cyprinodon salinus salinus, is a close relative of the Santa Cruz Pupfish.

1970 —  Madeiran Large White, Pieris brassicae wollastoni

(Source: “Pieris wollastoni-PD” by A. E. Holt White, Rashleigh Holt White)

1970 — Caspian Tiger, Panthera tigris virgata

(Source: “Panthera tigris virgata”)

1970 — Tecopa Pupfish, Cyprinodon nevadensis calidae

(Source: “Tecopa-pupfish” by E. Theriot / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Ono, R.D., J.D. Williams, and A. Wagner)

1970 — Clear Lake Splittail, Pogonichthys ciscoides

(Source: “Splittail“)

The Sacremento splittail, Pogonichthys macrolepidotus, pictured above, is a close relative of the Clear Lake Splittail.

1970 — Blue Pike, Sander vitreus glaucus

(Source: “Blue walleye”)

1969 — Blackfin Cisco, Coregonus nigripinnis

(Source: Om)

1969 — Ameca Shiner, Notropis amacae

(Source: “Notropis leuciodus crop” by Noel Burkhead)

The Notropis leuciodus, pictured above, is a close relative of the Ameca Shiner.

1969 — Greater Akialoa, Hemignathus ellisianus

(Source: Fineartamerica)

1969 — Tubercled-blossom Pearly Mussel, Epioblasma torulosa torulosa

(Source: Inhs.illinois)

1967 — Great Short-tailed Bat, Mystacina robusta

(Source: Don Merton)

1966 — Independence Valley Tui Chub, Gila bicolor isolata 

(Source: “Gila elegans”)

Bonytail chub, Gila elegans, is a close relative to the Independence Valley Tui Chub.

1965 — Santo Stefano Lizard, Podarcis sicula sanctistephani

(Source: “Male – Female Podarcis siculus”)

The Santo Stefano Lizard is a subspecies of the Italian Wall Lizard, Podarcis sicula, pictured above.

1964 — Mexican Grizzly Bear, Ursus arctos nelsoni

(Source: “Mexico grizzlies” by Mills, Enos Abijah)

1964 — Lake Ontario, Coregonus kiyi orientalis

(Source: University Of Michigan Museum Of Zoology)

1964 — Rio Grande Bluntnose Shiner, Notropis simus simus

(Source: Fishesoftexas/ Joseph R. Tomelleri)

The Bluntnose Shiner, Notropis simus, is an endangered species of which the Rio Grande Bluntnose Shiner is a subspecies.

1964 — South Island Snipe, Coenocorypha iredalei

(Source: Nzbirdsonline/Don Merton)

1963 — Kakawahle, Paroreomyza flammea

(Source:“Paroreomyza.flammea” by John Gerrard Keulemans)

1962 — Red-bellied Gracile Mouse Opossum, Cryptonanus ignitus

(Source: “Possum122708″)

The Virginia Opossum, Didelphis virginiana, pictured above is a relative of the Red-bellied Gracile Mouse Opossum.

1962 – Bachmann’s Warbler,

(Source: Jerry A. Payne, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org)

1961 — Semper’s Warbler, Leucopeza semperi

(Source: “LeucopezaSemperiSmit” by Joseph Smit)

1960 — Central Hare-wallaby, Lagorchestes asomatus

(Source: Animalbing)

1960 — Raycraft Ranch Poolfish, Empetrichthys latos concavus

(Source: “Empetrichthys latos” by USFWS)

The Empetrichthys latos, pictured above, includes the extinct subspecies the Raycraft Ranch Poolfish, the Pahrump Ranch Poolfish, Empetrichthys latos pahrump (extinct 1958) and the Ash Meadows Poolfish, Empetrichthys merriami (1955).

1960 — Brasilia Burrowing Mouse, Juscelinomys candango

(Source: Planet-mammiferes/João Moojen)

1957 — Thicktail Chub, Gila crassicauda

(Source: “Thicktail Chub” by California Department of Fish and Game)

1956 — Crescent Nailtail Wallaby, Onychogalea lunata

(Source: “Onychogalea lunata” by John Gould – John Gould, F.R.S., Mammals of Australia, Vol. II Plate 55, London, 1863)

1956 — Blue-grey mouse, Pseudomys glaucus

(Source: “Pseudomys gouldii – Gould” by John Gould)

Gould’s Mouse, Pseudomys gouldii, pictured above, is a close relative of the Blue-grey mouse.

1954 — Maravillas Red Shiner, Cyprinella lutrensis blairi

(Credit: Garold Sneegas)

The Red Shiner, Cyprinella lutrensis, pictured above, is a close relative of the Maravillas Red Shiner.

1952 — Deepwater Cisco, Coregonus johannae

(Credit: Fishbase/John Lyons)

1952 — Caribbean Monk Seal, Monachus tropicalis

(Source: “Cms-newyorkzoologicalsociety1910″ by New York Zoological Society)

1951 — Glaucous Macaw, Anodorhynchus glaucus

(Source: “Anodorhynchus glaucus” by Bourjot Saint-Hilaire)

1951 — Queen of Sheba’s Gazelle

(Source: Animalbing)

According to Animal Bing, on the above photo: ”In 1985, a photograph of gazelles was taken in a private collection, Al Wabra Wildlife Farm, in Qatar. Zoologist Colin Groves claims these could possibly be surviving Queen of Sheba’s Gazelles. It is not confirmed that these animals truly belong to this species.”

1951 — Japanese Sea Lion, Zalophus japonicus

(Source: “Zalophus japonicus”)

1950 – Pig-footed Bandicoot, Chaeropus ecaudatus

(Source: “Mus Nat Hist Nat 25022013 Chaeropus ecaudatus” by Vassil)

1950 — Little Swan Island Hutia, Geocapromys thoracatus

(Source: “Geocapromys thoracatus (Harvard University)” by Daderot)

1950 — Lesser Bilby, Macrotis leucura

(Source: “Lesserbilby” by Sheepbaa)

1950 — San Martin Island Woodrat, Neotoma martinensis

(Source: Alvarez Castaneda Sergio Ticul)

1949 — Pink-headed Duck, Rhodonessa caryophyllacea

(Source: “PinkheadedDuckJerdon”)

1945 — Stresemann’s Bristlethroat, Merulaxis stresemanni

(Source: Birdlife)

1944 — Laysan Crake, Porzana palmeri

(Source: “Laysanralle” by John Gerrard Keulemans)

1942 — Wake Rail, Gallirallus wakensis

(Source: “Gallirallus wakensis” by Grooch, W. S.)

1942 — Barbary Lion, Panthera leo leo

(Source: “Barbary lion” by Alfred Edward Pease)

1941 — Arabian Ostrich, Struthio camelus syriacus

(Source:“Syrischer Maler um 1335 001″ by Syrischer Maler)

1940 — Las Vegas Dace, Rhinichthys deaconi

(Source: Miller)

The Las Vegas Dace is a close relative of the Grass Valley Speckled Dace, Rhinichthys osculus reliquus, also extinct (1938).

1940 — Lake Titicaca Orestias, Orestias cuvieri

(Source: LakeTiticacaOrestia-1835)

1940 — Houting, Coregonus oxyrinchus

(Source: “Houting-PD” by ‘An Introduction to the Study of Fishes’ by Albert C. L. G. Günther)

1940 — Arc-form Pearly Mussel, Epioblasma arcaeformis

(Source: Mussel-project.uwsp)

1940 — Roque Chico de Salmor Giant Lizard, Gallotia simonyi simonyi

Source: “Lacerta simonyi” by Peter J. Smit

1940 — Javanese Lapwing, Vanellus macropterus

(Source: “Vanellus macropterus” by Nicolas Huet le Jeune)

1940 — Darwin’s Galápagos Rice Rat, Nesoryzomys darwini

(Source: Wild-facts)

1939 — Toolache Wallaby, Macropus greyi

(Source: “Macropus greyi – Gould” by John Gould)

1938 — Pahranagat Spinedace, Lepidomeda altivelis

(Source: “Notropis stramineus” by Ellen Edmonson and Hugh Chrisp)

The Notropis stramineus, pictured above, is a relative of the Pahranagat Spinedace.

1938 — Schomburgk’s Deer, Rucervus schomburgki

(Source: “SchomburgksDeer-Berlin1911″ by Lothar Schlawe)

1938 — Grand Cayman Thrush, Turdus ravidus

(Source: Avibirds)

1937 — Bali Tiger, Panthera tigris balica

(Source: Animalesextincion)

1936 — Tasmanian Tiger, Thylacinus cynocephalus

(Source: “Thylacinus” by Baker; E.J. Keller)

1936 — Ryukyu Wood-pigeon, Columba jouyi

(Source: Internationaldovesociety)

1936 — Ratas Island Lizard, Podarcis lilfordi rodriquezi

(Credit: Michael Franzen)

1935 — Desert Rat-kangaroo, Caloprymnus campestris

(Source: “Caloprymnus” by John Gould)

1935 — Horn Snail, Cerithidae fuscata

(Source: “Henatari-kawaai080623″ by ふうけ”)

Cerithidea cingulata (left) and Cerithideopsilla djadjariensis (right), are close relatives of the Horn Snail.

1934 — Hawaii O’o, Moho nobilis

(Source: “Caloprymnus” by John Gould)

1934 — Indefatigable Galápagos Rice Rat, Nesoryzomys indefessus

(Source: Dinosaurs.about)

1933 — Lesser Stick-nest Rat, Leporillus apicalis

(Source: “Leporillus apicalis – Gould” by John Gould)

1931 — Bunker’s Woodrat, Neotoma bunkeri

(Source: “Neotoma cinerea (bushy tailed woodrat)” by R. B. Forbes – U.S. Department of Agriculture)

The Bushy Tailed Woodrat, Neotoma Cinerea, pictured above, is a close relative of Bunker’s Woodrat and Anthony’s Woodrat (Neotoma anthonyi), also extinct (1926).

1931 — Pemberton’s Deer Mouse, Peromyscus pembertoni

(Source: “DiGangi-Deermouse” by 6th Happiness)

The Deer Mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus, pictured above, is a close relative of Pemberton’s Deer Mouse.

1930 — Alvord Cutthroat Trout, Oncorhynchus clarki alvordensis

(Source: “Trout cutthroat fish oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii” by Knepp Timothy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

The Trout Cutthroat Fish, oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii, pictured above, is a relative of the Alvord Cutthroat Trout.

1930 — Silver Trout, Salvelinus agassizi

(Source: Angelfire)

1929 — Atlantic Eelgrass Limpet, Lottia alveus

(Source: Hebda/NS Museum of Natural History)

1928 — Utah Lake Sculpin, Cottus echinatus

(Source: “Cottus cognatus” by Ellen Edmonson and Hugh Chrisp)

The Slimy Sculpin, Cottus cognatus, pictured above, is a close relative of the Utah Lake Sculpin.

1928 — Syrian Wild Ass, Equus hemionus hemippus

(Source: Conrad Keller)

1928 — Robust White-Eye, Zosterops strenuus

(Source: “Robust White-eye” by John Gould)

1927 — Paradise Parrot, Psephotus pulcherrimus

(Source: “Paradise Parrot” by W T Greene)

1927 — Snake River Sucker, Chasmistes muriei

(Source: “Chasmistes brevirostris”)

The Shortnose Sucker, Chasmistes brevirostris, pictured above, is a close relative of the Snake River Sucker.

1927 — Caucasian Wisent, Bison bonasus caucasicus

(Source: “CaucasianBison-Demidoff1898″ by E. Demidoff)

1927 — Thick-billed Ground-dove, Gallicolumba salamonis

(Source: John Cox)

1926 — Lost Megapode, Megapodius amissus

(Source: “Mégapode de Reinwardt” by Andrea Arbogast)

The Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Megapodius reinwardt, pictured above, is a close relative of the Lost Megapode.

1923 — Bubal hartebeest, Alcelaphus buselaphus buselaphus

(Source: Medland)

1923 — Norfolk Island Starling, Aplonis fusca

(Source: “Aplonis fusca fusca”)

1923 — New Zealand Grayling, Prototroctes oxyrhinchus

(Source: “Prototroctes oxyrhynchus” by Frank Edward Clarke)

The White Spotted Grayling, Prototroctes oxyrhynchus, pictured above, is a close relative of the New Zealand Grayling.

1922 — Red-moustached Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus mercierii

(Source: “Ptilinopus mercierii mercierii” by Charles Lucien)

1920 – Arcuate Pearly Mussel, Epioblasma flexuosa

(Source: Extinct.minks-lang.de)

1919 — Tarpan, Equus ferus ferus

(Source: By Scherer)

1918 — Carolina Parakeet, Conuropsis carolinensis

(Source: Cephas)

1918 — Lord Howe Island Flycatcher, Gerygone insularis

(Source: “Gerygone insularis” by Henrik Grönvold)

1917 — Rodrigues Day Gecko, Phelsuma edwardnewtoni

Source: (“Phelsuma edwardnewton“)

1914 — Passenger Pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius

Source: (“ROM-BirdGallery-PassengerPigeon” by Keith Schengili-Roberts)

1914 — Laughing Owl, Sceloglaux albifacies

(Source: “Athene albifacies” by Charles Joseph Hullmandel)



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