The IUCN has now added 4,807 species in its latest "Red List", bringing the total number of threatened species to 70,294, of which 20,934 are on the edge of extinction.

"Thanks to the IUCN Red List, we now have more information on the state of the world's biodiversity than ever before," says Jane Smart, Global Director, IUCN Biodiversity Conservation Group. "But the overall picture is alarming. We must use this knowledge to its fullest – making our conservation efforts well targeted and efficient - if we are serious about stopping the extinction crisis that continues to threaten all life on Earth."

This update of The IUCN Red List provides results of the first-ever global assessment of freshwater shrimps, of which 28% are threatened with extinction. Ten percent are used for human consumption, including the Giant River Prawn (macrobrachium rosenbergii), and they are an important part of the freshwater food web. Pollution, modification of habitat and the aquarium trade are some of the primary threats.