Amanipodagrion gilliesi
CR

Amanipodagrion gilliesi

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanipodagrion

Overview

Amanipodagrion gilliesi is a species of damselfly endemic to the East Usambara Mountains of north-eastern Tanzania. It is the sole species in the genus Amanipodagrion, which in turn is the only genus in the family Amanipodagrionidae, one of two families in the superfamily Mesopodagrionoidea.

Amanipodagrion gilliesi faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to deforestation and agricultural expansion in its limited range within the Western Ghats. The species' dependence on pristine forest streams makes it extremely vulnerable to water pollution from agricultural runoff and human settlements. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering precipitation patterns and stream flow regimes essential for its aquatic larval development.

Threat summary

Habitat

This damselfly species inhabits pristine forest streams and small rivers within the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot of India. It requires clean, well-oxygenated flowing water with dense riparian forest cover that provides shade and maintains stable water temperatures.

Forest· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recoveryAwareness & communicationsPolicies and regulations

Other threatened species in MEGAPODAGRIONIDAE

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Justicia orbicularis

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Brachystephanus kupeensisCR

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Whitfieldia preussii

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Justicia leucoxiphus

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Amanipodagrion gilliesi classified as Critically Endangered?
Amanipodagrion gilliesi is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Amanipodagrion gilliesi faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to deforestation and agricultural expansion in its limited range within the Western Ghats. The species' dependence on pristine forest streams makes it extremely vulnerable to water pollution from agricultural runoff and human settlements. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering precipitation patterns and stream flow regimes essential for its aquatic larval development.
Where does Amanipodagrion gilliesi live?
Amanipodagrion gilliesi occurs in Cameroon, and Tanzania. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Amanipodagrion gilliesi?
The main threats to Amanipodagrion gilliesi are 9.3.4, ai-1, ai-2, and ai-3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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