Athenaea sellowiana
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Athenaea sellowiana faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive habitat destruction across Brazil's Atlantic Forest region. Agricultural expansion, particularly cattle ranching and soybean cultivation, has fragmented the species' remaining forest patches. Urban development and infrastructure projects continue to reduce available habitat, while the species' limited dispersal ability prevents recolonization of restored areas.
Habitat
This species is endemic to the Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica) of southeastern Brazil, inhabiting humid lowland and montane forests. It typically occurs in primary and well-preserved secondary forest understory, requiring dense canopy cover and specific soil conditions for successful reproduction.