Branchinecta belki
CR

Branchinecta belki

Unknown

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

Overview

Branchinecta belki is a species of fairy shrimp in the family Branchinectidae. It is found in Central America.

Branchinecta belki faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to urban development and agricultural expansion in its limited range. The species' dependence on ephemeral pools makes it extremely vulnerable to hydrological changes from groundwater pumping and altered precipitation patterns. Climate change poses an additional threat by disrupting the delicate timing of pool formation and drying cycles essential for completing its life cycle.

Threat summary

Habitat

This fairy shrimp inhabits temporary alkaline pools and seasonal wetlands in grassland and scrubland environments. The species requires ephemeral water bodies that fill during winter rains and gradually dry out, providing the specific salinity and temperature conditions necessary for reproduction and development.

FRESHWATER· major

Other threatened species in BRANCHINECTIDAE

Branchinecta lynchiVU

Branchinecta lynchi

Unknown
Branchinecta sandiegonensisEN

Branchinecta sandiegonensis

Unknown
Branchinecta mexicanaCR

Branchinecta mexicana

Unknown
Branchinecta conservatioEN

Branchinecta conservatio

Unknown

Threatened in Mexico

EN

Turbinicarpus horripilus

Declining
CR

Turbinicarpus mandragora

Declining
EN

Opuntia pachyrrhiza

Declining
EN

Arachnothryx tacanensis

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Branchinecta belki classified as Critically Endangered?
Branchinecta belki 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. Branchinecta belki faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to urban development and agricultural expansion in its limited range. The species' dependence on ephemeral pools makes it extremely vulnerable to hydrological changes from groundwater pumping and altered precipitation patterns. Climate change poses an additional threat by disrupting the delicate timing of pool formation and drying cycles essential for completing its life cycle.
Where does Branchinecta belki live?
Branchinecta belki occurs in Mexico. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Branchinecta belki?
The main threats to Branchinecta belki are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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