EN

Calyptommatus leiolepis

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Calyptommatus leiolepis faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range in Brazil's Caatinga region. Mining activities and infrastructure development further fragment the sandy soil habitats essential for this fossorial lizard's survival. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns that could affect the soil moisture conditions this species requires for burrowing and foraging.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits sandy soils in the Caatinga dry forest region of northeastern Brazil, where it lives a fossorial lifestyle in loose, well-drained substrates. It requires specific soil conditions that allow for efficient burrowing and provide adequate prey availability in the form of small invertebrates.

Other threatened species in GYMNOPHTHALMIDAE

EN

Rodrigues' Microteeid

Calyptommatus nicterus

Unknown
EN

Lesser Microteiid

Calyptommatus sinebrachiatus

Unknown
EN

Marinussaurus curupira

Unknown
EN

Leposoma baturitensis

Unknown

Threatened in Mauritius

VU

Trindade Petrel

Pterodroma arminjoniana

Stable
EN

Acropora mossambica

Declining
Humped BladderwortCR

Humped Bladderwort

Utricularia gibba

Unknown
Telfair's SkinkVU

Telfair's Skink

Leiolopisma telfairii

Increasing

Frequently asked questions

Why is Calyptommatus leiolepis classified as Endangered?
Calyptommatus leiolepis is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Calyptommatus leiolepis faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range in Brazil's Caatinga region. Mining activities and infrastructure development further fragment the sandy soil habitats essential for this fossorial lizard's survival. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns that could affect the soil moisture conditions this species requires for burrowing and foraging.
Where does Calyptommatus leiolepis live?
Calyptommatus leiolepis occurs in Mauritius. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Calyptommatus leiolepis?
The main threats to Calyptommatus leiolepis 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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