Cixius caledonicus
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Cixius caledonicus faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to mining activities and urban development in New Caledonia's unique ultramafic landscapes. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while invasive plant species are altering the composition of its native shrubland habitat. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could affect the plant communities this planthopper depends upon.
Habitat
This endemic planthopper inhabits New Caledonia's distinctive ultramafic shrublands and maquis vegetation, which grow on serpentine soils rich in heavy metals. The species is restricted to specific elevational zones where these specialized plant communities occur on the island's mountainous terrain.
