Sphaerodactylus cochranae
CR

Sphaerodactylus cochranae

Unknown

Photo: Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Overview

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

Sphaerodactylus cochranae faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to urban development and tourism infrastructure expansion across its extremely limited range in the Dominican Republic. The species' restriction to small forest fragments makes it particularly vulnerable to edge effects and habitat degradation. Introduced predators and competitors pose additional pressure on remaining populations, while climate change threatens to alter the specific microhabitat conditions this gecko requires.

Threat summary

Habitat

This critically endangered gecko inhabits dry forests and scrublands in the Dominican Republic, typically found in leaf litter and under rocks or fallen logs. The species requires specific microhabitat conditions with appropriate humidity levels and shelter availability within its restricted range.

Forest· majorRocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSite/area managementSpecies recovery

Other threatened species in SPHAERODACTYLIDAE

Sphaerodactylus schubertiCR

Sphaerodactylus schuberti

Unknown
VU

Gonatodes tapajonicus

Unknown
Sphaerodactylus epiurusCR

Sphaerodactylus epiurus

Declining
Sphaerodactylus lazelliCR

Sphaerodactylus lazelli

Unknown

Threatened in Dominican Republic

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
CR

Lonchocarpus ellipticus

Declining
VU

Catalpa brevipes

Unknown
Water SundewCR

Water Sundew

Drosera intermedia

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Sphaerodactylus cochranae classified as Critically Endangered?
Sphaerodactylus cochranae 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. Sphaerodactylus cochranae faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to urban development and tourism infrastructure expansion across its extremely limited range in the Dominican Republic. The species' restriction to small forest fragments makes it particularly vulnerable to edge effects and habitat degradation. Introduced predators and competitors pose additional pressure on remaining populations, while climate change threatens to alter the specific microhabitat conditions this gecko requires.
Where does Sphaerodactylus cochranae live?
Sphaerodactylus cochranae occurs in Dominican Republic, and Haiti. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Sphaerodactylus cochranae?
The main threats to Sphaerodactylus cochranae are 2.1, 5.3, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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