CR

Colophon montisatris

Unknown

Overview

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

Colophon montisatris faces severe threats from its extremely restricted range on Table Mountain, making it vulnerable to any habitat disturbance. Climate change poses a critical risk as warming temperatures force this cold-adapted species to retreat to increasingly smaller areas at higher elevations. Invasive alien vegetation, particularly pine and acacia species, degrades the native fynbos habitat essential for the beetle's survival. Urban development pressure from Cape Town's expansion threatens the remaining fragments of suitable habitat.

Threat summary

Habitat

This flightless beetle is endemic to the high-altitude fynbos vegetation on Table Mountain in the Western Cape of South Africa. It inhabits rocky outcrops and stone runs in montane fynbos at elevations above 800 meters, where it shelters under stones and feeds on organic matter in the specialized Mediterranean-climate shrubland ecosystem.

Other threatened species in LUCANIDAE

VU

Colophon stokoei

Unknown
CR

Colophon berrisfordi

Unknown
EN

Colophon whitei

Unknown
VU

Colophon westwoodi

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Colophon montisatris classified as Critically Endangered?
Colophon montisatris 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. Colophon montisatris faces severe threats from its extremely restricted range on Table Mountain, making it vulnerable to any habitat disturbance. Climate change poses a critical risk as warming temperatures force this cold-adapted species to retreat to increasingly smaller areas at higher elevations. Invasive alien vegetation, particularly pine and acacia species, degrades the native fynbos habitat essential for the beetle's survival. Urban development pressure from Cape Town's expansion threatens the remaining fragments of suitable habitat.
Where does Colophon montisatris live?
Colophon montisatris occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Colophon montisatris?
The main threats to Colophon montisatris 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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