EN

Cassine River Worm Lizard

Cynisca oligopholis

Unknown

Overview

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

Cynisca oligopholis faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as West African forests are cleared for agriculture and urban development. The species' limited range makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, with mining activities and logging operations fragmenting its remaining forest habitat. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering the moisture and temperature conditions essential for this fossorial species.

Threat summary

Habitat

This fossorial amphisbaenian inhabits the leaf litter and upper soil layers of West African tropical forests, particularly in areas with high humidity and stable soil conditions. The species requires intact forest canopy to maintain the cool, moist microhabitat essential for its subterranean lifestyle.

Forest· majorSavanna· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

Other threatened species in AMPHISBAENIDAE

EN

Amphisbaena carvalhoi

Unknown
VU

Leposternon kisteumacheri

Unknown
EN

Amphisbaena supernumeraria

Unknown
EN

Amphisbaena uroxena

Unknown

Threatened in Guinea-Bissau

Humped BladderwortCR

Humped Bladderwort

Utricularia gibba

Unknown
VU

Sooty Mangabey

Cercocebus atys

Declining
CR

Thorny Whipray

Fontitrygon ukpam

Declining
EN

Kosso

Pterocarpus erinaceus

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Cassine River Worm Lizard classified as Endangered?
Cassine River Worm Lizard 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. Cynisca oligopholis faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as West African forests are cleared for agriculture and urban development. The species' limited range makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, with mining activities and logging operations fragmenting its remaining forest habitat. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering the moisture and temperature conditions essential for this fossorial species.
Where does Cassine River Worm Lizard live?
Cassine River Worm Lizard occurs in Guinea-Bissau. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Cassine River Worm Lizard?
The main threats to Cassine River Worm Lizard 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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