VU

Dracula villegasii

Unknown

Overview

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

Dracula villegasii faces severe pressure from deforestation and agricultural expansion throughout its limited range in Ecuador's cloud forests. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, while climate change threatens to shift the narrow temperature and humidity conditions required for its survival. Mining activities and infrastructure development in montane regions pose additional localized threats to remaining populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

This epiphytic orchid inhabits the cool, humid cloud forests of Ecuador's Andean slopes, typically growing on moss-covered tree branches at elevations between 1,800-2,400 meters. It requires the consistent moisture and filtered light conditions characteristic of these montane ecosystems.

Other threatened species in Orchidaceae

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Benthamia nigrovaginata

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Epipactis atrorubens

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Huntleya apiculata

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Dracula villegasii classified as Vulnerable?
Dracula villegasii is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Dracula villegasii faces severe pressure from deforestation and agricultural expansion throughout its limited range in Ecuador's cloud forests. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, while climate change threatens to shift the narrow temperature and humidity conditions required for its survival. Mining activities and infrastructure development in montane regions pose additional localized threats to remaining populations.
Where does Dracula villegasii live?
Dracula villegasii 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 Dracula villegasii?
The main threats to Dracula villegasii 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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