CR

Leptonetela penevi

Unknown

Overview

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

Leptonetela penevi faces severe threats from its extremely restricted range in Bulgarian cave systems, making it vulnerable to any disturbance of its subterranean habitat. Cave tourism, groundwater pollution, and climate-induced changes to underground hydrology pose immediate risks to this endemic spider's survival. The species' specialized cave-dwelling lifestyle and limited dispersal ability mean that even minor environmental changes could lead to population collapse.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits deep cave systems and underground karst formations in Bulgaria, specifically adapted to the stable, humid conditions of subterranean environments. It occupies the dark zones of caves where it constructs webs to capture small invertebrate prey in the cave ecosystem.

Conservation measures underway

Species recoveryAwareness & communications

Other threatened species in LEPTONETIDAE

CR

Leptonetela arvanitidisi

Unknown
EN

Leptoneta soryongensis

Unknown
EN

Falcileptoneta hwanseonensis

Unknown
EN

Barusia laconica

Unknown

Threatened in Greece

EN

Trichoferus bergeri

Unknown
VU

Lepiota echinella

Unknown
VU

Copper Shark

Carcharhinus brachyurus

Declining
Luschan's SalamanderEN

Luschan's Salamander

Lyciasalamandra luschani

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Leptonetela penevi classified as Critically Endangered?
Leptonetela penevi 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. Leptonetela penevi faces severe threats from its extremely restricted range in Bulgarian cave systems, making it vulnerable to any disturbance of its subterranean habitat. Cave tourism, groundwater pollution, and climate-induced changes to underground hydrology pose immediate risks to this endemic spider's survival. The species' specialized cave-dwelling lifestyle and limited dispersal ability mean that even minor environmental changes could lead to population collapse.
Where does Leptonetela penevi live?
Leptonetela penevi occurs in Greece. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Leptonetela penevi?
The main threats to Leptonetela penevi 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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