EN

Louisea balssi

Unknown

Overview

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

Louisea balssi faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as coastal development and tourism infrastructure expand across its limited range in the Caribbean. The species' restricted distribution to specific cave systems and coastal limestone formations makes it particularly vulnerable to groundwater pollution and physical disturbance from human activities. Climate change poses an additional threat through sea level rise and altered precipitation patterns that could affect the delicate hydrological balance of its cave habitats.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits coastal limestone cave systems and underground freshwater pools in the Caribbean region. It requires specific hydrological conditions found in anchialine caves where fresh and salt water mix, creating unique ecosystems with stable temperatures and specialized water chemistry.

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protection

Other threatened species in POTAMONAUTIDAE

VU

Potamonautes gerdalensis

Unknown
EN

Lake Mutanda Crab

Potamonautes mutandensis

Unknown
EN

Purple Marsh Crab

Afrithelphusa monodosa

Declining
EN

Globonautes macropus

Declining

Threatened in Cameroon

VU

Justicia orbicularis

Declining
Brachystephanus kupeensisCR

Brachystephanus kupeensis

Declining
VU

Whitfieldia preussii

Declining
EN

Justicia leucoxiphus

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Louisea balssi classified as Endangered?
Louisea balssi 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. Louisea balssi faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as coastal development and tourism infrastructure expand across its limited range in the Caribbean. The species' restricted distribution to specific cave systems and coastal limestone formations makes it particularly vulnerable to groundwater pollution and physical disturbance from human activities. Climate change poses an additional threat through sea level rise and altered precipitation patterns that could affect the delicate hydrological balance of its cave habitats.
Where does Louisea balssi live?
Louisea balssi occurs in Cameroon. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Louisea balssi?
The main threats to Louisea balssi 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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