Meladema imbricata
CR

Meladema imbricata

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meladema_imbricata

Overview

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

Meladema imbricata faces severe threats from habitat degradation and water pollution in its limited Mediterranean range. The species is particularly vulnerable to agricultural runoff, urban development, and water extraction that reduces water quality and flow in the temporary pools and streams it depends upon. Climate change poses an additional threat through increased drought frequency and intensity, which can cause critical breeding habitats to dry up prematurely.

Threat summary

Habitat

This aquatic beetle inhabits temporary pools, slow-flowing streams, and seasonal wetlands in Mediterranean regions. It requires clean, well-oxygenated water with abundant aquatic vegetation for both larval development and adult feeding.

Other threatened species in DYTISCIDAE

CR

Hydroporus compunctus

Unknown
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Madaglymbus menalamba

Unknown
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Copelatus amphibius

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Copelatus vokoka

Unknown

Threatened in Portugal

VU

Lepiota echinella

Unknown
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Coscinodon monchiquensis

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Double Spleenwort

Asplenium anceps

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Madeira Rustyback Fern

Asplenium lolegnamense

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Meladema imbricata classified as Critically Endangered?
Meladema imbricata 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. Meladema imbricata faces severe threats from habitat degradation and water pollution in its limited Mediterranean range. The species is particularly vulnerable to agricultural runoff, urban development, and water extraction that reduces water quality and flow in the temporary pools and streams it depends upon. Climate change poses an additional threat through increased drought frequency and intensity, which can cause critical breeding habitats to dry up prematurely.
Where does Meladema imbricata live?
Meladema imbricata occurs in Portugal, and Spain. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Meladema imbricata?
The main threats to Meladema imbricata 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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