CR

Melicope tekaoensis

Declining

Overview

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

Melicope tekaoensis faces severe threats from habitat degradation and fragmentation in its extremely limited range on New Zealand's South Island. The species is restricted to a tiny area of native forest remnants, making it highly vulnerable to any disturbance. Invasive plant species and browsing by introduced mammals pose ongoing risks to the remaining population and habitat quality.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic New Zealand shrub occurs in montane forest remnants and scrubland on the South Island. It is restricted to a very small geographic range in native forest ecosystems at moderate to high elevations.

Other threatened species in RUTACEAE

CR

Melicope quadrangularis

Declining
VU

Melicope wawraeana

Declining
VU

Vepris drummondii

Declining
VU

Zanthoxylum mildbraedii

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Melicope tekaoensis classified as Critically Endangered?
Melicope tekaoensis 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. Melicope tekaoensis faces severe threats from habitat degradation and fragmentation in its extremely limited range on New Zealand's South Island. The species is restricted to a tiny area of native forest remnants, making it highly vulnerable to any disturbance. Invasive plant species and browsing by introduced mammals pose ongoing risks to the remaining population and habitat quality.
Where does Melicope tekaoensis live?
Melicope tekaoensis 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 Melicope tekaoensis?
The main threats to Melicope tekaoensis 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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