CR

Namibcypris costata

Declining

Overview

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

Namibcypris costata faces severe threats from habitat degradation and water extraction in its extremely limited range within the Namib Desert's ephemeral pools. Mining activities and groundwater pumping have altered the delicate hydrological balance of temporary wetlands essential for this ostracod's survival. Climate change intensifies drought conditions, reducing the frequency and duration of pool formation critical for reproduction and population maintenance.

Threat summary

Habitat

This critically endangered ostracod is endemic to temporary freshwater pools and ephemeral wetlands in the Namib Desert of southwestern Africa. It depends on seasonal rainfall to fill shallow depressions and rock pools where it completes its life cycle during brief periods of water availability.

Wetlands (inland)· majorCaves and subterranean habitats· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

Other threatened species in CANDONIDAE

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Pseudocandona pretneri

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VU

Pseudocandona trigonelia

Unknown
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Pseudocandona cavicola

Unknown
VU

Fabaeformiscandona aemonae

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Threatened in Namibia

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

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EN

knopphodeedderkopp

Walckenaeria nodosa

Unknown
VU

Red Lark

Calendulauda burra

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small mallowVU

small mallow

Malva pusilla

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Namibcypris costata classified as Critically Endangered?
Namibcypris costata 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. Namibcypris costata faces severe threats from habitat degradation and water extraction in its extremely limited range within the Namib Desert's ephemeral pools. Mining activities and groundwater pumping have altered the delicate hydrological balance of temporary wetlands essential for this ostracod's survival. Climate change intensifies drought conditions, reducing the frequency and duration of pool formation critical for reproduction and population maintenance.
Where does Namibcypris costata live?
Namibcypris costata occurs in Namibia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Namibcypris costata?
The main threats to Namibcypris costata 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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