Noel's Amphipod
CR

Noel's Amphipod

Gammarus desperatus

Stable

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

Overview

Gammarus desperatus, commonly known as Noel's Amphipod, is a species of small, amphipod crustacean in the family Gammaridae.

Gammarus desperatus faces severe threats from groundwater extraction and pollution in its highly restricted karst aquifer habitat. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it exceptionally vulnerable to any changes in water quality or flow patterns. Urban development and agricultural activities in the surrounding watershed pose additional risks through chemical runoff and altered hydrology.

Threat summary

Habitat

This critically endangered amphipod is endemic to underground karst aquifer systems and associated springs. It inhabits the specialized groundwater environments of limestone cave systems where it depends on stable water chemistry and flow conditions.

Wetlands (inland)· major

Other threatened species in GAMMARIDAE

EN

Gammarus acherondytes

Unknown
CR

Echinogammarus kerkuraios

Unknown
VU

Echinogammarus kretensis

Unknown
EN

Pectenogammarus platvoeti

Unknown

Threatened in Mexico

EN

Turbinicarpus horripilus

Declining
CR

Turbinicarpus mandragora

Declining
EN

Opuntia pachyrrhiza

Declining
EN

Arachnothryx tacanensis

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Noel's Amphipod classified as Critically Endangered?
Noel's Amphipod 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. Gammarus desperatus faces severe threats from groundwater extraction and pollution in its highly restricted karst aquifer habitat. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it exceptionally vulnerable to any changes in water quality or flow patterns. Urban development and agricultural activities in the surrounding watershed pose additional risks through chemical runoff and altered hydrology.
Where does Noel's Amphipod live?
Noel's Amphipod occurs in Mexico, and United States. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Noel's Amphipod?
The main threats to Noel's Amphipod are 1.1, 11.2, 9.1, and 9.3.4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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