Obelus despreauxii
CR

Obelus despreauxii

DecliningVUEUVUEU

Photo: (c) Frank Walther, all rights reserved, uploaded by Frank Walther

Overview

Obelus despreauxii is a European species of small air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the family Geomitridae.

Obelus despreauxii faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to urban development and agricultural expansion across its limited range in the Canary Islands. The species is particularly vulnerable to introduced predators and competitors that have disrupted the delicate island ecosystem. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that affect the specific microhabitats this endemic species requires for survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic species inhabits the unique laurel forest ecosystems and rocky coastal areas of the Canary Islands. It requires specific microclimatic conditions found in sheltered ravines and north-facing slopes with high humidity and stable temperatures.

Marine coastal/supratidal· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

Other threatened species in GEOMITRIDAE

CR

Caseolus galeatus

Unknown
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Xerogyra fiorii

Declining
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Actinella armitageana

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VU

Actinella laciniosa

Stable

Threatened in Spain

VU

Lepiota echinella

Unknown
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Copper Shark

Carcharhinus brachyurus

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Lyophyllum deliberatum

Unknown
VU

Hemicycla invernicata

Stable

Frequently asked questions

Why is Obelus despreauxii classified as Critically Endangered?
Obelus despreauxii 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. Obelus despreauxii faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to urban development and agricultural expansion across its limited range in the Canary Islands. The species is particularly vulnerable to introduced predators and competitors that have disrupted the delicate island ecosystem. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that affect the specific microhabitats this endemic species requires for survival.
Where does Obelus despreauxii live?
Obelus despreauxii occurs in Spain. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Obelus despreauxii?
The main threats to Obelus despreauxii are 1.1, 2.1, 4.1, and 5.3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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