EN

Rhipidolestes okinawanus

Unknown

Overview

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

Rhipidolestes okinawanus faces severe habitat degradation from urban development and agricultural expansion across its limited range in Okinawa. The species' dependence on pristine forest streams makes it particularly vulnerable to water pollution from agricultural runoff and urban discharge. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could disrupt the delicate hydrological conditions required for larval development.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic damselfly inhabits shaded forest streams and small rivers within the subtropical forests of Okinawa Island. The species requires clean, slow-flowing waters with dense riparian vegetation that provides both breeding sites and protection from direct sunlight.

Threatened in Japan

Acropora hemprichiiEN

Acropora hemprichii

Declining
VU

Copper Shark

Carcharhinus brachyurus

Declining
Horned GrebeVU

Horned Grebe

Podiceps auritus

Declining
EN

Montipora taiwanensis

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Rhipidolestes okinawanus classified as Endangered?
Rhipidolestes okinawanus is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Rhipidolestes okinawanus faces severe habitat degradation from urban development and agricultural expansion across its limited range in Okinawa. The species' dependence on pristine forest streams makes it particularly vulnerable to water pollution from agricultural runoff and urban discharge. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could disrupt the delicate hydrological conditions required for larval development.
Where does Rhipidolestes okinawanus live?
Rhipidolestes okinawanus occurs in Japan. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Rhipidolestes okinawanus?
The main threats to Rhipidolestes okinawanus 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.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.