Ostodes minor
Overview
Paracroton zeylanicus is a species of flowering plant in the family Euphorbiaceae that is endemic to south-western parts of Sri Lanka. It was first found from a Hinidumkanda Biosphere Reserve, but rapidly declined due to deforestation and other anthropogenic activities. The plant is listed as a critically endangered by IUCN.
Ostodes minor faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range. The species' specialized ecological requirements make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes, with fragmented populations showing reduced genetic diversity and reproductive success.
Habitat
Ostodes minor inhabits specialized microhabitats within temperate forests and woodland edges, typically requiring specific soil conditions and plant associations. The species shows strong habitat fidelity and is found in areas with particular moisture and temperature regimes that are increasingly rare due to environmental pressures.
Other threatened species in EUPHORBIACEAE
Threatened in Sri Lanka
Frequently asked questions
Why is Ostodes minor classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Ostodes minor live?
What are the main threats to Ostodes minor?
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.