Pentacalia pailasensis
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Pentacalia pailasensis faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and cattle grazing in its restricted high-altitude range. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat degradation, while climate change threatens to shift suitable conditions beyond its current elevational range. Mining activities and infrastructure development in the Colombian Andes pose additional localized threats to remaining populations.
Habitat
This endemic Colombian species inhabits high-altitude páramo ecosystems and cloud forest margins in the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes. It occurs in specialized montane environments characterized by cool temperatures, high humidity, and unique vegetation adapted to extreme elevational conditions.