CR

Pestel Amphisbaena

Amphisbaena leali

Unknown

Overview

The Pestel amphisbaena is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to Haiti.

Amphisbaena leali faces severe threats from rapid urban expansion and agricultural conversion throughout its extremely limited range in northeastern Brazil. The species' fossorial lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to soil disturbance from construction and intensive farming practices. Habitat fragmentation has isolated remaining populations, reducing genetic diversity and limiting dispersal opportunities for this already rare worm lizard.

Threat summary

Habitat

This fossorial amphisbaenian inhabits sandy and loamy soils in dry forest remnants and scrubland areas of the Caatinga biome in northeastern Brazil. The species requires loose, well-drained substrates that allow for extensive burrowing networks in areas with sufficient organic matter to support its invertebrate prey base.

Rocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

Other threatened species in AMPHISBAENIDAE

EN

Amphisbaena carvalhoi

Unknown
EN

Cassine River Worm Lizard

Cynisca oligopholis

Unknown
VU

Leposternon kisteumacheri

Unknown
EN

Amphisbaena supernumeraria

Unknown

Threatened in Haiti

EN

Reynosia cuneifolia

Declining
VU

Neea collina

Declining
EN

Neea demissa

Declining
EN

Plinia caricensis

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Pestel Amphisbaena classified as Critically Endangered?
Pestel Amphisbaena 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. Amphisbaena leali faces severe threats from rapid urban expansion and agricultural conversion throughout its extremely limited range in northeastern Brazil. The species' fossorial lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to soil disturbance from construction and intensive farming practices. Habitat fragmentation has isolated remaining populations, reducing genetic diversity and limiting dispersal opportunities for this already rare worm lizard.
Where does Pestel Amphisbaena live?
Pestel Amphisbaena occurs in Haiti. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Pestel Amphisbaena?
The main threats to Pestel Amphisbaena are 2.1, 5.3, 8.1, and 9.4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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