Upogebia stellata
VU

Upogebia stellata

Local name: prickig mudderkräfta

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upogebia_stellata

Overview

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

Upogebia stellata faces significant pressure from coastal development and habitat modification along European shorelines, where construction activities and port development directly destroy the soft sediment burrows essential for its survival. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and urban discharge degrades the quality of intertidal mudflats, while climate change-induced sea level rise and increased storm intensity threaten to alter the delicate sediment dynamics of its shallow marine habitat.

Threat summary

Habitat

This burrowing mud shrimp inhabits soft sediment environments in shallow coastal waters, particularly intertidal and subtidal mudflats along European coastlines. It constructs complex burrow systems in fine sand and mud substrates, typically in areas with moderate water flow and organic matter accumulation.

MARINE· major

Threatened in Croatia

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
VU

Olive Skipper

Pyrgus serratulae

Unknown
Scarce BlackneckCR

Scarce Blackneck

Lygephila craccae

Unknown
VU

Zospeum exiguum

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is prickig mudderkräfta classified as Vulnerable?
prickig mudderkräfta is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Upogebia stellata faces significant pressure from coastal development and habitat modification along European shorelines, where construction activities and port development directly destroy the soft sediment burrows essential for its survival. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and urban discharge degrades the quality of intertidal mudflats, while climate change-induced sea level rise and increased storm intensity threaten to alter the delicate sediment dynamics of its shallow marine habitat.
Where does prickig mudderkräfta live?
prickig mudderkräfta occurs in Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, and Isle of Man (plus 9 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to prickig mudderkräfta?
The main threats to prickig mudderkräfta 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.

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