CR

Rhinacanthus selousensis

Declining

Overview

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

Rhinacanthus selousensis faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and human settlement in its limited range. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while collection pressure for traditional medicine and horticultural trade further compounds population decline. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns affecting the specific microhabitat conditions this endemic species requires.

Threat summary

Habitat

This critically endangered plant species is endemic to specific woodland and grassland habitats in southeastern Africa. It typically occurs in well-drained soils within miombo woodland margins and adjacent grassland areas at moderate elevations.

Forest· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionEx-situ conservation

Other threatened species in ACANTHACEAE

VU

Justicia orbicularis

Declining
EN

Isoglossa congesta

Unknown
Brachystephanus kupeensisCR

Brachystephanus kupeensis

Declining
VU

Whitfieldia preussii

Declining

Threatened in Tanzania

VU

Lepiota echinella

Unknown
VU

Panicum pinifolium

Unknown
VU

Aidia abeidii

Unknown
EN

Meineckia stipularis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Rhinacanthus selousensis classified as Critically Endangered?
Rhinacanthus selousensis 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. Rhinacanthus selousensis faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and human settlement in its limited range. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while collection pressure for traditional medicine and horticultural trade further compounds population decline. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns affecting the specific microhabitat conditions this endemic species requires.
Where does Rhinacanthus selousensis live?
Rhinacanthus selousensis occurs in Tanzania. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Rhinacanthus selousensis?
The main threats to Rhinacanthus selousensis 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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