CR

Paracontias rothschildi

Unknown

Overview

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

Paracontias rothschildi faces severe threats from widespread deforestation and agricultural expansion across Madagascar's eastern rainforests. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, while invasive plant species alter the forest floor microhabitat essential for this fossorial skink. Mining activities and slash-and-burn agriculture continue to reduce the remaining patches of suitable primary forest habitat.

Threat summary

Habitat

This fossorial skink inhabits the leaf litter and upper soil layers of Madagascar's eastern rainforests, particularly in primary forest areas with dense canopy cover. The species requires specific microhabitat conditions found in undisturbed forest floor environments with high humidity and organic matter accumulation.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical dry· majorMarine coastal/supratidal· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recoveryCompliance and enforcement

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Paracontias rothschildi classified as Critically Endangered?
Paracontias rothschildi 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. Paracontias rothschildi faces severe threats from widespread deforestation and agricultural expansion across Madagascar's eastern rainforests. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, while invasive plant species alter the forest floor microhabitat essential for this fossorial skink. Mining activities and slash-and-burn agriculture continue to reduce the remaining patches of suitable primary forest habitat.
Where does Paracontias rothschildi live?
Paracontias rothschildi occurs in Madagascar. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Paracontias rothschildi?
The main threats to Paracontias rothschildi are 1.3, 2.1, 3.2, and 5.3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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