San Francisco Forktail
EN

San Francisco Forktail

Ischnura gemina

Declining

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

Overview

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

Ischnura gemina faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat destruction from urban development and agricultural expansion across its limited range. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial discharge degrades the pristine aquatic conditions this damselfly requires for reproduction. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that affect water levels in its breeding habitats.

Threat summary

Habitat

This damselfly inhabits freshwater wetlands, including slow-moving streams, ponds, and marshy areas with abundant aquatic vegetation. It requires clean, well-oxygenated water with emergent plants that provide perching sites and egg-laying substrates.

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

Other threatened species in COENAGRIONIDAE

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Argentinean Horned FrogVU

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Ceratophrys ornata

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Paddlefish

Polyodon spathula

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EN

Polystachya longiscapa

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is San Francisco Forktail classified as Endangered?
San Francisco Forktail is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Ischnura gemina faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat destruction from urban development and agricultural expansion across its limited range. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial discharge degrades the pristine aquatic conditions this damselfly requires for reproduction. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that affect water levels in its breeding habitats.
Where does San Francisco Forktail live?
San Francisco Forktail occurs in United States. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to San Francisco Forktail?
The main threats to San Francisco Forktail 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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