CR

Celestus microblepharis

Declining

Overview

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

Celestus microblepharis faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range in Jamaica. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, with remaining populations fragmented by human activities. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns affecting the moist forest environments this lizard requires.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic Jamaican lizard inhabits moist limestone forests and woodland areas, typically found in leaf litter and under rocks or logs in shaded environments. The species requires stable moisture levels and forest canopy cover, making it highly dependent on intact forest ecosystems.

Forest· majorMarine coastal/supratidal· majorShrubland· majorRocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Invasive/problematic species controlSpecies recoveryEx-situ conservation

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Wetmorena haetiana

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Darlington's Galliwasp

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Unknown

Threatened in Jamaica

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Jamaican Long-tailed Racerlet

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Golden Swallow

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Coryphopterus eidolonVU

Coryphopterus eidolon

Unknown
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Hildebrand's Goby

Gobiosoma hildebrandi

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Celestus microblepharis classified as Critically Endangered?
Celestus microblepharis 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. Celestus microblepharis faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range in Jamaica. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, with remaining populations fragmented by human activities. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns affecting the moist forest environments this lizard requires.
Where does Celestus microblepharis live?
Celestus microblepharis occurs in Jamaica. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Celestus microblepharis?
The main threats to Celestus microblepharis are 1.1, 1.3, 6.1, and 8.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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