West Indian Nipple-cactus
CR

West Indian Nipple-cactus

Mammillaria prolifera

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The West Indian Nipple-cactus faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to coastal development, tourism infrastructure, and urban expansion across its limited Caribbean range. Climate change poses additional risks through sea level rise and increased hurricane intensity, while invasive plant species compete for the specialized rocky coastal habitats this cactus requires.

Threat summary

Habitat

Rocky coastal areas, limestone cliffs, and dry scrublands near sea level throughout the Caribbean islands. The species typically grows in well-drained, alkaline soils on exposed rocky substrates and coastal terraces.

TERRESTRIAL· major

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CR

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Frequently asked questions

Why is West Indian Nipple-cactus classified as Critically Endangered?
West Indian Nipple-cactus 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. The West Indian Nipple-cactus faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to coastal development, tourism infrastructure, and urban expansion across its limited Caribbean range. Climate change poses additional risks through sea level rise and increased hurricane intensity, while invasive plant species compete for the specialized rocky coastal habitats this cactus requires.
Where does West Indian Nipple-cactus live?
West Indian Nipple-cactus occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to West Indian Nipple-cactus?
The main threats to West Indian Nipple-cactus 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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