This extremely rare species of Western Ghats is only found in Karnataka's Manikyadhara falls of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary in Chikmagalur district (at a ranging altitude 1,000m - 1,515m asl). It inhabits underneath small boulders in montane shola forests with freshwater systems and under canopies with less natural light.

Conservation Status:

This species is listed as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (https://www.iucnredlist.org/).

According to the IUCN Red List assessment, the current population size and trend of this species is unknown. As it is reported from a single threat-defined location, its Extent of Occurrence is less than 30 sq km. The threats to its persistence come from habitat disturbances due to large-scale non-timber cultivation in the Chikmagalur district, and other human encroachments like tourism and illegal plant collection.