Appalachian Matchsticks vs Lion

Pilophorus fibula compared with Panthera leo

Key Differences

Appalachian Matchsticks is Endangered while Lion is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Appalachian Matchsticks	Lion
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Insecta (Insects)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Hemiptera (Hemiptera)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Miridae	Felidae (Cats)
Genus	Pilophorus	Panthera (Big Cats)
Species	Pilophorus fibula	Panthera leo

Evolutionary Relationship

Appalachian Matchsticks and Lion share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

View Kingdom: Animalia

Conservation Status

Appalachian Matchsticks

EN — Endangered

Lion

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~23.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Appalachian Matchsticks	Lion
Diet	—	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	—	15 years
Average Length	—	2.5 m
Average Weight	—	190.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Appalachian Matchsticks

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Lion

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 7 distinct biome types spanning the Afrotropic and Neotropic and Oceanian realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Colombia, Ecuador, and Kenya. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Appalachian Matchsticks

The Appalachian Matchsticks (Pilophorus fibula) is a species in the genus Pilophorus. It is currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Lion

The largest wild cat in Africa, lions reach up to 250 kg and are the only social felids, living in prides across sub-Saharan savannas and grasslands. Males are distinguished by their iconic manes. As apex predators, they regulate herbivore populations and maintain ecosystem balance. Listed as Vulnerable due to habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.