The species was originally described by W.T. Marshall in 1952 as Mammillaria (Ancistrocactus) tobuschii. C. Backeberh the published the species in Ancistrocactus in 1961. In November of 1979, the species was first listed as endangered.
Currently, nine separate populations are monitored twice a year in order to determine if the species is recovering. If the research proves that the species is doing well, the species may be taken off of the endangered species list. This research is being funded by Section 6 of the U.S. Endangered Species Act and is carried out by Jackie M. Poole and Gena K. Janssen of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.