Assessment Rationale:

The species is considered as Endangered (EN) B2ab(iii), as it is known from two locations on the Jandia peninsula, with a range extending to the steep slopes, where the goats are reducing the quality of the habitat. This medium-sized species is less impacted than the Hemicylca paeteliana, which also lives on the Jandia peninsula. There is currently no legal protection for the taxon and recommended conservation actions include the control of the goats and the provision of a protected area status for the Jandia peninsula.

Geographic Range:

This species is endemic to the Canary Islands, where it is only found on the Jandia peninsula on Fuerteventura where it was recorded from 7 of 15x1 km squares surveyed, but the area of occupancy (AOO) is estimated to be 11 km2  based of steep slopes that were not surveyed.

Population:

This species is medium-sized and thus these are less susceptible to disturbance by trampling by goats.

Habitat and Ecology

This ground-dwelling species which occurs on rocky slopes with typical montane vegetation with the species living on stones, in crevices and on crags/walls. The species lived on lichens.

Major Threat(s):

The species is threatened by goats trampling. Future threats from hotel developments and road linkages if the peninsula is developed.

Conservation Actions

The habitat of this species and the Jandia peninsula should be protected. Tourist development, as well as the trampling by wild goats should be restricted. More research is needed on the population and distribution of the species, and habitat trends should be monitored. This species is listed as Endangered on the Spanish Red List by Verdu and Galante (2009), but is not on the register of Endangered Species for Canary Islands, so there is no legal protection.