Assessment Rationale:

Drassodes rugichelis is endemic to the island of Madeira (Portugal) and only known from two sites on open mountain areas. This species is possibly threatened by wildfires, which have recently affected the mountain areas of Madeira island. However, due to a lack of information on its distribution, ecology, population size and threats to the species, it is assessed as Data Deficient (DD). More research is needed in order to assess its extinction risk.

Geographic Range:

Drassodes rugichelis is known from two sites, Paúl da Serra and Pico do Cidrão on Madeira Island (Portugal), both on open mountain areas (Denis 1962, Wunderlich 1992). The true range is however unknown, as these two records make it impossible to model with confidence.

 

Population:

No population size estimates exist.

Habitat and Ecology

The two only known sites for the species are in open, mountain areas. The ecology of this species is mostly unknown, but it is probable that they are active nocturnal hunters at ground level.

Major Threat(s):

The mountain areas of Madeira Island have been affected by recent wildfires, which might have affected this species.

Conservation Actions

No specific conservation measures are in place for this species, but part of the known range is inside the Madeira Natural Park. The distribution of the species should be researched through extensive collections on the islands' mountainous areas above the tree line. Monitoring of population trends should be conducted in the future and the negative effects of possible threats, such as wildfires, should also be assessed.