Assessment Rationale:

The Lanzarote Malpais Cricket is endemic to caves and malpais areas of Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and the Isla de Montana Clara (Canary Islands, Spain). The species is flightless and the population is considered severely fragmented, and its extent of occurrence (EOO) is c. 690 km² and its area of occupancy (AOO) is 36 - 300 km², and it is thus assessed as Near Threatened as it nearly meets the thresholds for a threatened Category under Criterion B. It is unknown if the species is declining as most of its habitat is in protected areas or in areas which are not under strong human pressure.

Geographic Range:

The Lanzarote Malpais Cricket is endemic to Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and Isla de Montana Clara (Canary Islands, Spain) (Bland et al. 1996). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 690 km², and its known area of occupancy (AOO) is 36 km² with an upper estimate of 300 km².

Population:

There is no information available on the population size and trends of the species. It is flightless and the subpopulations are very isolated so the recolonisation of extinct sites is unlikely. The population is therefore considered severely fragmented.

Habitat and Ecology

This cricket species occurs under stones and in caves, particularly on malpais land (Ashmole et al. 1992). Its altitudinal range is 0 - 360 m.

Major Threat(s):

This species occurs mainly on scarcely vegetated volcanic areas (malpais), and large parts of its population occur in the Timanfaya National Park on Lanzarote, an area with volcanic activity. It may locally also be affected by touristic development.

Conservation Actions

There are no conservation actions in place for this species, but most of its habitats are found in protected areas throughout its range. Research on its population trend is necessary.