Assessment Rationale:

This species has a restricted area of occupancy (AOO = 16 km²). It is only known on two islands, with six locations. At present the habitats are within protected areas. Once the goats and rabbits are completely eradicated then the vegetation should gradually recolonise and this would allow L. macilenta to expand. For the moment, it is assessed as Vulnerable (VU) B2ab(iii).

Geographic Range:

This species is endemic to the Madeiran islands; it is found only at three locations on the island of Deserta Grande, two near the north end and one close to Doca on the west coast. It also occurs at three closely adjacent sites at the south end of Bugio (Seddon 2008, Cameron and Cook 1999).

Population:

There is insufficient data to assess population trends.

Habitat and Ecology

This species occurs in crevices and hollows on rocky slopes and cliffs (Cameron and Cook 1999).

Major Threat(s):

There was past decline of habitats due to goats on islands, which will have impacted this species. The goats have recently been removed (programme over the last 10 years), and as such the vegetation is being restored, hence the species should benefit from these actions. Introduced rabbits are also impacting the species.

Conservation Actions

The goats have recently been removed (programme over the last 10 years), and as such the vegetation is being restored, hence the species should benefit from these actions. Habitat monitoring will be required to get future population trend data.