Assessment Rationale:

This species is only known from a single site, on an offshore islet of Porto Santo. This species was previously assessed as Vulnerable D2, but has been downgraded to Near Threatened, as the location now lies in a protected area, where the habitats are only disturbed by occasional visitors.  The most likely threat would be quarrying, however, as this is an offshore islet, this seems a remote threat. Conservation actions should include habitat monitoring for this species, and the other endemics on Ilhéu de Baixo.

Geographic Range:

This species is endemic to Porto Santo; it is only known from the Ilhéu de Baixo.

Population:

The population trend is uncertain, but is thought to be stable, as the islet has few visitors.

Habitat and Ecology

This species is reported from crevices of exposed rocks in the spray zone on the coastal cliffs on the island (Wollaston 1878).

Major Threat(s):

The most likely threat would be quarrying, however, as this is an offshore islet, which is protected this seems a remote threat. Other threats probably includes increased frequency/intensity of fire given recent events on Madeira.

Conservation Actions

The main conservation measure is to continue the protection of the site, as this status has seen habitats protected from possible threats such as quarrying. Habitat monitoring for indication of population trends is also recommended.