Assessment Rationale:

Seddon (2008) suggests a listing of Least Concern (version 3.1). Although the geographical range is restricted, the widespread nature of records in northern Madeira suggests that the species will only become vulnerable to extinction if a disease becomes established in the populations or there is a dramatic change in habitat quality.

Geographic Range:

This species is endemic to Madeira, and has not been recorded from Porto Santo or Desertas (Seddon 2008). Wollaston (1878) suggested that Paiva's record from an islet off Porto Santo was probably erroneous. A record from the Azores is erroneous (Backhuys 1975). On Madeira, it is mainly found in the central valleys and along the northern coasts of the island, from intermediate altitudes down to the coast (Seddon 2008).

Population:

This species is not abundant at sites (Seddon 2008).

Habitat and Ecology

This species is found in damp shady gullies and ravines in intermediate and higher elevations, usually in woodland.

Major Threat(s):

There are localised threats to the species, from habitat loss related to increased tourism development and road construction. However, the species is not believed to be threatened over its whole range.

Conservation Actions

Although often uncommon at a site, the species is widely distributed and hence general conservation actions to maintain habitat will be beneficial to this species.