Assessment Rationale:

The area from where L. minor has been recorded is small (extent of occurrence = 97 km²); although there is continuous forest, it is mostly secondary forest used for resources, which is liable to be cut down in the future. On the lower half of Pico Alto cattle affect the forest habitat through grazing and trampling, and may exclude the species from lower altitudes, further restricting its habitat. Therefore it has been assessed as Endangered (EN B1ab(iii)).

Geographic Range:

This species is found on o the Pico Alto complex on Santa Maria island, Azores.

Population:

This species is restricted to the Pico Alto complex on Santa Maria island, where it is not commonly found; although it is more frequent at higher altitudes.

Habitat and Ecology

Leptaxis minor lives on the native vegetation at the top of Pico Alto, as well as in the secondary forests of Cryptomeria, Pittosporum and Accacia that cover most of the mountainous complex.

Major Threat(s):

Leptaxis minor is relatively uncommon and highly restricted, but it has adapted to secondary forests where there is a thick undergrowth of Hedychium. However the secondary forest is liable to be cut down, and on the lower half of Pico Alto, there is cattle that is let to enter the forest of Pittosporum, thus destroying the habitat by grazing and trampling, excluding L. minor from lower altitudes, further restricting its habitat.

Conservation Actions

Pico Alto is a protected area; however careful monitoring to avoid destruction of the habitat should be a priority.