Species

BackMniophilosoma obscurum Gillerfors, 1986

Mniophilosoma obscurum Gillerfors, 1986

Leaf-beetle (English); Escaravelho do musgão (Portuguese)

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • Order: Coleoptera
  • Family: Chrysomelidae
CR Critically Endangered
IUCN Red List Status:

Countries of Occurrence:
Portugal - Azores

Archipelago(s):
Azores

Reviewer/s:
Danielczak, A.

Contributor/s:

Facilitators / Compilers/s:


Assessment Rationale:

Mniophilosoma obscurum is an endemic species from Flores (Azores, Portugal). It has a very small extent of occurrence (EOO = 13 km²) and area of occupancy (AOO = 4 km²). The species is rare and only known from a single subpopulation in Flores island. The surrounding area is protected and it is well preserved. In the past, the species has probably strongly declined due to changes in habitat size and quality. Currently invasive plants Hydrangea macrophylla and Hedychium gardnerianum are changing some of the areas and decreasing the quality of the habitat. Based on Ferreira et al. (2016) the habitat will further decline as a consequence of climate change (increasing number of droughts). Therefore, we suggest as future measures of conservation: (1) regular monitoring of the species; and (2) control of invasive species namely Hedychium gardnerianum. Based upon the small geographic range of the species and continuing decline of its habitat area and quality, it is assessed as Critically Endangered.

Geographic Range:

Mniophilosoma obscurum is a single island endemic species restricted to Flores (Azores, Portugal) (Borges et al. 2010), known from Natural Forest Reserve of Morro Alto e Pico da S?. The extent of occurrence (EOO) is 13 km² and the maximum estimated area of occupancy (AOO) is 4 km².

Regions:
Portugal - Azores
Extent of Occurrence (EOO):
13 (km2)
Area of Occupancy (AOO):
4 (km2)
Elevation Lower Limit:
560 (m)
Elevation Upper Limit:
880 (m)
Biogeographic Realms:
Palearctic
Presence:
Extant
Origin:
Endemic Azores
Seasonality:
Resident

Population:

The species is rare and only known from a single subpopulation in Flores island. The surrounding area is protected and it is well preserved with a high Index of Biotic Integrity (Gaspar et al. 2011).  However, part of the area of occupancy is starting to be impacted by invasive plants (Hydrangea macrophylla and Hedychium gardnerianum) that are disrupting the quality of forest ground with potential decline in the number of individuals..

Habitat and Ecology

This species occurs in a small fragment of native forest in Flores island (Azores), dominated by Juniperus brevifoliaCalluna spp. shrubs and Sphagnum spp. moss (Gillerfors 1986), with an altitudinal range between 560 and 880 m. Adults and larvae are herbivores and feed on all sorts of plant tissue.

Major Threat(s):

In the past, the species has probably strongly declined due to changes in habitat size and quality (Triantis et al. 2010, Terzopoulou et al. 2015). Currently invasive plants Hydrangea macrophylla and Hedychium gardnerianum are changing some of the areas and decreasing the quality of the habitat. Based on Ferreira et al. (2016) the habitat will further decline as a consequence of climate change (increasing number of droughts and  habitat shifting & alteration).

Conservation Actions

The species is not protected by regional law. Its habitat is in a regionally protected area (Natural Park of Flores). Degraded habitats should be restored and a strategy needs to be developed to address the future threat by climate change. It is necessary a monitoring plan for the invertebrate community in the habitat in order to contribute to the conservation of this species. A habitat management plan is needed and anticipated to be developed during the coming years. Formal education and awareness is needed to allow future investments in restored habitats invaded by invasive plants. Further research is needed into its ecology and life history in order to obtain information on population size, distribution and trends. A monitoring every ten years using the BALA protocol will inform about population trends and habitat quality (see e.g. Gaspar et al. 2011).