Assessment Rationale:

This species is endemic to La Gomera, where there are threats from building construction and tourism (path construction, picnic sites and similar types of activity). In contrast to earlier assessments, where this species was assessed as Vulnerable under Criterion D2 (on the Spanish national list), additional sites have been recorded so this criterion no longer applies. However, owing to the small extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO), the limited number of localities, and the fact that continuing declines are inferred as a result of a variety of threats, the species qualifies as Vulnerable (VU) B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii).

Geographic Range:

This species is endemic to the Canary islands where it is found on the northern part of La Gomera. It is recorded from seven locations and 16 sites.

Population:

Probably declining as the sites are threatened by hotel development.

Habitat and Ecology

This species occurs in open rocky areas covered by lowland vegetation and pine forest. These habitats are probably declining as the sites were threatened by building construction and tourism (path construction, picnic sites and similar types of activity).

Major Threat(s):

Alonso et al. (1995) reported that the sites were threatened by building construction and tourism (path construction, picnic sites and similar types of activity).

Conservation Actions

Gomez (2001) proposed that the sites should be protected.  This species is included as Vulnerable D2 on the Red List of Spain (Verdu & Galante, 2006). At present no conservation actions are known for this species, however protection of the habitat, restoration of the habitats and long-term monitoring are recommended. Meanwhile, additional sites have been recorded thus potentially changing the conservation status of this species (Alonso et al. 2006).