Assessment Rationale:

This species is endemic to Santa Maria Island in the Azores Archipelago in Portugal, where it is distributed throughout the mountainous region of the island,with an extent of occurrence and area of occupancy of 40 km2. Although not common, it was the most abundantly collected snail at some localities. In addition, the species can be found in both primary and secondary forest. Although both the EOO and AOO are restricted, the species is assessed as Least Concern (LC), although habitat and population monitoring is recommended. 

Geographic Range:

This recently-described species is endemic to Santa Maria Island in the Azores Archipelago in Portugal, where it is distributed throughout the mountainous region of the island. Although not common, it was most abundantly collected at the type locality, near Santa Barbara, and also on the northern and western slopes of Pico Alto (De Frias Martins et al. 2013).

Population:

This species was most abundantly collected snail at the type locality and also on the northern and western slopes of Pico Alto (De Frias Martins et al. 2013).

Current Population Trend: Unknown 

Habitat and Ecology

This species is found in shady, moist environments of primary forests and secondary forests of Pittosporum, Acacia or Cryptomeria with undergrowth of Tradescantia, preferentially gathering under piles of rocks, fallen logs and dead leaves of Hedychium (De Frias Martins et al. 2013).

Systems: Terrestrial 

Major Threat(s):

Whilst forest cover underwent historical declines on the island, these declines have now generally ceased. 

Conservation Actions

The species probably occurs within protected areas on the island, such as the Barreiro da Faneca Protected Landscape or the Pico Alto protected area (IUCN and UNEP-WCMC 2017). There is growing awareness among Azoreans (individuals and government) of the necessity for maintaining forests, although most of the forests are of secondary origin (and these snails have adapted well to them). Even private owners need permits to cut down trees, and usually they have to submit a recovery plan for the area before cuttings are authorized.