Assessment Rationale:

This species is assessed as Vulnerable (VU) B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii), as it has a restricted range, with an extent of occurrence of under 840 km² and an area of occupancy of 80 km². However, it is known at 10 locations and its habitat quality is declining, especially given the fires last August in the region of central Madeira, part of the species range. This species needs to be reviewed on a regular basis as the habitat may be susceptible to decline in quality with changing rainfall patterns, as the semi-slug species require high humidity in terms of their microclimate.

Geographic Range:

This species is endemic to the Madeiran islands, where it is mainly found in central Madeira at intermediate to high elevations, but with some records on the northwestern coast where the ravines with forest extend down to the coast.

Population:

The species was described in the 1980's, unlike the other species, and was overlooked in earlier recording. the population trends are unknown.

Habitat and Ecology

This species is found on vegetation and around rock crags in shaded and unshaded areas, mainly at intermediate elevations, although found in forested ravines near coast. It is often associated with wet habitats on crags.

Major Threat(s):

The major threats to this species lie in changes to the habitat, reducing the humidity of the habitats (loss of water due to extraction or reduction in rainfall frequency) and loss of the forested, shaded habitats due to road/path construction, forest fires or impacting the species directly possibly an increase in predators.

Conservation Actions

Habitat monitoring would benefit this species, as it is close to meeting the threatened species criteria, and as a semi-slug species it is more vulnerable to changes in microc-climate, especially humidity. The species is found in Natura 2000 and UNESCO sites for "Laurisilva of Madeira', a Special Protected Area in the interior of Madeira.