Countries of Occurrence:
Portugal - Madeira
Archipelago(s):
Madeira
Assessor/s:
Seddon, M.B.
Reviewer/s:
Cameron, R., Groh, K., Cuttelod, A. & Neubert, E.
Contributor/s:
Facilitators / Compilers/s:
Seddon (2008) considered the species as Near Threatened (Version 3.1) as although the species is reasonably abundant within the limited range, the restricted range combined with declining quality of habitat on the mainland (changing agricultural practices and hotel developments), suggested the species may meet criteria for Vulnerable B2b(iii). However, during evaluation, the presence of 4 populations on different offshore islets, which all lie in protected areas with the only threat being predation by rats and mice, suggested that the species should be placed into the Least Concern status.
This species is endemic to the Madeiran islands, where it is restricted to Porto Santo and the adjacent islets of Ilhéu de Cima and Ilhéu de Baixo. It is known from about 17 sites in 9 different locations, including 4 of the adjacent islets, and hence it widespread, but localised on these islets (Seddon 2008). It was more widespread on Porto Santo, based on the subfossil evidence (Cameron et al. 2006).
The species is not collected in abundance, but is a large helicid gastropod, which is vulnerable to predation.
This species is found on the underside of stones on grassy slopes; amongst scree and amongst leaf-litter at base of crags (Seddon 2008).
The species is a large helicid gastropod, which is vulnerable to predation by rodents, which have been present on the islands for many years.
The population of the offshore islets all lie in protected areas, and hence are safe from habitat degradation due to tourism developments. Conservation actions required for this species include rodent control programmes, as the species is vulnerable to predation. Research actions include population monitoring and habitat monitoring, especially for the mainland populations.