Species

BackSphingonotus willemsei Mistshenko, 1937

Sphingonotus willemsei Mistshenko, 1937

Cañadas Sand Grasshopper

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • Order: Coleoptera
  • Family: Acrididae
LC Least Concern
IUCN Red List Status:

Countries of Occurrence:
Spain - Canaries

Archipelago(s):
Canaries

Assessor/s:
Hochkirch, A.

Reviewer/s:
Odé, B. & García, M.

Contributor/s:
Jakobs, D. & Kranz, M.

Facilitators / Compilers/s:


Assessment Rationale:

The Cañadas Sand Grasshopper is endemic to the subalpine deserts of Tenerife, where it is assumed to be stable. The habitat is strongly protected and only natural geological events may threaten this species. Therefore, it is assessed as Least Concern (LC).

Geographic Range:

The Cañadas Sand Grasshopper is endemic to the Cañadas on Tenerife (Gangwere et al. 1972, Bland et al. 1996, Hochkirch and Husemann 2008). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is c. 250 km², and its known area of occupancy (AOO) is 84 km², with a maximum estimate of 200 km².

Regions:
Spain - Canaries
Extent of Occurrence (EOO):
250 (km2)
Area of Occupancy (AOO):
84-200 (km2)
Elevation Lower Limit:
1900 (m)
Elevation Upper Limit:
3000 (m)
Biogeographic Realms:
Paleartic
Presence:
Extant
Origin:
Endemic Canaries
Seasonality:
Resident

Population:

There is no information available on the population size and trend of the species, but it is assumed to have a stable population size as its habitat is little affected by humans.

Habitat and Ecology

This species occurs only in the sub-alpine deserts of the Cañadas, where it inhabits areas with little or no vegetation. Its altitudinal range is 1,900 - 3,000 m.

Major Threat(s):

Although this species has a very small range, its habitat is nearly completely preserved. It only may be affected by volcanic activities.

Conservation Actions

Large parts of the population are found in the Parque Nacional El Teide protected area. More information on its population trend and ecology is needed.