Countries of Occurrence:
Portugal - Azores
Archipelago(s):
Azores
Assessor/s:
Paulo A.V. Borges
Rui Miguel Ricardo Nunes
Reviewer/s:
Danielczak, A.
Contributor/s:
Facilitators / Compilers/s:
Dolichopus simillimus is an endemic species of the Azores (Portugal), being present, at least historically, at a single site in Pico island. From the historical data, this species would have a very small Extent of Occurrence (8 km2) and Area of Occupancy (8 km2), and it is possible that this species has declined in the past as a result of human activity. The present situation of this species needs to be further assessed, and further research is needed into its population, distribution, threats, ecology and life history. Conservation of native wet and boggy areas and natural streams and other water bodies could potentially aid this species conservation. Based upon the lack of data regarding this species population, distribution, threats and ecology, this species is assessed as Data Deficient (DD).
Dolichopus simillimus is an endemic species of the Azores (Portugal) and was described from specimens collected in 1929 at a single site on Pico island. Based on the old historical data, the Extent of Occurrence (EOO) would be ca. 8 km² and the Area of Occupancy (AOO) would be ca. 8 km². However, there is no recent information regarding the distribution of this species.
No current population size estimates exist for this species.
Current Population Trend: Unknown
The ecology and traits of this species are unknown. Adults and most larvae of other species of Dolichopodidae are predators, feeding on other arthropods, with the adults of some species being notable predators of Culicidae (McAlpine et al. 1987). The larvae occupy a wide range of habitats, living generally in moist environments such as soil, moist sand, or rotting organic matter. The larvae pupate in cocoons made of cemented soil particles. Dolichopodidae, in general, inhabit lightly shaded areas near swamps and streams, or in meadows and woodlands (McAlpine et al. 1987). This species was collected in a area that is currently pasture and that in 1929 was also likely used for agricultural or cattle raising activities.
Systems: Terrestrial
A lack of information regarding the present status of this species precludes an assessment of potential threats. Nevertheless, the ecology of other members of the Dolichopodidae family suggests that this species might be affected by future habitat declines as a consequence of climate change (Ferreira et al. 2016) and increased droughts. Given the area where it was collected, past and present human disturbance and land use changes might have also affected this species.
The species is not protected by regional law. The present situation of this species needs to be further assessed, and further research is needed into its population, distribution, threats, ecology and life history. From what is known of habitat preferences of its family, conservation of native wet and boggy areas, natural streams and other water bodies could potentially aid this species conservation.