Assessment Rationale:

Lasaeola oceanica is a spider species occurring on all the nine islands of the Azorean archipelago (Azores, Portugal) (Borges et al. 2010). It has a large Extent of Occurrence (EOO = 43,454-44,172 km²) and a relatively large Area of Occupancy (AOO = 244-1,356 km²). The species is abundant in both endemic (e.g. Juniperus brevifolia, Ilex perado subsp. azorica) and exotic plants (Cryptomeria japonica and Pittosporum undulatum). The species is particularly abundant from low to mid elevations. Based upon the large Extent of Occurrence, the good adaptation to human modified habitats, and few threats, the species is assessed as Least Concern (LC). 

Geographic Range:

Lasaeola oceanica is a spider species occurring in all nine islands of the Azorean archipelago (Azores, Portugal) (Borges et al. 2010). Within these nine islands it is known from eighteen Natural Forest Reserves: Caldeiras Funda e Rasa and Morro Alto e Pico da Se (Natural Park of Flores); Caldeira do Faial and Cabeco do Fogo (Natural Park of Faial); Misterio da Prainha, Caveiro and Caiado (Natural Park of Pico); Pico Pinheiro and Topo (Natural Park of S. Jorge); Biscoito da Ferraria, Pico Galhardo, Caldeira Guilherme Moniz, Caldeira Sta. Barbara e Misterios Negros and Terra Brava (Natural Park of Terceira); Atalhada, Graminhais and Pico da Vara (Natural Park of S. Miguel) and Pico Alto (Natural Park of S. Maria). The Extent of Occurrence (EOO) is 43,454-44,172 km2 and the Area of Occupancy (AOO) is 244- 1,356 km2.

Population:

Lasaeola oceanica is a widespread and highly abundant species (Borges and Wunderlich 2008). The species has a stable population and occurs on all nine islands of the Azores, mostly associated with the canopy of endemic and exotic trees. We assume no threats for the species since the species is able to occur even in disturbed habitats.

Current Population Trend: Stable 

Habitat and Ecology

Lasaeola oceanica is a canopy species occurring in many trees and shrubs both endemic and exotic (Borges and Wunderlich 2008, Borges et al. 2008). The species is more abundant in the following plants: Juniperus brevifolia, Ilex perado subsp. azorica (both Azorean endemics) and in Cryptomeria japonica and Pittosporum undulatum (both exotics). The species is particularly abundant from low to mid elevations.

Systems: Terrestrial 

Major Threat(s):

) In the past, the species has probably strongly declined due to changes in habitat size and quality (Triantis et al. 2010). Despite major ongoing changes in many of the habitats in which the species occurs, the subpopulations now seem to be stable with no known current threats. However, based on Ferreira et al. (2016) the habitat will further decline as a consequence of climate change (increasing number of droughts, and habitat shifting and alteration). 

Conservation Actions

The species is not protected by regional law, although its habitat is in regionally protected areas (Natural Parks of all nine Azorean islands). A strategy needs to be developed to address the future threat by climate change. Further research is needed into its ecology and life history to obtain adequate information on population size, distribution and trends. It is also necessary to develop a monitoring plan for the wider invertebrate community in its habitat in order to contribute to a potential future species recovery plan, if needed. A monitoring every ten years using the BALA protocol will inform about habitat quality (see e.g. Gaspar et al. 2011).