MAIISG

Assessment Rationale:

Aphrosylus argyreatus is an endemic species of the Azores (Portugal), being present on Corvo, Flores, Faial, Terceira and S. Miguel islands. This species was considered common and widespread through the coastal areas of the aforementioned islands (Frey 1945). From the historical data, this species could have a relatively large Extent of Occurrence (20,740 km2) but a small Area of Occupancy (84 km2), although these are most likely underestimated. It is possible that this species has declined in the past as a result of human activity, but 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 coastal areas could potentially aid this species' conservation. Even though there is a paucity of recent data regarding this species' population, distribution, threats and ecology, this species is unlikely to warrant listing as threatened under any criterion, and so it is listed as Least Concern.

Geographic Range:

Aphrosylus argyreatus is an Azorean-endemic species that was described from the coastal areas of the islands of Corvo, Flores, Faial, Terceira and S. Miguel (Azores, Portugal) (Borges et al. 2010). Based on the old historical data (Frey 1945), the Extent of Occurrence (EOO) could be ca. 20,740 km² and the Area of Occupancy (AOO) could be ca. 84 km². However, there is no recent information regarding the distribution of this species. 

Population:

No current population size estimates exist. Nevertheless, from the species' description (Frey 1945) based on samples collected in 1938, this species was considered common and widespread through the coastal areas of the Azores archipelago. Current Population Trend: Unknown. 

Habitat and Ecology

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. Many flies of the subfamily Hydrophorinae live in the intertidal zone of seashores and accordingly, Aphrosylus argyreatus was collected on the seashore and inter-tidal areas of several Azorean islands, being considered very common and widespread (Frey 1945). Systems: Terrestrial.

Major Threat(s):

A lack of information regarding the present status of this species, precludes an assessment of potential threats. Nevertheless, the apparent habitat preferences of this species suggests that it might be affected by future habitat declines as a consequence of climate change (Ferreira et al. 2016) and human disturbance of the seashore. Past human disturbance of the seashore might have also affected this species. 

Conservation Actions

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 its habitat preferences, conservation of natural seashore areas could potentially aid this species' conservation.