MAIISG

Assessment Rationale:

The species is widely distributed and hence is not viewed as threatened, so it has been assessed as Least Concern (LC). Research to establish the status of the population on the Desertas would be useful to determine whether these subspecies merit full standing as distinct species.
Leptaxis groviana leonina Lowe, 1852 Cameron and Cook (1999) confirm that this taxon is still widespread on Bugio and treated it as a separate taxon. The populations on Bugio are range restricted and merit Vulnerable D2 (version 3.1), given changing habitats. 
Leptaxis groviana vulcania Lowe, 1852 Cameron and Cook (1999) confirm that this taxon is still widespread on Deserta Grande and Chão and treated it as a separate taxon. The populations from Deserta Grande are also range restricted and in an area of habitat decline after grazing (Cameron and Cook 1999) and as such merit Vulnerable D2 (version 3.1).

Geographic Range:

The species is found on Madeira and the Desertas (Seddon 2008). On Madeira, it is mainly found on the south and south-east coastal habitats and occasionally inland in valleys, and isolated locations on the north and western coasts, where it is often found in disturbed habitats (Seddon 2008, map 115, p.175).
There are two subspecies recognised from the Desertas, that merit further investigation:
Leptaxis groviana leonina Lowe, 1852 Cameron and Cook (1999) confirm that this taxon is still widespread on Bugio.
Leptaxis groviana vulcania Lowe, 185 Cameron and Cook (1999) confirm that this taxon is still widespread on Deserta Grande and Chão.

Population:

The species can be common where there are suitable habitats, and appears to be stable.

Habitat and Ecology

This species is widespread; it is found on the underside of stones and amongst grasses in shaded and unshaded areas (Seddon 2008) and is tolerant of disturbance, as it is found in gardens and arable land. 

Major Threat(s):

There are localised threats to the species, from habitat loss related to increased tourism development and road construction it is not believed to be threatened over the range.

Conservation Actions

The species is widely distributed and hence general conservation actions to maintain habitat will be beneficial to this species. Research to establish the status of the population on the Desertas would be useful to determine whether these merit full standing as distinct species.