MAIISG

Assessment Rationale:

This species is restricted to two locations, Pico do Conchelo on Porto Santo and Ilheu de Fora, with an area of occupancy of under 12 km².  At both sites it is vulnerable to predation by introduced rodents, as well as changes in grassland management and burning.  On the mainland threats of disturbance from tourism developments have been reported (Craze, pers. comm., 2006), however this area is now partly protected which will minimise further impacts.
Seddon (2008) proposed the species should be assessed as Endangered B2ab(iii), an assessment confirmed by the evaluators, with comments that each subspecies (subpopulation) merits an assessment as Critically Endangered, and that the decline in mature individuals, provides a revised assessment as Endangered B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v).

Geographic Range:

This species is endemic to the Madeiran archipelago; it is restricted to the eastern part of the island of Porto Santo where it is found in two locations, one on an off-shore islet (Fora) and one on the mainland on Pico do Concelho (Seddon 2008, p. 83).  Each subpopulation is considered to be a separate subspecies by Mandhal-Barth (1950).

Population:

The species is not common in the area on Pico do Concelho. It is is quite small, and other species of Leptaxis (L. nivosa), tend to be more dominant.

Habitat and Ecology

This species is found in open grassland under rocks and in rocky areas on the eastern summit of Pico do Concelho.

Major Threat(s):

This species is vulnerable to predation by introduced rodents and changes in grassland management and burning.

Conservation Actions

Habitat monitoring for impact of grassland management changes, recreational activity or fires on the species habitat and possible impact of predators (rodents) on this species are recommended.