MAIISG

Assessment Rationale:

Scaptomyza impunctata is an endemic species of the Azores (Portugal), known from Flores, Faial, Pico, S. Jorge, Terceira and S. Miguel islands. This species has been found in areas of native forest and vegetation, including sites that are currently highly degraded. From the historical data, this species potentially has a relatively large Extent of Occurrence (21,482 km2), but a small Area of Occupancy (284 km2); and it is possible that this species has declined in the past as a result of human activity. Some species of this genus are leaf and seed miners and are considered agricultural pests. 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/restoration of native forests, as well as invasive species control could potentially aid this species' conservation, as well as information about its host plants. 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:

Scaptomyza impunctata is an Azorean-endemic species described from the islands of Flores, Faial, Pico, S. Jorge, Terceira and S. Miguel (Azores, Portugal) (Borges et al. 2010). It is known from a wide variety of sites and habitats. Based on the historical data (Frey 1945), the Extent of Occurrence (EOO) could be ca 21,482 km² and the Area of Occupancy (AOO) could be ca 284 km². However, there is no recent information regarding the distribution of this species.

Population:

No current population size estimates exist for this species.

Habitat and Ecology

The ecology and traits of this species are unknown. Drosophilidae are quite diverse in terms of habitats and feeding habits. Many species are host specific or have a strong preference to a given plant family, while others also use secondary hosts and incidental hosts (Magnacca et al. 2008). Most larvae feed on rotting fruit or flowers or other decaying substrates, while other species (including species from the genus Scaptomyza) are leaf and seed miners, being in some cases agricultural pests (Martin 2012).

Major Threat(s):

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 Drosophilidae family suggests that this species might be affected by future habitat declines as a consequence of climate change (Ferreira et al. 2016). A lack of information regarding host plant preferences also hinders the assessment of potential threats, but it can be assumed that habitat degradation caused by human activities or by invasive species can potentially affect this species. Past human disturbance and land use changes 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 native forests, as well as invasive species control could potentially aid this species' conservation.