IUCN SSC Mid-Atlantic Island Invertebrates Specialist Group

Species

Back • Acrostira tamarani Baez, 1984

Acrostira tamarani Baez, 1984

Gran Canaria Stick Grasshopper

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • Order: Orthoptera
  • Family: Pamphagidae
EN Endangered
IUCN Red List Status:
  • EX
  • EW
  • CR
  • EN
  • VU
  • NT
  • LC
  • DD
  • NE

Countries of Occurrence:
Spain - Canaries

Archipelago(s):
Canaries

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Assessor/s:
Hochkirch, A.

Reviewer/s:
Odé, B. & García, M.

Contributor/s:
Jakobs, D. & Kranz, M.

Facilitators / Compilers/s:

Assessment Rationale:

The Gran Canaria Stick Grasshopper (Acrostira tamarani) is endemic to Gran Canaria and has a small extent of occurrence (832 km²) and area of occupancy (44 - 200 km²). The number of locations is five, based on the most important threat which is wildfires, and there is a continuing decline in the extent and quality of the habitat, number of subpopulations and the number of individuals. The species is therefore assessed as Endangered.

Geographic Range:

The Gran Canaria Stick Grasshopper is endemic to Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain) (López et al. 2007). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 832 km² and its area of occupancy (AOO) based on the known records is 44 km², with a maximum estimate of 200 km².

Regions:
Spain - Canaries
Extent of Occurrence (EOO):
832 (km2)
Area of Occupancy (AOO):
44 (km2)
Elevation Lower Limit:
(m)
Elevation Upper Limit:
(m)
Biogeographic Realms:
Palearctic
Presence:
Extant
Origin:
Endemic Canaries
Seasonality:
Resident

Population:

Similar to other Acrostira species, the Gran Canaria Stick Grasshopper occurs in low densities. The species is flightless and thus not able to rapidly recolonise areas. Subpopulations may go extinct with a reduced probability of recolonization, and the population is therefore considered severely fragmented. A continuing decline in the number of mature individuals is inferred from the increasing frequencies of wildfires, and there is also a continuing decline in the extent and quality of the habitat and the number of subpopulations.

Habitat and Ecology

Acrostira tamarani occurs in Euphorbia shrubland and forest.

Major Threat(s):

The main threat to this species is the increasing frequency of wildfires. The number of locations on the basis of this threat is five. The species may also be affected by landslides.

Conservation Actions

There are no specific conservation actions in place for this species, but it occurs in protected areas throughout its range. More research on its population trends is needed as well as research on the effects of the increasing wildfire frequencies on the population of this species. A proper fire management needs to be developed to avoid any future declines.