Species
Back • Leiostyla tesselata (Morelet, 1860)
Back • Leiostyla tesselata (Morelet, 1860)
Countries of Occurrence:
Portugal - Azores
Archipelago(s):
Azores
Assessor/s:
Frias Martins, A.
Reviewer/s:
Neubert, E. & Cuttelod, A.
Contributor/s:
Facilitators / Compilers/s:
This species is only found on one island in the Azores (Extent of occurrence = 97 km²), where it is uncommon. There is a general trend on Santa Maria island of populations of endemic species declining, however the reason for this decline is unknown. The population trend of, and potential threats to Leiostyla tesselata are unknown and more research is needed, therefore it is considered to be Data Deficient (DD).
This species is only found on the island of Santa Maria in the Azores. Morelet (1860: 206) stated that it is found on the interior mountains of Santa Maria; it is found on the Pico Alto complex, but also on the eastern end of the island (Backhuys 1975; Martins et al. 1991).
The population trend is unknown.
Leiostyla tesselata lives in forested habitats, endemic and secondary.
This species is uncommon; but because it has adapted to secondary forests, no man-made threats are foreseen. However, a general trend has been noticed in Santa Maria, whereas endemic species are now absent from sites otherwise rich fifteen years ago. This trend is being investigated to ascertain its origin as it is a threat to the rich endemic fauna of this small island.
Research is needed on the population trend of Leiostyla tesselata and the potential threats it is facing.