MAIISG

Assessment Rationale:

This species is known from ten locations, four and three of which respectively form two loose clusters in the interior of the island; the three remaining locations are more peripheral and separated from the clusters by a minimum of two kilometres. This species has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 48 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 24 km². While not meeting the criteria for severely fragmented, the number of locations and decline in habitat quality qualify the species for Vulnerable status

Geographic Range:

ndemic to the island of St Helena, in the South Atlantic Ocean, with all records from the ‘Green Heartland’ area of the island; the distribution data available indicate that it is present across quite a wide area but at fairly scattered sites

Population:

Of the ten locations that the species has been found in, six are in areas with endemic vegetation (Clark and Benoit 1977; Mendel, Ashmole and Ashmole 2008). The quality of habitat has been declining across these sites and there is increasing pressure from invasive non-native predatory species such as the spider Latrodectus tredecimguttatus (Rossi, 1790). It is therefore inferred that a decline in habitat quality will probably lead to a decline in the population of this species

Habitat and Ecology

This species appears to prefer intermediate elevations, being nearly absent from the very highest portions of the island but with all records from within the 'Green Heartland' area. It appears to be able to survive in both native and non-native habitat; however its precise habitat requirements are unknown

Major Threat(s):

There is increasing pressure from invasive non-native predatory species including ants and other spider species

Conservation Actions

Research should be undertaken to identify the precise habitat requirements of this species; any research and monitoring of it would be of value