MAIISG

Assessment Rationale:

This species is assessed as Least Concern (LC). It has a restricted range, however it is known from at least 11 localities within this area, hence does not meet the requirements for Vulnerable B2, but it should be reviewed on a regular basis as the habitat may be susceptible to decline in quality with changing rainfall patterns, as the species require high humidity in the forests.

Geographic Range:

This species is endemic to the Madeiran islands, where it is found on the main island of Madeira only, mainly in the intermediate zones in central Madeira (Seddon 2008).

Population:

The population is thought to be stable.

Habitat and Ecology

This is one of the larger of the Madeiran Plutonia. The species is very variable in colour, but usually varies from pinky-brown with dark blotches to orange- brown, but is well camouflaged on the ground on leaves, mosses and trunks of trees, in Laurisilva forests.

Major Threat(s):

The habitat quality is not declining at present throughout these regions, although localised decline are due to changing forest type, outside the protected areas.

Conservation Actions

There are no conservation actions for this species. Proposed conservation actions would include further surveys to determine whether the species is till stable, and a habitat management plan will be required for the areas under fire damage which includes this species as the species still has a restricted range. Habitat monitoring would benefit this species, as it is close to meeting the threatened species criteria, and as a semi-slug species it is more vulnerable to changes in microc-climate, especially humidity.  The species is found in Natura 2000 and UNESCO sites for "Laurisilva of Madeira', a Special Protected Area in the interior of Madeira.