IUCN SSC Mid-Atlantic Island Invertebrates Specialist Group

Species

Back • Purpuraria erna Enderlein, 1929

Purpuraria erna Enderlein, 1929

Purpurarian Stone Grasshopper, Purpurarian Stick Grasshopper

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • Order: Coleoptera
  • 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. & López, H.

Reviewer/s:
Odé, B. & García, M.

Contributor/s:
Jakobs, D.

Facilitators / Compilers/s:

Assessment Rationale:

The Purpurarian Stone Grasshopper is endemic to Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and Isla de los Lobos. Due to its small area of occupancy (AOO) of 60 km² and extent of occurrence (EOO) of c. 2,500 km², the severe fragmentation of its population and the continuing decline in the extent and quality of habitat and number of mature individuals, it is assessed as Endangered (EN). The main threats to this species are agriculture (overgrazing), rural development and tourism.

Geographic Range:

The Purpurarian Stone Grasshopper occurs on Fuerteventura, Isla de los Lobos, and parts of Lanzarote (López et al. 2013). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is c. 2,500 km² and its area of occupancy (AOO) is 60 km².

Regions:
Spain - Canaries
Extent of Occurrence (EOO):
2500 (km2)
Area of Occupancy (AOO):
60 (km2)
Elevation Lower Limit:
0 (m)
Elevation Upper Limit:
600 (m)
Biogeographic Realms:
Paleartic
Presence:
Extant
Origin:
Endemic Canaries
Seasonality:
Resident

Population:

The subpopulations of this flightless species are very small and isolated, and may go extinct with a reduced probability of recolonization. The population is therefore considered severely fragmented. A continuing decline in the extent and quality of habitat and number of mature individuals is inferred from the ongoing threats as a result of rural and touristic development.

Habitat and Ecology

Purpuraria erna only occurs in Euphorbia bushes. Its altitudinal range is 0 - 600 m.

Major Threat(s):

The species feeds exclusively on Euphorbia scrubs which are threatened mainly by rural development, but also by goat grazing and urban and touristic development. It may also be affected by volcanism.

Conservation Actions

There are no specific conservation actions in place for this species, but it occurs in several protected areas. Research on its population size and trend is needed as well as a monitoring program for its habitat. A thorough habitat management is recommended for this species.