IUCN SSC Mid-Atlantic Island Invertebrates Specialist Group

Species

Back • Sphingonotus picteti (Krauss, 1892)

Sphingonotus picteti (Krauss, 1892)

Tenerife Sand Grasshopper

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • Order: Coleoptera
  • Family: Acrididae
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.

Facilitators / Compilers/s:

Assessment Rationale:

The Tenerife Sand Grasshopper occurs only in the coastal areas of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain). The extent of occurrence (EOO) is small (c. 2,500 km²) and the area of occupancy (AOO) has a maximum estimate of 400 km². There is a continuing decline in the area of occupancy (AOO), extent of habitat, number of subpopulations and number of mature individuals. The population is severely fragmented. The species is therefore assessed as Endangered (EN). The most important threat is the touristic and industrial development in southern Tenerife.

Geographic Range:

The Tenerife Sand Grasshopper is endemic to the southern and western coastal area of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) (Gangwere et al. 1972, Bland et al. 1996, Hochkirch and Husemann 2008). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is c. 2,500 km², and its area of occupancy (AOO) based on the known records is 140 km², with a maximum estimate of 400 km².

Regions:
Spain - Canaries
Extent of Occurrence (EOO):
2500 (km2)
Area of Occupancy (AOO):
140-400 (km2)
Elevation Lower Limit:
0 (m)
Elevation Upper Limit:
1075 (m)
Biogeographic Realms:
Paleartic
Presence:
Extant
Origin:
Endemic Canaries
Seasonality:
Resident

Population:

The subpopulations of this species are usually small and isolated. As it is not a good flyer, there is probably no genetic exchange between them and the subpopulations may go extinct with a reduced probability of recolonization. The population is therefore considered to be severely fragmented. Based upon the ongoing decline of its habitat, a continuing decline on the population size is inferred.

Habitat and Ecology

This species occurs in semi-arid habitats with scarce vegetation, and it is only known from the coastal region of Tenerife. Its altitudinal range is 0 - 1,075 m.

Major Threat(s):

The species is mainly threatened by urbanisation and touristic development of southern Tenerife.

Conservation Actions

There are no specific conservation actions in place for this species, but it occurs in some protected areas throughout its range. More research into its population trend and threats is needed, and its remaining habitat should be protected.