Risiocnemis seidenschwarzi
| Kingdom |
Phylum |
Class |
Order |
Family |
| ANIMALIA |
ARTHROPODA |
INSECTA |
ODONATA |
PLATYCNEMIDIDAE |
| Scientific Name: |
Risiocnemis seidenschwarzi |
| Species Authority: |
Hämäläinen, 2000 |
Assessment Information
[top]
| Red List Category & Criteria: |
Critically Endangered
B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii); D
ver 3.1
|
| Year Published: |
2009 |
| Assessor/s: |
Villanueva, R.J.T. |
| Reviewer/s: |
Kalkman, V. & Clausnitzer, V. (Odonata Red List Authority) |
| Contributor/s: |
|
Justification:
Risionocnemis seidenschwarzi is a Philippine endemic that is likely confined to one location in Cebu. It has not been recorded at its original known site since 2001 and suitable habitat there has been lost, therefore it may now be extinct from that location. In recent years, the species was discovered at a second location, where the population is small (likely fewer than 50 individuals) and occupies a very small range (area of no more than 30x30 m). However, the remaining population appears to be stable at present. Deforestation is a continuing problem on Cebu and is a threat to this species; almost all the forests on the island have been cleared and many brooks are now degraded and are unsuitable for this species. Protection of remaining habitat and restoration of degraded habitat are required to ensure the future of this species.
|
| History: |
| 2006 |
– |
Critically Endangered
(IUCN 2006)
|
| 2006 |
– |
Critically Endangered
|
|
Geographic Range
[top]
| Range Description: |
Risiocnemis seidenschwarzi is a Philippine endemic species, confined to Cebu Island. Previously the species was known only from a small section of a woody stream in Tabunan Forest, central Cebu, but that population may now be extinct. However, another population has been identified in the southern
part of Cebu island (Kawasan
River), on a very
small rivulet beside Kawasan
River, in a maximum area of 30x30 m on this 12 km river (R.J.T. Villanueva pers. comm. 2009). Searches of other areas on the island have
not revealed this species, despite the presence of suitable habitat (R.J.T. Villanueva pers. comm. 2009). |
| Countries: |
Possibly extinct: Philippines |
| Range Map: |
Click here to open the map viewer and explore range. |
Population
[top]
| Population: |
The species was last recorded in Tabunan Forest in March 2001, and since then no further sighting has been noted there. The population beside Kawasan
River appears to be stable (although further population studies are required to confirm this), with a usual count of 5–15 individuals per day for five days
observation during November 2007, March 2009, and August 2009 (R.J.T. Villanueva pers. comm. 2009).
|
| Population Trend: |
Unknown
|
Habitat and Ecology
[top]
| Habitat and Ecology: |
The species has been recorded from a stream and a small rivulet, both in forested areas.
|
| Systems: |
Terrestrial; Freshwater |
| Major Threat(s): |
Forest clearance occurred at the Tabunan Forest site in 2000 and since
then the only known habitat for the species in this area has
deteriorated. Habitat
deterioration is also occurring in Kawasan area. Almost all the forests on Cebu have been cleared and many brooks are now degraded. Human settlement is the main factor that has resulted in at least one population of Risiocnemis seidenschwarzi becoming extinct.
|
Conservation Actions
[top]
| Conservation Actions: |
There is no national conservation effort directed to species at this time. A local group is currently engaged in the conservation of the species’ habitat. Unfortunately, there is no evidence that the species is still present at the site where it was originally discovered. It is extremely important to protect the remaining habitat at the only other site where this species occurs (Kawasan River) and to monitor the population there.
|
