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272 F. Espinosa et al.

TABLE 4 Summary of previous reports of the presence of P. ferruginea. Map numbers correspond to numbered locations in Fig. 6.
−1
Map no. Location Source Density (m ) Estimated total population
1 Port Cros (France) Cottalorda et al. (2004) ,0.01 2
2 Hormigas Island (Spain) Espinosa et al. (2009b) ,0.01 2
3 Andalucía (Spain) Barba et al. (2006) ,0.01 715 (1,005)*
4 Algeciras Bay (Spain) Espinosa et al. (2005) 0.11 140
5 Ceuta (Spain) Rivera-Ingraham (2010) 2.26 43,992
6 Alboran Island (Spain) Paracuellos et al. (2003) 0.07 111
7 Al Hoceima (Morocco) Bazairi et al. (2004) 0.24 110
8 Melilla (Spain) González-García et al. (2006) 5.39 20,000
9 Chafarinas Island (Spain) Guallart et al. (2006) 3.95 50,000
10 Habibas Island (Algeria) Espinosa (2009) 4.8 50,400
11 Plane Island (Algeria) Espinosa (2009) 22 ?
12 Stidia (Algeria) Mezali (2005) 9.75 ?
13 Srigina Island (Algeria) F. Bernard (pers. comm.) ,0.01 ?
14 Lavezzi Island (France, Italy) Mari et al. (1998) 0.1 1,000
Zembra (Tunisia) This study 2.65 34,450

*Value from the most recent survey (Junta de Andalucía, 2010).

(1982) reported small populations along the promenades of
< 0.01 m –1
0.01–1 m –1 Malaga and Fuengirola (Andalucía). However, recent data
1–4 m –1
> 4 m –1 indicate that the species is scarce in the area and has dis-
1 appeared from some sites. The estimated total number
14 of individuals in the Iberian Peninsula is only c. 1,000
(Table 4). However, North African populations from the
EUROPE
Strait of Gibraltar to Algeria exhibit high densities. The
main populations are at Ceuta, Melilla, Chafarinas and
**
2 13 the Habibas Islands (Table 4). Several sites have also been
4 3 33 3 11 12 recorded in Mediterranean Morocco (from near Ceuta to
5 6 10
7 8 9 close to the Chafarinas Islands): Midiq, Restinga, Cabo
AFRICA
Negro, Oued Laou, El Jahba, Cabo Tres Forcas, Cabo del
500 km
Agua and Essaidia (Bazairi & Benhissoune, 2004; Bazairi
FIG. 6 Present locations (circles) of P. ferruginea based on recent et al., 2004; Espinosa, 2006; Bazairi & Benhissoune, 2007).
reports and the results of our survey. Shading of circles Of these, the population in Al Hoceima National Park is
represents density. Numbers in the circles correspond to the map important from a conservation perspective (Bazairi et al.,
numbers in Table 4; unnumbered circles indicate values obtained
2004). The populations in western Algeria (Rachgoun and
in this study (Table 1). Thicker lines along the coast indicate the
Habibas islands) exhibit high densities, a well-structured
range of the species in the 19th century (Laborel-Deguen &
size distribution and high reproductive output (Frenkiel,
Laborel, 1991a).
1975; Boumaza & Semroud, 2001; Espinosa, 2009). There is a
lack of data from western Algeria to the Tunisian border,
The distribution of P. ferruginea in the western although isolated observations (very low density on Srigina
Mediterranean is highly fragmented (Fig. 6). The status of island, Table 4; F. Bernard pers. comm.) indicate there are
the species is critical in continental France, where some no significant populations in this area, consistent with
individuals survive in the Port Cros marine protected area the species’ absence along the northern shores of Tunisia
(Table 4; Cottalorda et al., 2004), probably derived from (Tlig-Zouari et al., 2010; present study). Thus the range of
Corsican populations via the marine currents that flow the species in the western Mediterranean has contracted
westward from Corsica to the Gulf of Lyon (Robinson et al., since the 19th century (Fig. 6). For example, Payraudeau
2001). The species is absent from the Mediterranean shores (1826) reported P. ferruginea as very common in Corsica but
of the Iberian Peninsula (from the Gulf of Lyon to the it is now rare.
Hormigas Islands; Espinosa et al., 2009b), with the ex- Although P. ferruginea is listed under European regu-
ception of some relict populations in Andalusia, mainly on lations and those of several Mediterranean countries it has
the shores of Granada and Algeciras Bay (Espinosa et al., not previously been assessed for the IUCN Red List. It could
2005; Barba et al., 2006). The species was not considered rare be categorized as Critically Endangered based on criteria A
in Algeciras Bay by García-Gómez (1983), and Grandfils and E (IUCN, 2012). A population viability analysis (PVA)

© 2013 Fauna & Flora International, Oryx, 48(2), 266–275

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