The Tenerife speckled lizard (Gallotia intermedia) is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Widely spread in the past, only two populations has remain actually. One of them is located in the coastal cliffs of Guaza mountain in the south side of the Tenerife Island. The estimate total number of animals in 2014 of Guaza population show a reduction of the 32% compare with 2004. These lizards inhabit small platforms and some ravines along the coastal cliffs, in places of high slope and difficult access, were the abundance of feral cats and rats are lower, its main threat. These areas are commonly share with seabird colonies and a coastal succulent shrub vegetation, with numerous endemic genera e.g Euphorbia spp. and other non indigenous flora e.g. Opuntia spp.

Little is know about this population of the endangered canary speckled lizard. This new project will increase the knowledge about the biology, ecology and population trends of the species, completing previous work and giving a temporary vision of the evolution of this population.

Chief goals for this project are identify the possible key effect of the seagull (Larus michahellis) colony of Guaza mountain through the trophic pathway (marine subsidies) and anti-predator behaviour, which may be benefiting the speckled lizard population.

More information in:

https://www.speciesconservation.org/case-studies-projects/tenerife-speckled-lizard/11662 

https://asociaciontonina.com/portfolio/proyecto-intermedia/ 

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Researchers: Gonzalo Albaladejo, Alejandro Escánez, Jacobo Marrero, Marcel Gil. 

Participating institutions: Asociación Tonina

Collaborating institutions:Universidad de La Laguna

Funded by: Mohamed bin-Zayed Species Conservation Fund.

Since the mid-20th century, intensive commercial fishing has led to a decline populations of angelsharks (Squatina squatina). It is locally extinct throughout the northern part of its historical habitat in the Atlantic, and the remaining populations are highly fragmented, making its status very precarious due to its slow reproductive rate. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has therefore classified it as critically endangered.

The Canary Islands represent the last stronghold of this species, where it is one of the most frequently sighted sharks by divers. Therefore, the Canary Islands are a natural laboratory to study the bio-ecology of this species. The use of nursery areas by this species has been described here for the first time. Locating more nursery areas and studying the ecology of the pups in these areas is paramount to ensure the conservation of this species in the Canary Islands and to generate knowledge that will help to manage and conserve other more endangered populations outside the Canary Islands. 

More information in:

https://asociaciontonina.com/portfolio/estudio-bioecologico-del-angelote/ 

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Researchers: Jacobo Marrero, Alejandro Escánez.

Participating institutions: Asociación Tonina

Funded by: Fundación Caja-Canarias