Rediscovery of the southern California endemic American Keeled Slug Anadenulus cockerelli (Hemphill, 1890) after a 68-year hiatus

Abstract

ABSTRACTWe report the first records of the southern California endemic American Keeled Slug Anadenulus cockerelli (Hemphill, 1890) in 68 years. Due to the restricted range of this species and lack of recent detection, it has received a NatureServe conservation status of Critically Imperilled or Imperilled. This species has always been difficult to detect, and will likely continue to be. This may be the result of genuine rarity, or may be the result of being cryptic and occurring in a microhabitat only ephemerally accessible to humans. We created a Species Distribution Model for A. cockerelli, which strongly predicts its occurrence where it is known, as well as some locations where it is currently unknown, such as in the northern Peninsular Ranges and in the San Bernardino Mountains in California. Threats to the continued existence of this species in southern California include human encroachment and resulting habitat loss, the climate changing to be hotter and drier, increased fire frequency, oak death due to beetle infestation, and other introduced species. Anadenulus cockerelli should continue to be surveyed and monitored into the future in order to better understand its distribution and level of conservation concern.