🚧 Actualizando y corrigiendo contenidos hasta julio de 2026. Contacto: GrupoEspeciesEspCSE@uicn.es

Zygonyx torridus

(Kirby, 1889)

UICN #ESNRL012328 Evaluado 2026
Ringed Cascader Torrentera moteada
VU

Vulnerable

B2ab(ii,iii,iv)

Disminuyendo
EX
Extinta
EW
Extinta en Estado Silvestre
RE
Extinta a Nivel Regional
CR
En Peligro Crítico
EN
En Peligro
VU
Vulnerable
NT
Casi Amenazada
LC
Preocupación Menor
DD
Datos Insuficientes
NA
No Aplicable
NE
No Evaluada

Justificación

Zygonyx torridus is a thermophilic dragonfly associated with permanent Mediterranean rivers and streams characterized by fast currents, steep gradients, and high oxygenation. In Spain, it mainly occupies fluvial sections with rapids, waterfalls, and small pools, both on the mainland (southern Andalucía, Comunidad Valenciana, and Murcia) and in the Canary Islands (Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and Gran Canaria). The species was previously assessed as Vulnerable B2ab(iii) in 2011. The estimated Area of Occupancy (AOO) is 836 km², with seven identified populations. The populations exhibit a high degree of fragmentation and vulnerability, conditioned by flow alteration, water pollution, and fluvial habitat degradation, in addition to being located at the northernmost limit of the species' distribution. A reduction of nearly 50% in the species' potential distribution range is projected, which will lead to a decrease in the area of occupancy, the extent and quality of habitat, and the number of locations, as a result of climate change, hydrological irregularity, and anthropogenic pressure on watercourses. Therefore, it is assessed as Vulnerable B2ab(ii,iii,iv) in Spain.

Distribución

Zygonyx torridus has a distribution range covering a large part of Sub-Saharan Africa and extending eastward across coastal areas of the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, and regions of the Indian subcontinent. Towards more northern latitudes, it appears discontinuously in North Africa, some islands of the Canaries and Cape Verde, the southern Iberian Peninsula, and Sicily (Boudot & De Knijf, 2015). In peninsular Spain, Zygonyx torridus appears mainly in two well-differentiated areas: southern Andalucía and the central Comunidad Valenciana, with small populations in Murcia. In the Canary Islands, it is present in Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and Gran Canaria (Cordero Rivera & Cabana, 2024; Ocharan Larrondo et al., 2006; Outomuro Priede et al., 2011; Weihrauch et al., 2016). In Spain, the species occurs from sea level up to 600 m asl, showing an Extent of Occurrence (EOO) of 97,640 km² and an Area of Occupancy (AOO) of 836 km².

Población

Current population size unknown. The temporal trend of the species in Spain shows a general regression and a fragmentation of its populations. In the Iberian Peninsula some relatively stable nuclei persist in the south-west and south-east, while other historical populations appear to have become extinct or show a strong reduction in numbers (Ferreras-Romero and Cano-Villegas, 2004). At the same time, in recent years previously unrecorded sites have been found, which suggests the existence of small relict populations scattered along well-preserved river reaches (Ferreras-Romero, 2008). In wide areas of the south and the Mediterranean arc, various old records have not been able to be confirmed, indicating a possible contraction of its area of occupancy and a very limited continuity of the known populations (Outomuro Priede et al., 2011). In the Canary Islands, the species has undergone a notable decline throughout the 20th century, with population extinctions attributable to the degradation of watercourses by human activities (Kunz et al., 2006), a trend also documented for southern Spain (Boudot and De Knijf, 2015). The generation length of the species is 1 year.

Ecología y hábitat

Sistemas
1 Agua dulce (=aguas continentales)
Zygonyx torridus is a thermophilic species associated with permanent Mediterranean river systems, characterised by fast currents, steep gradients, and high oxygenation. In Spain, it preferentially occupies streams and small rivers with rapids, waterfalls, or pools associated with water drops and small dams, where larvae develop among rocky or sandy substrates under turbulent flow and high dissolved oxygen content. The species shows a remarkable ability to colonise new habitats and a high dispersal potential, allowing it to occupy isolated fluvial enclaves as long as they maintain stable hydrological conditions and good environmental quality. Its presence is restricted to well-conserved stretches, being especially sensitive to siltation, alteration of the flow regime, and removal of emergent vegetation. In the Iberian Peninsula, it is located mainly below 200 m altitude although it can exceed 500 m, while in the Canary Islands it is recorded from sea level up to 840 m. Adults are observed from early June to late September.
5.1 Humedales (continentales) – Ríos/arroyos/riachuelos permanentes (incluye cascadas)

Amenazas

The main threats are related to the alteration and loss of the fluvial habitats it occupies, as well as the degradation of water quality. Modification of the hydrological regime due to water abstraction and overexploitation of aquifers, combined with the intensification of drought periods and global warming, cause the reduction or disappearance of fast-flowing stretches indispensable for larval development. Added to this is water pollution from urban, agricultural, and industrial discharges, which deteriorates substrates and decreases oxygenation. The transformation of the environment for recreational, domestic, or agricultural uses contributes to the deterioration of its breeding habitats. Spanish populations, very scarce and scattered, are also located at the northernmost limit of the species' distribution and isolated from North African nuclei, which limits their recolonization capacity and makes them especially vulnerable to any disturbance.
  • 2.3.2 Pastoreo pequeño
    • 1.1 Conversión del ecosistema
    • 1.2 Degradación del ecosistema
  • 7.2.1 Extracción de agua superficial (uso doméstico)
    • 1.2 Degradación del ecosistema
  • 7.2.3 Extracción de agua superficial (uso agrícola)
    • 1.2 Degradación del ecosistema
  • 9.1.1 Alcantarillado
    • 1.2 Degradación del ecosistema
  • 9.3.1 Carga de nutrientes
    • 1.2 Degradación del ecosistema
  • 11.1 Cambio de hábitat y alteración
    • 1.2 Degradación del ecosistema

Uso y comercio

The species is not traded or utilized.

Acciones de conservación

Priority must be given to the conservation and restoration of fluvial habitats that maintain permanent flows and good water quality, by limiting abstractions, discharges, and hydraulic works. It is necessary to guarantee the integrity of the hydrological regime and promote monitoring of the physical-chemical quality of water in areas where the species is present. An inter-regional population monitoring program based on exuviae sampling should be implemented by conducting surveys in priority areas for the species and also utilizing samples obtained from macroinvertebrate inventories carried out by Hydrographic Confederations. The species should be included in state and regional protection catalogues to provide it with strict legal protection. Habitat Conservation: Elimination of massive water abstractions and improvement of its quality, favouring the effective protection and recovery of the riparian forest. Legal Protection: Urgent inclusion in the Spanish Catalogue of Threatened Species under the 'Vulnerable' category. Research: Establishment of an inter-regional monitoring system for all threatened fluvial species.
1.2 Protección de recursos y hábitats 2.1 Gestión de sitios y áreas 5.1.2 Nivel nacional

Créditos

Asesores

2
  • Cabana, M.
  • Cordero-Rivera, A.

Investigación necesaria

3.1 Tendencias poblacionales

Referencias

  1. 1. Boudot, J.P. and De Knijf, G. 2015. Zygonyx torridus (Kirby, 1889). En J.-P. Boudot & V. J. Kalkman (Eds.), Atlas of the European dragonflies and damselflies (pp. 321-322). KNNV Publishing.
  2. 2. Cordero-Rivera, A. and Cabana, M. 2024. Zygonyx torridus. En J. L. Lencina, A. J. García-Meseguer, D. Gallego, B. Guardiola, D. Sánchez-Fernández, A. Millán, & M. Á. Esteve Selma, Libro Rojo de los Invertebrados Continentales de la Región de Murcia (p. 215). Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Universidades, Investigación y Mar Menor.
  3. 3. Ferreras-Romero, M. 2008. Zygonyx torridus (Kirby, 1889). En J. M. Barea Azcón, E. Ballesteros Duperón, & D. Moreno (Eds.), Libro Rojo de los Invertebrados de Andalucía (Vol. 1, pp. 756-758). Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Andalucía.
  4. 4. García-Pereira, P., Soares, A., Monteiro, E., Félix, R., Santos, R., and Maravalhas, E. 2023. Zygonyx torridus. En M. Boieiro, H. Ceia, M. J. Caramujo, P. Cardoso, P. García Pereira, D. Pires, J. Reis, & C. Rego (Eds.), Livro Vermelho dos Invertebrados de Portugal Continental (pp. 318-319). FCiências.ID e ICNF I.P.
  5. 5. Kunz, B., Ober, S. V., and Jödicke, R. 2006. The distribution of Zygonyx torridus in the Palaearctic (Odonata: Libellulidae). Libellula, 25(1/2), 89-108.
  6. 6. Ocharan Larrondo, F.J., Ferreras-Romero, M., Ocharan, R., and Cordero-Rivera, A. 2006. Zygonyx torridus. En J. R. Verdú & E. Galante, Libro Rojo de los Invertebrados de España (p. 277). Dirección general para la Biodiversidad, Ministerio de Medio Ambiente.
  7. 7. Outomuro Priede, D., Ocharan Larrondo, F.J., Torralba Burrial, A., Cano-Villegas, F.J., Azpilicueta Amorín, M., and Cordero-Rivera, A. 2011. Zygonyx torridus (Kirby, 1889). En J. R. Verdú, C. Numa, & E. Galante (Eds.), Atlas y Libro Rojo de los Invertebrados amenazados de España (Especies Vulnerables) (pp. 604-610). Dirección General de Medio Natural y Política Forestal, Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Medio Rural y Marino.
  8. 8. Weihrauch, F., Vieira, V., Cordero-Rivera, A., and de Santos Loureiro, N. 2016. Update on the zoogeography of Odonata in the Macaronesian Islands. Boletín de la ROLA, 8, 9-22.

Última evaluación

Categoría VU — Vulnerable
Tendencia Disminuyendo
Año de evaluación 2026
IUCN ID #ESNRL012328
Ámbito National
Criterios Lista Roja B2ab(ii,iii,iv)

Clasificación

Reino ANIMALIA
Filo ARTHROPODA
Clase INSECTA
Orden ODONATA
Familia LIBELLULIDAE
Género Zygonyx
Especie torridus

Nombres comunes

Ringed Cascader
Torrentera moteada
Volver al listado