Melasis fermini

Melasis fermini is one of two species of the genus Melasis to be present on the European continent, along with M. buprestoides. It is presumed to have a discontinuous and scattered distribution within a relatively small area of Spain. In general, the species lives on dead wood of deciduous trees which have been decomposing for several years in areas of high humidity and protection from the elements (especially direct sunlight). It can be found at elevations of 700–1,500 metres (770–1,640 yd) above sea level. The type specimen of the species was collected inside a beech trunk on the ground in an area with moist and shady soil, such that the wood was extremely decomposed. M. fermini has also been collected from the bottom of a standing alder trunk which had been dead for roughly two years.

The diet of Melasis fermini is not fully understood. While they live on dead wood, their jaws are shaped such that a type of liquid feeding is most likely. This makes the prospect of predation unlikely, since the jaws are not opposed. It is therefore postulated that the wood they eat is decomposed externally and then consumed in liquid form. Only very specific types of wood would allow for this kind of diet, making the species especially vulnerable. The species was assessed by the IUCN Red List on 3 December 2015 and listed as Vulnerable to extinction. The IUCN noted a trend of decline in the quality and area of the species' habitat. Specifically, it is threatened by the continued logging of its habitat and forest management techniques that remove the dead wood on which they live. The species is currently under no protections, and does not have any habitat areas which are protected from development or destruction.

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