Taxonomy
Megastylis latissima
Synonyms
Cyrtopodium neocaledonicum Rchb.f. • Lyperanthus vieillardii Kraenzl.
Lyperanthus latissimus Schltr.
• Lyperanthus daenikerianus Kraenzl.
Red List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 26/10/2015Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Megastylis latissima is an endemic geophyte orchid of New Caledonia, which can reach 2 m high. M. latissima occurs mainly in the south part of Grande Terre (main island) with a disjunction on Tchingou. M. latissima is a species of high altitude deep rainforest composed with Araucaria muelleri and Nothofagus codonandra. Due to the threat of invasive animals, we can estimate a continuous decline of M. latissima. Total population size is estimated fewer than 10,000 mature individuals. Using criteria C, M. latissima qualifies as Vulnerable C2a(i).
Geographical area
M. latissima is an endemic geophyte orchid of New Caledonia, which can reach 2 m high. M. latissima occurs mainly in south part of Grande Terre (main island) with a disjunction on Tchingou.
Population
M. latissima is considered as a rare species. From field observations, sub-population size is estimated at an average of 10 individuals by station. On the basis of those informations, total population size is estimated to be fewer than 10,000 mature individuals.
Habitat
M. latissima is a species of high altitude deep rainforest composed with Araucaria muelleri and Nothofagus codonandra.
Threats
Main threats to M. latissima are wild pig and rusa rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) (Rusa timorensis), the two most important invasive animals in New Caledonia.
Conservation
M. latissima is protected by legislation in Province Nord and in Province Sud. M. lattisima occurs in protected areas : réserve naturelle du massif du Kouakoué, réserve naturelle de la Vallée de la Thy ,réserve naturelle du Mont Humboldt, réserve naturelle de la forêt de Saille, réserve naturelle du Mont Mou, réserve intégrale de la Montagne des Sources, Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue, réserve naturelle de la Haute Yaté. Wild pig and rusa deer control would be the best option to contain the decline of M. latissima.
Bibliography
Morat, P.; Jaffré, T.; Tronchet, F.; Munzinger, J.; Pillon, Y.; Veillon, J.-M. and Chalopin, M. 2012. Le référentiel taxonomique Florical et les caractéristiques de la flore vasculaire indigène de la Nouvelle-Calédonie [The taxonomic database « FLORICAL » and characteristics of the indigenous flora of New Caledonia]. Adansonia sér 3(34) , p.177-219.
Hallé N.; Aubréville A.; Leroy J. F.; 1977. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 8: Orchidaceae.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Butin, J., Laudereau, C., Amice, R., Fleurot, D., Frayssinet, I., Garnier, D., Letocart, D., Letocart, I.
Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.
Contributor(s): Faria, E.
Facilitator(s): Chanfreau, S.