Phyllanthus petchikaraensis is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the east coast of Grande Terre. This shrub is found in forest undergrowth or riverine vegetation on ultramafic substrate between 454 and 500 m asl. Known from two locations, its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both estimated to be 8 km². Main threats include recurrent uncontrolled bushfires and ongoing mining activities in the valley that contribute to habitat degradation, especially erosion. Thus, the subpopulation of Nakéty present in the actual mining exploitation area can be directly affected. P. petchikaraensis is therefore listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v).

Geographical area

P. petchikaraensis is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the Nakéty area, on the southern east coast of Grande Terre.

Population

Population size is unknown.

Habitat

P. petchikaraensis occurs in dense humid forest undergrowth or riverine vegetation on ultramafic substrate between 454 and 500 m asl.

Threats

The main threats are uncontrolled bushfires and mining activities at Nakéty (SMT).

Conservation

P. petchikaraensis is protected by legislation in Province Nord, but does not occur in any protected areas. This species would benefit from ex situ and in situ emergency conservation actions. It is recommended to monitor and preserve known populations in delimited areas, and to inform the local authority responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort about the presence of the species in the concerned areas. It would also be advised to run multiplication tests in order to assist future planting operations. Finally, prospection in Nakéty and Petchikara is necessary to better estimate the size of the population et and understand potentiel threats.

Bibliography

Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.

Lannuzel, G.; Gâteblé, G.; Fogliani, B. 2017. Etude des Espèces Rares et Menacées des sites miniers de la SMT.

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.

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Barrière, R., Butin, J., Fleurot, D., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Letocart, I., Suprin, B.

Reviewer(s): Veillon, J.

Contributor(s): Russ, L.

Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Tanguy, V.