Taxonomy
Dendrophyllanthus pterocladus
Synonyms
Phyllanthus kaalaensis Guillaumin • Phyllanthus pterocladus S.MooreRed List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 27/10/2017
Description
Phyllanthus pterocladus is endemic to New Caledonia, restricted to the northwest of Grande Terre. It is found in shrubland on ultramafic substrate between 200 and 950 m asl. Known from three locations, its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are estimated to 726 and 32 km², respectively. The main threat is posed by uncontrolled bushfires. Therefore, P. pterocladus is listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v).
Geographical area
P. pterocladus is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the northwest part of Grande Terre (Taom and Kaala massifs)
Population
Population size is unknown, but field observations indicate the species is locally abundant.
Habitat
P. pterocladus occurs in shrubland on ultramafic substrate between 200 and 950 m asl.
Threats
The main threat is posed by uncontrolled bushfires.
Conservation
P. pterocladus 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 on the Taom and Kaala massifs and valleys is needed to better estimate the size of the population et and understand potentiel threats.
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.
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.
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.