Taxonomy
Synonyms
Pittosporum paitense Guillaumin • Pittosporum xanthanthum var. parvifolium Baker f.Red List Status -
Data Deficient (DD) , assessed in 23/07/2015
Pittosporum xanthanthum is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia found on Grande Terre from the Massif du Tchingou to Dzumac. Nevertheless current phylogenetic studies suggest that P. dzumacense and P. xanthanthum species from the same location are genetically similar. Individuals from Dzumac, Mont Do and Pouembout localities could thus be splitted into three sub-species, belonging to a potentially common species. P. xanthanthum is assessed under Data Deficient category until taxonomic delimitations are clarified.
Geographical area
P. xanthanthum is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia found on Grande Terre from the Massif du Tchingou to Dzumac.
Population
Population size is unknown due to a lack of data.
Habitat
P. xanthanthum is found in dense humid forest and forest edges on ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 500 - 1,600 m asl.
Threats
Due to its ecology and distribution, P. xanthanthum could be impacted by bushfires and damages on its habitat caused by rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and pigs.
Conservation
P. xanthanthum is not protected by legislation but remains protected due to its occurrence in numerous protected areas, namely : réserve naturelle du Mont Humboldt, réserve naturelle du Massif du Kouakoué, réserve intégrale de la Montagne des Sources, réserve naturelle du Mont Mou, réserve naturelle du Mont Do, Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue, réserve naturelle de la Nodéla, réserve naturelle de la forêt de Saille, réserve naturelle de la Haute Dumbéa and réserve naturelle de la Vallée de la Thy. In the aim to assess extinction risk of P. xanthanthum, there is an urgent need to continue morphological and genetic studies and thus clarify the taxonomy between P. dzumacense and P. xanthanthum. P. kaalense could also be included to this study given its morphological similarities with P. xanthanthum.
Bibliography
Hély-Alleaume 2012. INC : Incendies et biodiversité des éco-systèmes en Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Tirel, C. & Veillon J.-M. 2002. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 24 : Pittosporaceae.
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.
Gomez C.; Mangeas M.; Curt T.; Ibanez T.; Munzinger J.; Dumas P.; Jérémy A.; Despinoy M. and Hély C. 2014. Wildfire risk for main vegetation units in a biodiversity hotspot: modeling approach in New Caledonia, South Pacific. Ecology and Evolution(5) , p.377-390.
Experts
Assessor(s): Gemmill, C., Veillon, J., Amice, R., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Maggia, L.
Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.
Facilitator(s): Chanfreau, S.