Taxonomy
Synonyms
Rapanea paniensis M.SchmidRed List Status -
Critically Endangered (CR) , assessed in 28/05/2018Protected species -
in Southern Province
Myrsine paniensis is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia, where it is only known from the summit of Mt. Panié, in the northeast of Grande Terre. It occurs in high elevation shrubland (kauri forest undergrowth) on volcano-sedimentary substrate above 1,000 m asl. Though common, this species is threatened by feral pigs, causing heavy habitat degradation and damage to mature individuals. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are both 8 km², and the number of locations is one. Therefore, M. paniensis is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v).
Geographical area
This species is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is only known from Mt. Panié, in the northeast of Grande Terre. It might occur on neighbouring summits (Schmid 2009), but has never been collected there.
Population
Total population size is not precisely known, but based on surveys, it was estimated to reach 460,000 mature individuals (CI & Dayu Biik, 2018). Field observations confirm that this species is common on Mt. Panié.
Habitat
This shrub occurs in high elevation shrubland (kauri forest undergrowth) on volcano-sedimentary substrate above 1,000 m asl.
Threats
Although regeneration has been observed, this species is threatened by feral pigs (Sus scrofa), which cause heavy habitat degradation and damage to mature individuals by grubbing (CI & Dayu Biik 2018). Besides, like other high elevation species, it could be impacted by climate change in the future.
Conservation
M. paniensis is protected by legislation in Province Sud and occurs in one protected area: mount Panié reserve. This species would benefit from emergency in situ and ex situ conservation actions. Monitoring of known subpopulations should continue and a viable one should be preserved in a delimited area where feral pigs are regulated. Finally, further prospection is recommended on mounts Ignambi and Colnett, where the species is suspected to occur.
Bibliography
Butaud, J.-F., Conservation International & ACCMP Dayu Biik 2018. Pré-évaluation du niveau de menace de la flore micro-endémique se développant au sein de la forêt de kaoris de la zone sommitale du Mont Panié.
Butaud, J.-F., Conservation International & ACCMP Dayu Biik 2018. Fiche de pré-évaluation – Myrsine paniensis.
Schmid, M. 2009. Contribution à la connaissance des Primulaceae (ex Myrsinaceae) de Nouvelle-Calédonie. II. Le genre Rapanea Aubl.. Adansonia(31) , p.341-395.
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.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Haverkamp, C., Héquet, V., Lagrange, A., Laudereau, C., Tiavouane, J., Tron, F., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Lannuzel, G.
Facilitator(s): Meyer, S., Warimavute, G., Butaud, J.