Melodinus sp.nov. Veillon 6188 is a new species endemic of New Caledonia restricted to the north west of Grande Terre. It is known from three subpopulations: Tiebaghi, Tinip, lower slopes of Mont Taom. This liana is found in shrubland on serpentine substrate at an altitude range of 30-400 m asl. The main threats are presented by uncontrolled bushfires and indirectly the mining development (road constructions, soil erosions) in Tiebaghi and Ouazangou. Therefore, Melodinus sp.nov. Veillon 6188 is assessed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,v) with the number of threat-defined locations estimated to be four, a continuous decline of all concerned subcriteria and extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively estimated to be of 214 km² and 36 km².

Geographical area

Melodinus sp.nov. Veillon 6188 is endemic to New Caledonia where it is restricted to the north west of Grande Terre. It is known from three subpopulations: Tiebaghi, Tinip, lower slopes of Mont Taom.

Population

The population size is not known.

Habitat

This species is found in shrubland on serpentine substrate at an altitude range of 30 - 400 m asl.

Threats

The main threats are presented by uncontrolled bushfires and indirectly effect of mining development (road constructions, soil erosions) in Tiebaghi and Ouazangou.

Conservation

Melodinus sp.nov. Veillon 6188 is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia. It is not present in any protected areas. Prospection at Tiebaghi is recommended. This species would benefit from ex situ and in situ emergency conservation actions. It is recommended to inform the local authority responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort about the presence of the species in the concerned areas.

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.

Boiteau Pierre avec collaboration de Lucie Allorge 1982. Flore de la Nouvelle Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 10 : Apocynacées.

Leeuwenberg, A. J. M. 2023. Series of Revisions of Apocynaceae LIII. Melodinus.. JSTOR(73(1)) , p.3-63.

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

Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Rouhan G., Bruy, D., Veillon J.-M., & M. Chalopin 2020. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia [continuously updated].

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Héquet, V., Bernard-Musmann, M., Goxe, J., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., Vandrot, H.

Reviewer(s): Pillon, Y.

Facilitator(s): Fourdrain, A., Warimavute, G., Meyer, S.