Phyllanthus nitens is a shrub of 0.6-2 m high, endemic of New Caledonia and restricted to the northern massifs of Grande Terre. It is known from 3 subpopulations: Boulinda massif, Pic Poya and Paeoua massif. This species is found in dense humid forests on ultramafic substrates at an altitudinal range 850-1,100 m asl. The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by bushfires and ongoing mining activities at Paéoua and future mining activity at Boulinda. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively estimated to be of 42 km² 20 km² while the number of locations is estimated to be 4. Using criterion B and with the estimation of a continuous decline of its habitat quality, AOO and number of mature individuals, Phyllanthus nitens is assessed as Endangered (EN) B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v).

Geographical area

Phyllanthus nitens is endemic to New Caledonia where it is restricted to the northern massifs of Grande Terre: Boulinda massif, Pic Poya and Paeoua massif.

Population

Population size is unknown.

Habitat

Phyllanthus nitens occurs in dense humid forests on ultramafic substrates at an altitudinal range 850-1,100 m asl.

Threats

The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by bushfires and ongoing mining activities at Paéoua and future mining activity at Boulinda.

Conservation

Phyllanthus genus is protected by legislation in Province Nord. Phyllanthus nitens does not occur in any protected area. Ex situ and in situ conservation efforts are recommended, in particular: monitoring of known subpopulations and the preservation of a viable population within delimited perimeters. It would be moreover advised to preserve patches of humid forest within delimited perimeters where this species is known. This species is suspected to occur in Kopéto therefore it suggested to realise field surveys to confirm or refute its presence there.

Bibliography

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].

McPherson, G.; Schmid, M. 1991. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 17 : Euphorbiaceae II Phyllanthaceae.

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

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Héquet, V., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., Lagrange, A., Veillon, J., Garnier, D., Dumontet, V., Goxe, J., McCoy, S., Gâteblé, G.

Reviewer(s): Warimavute, G.

Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Vandrot, H., Meyer, S.