Taxonomy
Emoia loyaltiensis
Common name :
L'Emoia des Loyauté
Loyalty Islands Emoia Red List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 11/12/2017Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Emoia loyaltiensis is listed as Vulnerable because of the small extent of occurrence and a continuing decline in its extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, extent and quality of its habitat, in number of subpopulations and in the number of mature individuals due to a variety of threats.
Geographical area
This species is endemic to Province des Isles, New Caledonia. It is known only from the Iles Loyauté; recorded only on Maré, Lifou and Tiga. It is suspected to be present in Ouvea as it was found in feral cat faeces (H. Jourdan pers. comm.). It occurs at elevations of up to 150 m. The extent of occurrence is estimated at 1,787 km2, and the area of occupancy at <150 km2.
Population
There is no quantitative information on population size and trends for this species. Because of its dependence on forested habitats it is assumed to have undergone a substantial reduction in the area of occupancy as a result of forest clearance and wildfires. Nonetheless, it remains widespread, and is relatively common at some tall closed-forest sites and is able to cope with a level of disturbance.
Habitat
This species occurs in secondary scrub, coastal forest and closed forest, and has been recorded in plantations. It is diurnal, arboreal and is active in sunlight. It shelters beneath loose bark and forages on trunks and branches.
Threats
The greatest threats to Emoia loyaltiensis are the predation pressure from feral cats (Palmas 2017) and rodents (Thibault 2017), the habitat loss and degradation from pigs and from urbanization and the infestation of closed forests by Wasmannia auropunctata, as these invasive ants are known to decimate lizard populations (Jourdan et al. 2000, 2001).
Conservation
This species is protected in Province Nord under Code de l'environnement de la Province Nord (Délibération No. 306-2008/APN, 24 October 2008) and in Province Sud under Code de l'environnement de la Province Sud (Délibération No. 25-2009/APS, 20 March 2009). It is not present in any reserves and no conservation management is currently being undertaken. Additional surveys are recommended in Maré and Ouvéa and genetic studies are needed as the Maré subpopulation might be distinct.
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.
Hallé N.; Aubréville A.; Leroy J. F.; 1977. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 08 : Orchidaceae.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Butin, J., Laudereau, C., Amice, R., Bruy, D., Chambrey, C., Dumontet, V., Garnier, D., Mandaoué, L., Maura, J., Tiavouane, J.
Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.
Facilitator(s): Chanfreau, S.