Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 23/07/2015
Pittosporum malaxanii is an endemic shrub found in central Grande Terre. P. malaxanii occurs in dense humid forest and gallery forest usually on schist soil between 10 and 503 m asl. The eleven known localities are under a range of threats (bushfire, animal husbandry, invasive species) contributing to a continuous decline of the population. The total population of P. malaxanii is estimated to be fewer than 10,000 mature individuals and for sub-population size fewer than 1,000 individuals. Using criteria C, P. malaxanii qualifies as Vulnerable C2a(i).
Geographical area
P. malaxanii is an endemic shrub found in the central part of Grande Terre.
Population
The total population size of P. malaxanii is estimated to be fewer than 10,000 mature individuals and for a sub-population size fewer than 1,000 individuals.
Habitat
P. malaxanii occurs in dense humid vallicole forest and gallery forest usually on schist soil between 10 and 503 m asl.
Threats
P. malaxanii is affected by different kind of threats, namely bushfire, forest clearing for husbandry, invasive animal species such rusa deer (Rusa timorensis), pigs and rats, resulting in significant damage to the habitat of Pittosporum malaxanii.
Conservation
Unprotected species by legislation, P. malaxanii is however known from Parc des Grandes Fougères. In order to improve our knowledge of P. malaxanii, further phylogenetic work is required.
Bibliography
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.
Hély-Alleaume 2012. INC : Incendies et biodiversité des éco-systèmes en Nouvelle-Calédonie.
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.
Tirel, C. & Veillon J.-M. 2002. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 24 : Pittosporaceae.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
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.