Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 26/10/2018Protected species -
in Northern ProvinceMetrosideros longipetiolata is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia, where it is known from two localities (Mt. Colnett and Roches de la Ouaïeme) in the northeast of Grande Terre. It occurs in high elevation shrubland on ultramafic substrate between 700 and 1,000 m asl. This species is threatened by bushfires and invasive species, which degrade its habitat. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are estimated at 14 and 12 km², respectively, and the number of locations is estimated to be two. Therefore, M. longipetiolata is listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v).
Geographical area
This species is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is only known from two localities in the northeast of Grande Terre: Roches de la Ouaïeme and Mt. Colnett.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
This shrub occurs in high elevation shrubland on ultramafic substrate between 700 and 1,000 m asl.
Threats
Main threats to this species include bushfires at Roches Ouaïeme and invasive species (rusa deer Rusa timorensis and feral pigs Sus scrofa) on Mt. Colnett. Both contribute to the severe degradation of its habitat.
Conservation
M. longipetiolata is protected by legislation in Province Nord, but does not occur in any protected areas. This species would benefit from ex situ and in situ emergency conservation actions. It is proposed that monitoring should occur to ensure the persistence of known subpopulations. It is recommended to inform the DSCGR (government department overseeing firefighting actions) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. Finally, further prospection on the northeastern summits is needed to better estimate the size of the population and understand potential threats.
Bibliography
Dawson J.W. 1992. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 18 : Myrtacées Leptospermoïdées.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de 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.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Goxe, J., Henry, B., Héquet, V., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Mandaoué, L., Pillon, Y., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Vandrot, H.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Meyer, S.