Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 26/01/2018Protected species -
in Southern Province
Syzygium ramilepis is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia restricted to the center of Grande Terre. It is found in dense humid forest on volcano sedimentary substrate between 700 and 900 m asl. The population size is unknown but field observations indicate a species that is not common. The main threats identified are feral pigs (Sus scrofa) and Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) causing a degradation of its habitat quality. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 101 and 20 km², respectively, while the number of locations is estimated to be 3. Therefore, S. ramilepis is listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(iii)+B2ab(iii).
Geographical area
S. ramilepis is endemic to New Caledonia where it is restricted to the center of Grande Terre. It is known from 3 subpopulations: Mt. Aoupinié, Haute Tchamba and Mt.Goro Até.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
S. ramilepis occurs in dense humid forest on volcano sedimentary substrate between 700 and 900 m asl.
Threats
The main threats identified are feral pigs (Sus scrofa) and Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) causing a degradation of its habitat quality.
Conservation
This species is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it occur in only one protected area: Aoupinié. This species should be included in the regional legislation for a better protection of the specie and ex situ and in situ conservation efforts are urgently needed, in particular: ensuring the follow-up of the known sub-populations. It is recommended to improve the knowledge of the species (prospections, more herbarium specimens, specie's ecology) to better estimate its distribution and its status.
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.
Dawson J.W. 1999. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 23 : Myrtaceae Myrtoideae 1 : Syzygium.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Héquet, V., Vandrot, H., Barrabé, L., Amice, R., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Suprin, B., Chambrey, C., Laudereau, C., Haverkamp, C., Fogliani, B.
Reviewer(s): Gâteblé, G.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Meyer, S., Warimavute, G.