Taxonomy
Croton insularis
Synonyms
Croton insularis var. parvifolius Müll.Arg.Red List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 05/04/2018
Croton insularis
©Jean-Louis Ruiz - Inflorescence, boutons. Collection privée (SIRAS). Avril 2002. -
Croton insularis is a native shrub or tree of New Caledonia largely distributed in Grande Terre as well as in Belep islands, Ile des Pins, Loyalty Islands (Maré, Lifou et Ouvéa) and Walpole island. It is found in dry forest and shrubland on various substrate, up to 800 m asl. With an extent of occurrence (EOO) equal to 72,983 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 212 km², C. insularis is assessed as Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
C. insularis is native species of New caledonia, where it is largely distributed in Grande Terre as well as in Belep islands, Ile des Pins, Loyalty Islands (Maré, Lifou et Ouvéa) and Walpole island. It is also found in Vanuatu and Australia.
Population
Population size is unknown but field observations show it is a common species.
Habitat
C. insularis occurs in dry forest and shrubland on various substrates (ultramafic, calcareous and volcano-sedimentary), up to 800 m asl.
Threats
C. insularis could be affected by fire, Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and mining activities (Tiebaghi (SLN), Plateau (SLN)). However due to its large distribution, this species does not appear to be threatened at the moment.
Conservation
C. insularis is not protected by any legislation in New Caledonia but it does occur in two protected areas: Ouen Toro and Ile Leprédour.
Bibliography
Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Tronchet F., Veillon J.-M. and M. Chalopin 2016. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia. vers. 22.IV.2016.
McPherson G.D & Tirel C. 1987. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 14: Euphorbiaceae I.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Chambrey, C., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Goxe, J., Hequet, V., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Lannuzel, G.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Barrabé, L., Meyer, S.