Taxonomy
Synonyms
Pittosporum dognyense Guillaumin • Pittosporum cheesmanae GuillauminRed List Status -
Data Deficient (DD) , assessed in 23/07/2015
Pittosporum heckelii is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, which under current taxonomic delimitation, is distributed in the center and north-eastern part of Grande Terre. According to current phylogenetic studies, it would appear that at least two species (one from North and one from South) have been merged together under the name P. heckelii. Until taxonomic species delimitation are clarified, P. heckelii qualifies as Data Deficient.
Geographical area
P. heckelii is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia distributed in the center and north-eastern part of Grande Terre.
Population
Population size is unknown. Observed individuals are mostly isolated plants.
Habitat
P. heckelii occurs in mid to high altitude in humid forest on all kinds of substrate (schist, ultramafic).
Threats
Threats linked to habitat degradation of P. heckelii are owed to mining activities and rusa deer (Rusa timorensis), major invasive species in New Caledonia.
Conservation
P. heckelii is not protected by legislation. Nevertheless this species occurs in several protected areas : réserve de nature sauvage du mont Panié, réserve de nature sauvage du massif de l’Aoupinié, Parc des Grandes Fougères. To assess its risk of extinction, it is both critical and urgent that phylogenetic and morphological studies focus on this complex, to describe species and sub-species currently brought together under the species P. heckelii. According to taxonomic experts on Pittosporum, the north and south sub-populations as well as the north-west and north-east subpopulations could correspond to different species, and could be accommodated by resurrecting the species P. dognyense. Given that this species is not protected by legislation, it would be appropriate to set up exceptional conservation measures while we await taxonomic revision.
Bibliography
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.
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.
L'Huillier L.; Jaffré T. and Wulff A. 2010. Mines et Environnement en Nouvelle-Calédonie : les milieux sur substrats ultramafiques et leur restauration.
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.