Taxonomy
Asplenium polyphyleticum
Red List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 30/10/2019
Asplenium polyphyleticum is an endemic epiphytic fern from New Caledonia, where it is mainly concentrated in the center of Grande Terre, with a few occasional observations in the south and the north. It grows in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate from 250 to 1,100 m asl. This species does not seem to be threatened. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 5,705 and 120 km², respectively. Therefore, A. polyphyleticum is listed as Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
A. polyphyleticum is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is mainly concentrated in the center of Grande Terre, from Oui Poin (La Foa) to Nodéla (Bourail), but it has also been occasionally observed on Mts. Koghis in the south, as well as the Amoa valley and the Hienghène area in the north.
Population
Population size is unknown, but field observation indicate that this species is common.
Habitat
This epiphytic fern grows in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary and rarely ultramafic substrate from 250 to 1,100 m asl
Threats
This species does not seem to be threatened.
Conservation
A. polyphyleticum is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia, but it occurs in three protected areas: Vallée de la Thy and Nodéla natural reserves, as well as Grandes Fougères provincial park.
Bibliography
Brownlie G. 1969. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et Dépendances, Volume 03 : Pteridophytae.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Rouhan G., Bruy, D., Veillon J.-M., & M. Chalopin. 2019. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia..
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Héquet, V., Perrie, L., Suprin, B., Vandrot, H.
Reviewer(s): Rouhan, G.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Meyer, S.