Taxonomy
Synonyms
Acianthopsis elegans (Rchb.f.) Szlach.Red List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 20/11/2020Protected species -
in Northern Province
Acianthus elegans is an endemic geophytic orchid of New Caledonia, widely distributed across Grande Terre with a predominance in the southern part of Grande Terre. The species occurs in dense humid forest and shrubland at an altitudinal range of 20 and 1,000 m asl. A. elegans is considered to be a common species. Despite having an Area of Occupancy (AOO) and an Extent of Occurrence (EOO) equal to 300 and 8,279 km² respectively, A. elegans has no apparent threat and is not thought to approach the requirements for listing as threatened. It is listed as Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
Acianthus elegans is endemic to New Caledonia and it is widely distributed across Grande Terre with a predominance in the southern part of Grande Terre.
Population
Population size is unknown. Field observations indicate a species locally common.
Habitat
A. elegans is an endemic geophytic orchid of New Caledonia. It occurs in dense humid forest and shrubland at an altitudinal range 20 and 1,000 m asl.
Threats
A. elegans does not appear to be threatened.
Conservation
Acianthus elegans is protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does occur in numerous protected areas: Barrage de Yaté, Cap N'dua, Côte Oubliée, Forêt cachée, Haute Dumbéa, Haute Yaté, la Dumbéa, Massif du Kouakoué, Montagne des sources, Mont Do, Mont Mou, Pic du Pin, Rivière bleue, Vallée de la Thy. The experts note a high variability in this group and it can also contain multiple taxa that may deserve species-level recognition. Taxonomic and genetic studies are needed to confirm or refuting these assumptions.
Bibliography
Hallé N.; Aubréville A.; Leroy J. F.; 1977. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 08 : Orchidaceae.
Jones, D.L., Clements, M.A., Sharma, I.K., Mackenzie, A.M. & Molloy, B.P.J. 2002. Nomenclatural notes arising from studies into the tribe Diurideae (Orchidaceae). The Orchadian(13) , p.437-468.
Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Rouhan G., Bruy, D., Veillon J.-M., & M. Chalopin 2020. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia [continuously updated].
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Kores, P. 1995. A systematic study of the genus « Acianthus » (Orchidaceae : Diurideae) . Allertonia(7(3)) , p.87-220.
Experts
Assessor(s): Bruy, D., Butin, J., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Héquet, V., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Vandrot, H.
Reviewer(s): Cazé, H.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Meyer, S.