Taxonomy
Synonyms
Melodinus balansae var. velutinus DänikerRed List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 12/05/2022Protected species -
in Northern ProvinceMelodinus reticulatus is an endemic liana of New Caledonia. This species is only known from Tontouta valley. It is found in shrubland on ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range of 20-300 m asl. Recurrent bushfires and past and on-going mining activities in the valley (Tomo/Vulcain and Opoué) and road constructions contribute to the degradation of the habitat, especially soil erosion. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are estimated to be of 109 km² and 40 km², respectively, while the number of locations is estimated to be three. Melodinus reticulatus is therefore assessed as Endangered (EN) with criteria B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v) with a continuing decline of the Area of occupancy (AOO), the habitat quality and the number of mature individuals.
Geographical area
Melodinus reticulatus is endemic to New Caledonia where it is only known from Tontouta valley.
Population
The population size is unknown.
Habitat
Melodinus reticulatus is found in shrubland on an ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range of 20-300 m asl.
Threats
The main threats are recurrent bushfires and past and on-going mining activities in the valley (Tomo/Vulcain and Opoué) and road constructions contribute to the degradation of the habitat, especially soil erosion.
Conservation
Melodinus reticulatus is protected by legislation in Province Nord, but does not occur in any protected area. It is recommended to prospect "La vallée de la Tontouta". In terms of protection, while it seems difficult to propose perennial measures as long as the valley will be exploited and to protect the low valley of Tontouta (river forebank, dry forest).
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.
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.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Wulff AS, Hollingsworth PM, Ahrends A, Jaffré T, Veillon J-M, L’Huillier L, et al. 2013. Conservation Priorities in a Biodiversity Hotspot: Analysis of Narrow Endemic Plant Species in New Caledonia.
Leeuwenberg, A. J. M. 2023. Series of Revisions of Apocynaceae LIII. Melodinus.. JSTOR(73(1)) , p.3-63.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Boiteau Pierre avec collaboration de Lucie Allorge 1982. Flore de la Nouvelle Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 10 : Apocynacées.
L'Huillier L.; Jaffré T. and Wulff A. 2010. Mines et Environnement en Nouvelle-Calédonie : les milieux sur substrats ultramafiques et leur restauration.
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].
Experts
Assessor(s): Tanguy, V., Amice, R., Veillon, J., Bruy, D., Amice, R., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Barrière, R., Chambrey, C., Fleurot, D., Fleurot, D., Héquet, V., Bernard-Musmann, M., Lannuzel, G., Goxe, J., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., Vandrot, H.
Reviewer(s): Pillon, Y., Vandrot, H.
Contributor(s): Wulff, A.
Facilitator(s): Meyer, S., Fourdrain, A., Warimavute, G., Chanfreau, S., Tanguy, V.