Mezoneuron ouenensis is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia known from a single herbarium specimen on the Ile Ouen (ultramafic substrate) collected in 1868. Ile Ouen, the type locality, is a small island (c. 8.7 × 7.2 km), which has been subject to anthropogenic disturbance (mining activities & bush fires...) that may have destroyed the population from which the type specimen was derived. It is therefore assigned a status of Critically Endangered (CR) with criteria B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)) with the tag Possibly Extinct with a continuing decline of the habitat quality. It is recommended to implement prospection of the island in order to confirm its probable extinction or implement urgent conservation actions if it was relocated.

Geographical area

Mezoneuron ouenensis is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia known from a single herbarium specimen on the Ile Ouen (ultramafic substrate) collected in 1868.

Population

Population size is unknown.

Habitat

It was collected on the edge of a stream. The vegetation was not stated on specimen label, it is inferred to be shrubland on an ultramafic substrate as this is the predominant vegetation type on Ile Ouen.

Threats

Ile Ouen, the type locality, is a small island (c. 8.7 × 7.2 km), which has been subject to anthropogenic disturbance (mining activities & bush fires...) that may have destroyed the population from which the type specimen was derived.

Conservation

Unprotected by legislation, there is no protected area on Ile Ouen. It is recommended to prospect Ile Ouen to infirm M. ouenensis's possible extinction.

Bibliography

Clark R. & Gagnon E. 2015. A revision of Mezoneuron (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae) in New Caledonia, with perspectives on vegetation, geology, and conservaton. Phytotaxa(207) , p.68-92.

Experts

Assessor(s): Tanguy, V., Amice, R., Birnbaum, P., Bruy, D., Dubreuil, M., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Lannuzel, G., Papineau, C., Razafindrakoto, L.

Reviewer(s): Cazé, H.

Contributor(s): Veillon, J.

Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V.