Hunga myrsinoides is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia where it has a scattered distribution across Grande Terre in the center and the north east. It is known from five subpopulations : Mandjélia, Tao, Ou Hinna, Aoupinié, Farino. This species is found in dense humid forest on volcano- sedimentary substrate up to 900 m asl. The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by bushfires for low elevation subpopulations, Rusa Deer (Rusa timorensis) and feral pigs (Sus scrofa). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are estimated to be of 1,152 km² and of 28 km², respectively, while the number of locations is estimated to be five. H. myrsinoides is therefore assessed as Endangered (EN) with criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) with a continuing decline of habitat quality and number of mature individuals.

Geographical area

Hunga myrsinoides is endemic to New Caledonia where it has a discattered distribution across Grande Terre in the center and the north east. It is known from five subpopulations : Mandjélia, Tao, Ou Hinna, Aoupinié, Farino.

Population

Population size is not known.

Habitat

This species occurs in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate up to 900 m asl.

Threats

The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by bushfires for low elevation subpopulations, Rusa Deer (Rusa timorensis) and feral pigs (Sus scrofa).

Conservation

Hunga myrsinoides is protected by legislation in Province Nord and it occurs in one protected area: Parc des Grandes Fougères. This species would benefit from ex situ and in situ emergency conservation actions. It is recommended to inform the local authority responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort about the presence of the species in the concerned areas. Finally, prospection at Ou Hinna is needed to confirm the presence of the species and better estimate the size and the state of the population.

Bibliography

Nielsen(Author), Sir Ghillean T Prance(Author), John R Edmondson(Author) 1983. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et Dépendances, Volume 12: Legumineuses - Mimosoideae, Chrysobalanaceae, Plombaginaceae.

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].

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.

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Eltabet, N., Garnier, D., Fleurot, D., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., Vandrot, H.

Reviewer(s): Meyer, S.

Facilitator(s): Fourdrain, A., Warimavute, G.