Phyllanthus torrentium var. induratus is endemic to New Caledonia, only known from the areas around Cap Bocage, in the southern east coast of Grande Terre. It is found in shrubland on ultramafic substrate up to 300 m asl. Known from two locations, its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both estimated to be to 16 km². Main threats include mining activities and uncontrolled bushfires. Therefore, P. torrentium var. induratus is listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v).

Geographical area

P. torrentium var. induratus is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the southern east coast of Grande Terre.

Population

Total population size is unknown, but field prospections have reported at least 2,000 mature individuals on the plateau of Cap Bocage's (Lannuzel & Fogliani 2017).

Habitat

P. torrentium var. induratus occurs in shrubland on ultramafic substrate up to 300 m asl.

Threats

Main threats include uncontrolled bushfires and mining activities at Cap Bocage (SMT).

Conservation

P. torrentium var. induratus is protected by legislation in Province Nord, but does not occur in any protected areas. This species is cultivated at the IAC (Institut Agronomique de Nouvelle-Calédonie) nursery of Saint-Louis. This taxon would benefit from ex situ and in situ emergency conservation actions. It is recommended to monitor and preserve known populations in delimited areas of the mining site, and to inform the local authority responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort about the presence of the taxon in the concerned areas. It would also be advised to run multiplication tests in order to assist future planting operations. Finally, prospection at Cap Bocage and Monéo is needed to better estimate the size of the population and understand potential threats.

Bibliography

Lannuzel, G.; Gâteblé, G.; Fogliani, B. 2017. Etude des Espèces Rares et Menacées des sites miniers de la SMT.

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., Barrière, R., Butin, J., Fleurot, D., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Letocart, I., Suprin, B.

Reviewer(s): Veillon, J.

Contributor(s): Russ, L.

Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Tanguy, V.