Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 08/09/2017Protected species -
in Northern Province
Oxera neriifolia subsp. sororia is a woody climber or a climbing shrub endemic to New Caledonia, restricted to the north west of Grande Terre. It is found in shrubland on ultramafic substrate between 350 and 700 m asl. Known from three locations, its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 105 and 16 km², respectively. Continuous declines in population size, the Area of Occupancy (AOO) and the habitat quality are estimated due past and ongoing mining activities in Kopéto and Boulinda and potential threats from uncontrolled bushfire events. Therefore, Oxera neriifolia subsp. sororia is listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v).
Geographical area
O. neriifolia subsp. sororia is endemic to New Caledonia where it is restricted to the north west of Grande Terre.
Population
Population size is unknown but based on field observations considered it as a rare species.
Habitat
O. neriifolia subsp. sororia occurs in scrubland on ultramafic substrate between 350 and 700 m asl.
Threats
The main threats are past and ongoing mining activities in Kopéto and Boulinda (road access road), as well as potential uncontrolled bushfires.
Conservation
This taxon is not protected by any legislation in New Caledonia and does not occur in any protected areas. This species would benefit from 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. It is also recommended to realise prospections in other ultramafic massifs and herbarium collections to have a better knowledge of this species and clarify some taxonomic doubts.
Bibliography
Gâteblé, G. 2016. Flore ornementale de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Mabberley DJ, de Kok RPJ. 2004. Labiatae. In: Morat P,ed. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendance.
Barrabé L, Karnadi-Abdelkader,G, Ounemoa,J,de Kok RPJ., Robert N, Gâteble,G. 2015. Recircumscription of Oxera (Lamiaceae: Ajugoideae) ta include Faradaya based on molecular and anatomical data. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society(179) , p.693-711.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
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.
Experts
Assessor(s): Gâteblé, G., Barrabé, L., Fleurot, D., Amice, R., Cazé, H., Bruy, D., Héquet, V., Vandrot, H., Butin, J., Mandaoué, L., Haverkamp, C., Dumontet, V., Laudereau, C.
Reviewer(s): Meyer, S.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Tanguy, V.