Taxonomy
Synonyms
Piliocalyx eugenioides GuillauminRed List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 26/01/2018Protected species -
in Southern Province
Syzygium neoeugenioides is an endemic shrubby tree from New Caledonia, restricted in the south west coast and central west of Grande Terre. This species is found in mesophilic forest and dry forest on volcano-sedimentary soil up to 250 m asl. The threats to S. neoeugenioides are more likely to be linked to habitat damage by bushfires, goats at Pointe Maa, Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and urbanisation (land clearing). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are estimated to be of 426 and 20 km² while the number of locations is estimated to be four. S. neoeugenioides is therefore assessed as Endangered (EN) B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,v).
Geographical area
S. neoeugenioides is endemic to New Caledonia where it is restricted in the south west coast and central west of Grande Terre. The species is known from four subpopulations: Pic Jacob, Pointe Maa, Col de Mo and Karopin.
Population
Population size is unknown but field observations indicate a small size of population with no regeneration observed.
Habitat
S. neoeugenioides occurs in mesophilic forest and dry forest on volcano-sedimentary soil up to 250 m asl.
Threats
The main threat is posed by bushfires, goats at Pointe Maa, Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and urbanisation (land clearing) causing habitat degradation.
Conservation
This species is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and does not occur in any protected areas. This species should be included in the regional legislation for a better protection of the species and in situ conservation efforts are urgently needed, in particular : ensuring the follow-up of the known sub-populations and preserving it on delimited perimeters. 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.
Bibliography
Dawson J.W. 1999. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 23 : Myrtaceae Myrtoideae 1 : Syzygium.
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.
Snow N., J.W. Byng, J.Munzinger, M.W. Callmander & J.W. Dawson 2017. New Caledonian Piliocalyx transferred to Syzygium (Myrtaceae) with an updated conspectus of the species. Candollea(72 (2)) , p.239-248.
Experts
Assessor(s): Héquet, V., Vandrot, H., Barrabé, L., Amice, R., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Suprin, B., Chambrey, C., Laudereau, C., Haverkamp, C., Fogliani, B.
Reviewer(s): Gâteblé, G.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Warimavute, G., Meyer, S.