Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Data Deficient (DD) , assessed in 23/07/2015
Pittosporum loniceroides is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, which under current taxonomic delimitation, is restricted to the south of Grande Terre in an area including : Dumbéa, Tontouta and Thio. However phylogenetic studies now suggest a close relationship between P. loniceroides and P. sessilifolium. Until taxonomic species delimitations are clarified, P. loniceroides qualifies as Data Deficient.
Geographical area
P. loniceroides is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, which under current taxonomic delimitation, is restricted to the south of Grande Terre in an area including : Dumbéa, Tontouta and Thio.
Population
Population size is unknown. Field surveys emphasize mostly isolated plants.
Habitat
P. loniceroides occurs in shrubland and forest edges on ultramafic substrate and derived soils.
Threats
Threats linked to habitat degradation of P. loniceroides are caused by rusa deer (Rusa timorensis). The reopening of the mine on Tontouta locality would be a significant, additional threat. Fire can affect low altitude individuals and water stress could impact individuals in rocky areas.
Conservation
P. loniceroides is not protected by legislation. However this species occurs in several protected areas of Province Sud : la réserve naturelle du Mont Mou, la réserve naturelle de la forêt de Saille, la réserve naturelle de la Haute Dumbéa and la réserve intégrale de la Montagne des Sources. In the aim to assess extinction risk of P. loniceroides, there is an urgent need for further morphological and genetic studies to address taxonomy of P. sessilifolium and P. loniceroides.
Bibliography
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Hély-Alleaume 2012. INC : Incendies et biodiversité des éco-systèmes en 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.
Tirel, C. & Veillon J.-M. 2002. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 24 : Pittosporaceae.
L'Huillier L.; Jaffré T. and Wulff A. 2010. Mines et Environnement en Nouvelle-Calédonie : les milieux sur substrats ultramafiques et leur restauration.
Gomez C.; Mangeas M.; Curt T.; Ibanez T.; Munzinger J.; Dumas P.; Jérémy A.; Despinoy M. and Hély C. 2014. Wildfire risk for main vegetation units in a biodiversity hotspot: modeling approach in New Caledonia, South Pacific. Ecology and Evolution(5) , p.377-390.
Experts
Assessor(s): Gemmill, C., Veillon, J., Amice, R., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Maggia, L.
Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.
Facilitator(s): Chanfreau, S.