Pittosporum verrucosum is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia distributed in central Grande Terre between Nakada and Görö Përë, and appears sympatric with Pittosporum morierei. This species is found in dense humid forest on schist at an altitudinal range 80-800 m asl. Its area of occupancy and extent of occurrence are equal to 84 and 1,356 km² respectively for a total of 11 sub-populations. Habitat degradation of P. verrucosum is only due to pressures exerted by two invasive animal species : rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and feral pigs, resulting in a continuous decline of the quality of habitat. Using criteria B, P. verrucosum qualifies as Near Threatened (NT) close to (VU) B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii).

Geographical area

P. verrucosum is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia distributed in the central part of Grande Terre between Nakada and Görö Përë.

Population

Population size is not precisely known.

Habitat

Species found in humid dense forest on schist, P. verrucosum occurs at an altitudinal range 80-800 m asl.

Threats

Due to its ecology and distribution, P. verrucosum could be negatively impacted by damage onto its habitat caused by rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and pigs.

Conservation

Unprotected species by legislation, P. verrucosum is however known from réserve de nature sauvage du massif de l’Aoupinié and Parc des Grandes Fougères. Estimation of sub-population sizes would be beneficial for an improved monitoring of populations.

Bibliography

Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.

Tirel, C. & Veillon J.-M. 2002. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 24 : Pittosporaceae.

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): 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.