Beauprea penariensis is a moncaulous shrub growing up to 3-4 m high endemic from New Caledonia. This species was formally and only known from a single herbarium specimen at Pénari (south east of Grande Terre) collected in 1868 by Balansa. Recent prospections in 2019 have managed to relocate the species in a very restricted area. It occurs in scrubland on cuirass at an altitude range of 600-850 m asl. This species is not common with only 3 mature individuals observed. The main threats are uncontrolled bushfires likely to be causing a continuous decline in the quality of habitat and number of mature individuals. Its Extent of Occurrence (EOO) and Area of Occupancy (AOO) are both estimated to be of 4 km² while the species is known from a single location. Observations report a total population size fewer than 50 mature individuals. Beauprea penariensis is therefore assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) B1ab (iii,v)+2ab(iii,v); C2a(i,ii); D.

Geographical area

Beauprea penariensis is endemic to New Caledonia where it is only known from Pénari in the sout east of Grande Terre. This species was formally and only known from a single herbarium specimen collected in 1868 by Balansa. Recent prospections in 2019 have managed to relocate the species in a very restricted area.

Population

The population size is not known. However field observations indicate a species that is not common with only 3 mature individuals observed during the 2019 prospection.

Habitat

This species occurs in scrubland on cuirass at an altitude range of 600-850 m asl.

Threats

The main threats are uncontrolled bushfires likely to be causing a continuous decline in the quality of habitat and number of mature individuals.

Conservation

Beauprea penariensis is protected by legislation in Province Nord and Province Sud but it does not occur in any protected areas. Ex-situ and in-situ conservation efforts are urgently needed, in particular : ensuring the follow-up of the only known subpopulation and preserving it on delimited perimeters. It is recommended to inform the DSCGR (government department overseeing firefighting actions) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas.

Bibliography

Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Rouhan G., Bruy, D., Veillon J.-M., & M. Chalopin 2020. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia [continuously updated].

Virot, R. 1968. Flore de la Nouvelle Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 02 : Protéacées.

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): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Garnier, D., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., McCoy, S., Vandrot, H., Pillon, Y.

Reviewer(s): Fourdrain, A.

Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Meyer, S.