Taxonomy

Virotia francii (Guillaumin) P.H.Weston & A.R.Mast
endemique
UICN

Synonyms

Roupala francii GuillauminMacadamia francii (Guillaumin) Sleumer

Red List Status -

Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 24/10/2019

Virotia francii is an endemic shrub or big tree (growing up to 20m high) from New caledonia, restricted to the Grand Massif Sud of the Grande Terre, from Goro to Montagne des Sources. This species occurs in dense humid forest on ultramafic substrate at an altitude range of 200 and 1,000 m asl. This species is threatened by bushfires and mining activities at Goro. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) being respectively estimated to be 68 and 829 km² and its number of location estimated to be ten. Therefore, Virotia francii is considered Vulnerable VU B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,v) with a decline of all the concerned subcriteria.

Geographical area


Virotia francii is endemic to New Caledonia where it is restricted to the Grand Massif Sud in the south of the Grande Terre, from Goro to Montagne des Sources.

Population


Population size is unknown.

Habitat


Virotia francii occurs in dense humid forest on ultramafic substrate at an altitude range of 200 and 1,000 asl.

Threats


This species is threatened by bushfires and mining activities at Goro.

Conservation


Virotia francii is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does ot occur in 6 protected areas : Rivière bleue, Haute Yaté, Foret Nord, Vallée de la Thy, Montagne des sources, Pic du grand Kaori. This species should be included in Province Sud legislation for a better protection of the species. It is recommended to inform the DSCGR (emergency services), responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort.

Bibliography


HOPKINS, H.C.F. & Y. PILLON 2020. Virotia azurea (Proteaceae: Macadamieae), a striking new species endemic to New Caledonia and notes on V. francii and V. leptophylla. Candollea(75) , p.89-98.

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

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.

Experts


Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Héquet, V., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Vandrot, H., Gâteblé, G.

Reviewer(s): Veillon, J.

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


Geographical distribution