Taxonomy
Common name :
Hêtre rouge maillé
Synonyms
Macadamia neurophylla (Guillaumin) Virot • Kermadecia neurophylla GuillauminRed List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 24/10/2019Protected species -
in Northern Province
Virotia neurophylla is an endemic shrub or tree (growing up to 10 m high) of New Caledonia, restricted to the south of Grande Terre with an observation in the south-east coast at Thio. This species occurs in humid forests on ultramafic substrates at an altitude range of 5 to 550 m asl. The mains threats are bushfires (at Yaté, Creek Pernod, Messioncoué, Thio) and mining activities at Goro and Plateau. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are respectively estimated to be 100 and 1,719 km² and its number of locations is estimated to be ten. Therefore, Virotia neurophylla is considered Vulnerable VU B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v) with a decline in all the concerned subcriteria.
Geographical area
Virotia neurophylla is an endemic species from New Caledonia. It is restricted to the Grand Massif Sud in the south of the main island (Grande Terre) with an extension to the south east coast at Thio.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
Virotia neurophylla occurs in humid forest on ultramafic substrates at an altitude range of 5 and 550 m asl.
Threats
The mains threats are bushfires at Yaté, Creek Pernod, Messioncoué, Thio and mining activity at Goro and Plateau.
Conservation
Virotia neurophylla is only protected by legislation in Province Nord and it does occur in 6 protected areas : Foret Nord, Pic du grand Kaori, Vallée de la Thy, Rivière bleue, Pic du Pin, Forêt cachée. 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.
Virot, R. 1968. Flore de la Nouvelle Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 02 : Protéacées.
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].
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): Meyer, S., Warimavute, G., Pillon, Y.