Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 20/07/2022Description
REFERENCE
Mouly A. and Jeanson M. 2015. "Specialization to ultramafic substrates and narrow endemism of Cyclophyllum (Rubiaceae) in New Caledonia: contribution of novel species to the understanding of these singular patterns". Acta Botanica Gallica: Botany Letters. Vol. 162, No. 3, 173–189. https://doi.org/10.1080/12538078.2015.1062799
Cyclophyllum merrillianum is a shrub and can become a big tree endemic of New Caledonia. It is found in the Grand Sud massif in the south of Grande Terre and in Lifou island at Loyalty Island. It occurs in littoral forests on ultramafic substrate at an altitude range of 20 to 67 m asl. This species is threatened by bushfires that contribute to the decline of its habitat quality. Its extend of occurence (EOO) and area of occurrence (AOO) are estimated to be respectively 509 km² and 24 km² with a number of locations equal to three. Therefore Cyclophyllum merrillianum is considered Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab (iii,v)+2ab (iii,v), with a decline of the concerned sub-criteria.
Geographical area
Cyclophyllum merrillianum is endemic to New Caledonia where it is found in the Grand Sud massif in the south of Grande Terre and in Lifou island at Loyalty Island.
Population
The population size is is not known. Field observations indicate a species that is not common.
Habitat
This species occurs in littoral forests on ultramafic substrate at an altitude range of 20 to 67 m asl.
Threats
This species is threatened by bushfires that contribute to the decline of its habitat quality.
Conservation
Cyclophyllum merrillianum is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does not occur in any protected area. It is recommended to inform the DSCGR (emergency services) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. It is recommended to search areas surrounding of the known subpopulations in order to better estimate its population size and threats.
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].
Mouly A. & Jeanson M. 2015. Specialization to ultramafic substrates and narrow endemism of Cyclophyllum (Rubiaceae) in New Caledonia: contribution of novel species to the understanding of these singular patterns. Acta Botanica Gallica(162) , p.173-189.
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.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Héquet, V., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., McCoy, S., Vandrot, H.
Reviewer(s): Pillon, Y.
Facilitator(s): Fourdrain, A., Warimavute, G.