Psychotria frondosa is an endemic shrub, is found in the Grande Terre moutain range, from Ouaième in the north to Dogny in the south of New Caledonia. It occurs in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary at an altitudinal range 300-800 m asl. The main threat impacting this species come from habitat degradation caused by invasive species (rusa rusa deer (Rusa timorensis)). Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) being respectively estimated to 36 and 1,836 km², while the number of locations is estimated to be six. Psychotria frondosa is therefore assessed as Vulnerable (VU) with criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) with a decline of habitat quality and number of mature individuals.

Geographical area

Psychotria frondosa is an endemic shrub, is found in the Grande Terre moutain range, from Ouaième in the North to Dogny in the South of New Caledonia.

Population

It is known from seven sub-populations: Ouaième, Forêt de Kaori de Poami, Amoa, Parc des Grandes Fougères, Col Amieu, Mt. Pembaï, Dogny.

Habitat

Psychotria frondosa occurs in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary at an altitudinal range 300-800 m asl.

Threats

The main threat impacting this species comes from habitat degradation caused by invasive species (rusa rusa deer (Rusa timorensis)), in particular in Poami and Parc des Grandes Fougères / Col Amieu area.

Conservation

Psychotria frondosa is not protected by legislation but it occurs in one protected areas : Parc des Grandes Fougères . It is recommended to inform the Conservatoire d'espaces naturels de Nouvelle-Calédonie (New Caledonia natural spaces conservatory), which coordinates the New caledonian Invasive Species Programme, on the situation of the species in the concerned areas.

Bibliography

Barrabé L, Maggia L, Pillon Y, Rigault F, Mouly A, Davis AP, Buerki S 2014. New Caledonian lineages of Psychotria (Rubiaceae) reveal different evolutionary histories and the largest documented plant radiation for the archipelago. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution(71) , p.15-35.

Barrabé L. 2013. Systématique et Evolution du genre Psychotria (Rubiaceæ) en 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.

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

Experts

Assessor(s): Barrabé, L., Amice, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Hequet, V., Maura, J., McCoy, S., Suprin, B., Vandrot, H., Veillon, J.

Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V., Lannuzel, G.

Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Warimavute, G., Ramon, L., Maura, J.