Taxonomy

endemique
protegee
UICN

Synonyms

Uragoga nekouana Baill.

Red List Status -

Critically Endangered (CR) , assessed in 15/09/2016

Protected species -

in Southern Province

Psychotria nekouana is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, known from Nessadiou in Grande Terre. An old herbarium specimen (1869) was collected at Nékou. It occurs in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate at an altitudinal range 400-1,000 m asl. Main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by rusa rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) (Rusa timorensis), expansion of cattle grazing areas and uncontrolled bushfires. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are both equal to 8 km², while the species is known to exist at only a single location. Psychotria nekouana is therefore assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) with criteria C2a(ii), B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) with a decline of habitat quality and number of mature individuals.

Geographical area


Psychotria nekouana is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, known from Nessadiou in Grande Terre. An old herbarium specimen (1869) was collected at Nékou.

Population


It is known from a single population in Nessadiou beetween 50 and 100 mature individuals.

Habitat


Psychotria nekouana occurs in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate at an altitudinal range 400-1,000 m asl.

Threats


Main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by rusa rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) (Rusa timorensis), expansion of cattle grazing areas and uncontrolled bushfires. Introduced in the 1880's, rusa rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) are now perfectly adapted to New Caledonian habitats. Uncontrolled bushfires sweep across New Caledonia each year, especially during the dry season (an average of 20,000 ha of land is burnt each year, with dramatic peaks of 70,000 ha).

Conservation


Psychotria nekouana is unprotected by legislation and it does not occur in any protected area. This species would benefit from ex-situ and in-situ emergency conservation actions. It is proposed to ensure the follow-up of known sub-populations, to preserve a viable population on delimited perimeters. Moreover a protected area should be etablished in Nessadiou. It would be advised to realize multiplication tests in order to assist future planting operations. It is recommended to inform the DSCGR (emergency services), and local Management Committee (Comité de gestion de la Zone Côtière Ouest) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. Prospection in the mountain ranges of Deva are urgently needed.

Bibliography


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

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.

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., Ramon, L., Maura, J., Warimavute, G.


Geographical distribution