Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Data Deficient (DD) , assessed in 12/10/2015Protected species -
in Northern ProvinceMedicosma tahafeana is a narrow endemic shrub of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is insufficiently known. It could be composed by only one sub-population (Koniambo). It is found in shrubland on an ultramafic substrate which are areas threatened by mining operations. This taxon is insufficiently collected and not well known. Medicosma tahafeana is therefore assessed as Data Deficient (DD) for taxonomic and provenance reasons.
Geographical area
Medicosma tahafeana is a narrow endemic shrub of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. It could be composed by only one sub-population (Koniambo).
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
Medicosma tahafeana is found in shrubland on an ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 50-200 m asl.
Threats
The main threat is presented by ongoing mining development in Koniambo.
Conservation
The genus Medicosma should be taxonomically clarified in order to be able to assess the extinction risks of this species.
Bibliography
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.
L'Huillier L.; Jaffré T. and Wulff A. 2010. Mines et Environnement en Nouvelle-Calédonie : les milieux sur substrats ultramafiques et leur restauration.
Wulff AS, Hollingsworth PM, Ahrends A, Jaffré T, Veillon J-M, L’Huillier L, et al. 2013. Conservation Priorities in a Biodiversity Hotspot: Analysis of Narrow Endemic Plant Species in New Caledonia.
Experts
Assessor(s): Tanguy, V., Veillon, J., Amice, R., Barrière, R., Chambrey, C., Fleurot, D., Lannuzel, G.
Reviewer(s): Vandrot, H.
Contributor(s): Wulff, A.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Chanfreau, S.