Taxonomy

Pleioluma azou (P.Royen) Swenson & Munzinger
endemique
UICN

Synonyms

Beccariella azou (P.Royen) Aubrév.Planchonella azou P.Royen

Red List Status -

Endangered (EN) , assessed in 29/11/2019

Pleioluma azou is an endemic shrub or tree of New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the south of Grande Terre. It occurs in shrubland on ultramafic substrate between 100 and 300 m asl. The main threats to this species are bushfires and mining activities. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 188 and 32 km², respectively, and the number of locations is estimated to be five. Therefore, P. azou is listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)+B2ab(ii,iii,iv,v).

Geographical area


P. azou is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the south of Grande Terre, from Port Boisé to col de Yaté.

Population


Population size is unknown.

Habitat


This shrub or tree grows in low elevation shrubland ('maquis') on ultramafic substrate between 100 and 300 m asl.

Threats


The main threat to this species is posed by bushfires and mining activities (Goro).

Conservation


P. azou is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it doesn't occur in any protected areas. However, it is regularly produced in the Prony Resources (formerly Vale NC) native species nursery and planted in forest enrichment programs in the Pic du Grand Kaori reserve (McCoy, comm.pers.). It is proposed that monitoring should occur to ensure the persistence of the known population. To ensure the preservation of a viable population, it is recommended to inform the DSCGR (government department overseeing firefighting actions) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas.

Bibliography


Swenson U., Nylander J.A.A. & Munzinger J. 2018. Phylogeny, species delimitation and revision of Pleioluma (Sapotaceae) in New Caledonia, a frequently gynodioecious genus. Australian Systematic Botany(31) , p.120-165.

Aubréville A. 1967. Flore de la Nouvelle Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 01 : Sapotacées.

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

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): Barrault, J., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Munzinger, J., Vandrot, H.

Reviewer(s): Swenson, U.

Facilitator(s): Meyer, S., Tanguy, V., Warimavute, G.


Geographical distribution