Pleioluma lucens is an endemic tree or shrub of New Caledonia, where it is mostly restricted to the south of Grande Terre. It occurs in shrubland on ultramafic substrate between 130 and 600 m asl. The main threats to this species are bushfires and mining activities. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 4,963 and 52 km², respectively, and the number of locations is estimated to be nine. Therefore, P. lucens is listed as Vulnerable (VU) under criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v).

Geographical area

P. lucens is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is mostly restricted to the south of Grande Terre, but it has also been observed at Poro (Houaïlou) and Katépahié (Voh).

Population

Population size is unknown, but field observations indicate that this species is rather rare.

Habitat

This shrub grows in low elevation shrubland ('maquis') on ultramafic substrate from 130 and 600 m asl.

Threats

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

Conservation

P. lucens is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia, but it occurs in four protected areas: Barrage de Yaté, Fausse Yaté and Chutes de la Madeleine natural reserves, as well as the Côte Oubliée provincial park. This species would benefit from ex-situ and in-situ emergency conservation actions. 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. Finally, prospection is recommended to better estimate its distribution and conservation status.

Bibliography

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

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].

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.

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

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): Tanguy, V., Meyer, S., Warimavute, G.