Agatea lecointei is an endemic liana of New Caledonia, where it is only known from the base of Katepahié massif in the north-west of Grande Terre. It was only collected one time by MacKee in 1977, but was not found again during recent searches. It occurs in open scrubland on sepentinite substrate around 50 m asl. The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by uncontrolled bushfires allow us to project a continuous decline in the quality of habitat and number of mature individuals. Given the ongoing threats and it not being found in recent searches, there is a fairly high probability that the species could be extinct, but it is possible that it may persist. Known from a single location, its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are both estimated to 4 km². Therefore, Agatea lecointei is listed as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) (CR) (PE) under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v).

Geographical area

Agatea lecointei is endemic to New Caledonia where it is only known from the base of Katepahié massif in the north-west of Grande Terre. It was only collected one time by MacKee in 1977, but was not found again during recent searches.

Population

The population size is is not known.

Habitat

Agatea lecointei occurs in open scrubland on serpentinite substrate around 50 m asl.

Threats

The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by uncontrolled bushfires allow us to project a continuous decline in the quality of habitat and number of mature individuals.

Conservation

The species is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does not occur in any protected area. It is recommended to pursue the search of the species at the base of Katepahié massif and estimate its population size and its threats.

Bibliography

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

Munzinger J. 2001. Two new species of Agatea (Violaceae) endemic to New Caledonia, with some taxonomic notes and a key to New Caledonian species. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society(137 (1)) , p.91-97.

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.

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): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Héquet, V., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., McCoy, S., Vandrot, H.

Reviewer(s): Pillon, Y.

Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Fourdrain, A.