Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 28/05/2018Protected species -
in Northern Province
Zygogynum tanyostigma is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia, where it is restricted to two stations in the northeast of Grande Terre. It occurs in high elevation shrubby vegetation on volcano-sedimentary substrate above 1,350 m asl. Although regeneration has been observed, this species is threatened by feral pigs, which cause heavy habitat degradation and damage to mature individuals by grubbing. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are both 12 km² and the number of locations is two. Therefore, Z. tanyostigma is listed as Endangered under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v).
Geographical area
This species is endemic to New Caldonia, where it is only known from two stations in the northeast of Grande Terre: Mt. Colnett and Mt. Panié.
Population
Total population size is unknown, but field observations on Mt. Panié indicate that this species is quite common (CI & Dayu Biik 2018).
Habitat
This shrub occurs in high elevation shrubby vegetation (e.g. kauri forest undergrowth) on volcano-sedimentary substrate above 1,350 m asl.
Threats
Although regenereation has been observed on Mt. Panié, this species is threatened by feral pigs (Sus scrofa), which cause heavy habitat degradation and damage to mature individuals by grubbing. Besides, like other high elevation species, it could be impacted by climate change in the future.
Conservation
T. tanyostigma is protected by legislation in Province Nord and occurs in one protected area: mount Panié reserve. This species would benefit from emergency in situ and ex situ conservation actions. Monitoring of known subpopulations should continue and a viable one should be preserved in a delimited area where feral pigs are regulated.
Bibliography
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
White F.; Vink W. 1993. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 19 : Ebenacaeae-Winteraceae.
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.
Butaud, J.-F., Conservation International & ACCMP Dayu Biik 2018. Pré-évaluation du niveau de menace de la flore micro-endémique se développant au sein de la forêt de kaoris de la zone sommitale du Mont Panié.
Butaud, J.-F., Conservation International & ACCMP Dayu Biik 2018. Fiche de pré-évaluation – Zygogynum tanyostigma.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Haverkamp, C., Héquet, V., Lagrange, A., Laudereau, C., Tiavouane, J., Tron, F., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Lannuzel, G.
Facilitator(s): Butaud, J., Meyer, S., Warimavute, G.