Taxonomy
Liparis leratii
Red List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 18/02/2016Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Endemic orchid of New Caledonia, Liparis leratii is distributed discontinuously on Grande Terre (main island) from Port Boisé to Tiébaghi. L. leratii is found in dense humid forest, shrubland, forest edges and talweg on ultramafic substrates at an altitudinal range 35-510 m asl. Threats such as bushfire, Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and nickel mining are causing a continuous decline of L. leratii. Its area of occupancy and extent of occurrence are estimated to 68 and 9,080 km² respectively, for a total of threatened equal to 10. L. leratii is considered Vulnerable with criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)+B2ab(i,ii,iii,v).
Geographical area
Endemic orchid of New Caledonia, L. leratii is distributed discontinuously on Grande Terre (main island) from Port Boisé to Tiébaghi.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
L. leratii is found in dense humid forest, shrubland, forest edges and talweg on ultramafic substrates at an altitudinal range 35-510 m asl.
Threats
L. leratii is threatened by nickel mining in Koniambo, Tiébaghi and rivière des Pirogues. Bushfire constitutes also a major threat in several localities (Tia, forêt de la Superbe, Moneo, Konimabo, Povila) while Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) causes serious damages in Povila. Finally, shooting range lead in Dunnite concession (near les Dalmates) may also contribute to the continuous decline of L. leratii.
Conservation
L. leratii is protected in Province Sud and Province Nord but has never been inventoried in any protected area. Never seen again since the Le Rat collection in 1908 on the Dzumac, there is a need to prospect L. leratii on Dzumac station.
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.
Hallé N.; Aubréville A.; Leroy J. F.; 1977. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 08 : Orchidaceae.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Butin, J., Laudereau, C., Antheaume, C., Cazé, H., Garnier, D., Fleurot, D., Letocart, D., Letocart, I., McCoy, S.
Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.
Facilitator(s): Chanfreau, S.