Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 08/09/2017
Oxera merytifolia is a woody climber endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the north east of Grande Terre. This species is known from two subpopulations (Pombeï and Haute Tchamba), found in undergrowth forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate from 400 to 500 m asl. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are estimated at 14 km² and 12 km², respectively. Population size is unknown. Main threats are feral pigs (Sus scrofa) and rusa deer (Rusa timorensis russa), that cause habitat degradation. Oxera merytifolia is therefore listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii).
Geographical area
O. merytifolia is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the north east of Grande Terre. It is known from two subpopulations (Pombeï and Haute Tchamba).
Population
Population size is unknown, but field surveys indicate that its population size is small with little to no regeneration observed.
Habitat
O. merytifolia occurs in forest undergrowth on soils derived from volcano-sedimentary substrate between 400 and 500 m asl.
Threats
The main threat is habitat degradation, caused by feral pigs (Sus scrofa) and Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis).
Conservation
This species is not protected by any local legislation and it doesn't occur in any protected areas. This species would benefit from emergency in situ conservation actions. It is proposed to monitor the known populations and to preserve a viable population on a delimited site, where invasive species are under control. It is also recommended to inform the local authority responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort about the presence of the species in the concerned areas. Finally, knowledge improvement on the species (multiplication tests) would also be needed for ex situ conservation.
Bibliography
Barrabé L, Karnadi-Abdelkader,G, Ounemoa,J,de Kok RPJ., Robert N, Gâteble,G. 2015. Recircumscription of Oxera (Lamiaceae: Ajugoideae) ta include Faradaya based on molecular and anatomical data. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society(179) , p.693-711.
Gâteblé, G. 2016. Flore ornementale de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
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.
Mabberley DJ, de Kok RPJ. 2004. Labiatae. In: Morat P,ed. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendance.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Gâteblé, G., Barrabé, L., Fleurot, D., Amice, R., Cazé, H., Bruy, D., Héquet, V., Vandrot, H., Butin, J., Mandaoué, L., Haverkamp, C., Dumontet, V., Laudereau, C.
Reviewer(s): Meyer, S.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Warimavute, G.