Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Critically Endangered (CR) , assessed in 08/09/2017
Oxera sp. nov. "garoensis" is a woody shrub to small tree endemic to New Caledonia, restricted to Mt. Panié in the northeast of Grande Terre. It is found in forest undergrowth on volcano-sedimentary substrate between 600 and 800 m asl. Known from only one location, its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both estimated at 4 km². The main threat is habitat destruction by feral pigs (Sus scrofa) and rusa deer (Rusa timorensis russa). Population size is unknown. Oxera sp. nov. "garoensis" is therefore listed as Critically Endangered (CR) under criteria B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii).
Geographical area
O. sp. nov. "garoensis" is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to Mt. Panié in the north east of Grande Terre.
Population
Population size is unknown. Field surveys indicate small subpopulations with little regeneration.
Habitat
O. sp. nov. "garoensis" occurs in forest undergrowth on volcano-sedimentary substrate between 600 and 800 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 legislation in New Caledonia but it does occur in a protected area: Mont Panié. Prospection on Mont Panié is important to determine popluation size and better understand potential threats. It is also recommended to inform the local association managing the Mont Panié reserve (Dayu Biik) about the species' status. This would allow in situ emergency conservation actions to be carried out: monitoring the viable population and controlling invasive species. This species is cultivated at the IAC (Institut Agronomique de Nouvelle-Calédonie) nursery of Saint-Louis with only a few number of individuals.
Bibliography
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.
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.
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): Warimavute, G., Tanguy, V.