Taxonomy
Synonyms
Rapanea obovatifolia M.SchmidRed List Status -
Near Threatened (NT) , assessed in 28/05/2018
Myrsine obovalifolia is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the northeast of Grande Terre. It occurs in mid and high elevation shrubland, as well as mid elevation dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate, from 400 to 1,450 m asl. Possible threats to the species include feral pigs, rusa deer and potentially bushfires. However, it does not seem directly threatened. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are 16 and 64 km², respectively, and the number of locations is 3. Therefore, M. obovalifolia is listed as Near Threatened (NT), close to VU under criteria B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii).
Geographical area
This species is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the northeast of Grande Terre: roches Ouaïeme, Mt. Panié and Mt. Ignambi.
Population
Population size is unknown, but field observations indicate that this species is common on Mt. Panié (CI & Dayu Biik 2018). Besides, its wide altitudinal range suggests it could be more abundant than the known distribution.
Habitat
This shrub occurs in mid and high elevation shrubland (e.g. kauri forest undergrowth), as well as mid elevation dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate, from 400 to 1,450 m asl.
Threats
Possible threats to this species include feral pigs (Sus scrofa) grubbing on Mt. Panié, rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) at lower elevation, and potentially bushfires at roches Ouaïeme. However, it does not seem directly threatened, and although grubbing was observed at Mt. Panié, individuals were considered healthy and regeneration has also been observed (CI & Dayu Biik 2018).
Conservation
Unprotected by legislation in New Caledonia, M. obovalifolia occurs in one protected area: mount Panié reserve. A global taxonomic study for the genus Myrsine in New Caledonia is recommended.
Bibliography
Schmid, M. 2009. Contribution à la connaissance des Primulaceae (ex Myrsinaceae) de Nouvelle-Calédonie. II. Le genre Rapanea Aubl.. Adansonia(31) , p.341-395.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore 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.
Butaud, J.-F., Conservation International & ACCMP Dayu Biik 2018. Fiche de pré-évaluation – Myrsine obovalifolia.
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.
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): Warimavute, G., Butaud, J., Meyer, S.