Kanakomyrtus dawsoniana is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the northeast of Grande Terre. It is known from the Tchingou massif and Haute Tchamba and is found in high elevation (between 1200 and 1260 m asl.) humid forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate. Known from 2 locations, its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are estimated at 12 and 17 km², respectively. The main threats to this species are invasive species causing heavy habitat degradation. Mining activities on the Tchingou massif could be a threat in the future, as well as climate change because of the species' narrow altitude range. Therefore, K. dawsoniana is listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii).

Geographical area

K. dawsoniana is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the northeast of Grande Terre. It is only known from two locations: Tchingou massif and Haute Tchamba.

Population

Population size is unknown.

Habitat

K. dawsoniana occurs in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate between 1,200 and 1,260 m asl.

Threats

The main threats to this species are invasive species causing habitat degradation (Rusa deer, Rusa timorensis and feral pigs, Sus scrofa). Mining activities on the Tchingou massif could be a threat in the future, as well as climate change because of the species' narrow altitude range.

Conservation

K. dawsoniana is not protected by anyn legislation in New Caledonia and it does not occur in any protected areas. This species would benefit from in situ and ex situ emergency conservation actions. It is proposed that monitoring should occur to ensure the persistence of the known population. Besides, as for the other species of this genus, prospection in the northeast is needed to collect more biological material.

Bibliography

Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.

Snow, N. 2009. Kanakomyrtus (Myrtaceae): A new endemic genus from New Caledonia with linear stigma lobes and baccate fruits. Systematic Botany(34) , p.330-344.

Snow N., McFadden J., Evans T.M., Salywon A.M., Wojciechowski M.F. & Wilson P.G. 2011. Morphological and molecular evidence of polyphyly in Rhodomyrtus (Myrtaceae: Myrteae). Systematic Botany(36(2)) , p.390-404.

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Butin, J., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Goxe, J., Héquet, V., Lannuzel, G., Suprin, B., Veillon, J.

Reviewer(s): Vandrot, H.

Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Tanguy, V.