Polyscias sp. nov. 'munzingeri' is an endemic shrub found in the north-west of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is known from a single massif (Tiébaghi). It is found in mid altitudinal shrubland on ultramafic substrate. Main threats are ongoing mining activities and recurrent bushfires. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both estimated to be 8 km² while the number of location is estimated to be one. Polyscias sp. nov. 'munzingeri' is therefore assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) with criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) with a continuing decline of all concerned sub-criteria. It was estimated as 'potentially extinct" during the red list workshop (December 2016) but this species was relocated thanks to prospections carried by Dominique Fleurot in January 2017.

Geographical area

Polyscias munzingeri is an endemic shrub found in the north-west of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. This species is known from a single massif (Tiébaghi).

Population

This species is known from a single population. Population size is not known but prospection carried by Dominique Fleurot lead to the localization of 18 mature individuals (January 2017).

Habitat

It is found in mid altitudinal shrubland on ultramafic substrate.

Threats

Main threats are ongoing mining activities (Tiébaghi) and recurrent bushfires.

Conservation

This species is protected by legislation in province Nord but it does not occur in any protected area. It is recommended to continue prospections, to carry ex-situ and in-situ conservation efforts, in particular: seeds banking, ensuring the follow-up of known sub-populations and preserving viable populations on delimited perimeters.

Bibliography

Lowry P.P.L. and Plunkett G.M. 2018. A Taxonomic revision of Polyscias subg. Tieghemopanax.

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.

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

Experts

Assessor(s): Lowry, P., Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Goxe, J., Héquet, V., Lannuzel, G., McCoy, S., Schatz, G., Suprin, B., Tanguy, V., Vandrot, H., Veillon, J.

Reviewer(s): Maura, J.

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