Taxonomy

Psychotria hootmawaapensis Barrabé & J.Florence
endemique
UICN

Red List Status -

Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 15/09/2016

Psychotria hootmawaapensis is an endemic shrub, spread in Grande Terre from Col d'Amoss to Tindo (hienghène) in the North of New Caledonia. It occurs in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary at an altitudinal range 600-900 m asl. The main impact identified comes from bushfires. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) being respectively estimated to 48 and 340 km²,while the number of locations is estimated to be six. Psychotria hootmawaapensis is therefore assessed as Vulnerable (VU) with criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) with a decline of habitat quality and number of mature individuals.

Geographical area


Psychotria hootmawaapensis is an endemic shrub, spread in Grande Terre from Col d'Amoss to Tindo (hienghène) in the north of New Caledonia.

Population


Population size is unknown.

Habitat


Psychotria hootmawaapensis occurs in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary at an altitudinal range 600-900 m asl.

Threats


Main identified threat is linked to habitat damaging by uncontrolled bushfires. Uncontrolled bushfires sweep across New Caledonia each year, especially during the dry season (an average of 20,000 ha of land is burnt each year, with dramatic peaks of 70,000 ha). Some sub-populations, such as Col d'Amoss and Tindo, are particularly exposed to such risk.

Conservation


Psychotria hootmawaapensis is unprotected by legislation and it does not occur in any protected area. It is recommended to inform the DSCGR (emergency services), Local Management Committee on the presence of the species in the concerned areas.

Bibliography


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

Barrabé L. 2013. Systématique et Evolution du genre Psychotria (Rubiaceæ) en 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, Maggia L, Pillon Y, Rigault F, Mouly A, Davis AP, Buerki S 2014. New Caledonian lineages of Psychotria (Rubiaceae) reveal different evolutionary histories and the largest documented plant radiation for the archipelago. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution(71) , p.15-35.

Experts


Assessor(s): Barrabé, L., Amice, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Hequet, V., Maura, J., McCoy, S., Suprin, B., Vandrot, H., Veillon, J.

Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V., Lannuzel, G.

Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Maura, J., Warimavute, G., Ramon, L.


Geographical distribution