Psychotria nigotei is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, only known from Mont Mou and Camp des sapins in the south of Grande Terre. An old herbarium specimen (1950) was collected at Tontouta. It occurs in shrubland on ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 670-900 m asl. The main impact identified comes from mining activites, bushfires and increasing urbanisation. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) being respectively estimated to 16 and 206 km², while the number of locations are estimated to be three. Psychotria nigotei is therefore assessed as Endangered (EN) with criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) with a continuing decline of all concerned sub-criteria.

Geographical area

Psychotria nigotei is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, only known from Mont Mou and Camp des sapins in the south of Grande Terre. An old herbarium specimen (1950) was collected at Tontouta.

Population

It is only known from three sub-populations: Mont Mou,Tontouta (1950) and Camp des sapins.

Habitat

Psychotria nigotei occurs in shrubland on ultramafic substrate at an altitudinal range 670-900 m asl.

Threats

Main identified threats is linked to mining activities: Camp des sapins (SLN) and perhaps Vulcain (SMGM), bushfires and increasing urbanisation (Mont Mou). The twenty five year projection for mining operation indicate that a majority of individuals may be affected. New Caledonia contains between 20 - 30% of the world’s nickel resources and has experienced intense mining activities since the late 19th century which has generated soil erosion (1.2% of bare ground mapped by SPOT5 in 2007). Based on the distribution of metal-rich soils and site accessibility, these threats are predictable and planned (rise in nickel production from 60,000 to 200,000 tonnes per year between 2013 and 2015).

Conservation

Psychotria nigotei is unprotected by legislation and it does not occur in any protected area. This species would benefit from ex-situ and in-situ emergency conservation actions. It is proposed to ensure the follow-up of known sub-populations, to preserve a viable population on delimited perimeters on the mining area. Prospection in Tontouta is urgently needed to confirm the presence of the species.

Bibliography

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.

Barrabé L. 2014. Four new species of Psychotria (Rubiaceae) from New Caledonia, including one presumed to be extinct. Phytotaxa(173) , p.101–116.

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.

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

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