Psychotria veillonii is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, known from Tiébaghi in Grande Terre. It occurs in shrubland on ultramafic substrate at 450m asl. No recent field observations have been made. Main identified threats are linked to on-going mining activities: Tiebaghi (SLN). The twenty five year projection for mining operation indicate that a majority of individuals may be affected. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are both equal to 4 km², while the species is known to exist at only a single location. Psychotria veillonii is therefore assessed as Critically Endangered Probably Extinct (CR PE) with criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) with a continuing decline of all concerned sub-criteria. It is recommended to conduct prospection in order to confirm its probable extinction or implement urgent conservation actions if it was relocated.

Geographical area

Psychotria veillonii is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, known from Tiébaghi in Grande Terre.

Population

It is known from a single population : Tiébaghi. No recent field observations have been made.

Habitat

Psychotria veillonii occurs in shrubland on ultramafic substrate at 450m asl.

Threats

Main identified threats are linked to on-going mining activities: Tiebaghi (SLN). 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 veillonii is unprotected by legislation and it does not occur in any protected area. Prospections in Tiébaghi are urgently needed to confirm species location data. 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.

Bibliography

Barrabé L. 2013. Systématique et Evolution du genre Psychotria (Rubiaceæ) en Nouvelle-Calédonie.

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.

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

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

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.

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., Tanguy, V., Warimavute, G., Maura, J.