Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 08/09/2017
Oxera sp. nov. "ounemoae" is a monocaulous small tree endemic to New Caledonia, known from two locations (Mt. Aoupinié and Mt. Arago) in the center of Grande Terre. It is found in forest undergrowth on volcano-sedimentary substrate between 800 and 950 m asl. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both estimated to be 12 km². Population size is unknown. Main threats are invasive species, mostly feral pigs (Sus scrofa) and rusa deer (Rusa timorensis russa), that contribute to habitat degradation. Deer also damage mature individuals by scratching or destroying stems and trunks. Therefore, Oxera sp. nov. "ounemoae" is listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v).
Geographical area
O. sp. nov. "ounemoae" is endemic to the north east of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. It is known from two locations: Mt. Aoupinié and Mt. Arago.
Population
Population size is unknown. Field surveys indicate a locally abundant species, but with no regeneration observed.
Habitat
O. sp. nov. "ounemoae" occurs in forest undergrowth on volcano-sedimentary substrate between 800 and 950 m asl.
Threats
The main threats are habitat degradation by invasive species, mostly feral pigs (Sus scrofa) and Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis), and destruction or damages to mature individuals by deer (scratching of the stems and trunks).
Conservation
This species is not protected by any legislation in New Caledonia and it occurs in one protected area: Aoupinié. This species would benefit from in situ emergency conservation actions. It is proposed to monitor known populations and to preserve a viable one on delimited sites at Aoupinié, where invasive species are under control. It is also recommended to inform the local authority responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort about the presence of the species in the concerned areas. Knowledge improvement on the species (multiplication tests) would also be needed for ex situ conservation.
Bibliography
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, Karnadi-Abdelkader,G, Ounemoa,J,de Kok RPJ., Robert N, Gâteble,G. 2015. Recircumscription of Oxera (Lamiaceae: Ajugoideae) ta include Faradaya based on molecular and anatomical data. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society(179) , p.693-711.
Gâteblé, G. 2016. Flore ornementale de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Mabberley DJ, de Kok RPJ. 2004. Labiatae. In: Morat P,ed. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendance.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Gâteblé, G., Barrabé, L., Fleurot, D., Amice, R., Cazé, H., Bruy, D., Héquet, V., Vandrot, H., Butin, J., Mandaoué, L., Haverkamp, C., Dumontet, V., Laudereau, C.
Reviewer(s): Meyer, S.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Tanguy, V.