Cyclophyllum pindaiense is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, known from Nékoro, Pindaï, and Pic aux Hirondelles in the north of Grande Terre. It occurs in sclerophyllous dry forest at an altitudinal range of 2-50 m asl. This species has suffered from dry forest reduction and fragmentation. Today's main threats to Cyclophyllum pindaiense come from habitat degradation due to Rusa Deer (Rusa timorensis), the development of recreational areas, and uncontrolled bushfires. Its extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are equal to 57 km² and 12 km² while the number of locations are estimated to be three. Cyclophyllum pindaiense is therefore considered Endangered (EN) according to criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) with a continuing decline of habitat quality and numbers of mature individuals.

Geographical area

Cyclophyllum pindaiense is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, known from Nékoro, Pindaï, Pic aux hirondelles in the north of Grande Terre.

Population

Population size is unknown. Two of the three sub-population contains less than 100 indivudals (Nékoro, Pindaï).

Habitat

Cyclophyllum pindaiense occurs in sclerophyllous dry forest at an altitudinal range of 2-50 m asl.

Threats

Tropical dry forests are probably among the world's most endangered of all lowland tropical forests. Because of their propensity to be converted to pastures and their susceptibility to fire, dry forests have reduced dramatically in both size as well as in quality. In New Caledonia, they have been extensively cleared for agricultural purposes or urbanization for a century. What remains today are highly fragmented patches that have been estimated at 2% of the original area. Uncontrolled fires sweep across lowlands of 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). They have slowly transformed remnant patches of dry forest into scrubland dominated by Acacia spirorbis and Leucaena leucocephala, or into Niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia) savannahs. Another main threat comes from Rusa Deer (Rusa timorensis), which was introduced in the 1880s and adapted extremely well to New Caledonian habitats. Its population may have reached over 100,000 individuals in the wild. This deer consumes a wide variety of plant species and causes severe damage to trees, which results in a poor regeneration. And lastly the development of recreational areas also contributes to the degradation and decline of its habitat.

Conservation

This species is not protected by local legislation. None of the subpopulations occur within a formal protected area. This species would benefit from further in situ and ex situ conservation actions. It is recommended to inform the Conservatoire d'espaces naturels de Nouvelle-Calédonie (New Caledonia natural spaces conservatory), which coordinates the New caledonian Invasive Species Programme, and the DSCGR (emergency services) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas.

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.

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

Mouly A. & Jeanson M. 2015. Specialization to ultramafic substrates and narrow endemism of Cyclophyllum (Rubiaceae) in New Caledonia: contribution of novel species to the understanding of these singular patterns. Acta Botanica Gallica(162) , p.173-189.

Experts

Assessor(s): Barrabé, L., Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Goxe, J., Héquet, V., Lannuzel, G., Suprin, B., Veillon, J.

Reviewer(s): Cazé, H.

Contributor(s): Mouly, A.

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