Taxonomy
Antidesma messianianum
Red List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 01/10/2020
Antidesma messianianum is a small endemic tree from New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the northern half of Grande Terre. It occurs in mesophilic forest (and rarely in dense humid forest) on volcano-sedimentary substrate up to 750 m asl. Although this species has probably suffered from the regression of forests on the west coast of Grande Terre, it is common and does not seem to be threatened at the moment. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are estimated at 4,866 and 44 km², respectively. Therefore, A. messianianum is listed as Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
A. messianianum is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the northern half of Grande Terre, from Boghen to Poindimié, as well as Balabio island. There are also ancient observations in the Bourail and Farino regions.
Population
Population size is unknown, but field observations indicate that this species is rather common on the east coast of Grande Terre, but less so on the west coast, where forests have greatly regressed.
Habitat
This small tree mostly grows on river banks in low and mid elevation mesophilic forest and more rarely in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate up to 750 m asl. It can also occur in more degraded habitat.
Threats
Although this species has probably suffered from the regression of the forests on the west cost of Grande Terre, it does not appear to be threatened at the moment.
Conservation
A. messianianum is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does not occur in any protected areas.
Bibliography
Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Rouhan G., Bruy, D., Veillon J.-M., & M. Chalopin 2020. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia [continuously updated].
McPherson, G.; Schmid, M. 1991. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 17 : Euphorbiaceae II Phyllanthaceae.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Vandrot, H., Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Héquet, V., Laudereau, C., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Gâteblé, G.
Facilitator(s): Meyer, S., Warimavute, G.