Taxonomy

endemique
UICN

Red List Status -

Critically Endangered (CR) , assessed in 08/09/2017

Oxera sp. nov. "tiwaeana" is a big woody climber endemic to New Caledonia, only known from Tiwaé in the northeast of Grande Terre. It is found in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate between 200 and 270 m asl. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both estimated at 8 km². The main threats are habitat degradation by invasive species, like feral pigs (Sus scrofa) and rusa deer (Rusa timorensis russa), and fires. Population size in unknown. Therefore, Oxera sp. nov. "tiwaeana" is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v).

Geographical area


O. sp. nov. "tiwaeana" is endemic to New Caledonia. It is only known from Tiwae, in the northeast of Grande Terre.

Population


Population size is unknown, but field surveys suggest it is quite small, and no regeneration was observed.

Habitat


O. sp. nov. "tiwaeana" occurs in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate between 200 and 270 m asl.

Threats


The main threats are habitat degradation by invasive species, such as feral pigs (Sus scrofa) and Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and fires.

Conservation


This species is not protected by any legislation in New Caledonia and it does not occur in any protected areas. This species would benefit from ex situ (knowledge improvement on the species - multiplication tests) and in situ emergency conservation actions. It is proposed to monitor known populations and to preserve a viable population on a delimited site where invasive species are under control. Further prospection at Tiwae is also important to determine the total population size and better understand potential threats. It is recommended to inform the local authority responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort about the presence of the species in the concerned areas. Finally, awareness on this species should be raised amongst local stakeholders.

Bibliography


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.

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

Mabberley DJ, de Kok RPJ. 2004. Labiatae. In: Morat P,ed. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendance.

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): 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): Tanguy, V., Warimavute, G.


Geographical distribution