Taxonomy

endemique
UICN

Red List Status -

Critically Endangered (CR) , assessed in 29/11/2019

Pleioluma butinii is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, where it is only known from two distant stations in the north of Grande Terre. It occurs in shrubland on ultramafic substrate between 350 and 650 m asl. The main threat to this species is posed by mining activities. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both 8 km², and the number of locations is estimated to be two, which are considered to be severely fragmented. Therefore, P. butinii is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) under criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v).

Geographical area


P. butinii is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is only known from two distant stations in the north of Grande Terre: the Tiébaghi massif and Roches de la Ouaieme.

Population


Population size is unknown.

Habitat


This shrub grows in low elevation shrubland ('maquis') and transitional vegetation on ultramafic substrate between 350 and 650 m asl.

Threats


The main threat to this species is posed by mining activities, which will likely cause the Tiébaghi subpopulation to disappear.

Conservation


P. butinii is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it doesn't occur in any protected areas. This species would benefit from ex-situ and in-situ emergency conservation actions. It is proposed that monitoring should occur to ensure the persistence of the known population on the mining site of Tiébaghi. Besides, prospection is recommended on the western flanks of Roches de la Ouaieme, where it has not been seen since 1966.

Bibliography


Swenson U., Nylander J.A.A. & Munzinger J. 2018. Phylogeny, species delimitation and revision of Pleioluma (Sapotaceae) in New Caledonia, a frequently gynodioecious genus. Australian Systematic Botany(31) , p.120-165.

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].

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

Experts


Assessor(s): Barrault, J., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Munzinger, J., Vandrot, H.

Reviewer(s): Swenson, U.

Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Meyer, S., Warimavute, G.


Geographical distribution