Taxonomy
Synonyms
Guettarda hypolasia Baill.Red List Status -
Near Threatened (NT) , assessed in 20/07/2022
Achilleanthus hypolasius is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, growing up to 2 to 6 m high. It is restricted to the south of Grande Terre, from Baie de Prony at the far south of Grande Terre to Haute Rivière Bleue. This species is found in maquis vegetation on ultramafic substrates up to 400 m asl. The main threats impacting this species come from habitat degradation caused by bushfires and, potentially, mining activities. Known from a dozen locations, its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are estimated at 120 and 716 km², respectively. Therefore, A. hypolasius is listed as Near Threatened (NT) close to VU B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v).
Geographical area
Achilleanthus hypolasius is endemic to New Caledonia where it is restricted to the south of Grande Terre, from Baie de Prony at the far south of Grande Terre to Haute Rivière Bleue.
Population
The population size is not known.
Habitat
Achilleanthus hypolasius occurs in maquis vegetation on ultramafic substrate up to 400 m asl.
Threats
This species does not seem directly threatened although some subpopulations may be impacted by recurrent bushfires and potentially mining activities at Goro.
Conservation
Achilleanthus hypolasius is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does occur in several protected areas : Cap N'dua, Forêt cachée, Haute Yaté, Pic du grand Kaori, Pic du Pin, Rivière bleue.
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].
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
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.
Jayson G Chavez, Ulrich Meve, Nicolai M Nürk, Sigrid Liede-Schumann 2021. Disentangling Antirhea (Rubiaceae): resurrection of Guettardella and description of the new genus Achilleanthus. Journal of the Linnean Society(197 (1)) , p.85-103.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Héquet, V., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., McCoy, S., Vandrot, H.
Reviewer(s): Pillon, Y.
Facilitator(s): Fourdrain, A., Warimavute, G.