Chambeyronia houailouensis is a newly described solitary and moderately tall tree palm endemic of New Caledonia. It is only known from the Kua valley in the southeast of Grande Terre. It occurs in dense humid forest on soils derived from ultramafic rocks between 3 and 150 m asl. The main threats are the high impact of cattle that trample and damage the habitat quality and the impact of rats that consume the seeds of the species. These threats can also lead to a reduction of the number of mature individuals. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are estimated to be 16 and 16 km² and the number of locations is equal to one. Therefore, Chambeyronia houailouensis is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) under criteria B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v) with a decline of all the concerned sub-criteria.

Geographical area

Chambeyronia houailouensis is endemic to New Caledonia where it is only known from the Kua valley in the southeast of Grande Terre.

Population

The population size is not known.

Habitat

Chambeyronia houailouensis occurs in dense humid forest on soils derived from ultramafic rocks between 3 and 150 m asl.

Threats

The main threats are the high impact of cattle that trample and damage the habitat quality and the impact of rats that consume the seeds of the species. These threats can also lead to a reduction of the number of mature individuals.

Conservation

Chambeyronia houailouensis s unprotected by legislation and it does not occur in any protected areas. This species would benefit from ex situ and in situ emergency conservation actions. It is proposed to ensure the monitor of known subpopulations, to preserve a viable population on delimited perimeters. Prospection on the ridges of the Kua valley and its nearby areas is recommended to better estimate its population size. It is also recommended to inform the DSCGR (government department overseeing firefighting actions) on the presence of the species in the concerned 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].

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.

Hodel et al. 2021. Reassessment of the Archontophoenicinae of New Caledonia and description of a new species.. Palms(65(3)) , p.109-131.

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Barrière, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Vandrot, H.

Reviewer(s): Meyer, S.

Contributor(s): Ducouret, E.

Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Fourdrain, A.