Melodinus sp.nov. (Guillaumin 9680) is an endemic species from New Caledonia restricted to the north-western part of Grande Terre. This species is known from five subpopulations around Pouembout and Poya (Gatope, Oundjo, Népoui, Nekliaï, Mépouiri). It is found in dry forest on a various substrates up to 100 m asl. The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by invasive species such as Rusa Deer (Rusa timorensis), uncontrolled bushfires. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively estimated to be of 624 km² and 28 km² while the number of locations is estimated to be six. Melodinus sp.nov. (Guillaumin 9680) is therefore assessed as Vulnerable (VU) with criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab (iii,v) with a continuing decline of its habitat quality and number of mature individuals.

Geographical area

Melodinus sp.nov. (Guillaumin 9680) is endemic to New Caledonia where it is known from five subpopulations around Pouembout and Poya at the north-western part of Grande Terre (Gatope, Oundjo, Népoui, Nekliaï, Mépouiri).

Population

The population size is not known.

Habitat

This new species is found in dry forest on various substrates up to 100 m asl.

Threats

The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by invasive species such as Rusa Deer (Rusa timorensis), uncontrolled bushfires.

Conservation

This new species is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does not occur in any protected areas. It is 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].

Boiteau Pierre avec collaboration de Lucie Allorge 1982. Flore de la Nouvelle Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 10 : Apocynacées.

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.

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

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Héquet, V., Bernard-Musmann, M., Goxe, J., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., Vandrot, H.

Reviewer(s): Pillon, Y.

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