Melodinus tiebaghiensis is a new species endemic to New Caledonia. It is restricted to the north west of the Grande Terre, from Koumac to Poum. It is also present on Yande island and Art island at Bélep. This species occurs in maquis on ultramafic substrate up to 600 m asl. Its habitat is impacted by recurrent bushfires and mining activities at Poum and Tiébaghi. Its Area of Occupancy (AOO) and Extent of Occurrence (EOO) are estimated to be 64 and 1,182 km², respectively, and the number of locations is estimated to be eight. Therefore, Melodinus tiebaghiensis is assessed as Vulnerable (VU) according to criterion B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)+B2ab(i,ii,iii,v) with a decline of all the concerned subcriteria.

Geographical area

Melodinus tiebaghiensis is endemic to New Caledonia where it is restricted to the north west of the Grande Terre, from Koumac to Poum. It is also present on Yande island and Art island at Bélep.

Population

The population size is not known.

Habitat

Melodinus tiebaghiensis occurs in maquis on ultramafic substrate up to 600 m asl.

Threats

The main threats are recurrent bushfires and mining activities at Poum and Tiébaghi.

Conservation

Melodinus tiebaghiensis 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.

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

Leeuwenberg, A. J. M. 2003. Series of Revisions of Apocynaceae LIII. Melodinus.. JSTOR(73(1)) , p.3-63.

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): 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): Fourdrain, A., Meyer, S., Warimavute, G.