Phyllanthus dumbeaensis is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, restricted to the south of Grande Terre. This species is known from 3 subpopulations: Tontouta vallée de la Riv. Ouha, Couvelée d'un sentier du Dzumac and Haute Dumbéa. The species was also seen at Mont Dore (near Araucaria forest) location by Baumann and Guillaumin in 1951. However it may be locally extinct due to recurrent uncontrolled bushfires. Indeed a bushfire event has destroyed the forest around the Araucaria forest at Mont Dore (personal communication Mc Coy S). Phyllanthus dumbeaensis occurs in undergrowth forests on ultramafic substrate at an altitude range of 500 and 800 m asl. The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by uncontrolled bushfires. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively estimated to be of 12 km² and 12 km² while the number of locations is estimated to be 3. Using criterion B and with the estimation of a continuous decline of its habitat quality and number of mature individuals, Phyllanthus dumbeaensis is assessed as Endangered (EN) B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v).

Geographical area

Phyllanthus dumbeaensis is endemic to New Caledonia where it is restricted to the south of Grande Terre. This species is known from 3 subpopulations: Tontouta vallée de la Riv. Ouha, Couvelée d'un sentier du Dzumac, Haute Dumbéa. The species was also seen at Mont Dore (near Araucaria forest) location by Baumann and Guillaumin in 1951. However it may be locally extinct due to recurrent uncontrolled bushfires. Indeed a bushfire event has destroyed the forest around the Araucaria forest at Mont Dore (personal communication Mc Coy S).

Population

Population size is unknown.

Habitat

Phyllanthus dumbeaensis occurs in undergrowth forests on ultramafic substrate at an altitude range of 500 and 800 m asl.

Threats

The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by uncontrolled bushfires.

Conservation

Phyllanthus genus is protected by legislation in Province Nord. Phyllanthus dumbeaensis does occur in 3 protected areas: Haute Dumbéa, Montagne des sources. This species should be listed in the Province Sud legislation. It is recommended to inform the DSCGR (emergency services), responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. It is moreover suggested to realise field surveys at Mont Dore and in the occurrence areas and near by areas to better estimate its distribution range and population size.

Bibliography

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

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].

McPherson, G.; Schmid, M. 1991. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 17 : Euphorbiaceae II Phyllanthaceae.

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Héquet, V., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., Lagrange, A., Veillon, J., Garnier, D., Dumontet, V., Goxe, J., McCoy, S., Gâteblé, G.

Reviewer(s): Warimavute, G.

Facilitator(s): Vandrot, H., Warimavute, G., Meyer, S.