Taxonomy
Dendrophyllanthus fractiflexus
Synonyms
Phyllanthus fractiflexus M.SchmidRed List Status -
Critically Endangered (CR) , assessed in 25/06/2020Description
Phyllanthus fractiflexus is a shrub of 0.5-1 m high endemic of New Caledonia and it is only known from 1 population at Koniambo massif. This species occurs in maquis and undergrowth forests on ultramafic substrate at an altitude range of 500 and 750 m asl. The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by mining activities at Koniambo. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively estimated to be of 8 km² and 8 km² while the number of locations is estimated to be 1. Using criterion B and with the estimation of all the concerned subcriteria, Phyllanthus fractiflexus is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,v).
Geographical area
Phyllanthus fractiflexus is endemic species to New Caledonia where it is only known from 1 subpopulation at Koniambo massif.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
Phyllanthus fractiflexus occurs in maquis and undergrowth forests on ultramafic substrates at an altitude range of 500 and 750 m asl.
Threats
The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by mining activities at Koniambo.
Conservation
Phyllanthus genus is protected by legislation in Province Nord. Phyllanthus fractiflexus does not occur in any protected area. Ex situ and in situ conservation efforts are recommended: monitoring of known populations and preservation of a viable population within delimited perimeters. It would be moreover advised to preserve patches of humid forest within delimited perimeters where this species is known and realised further prospections at Koniambo massif in search of other subpopulations.
Bibliography
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
McPherson, G.; Schmid, M. 1991. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 17 : Euphorbiaceae II Phyllanthaceae.
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].
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): Warimavute, G., Meyer, S., Vandrot, H.