Taxonomy
Dendrophyllanthus koumacensis
Synonyms
Phyllanthus koumacensis GuillauminRed List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 01/10/2020
Description
Phyllanthus koumacensis is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the northwest of Grande Terre. It occurs in shrubland on ultramafic substrate up to 200 m asl. The main threats to this species are bushfires, mining activities and urbanisation. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 217 and 96 km², respectively, and the number of locations is estimated to be eight. Therefore, P. koumacensis is listed as Vulnerable (VU) under criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v).
Geographical area
P. koumacensis is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the northwest of Grande Terre, from Tinip to Babouillat.
Population
Population size is unknown, but field observations indicate that this species is quite common at the base of the massifs.
Habitat
This shrub grows in low elevation shrubland ('maquis') on ultramafic substrate up to 200 m asl.
Threats
The main threat to this species is posed by bushfires, the indirect effects of mining activities (Ouaco Ouazangou-Taom, Michel 38, Boualoudjélima, Tiébaghi) and urbanisation at the foot of the ultramafic massifs.
Conservation
P. koumacensis is protected by legislation in Province Nord, but it does not occur in any protected areas. To ensure the persistence of the known population, it is proposed that monitoring should occur on the mining sites, as well as information of the DSCGR (government department overseeing firefighting actions) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas.
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): Vandrot, H., Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Héquet, V., Laudereau, C., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Gâteblé, G.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Meyer, S.