Taxonomy
Synonyms
Phyllanthus natoensis M.SchmidRed List Status -
Critically Endangered (CR) , assessed in 20/08/2020
Description
Phyllanthus natoensis is an endemic shrub growing up to 2-3 m high, from New Caledonia, where it is only known from Nato hillsides, in the northern centre of Grande Terre. This species occurs in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary and calcareous soil between 400 and 500 m asl. Known from a single location, its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both 4 km². The main threat is posed by invasive species (Rusa timorensis) causing habitat quality degradation, and potentially bushfires. Therefore, Phyllanthus natoensis is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) under criteria B1ab(iii)+B2ab(iii) with an estimated decline of its habitat quality.
Geographical area
Phyllanthus natoensis is endemic of New Caledonia where it is only known from Nato hillsides, in the northern centre of Grande Terre.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
Phyllanthus natoensis occurs in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary and calcareous soil between 400 and 500 m asl.
Threats
The main threat is posed by invasive species (Rusa timorensis) causing habitat quality degradation.
Conservation
Phyllanthus genus is protected by legislation in Province Nord. None of the subpopulations occur within a protected area.
Bibliography
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.
McPherson, G.; Schmid, M. 1991. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 17 : Euphorbiaceae II Phyllanthaceae.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Barrière, R., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Héquet, V., Laudereau, C., Vandrot, H., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Lannuzel, G.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Meyer, S.