Phyllanthus tixieri is a sub-shrub of 20-50 cm high, endemic of New Caledonia and restricted to the eastern coast of Grande Terre, from Boakaine to Poro. This species occurs in maquis on ultramafic substrates at an altitude range of 100 and 270 m asl. The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by uncontrolled bushfires and mining activities at Kouaoua. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are respectively estimated to be of 22 km² and 16 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, EOO, AOO and number of mature individuals, Phyllanthus tixieri is assessed as Endangered (EN) B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,v).

Geographical area

Phyllanthus tixieri is endemic to New Caledonia where it is restricted to the eastern coast of Grande Terre, from Boukaine to Poro.

Population

Population size is unknown.

Habitat

Phyllanthus tixieri occurs in maquis on ultramafic substrates at 100 and 270 m asl.

Threats

The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by uncontrolled bushfires and mining activities at Kouaoua.

Conservation

Phyllanthus genus is protected by legislation in Province Nord. Phyllanthus tixieri does not occur in any protected area. The mininig company, SLN, has developped a technical manual on the reproduction of the species and this species is now used in revegetation sites. 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. In situ conservation efforts are recommended, in particular: monitoring of known subpopulations and the 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.

Bibliography

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].

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

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., Meyer, S., Warimavute, G.