Arthropodium sp.nov. #10 is a new endemic herb from New Caledonia, only known from Kaala, in the north west of Grande Terre. It occurs in scrubland on serpentinite substrate at an altitude range of approximatively 900 m asl. The main threats are linked indirectly to the effect on the on-going mining activities at Kaala (road constructions, soil erosions). The species is also impacted by bushfires. In 2019, a big bushfire event departed from Troulala at the base of Mont Kaala and went up to Mont Kaala at 1,000 m asl. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are both equal to 4 km², while the species is known to exist at only a single location. Therefore, this new species of Arthropodium is therefore assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) with criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v), with an estimated continuing decline of the concerned sub-criteria.

Geographical area

Arthropodium sp.nov. #10 is endemic to New Caledonia where it is only known from Kaala, in the north west of Grande Terre.

Population

The population size is not known.

Habitat

This species occurs in scrubland on serpentinite substrate at an altitude range of approximatively 900 m asl.

Threats

The main threats are linked indirectly to the effect on the on-going mining activities at Kaala (road constructions, soil erosions). The sepcies is also impacted by bushfires. In 2019, a big bushfire event departed from Troulala at the base of Mont Kaala and went up to Mont Kaala at 1,000 m asl.

Conservation

This new species is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does not occur in any protected area. It is recommended to inform the DSCGR (emergency services) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. Searches in Kaala and surrounding ultramafic massifs are needed in order to better estimate its population and threats. This species would benefit from ex-situ and in-situ emergency conservation actions. It is proposed to monitor the populations and to preserve a viable population within delimited perimeters on the mining area.

Bibliography

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

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.

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., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Héquet, V., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., McCoy, S., Vandrot, H.

Reviewer(s): Pillon, Y.

Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Fourdrain, A.