Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Critically Endangered (CR) , assessed in 20/07/2022
Arthropodium sp.nov. #2 is an endemic species from New Caledonia. It is only known from Creek Oukané at Tontouta in the south of Grande Terre. It occurs on serpentinite soils in quite open scrubland approximatively at 175 m asl. Its area of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both estimated to be 4 km², while the species is known from a single location. The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by bushfires, which allows us to project a continuous decline in the quality of habitat and number of mature individuals. Using criteria B, this new species of Arthropodium is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v).
Geographical area
This new species is endemic to New Caledonia where it is only known from Creek Oukané at Tontouta in the south of Grande Terre.
Population
The population size is is not known.
Habitat
The species occurs on serpentinite soil in quite open shrubland approximatively at 175 m asl.
Threats
The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by bushfires, which allows us to project a continuous decline in the quality of habitat and number of mature individuals.
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 the near by areas of Tontouta are needed in order to better estimate its population and threats.
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.