Arthropodium sp.nov. #29 is a new endemic herb from New Caledonia, only known from Taom, at Pouan Teoch, north west of Grande Terre. It occurs in scrubland on serpentinite substrate at an altitude range of approximatively 573 m asl. The main threats are linked indirectly to on-going mining activities (road constructions) at Taom that causes soil erosions. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are both estimated to be 4 km², while the species is known to exist at only a single location. Therefore, Arthropodium sp.nov. #29 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

This species is endemic to New Caledonia where it is only known from Taom, at Pouan Teoch, north west of Grande Terre.

Population

The population size is not known.

Habitat

It occurs in scrubland on serpentinite substrate at an altitude range of approximatively 573 m asl.

Threats

The main threats are linked indirectly to on-going mining activities (road constructions) at Taom that causes soil erosions.

Conservation

This new species is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does not occur in any protected area. Searches in the north-west region 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

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].

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.

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

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): Fourdrain, A., Warimavute, G.