Alyxia sp.nov. MacKee 44120 is an endemic liana from New Caledonia, where it is only known from Ouinné in the south east of Grande Terre. It occurs in shrubland on ultramafic substrate up to 410 m asl. Its area of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both 4 km², while the species is known from a single location. The main identified threats are uncontrolled bushfires and indirectly the mining activities (road construction, soil erosion) and potentially the construction of a dam. Using criteria B, Alyxia sp.nov. MacKee 44120 is considered Critically Endangered (CR) B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v), with a continuous decline in the quality of habitat and number of mature individuals.

Geographical area

Alyxia sp.nov. MacKee 44120 is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is only known from Ouinné in the south east of Grande Terre.

Population

Population size is unknown.

Habitat

This liana occurs in shrubland on ultramafic substrate up to 410 m asl.

Threats

The main identified threats are uncontrolled bushfires and indirectly the mining activities (road construction, soil erosion) and potentially the construction of a dam.

Conservation

Alyxia sp.nov. MacKee 44120 is unprotected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does not occur in any protected areas. This species would benefit from ex-situ and in-situ emergency conservation actions. To ensure the persistence of the known population, it is proposed that monitoring should occur on the mining site, as well as information of the DSCGR (government department overseeing firefighting actions) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. Finally, surveys and collections are recommended to improve the knowledge on this poorly known species.

Bibliography

Boiteau Pierre avec collaboration de Lucie Allorge 1982. Flore de la Nouvelle Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 10 : Apocynacées.

Lannuzel et al. 2024. Alyxia Banks ex R.Br. in New Caledonia: a clarification of several species complexes, nomenclatural notes, and a description of three new species. Phytotaxa(649 (1)) , p.1-43.

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].

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

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Eltabet, N., Garnier, D., Fleurot, D., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., Vandrot, H.

Reviewer(s): Meyer, S.

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