Porpax ceciliae is a newly described orchid endemic from New Caledonia. It has a scattered distribution across the Grande Terre where it is known from five subpopulations : Boulinda, Poro, Dzumac, Ouinnée, Dalmates and Kuébini. It grows in maquis and in forests on rocks and ultramafic soil at an altitude range of 40 to 800 m asl. The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by invasive species (feral pigs) and mining acivities at Kouaoua. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) being estimated respectively to 28 and 4,833 km², while the number of locations is estimated to be five. Therefore Porpax ceciliae is considered Endangered (EN) using criteria B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v) with an estimated decline of the concerned subcriteria.

Geographical area

Porpax ceciliae is endemic to New Caledonia. It has a scattered distribution across the Grande Terre where it is known from five subpopulations : Boulinda, Poro, Dzumac, Ouinnée, Dalmates and Kuébini.

Population

The population size is not known.

Habitat

This species grows in maquis and in forests on rocks and ultramafic soil at an altitude range of 40 to 800 m asl.

Threats

The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by invasive species (feral pigs) and mining acivities at Kouaoua.

Conservation

Porpax ceciliae is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does occur in one protected areas : Haute Dumbéa. it is recommended to prospect further based on the newly developed comprehensive key for the Porpax Genus identification (2023).

Bibliography

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.

Pignal, M., C. Laudereau & P.-L. Laudereau 2023. Revision of the genus Porpax (Orchidaceae, Podochileae) in New Caledonia.. Candollea(78) , p.17-26.

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., Garnier, D., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Eltabet, N., Vandrot, H.

Reviewer(s): Gâteblé, G.

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