Pytinicarpa tonitrui was an endemic herb of New Caledonia, only known from Néhoué–Babouillat (Neué) in the northwest of Grande Terre. There were several days of fieldwork at different periods of the year that were made to search this rare species. These surveys have failed to relocate P. tonitrui. Based on the MacKee 18336 unique observation, this species could be inferred to have occurred in open scrubland (maquis minier) at low elevations, most probably on a serpentine substrate (Lannuzel et al. 2022). The habitat in the Babouillat area is highly impacted by frequent bushfires and invasive Rusa Deer (Rusa timorensis). With the lack of recent observations, and presence of severe threats in its known range, P. tonitrui is considered Extinct (EX).

Geographical area

Pytinicarpa tonitrui was endemic to New Caledonia where it was only known from Néhoué-Babouillat (Neué) in the northwest of Grande Terre. There were several days of fieldwork at different periods of the year that have been made to search this rare species. These surveys failed to relocate P. tonitrui.

Population

Based on MacKee's unique observation in 1968, Pytinicarpa tonitrui seemed to be rare (Lannuzel et al. 2022), but it is now considered to be extinct.

Habitat

This species specimens could be inferred as an open scrubland (maquis minier) at low elevation, most probably on serpentine substrate (Lannuzel et al. 2022).

Threats

The habitat in the Babouillat area is highly impacted by frequent bushfires and invasive Rusa Deer (Rusa timorensis).

Conservation

This species is thought to be extinct.

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].

Nesom GL 2001. Taxonomic notes on Keysseria and Pytinicarpa (Asteraceae: Asterae, Lageniferinae).. SIDA, contributions to botany(19) , p.513-518.

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

Nesom GL 1994. Pytinicarpa (Asteraceae: Asterae), a new genus from New Caledonia.. Phytologia(76 (2)) , p.136-142.

Lannuzel G., Pignal M. & Gâteblé G. 2022. Pytinicarpa (Asteraceae, Astereae) in New Caledonia.. Phytotaxa(574 (2)) , p.121-136.

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.

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.