Melicope pedicellata
An endangered narrow-endemic small tree restricted to central Grande Terre, New Caledonia, with subpopulations at Pic Ningua, Dogny and Amieu in high-altitude dense humid forests (750–1,200 m), with a very small geographic range (extent of occurrence and area of occupancy 24–25 km²) threatened by mining and deer.
Summary
This narrow-endemic small tree is restricted to central Grande Terre, New Caledonia, occurring in high-altitude dense humid forest on various substrates at 750–1,200 m, with three sub-populations (Pic Ningua, Dogny, Amieu) spanning an extent of occurrence of about 25 km² and an area of occupancy of about 24 km² across about four locations. Population size has not been quantified.
Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List as of 19 February 2016, based on criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,v) and B2ab(i,ii,iii,v). Threats include ongoing mining at Camp des Sapins, likely to affect the Pic Ningua sub-population, and habitat degradation from introduced Rusa timorensis reducing regeneration. The species lacks legislative protection and occurs within Réserve naturelle du Pic Ninga. Recommendation: undertake a Camp des Sapins survey to assess impacted individuals.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- T.G.Hartley
- Publication
- Allertonia 8: 142 (2001)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Sapindales
- Family
- Rutaceae
- Genus
- Melicope