Gallirallus lafresnayanus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Bibliography

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	GRUIFORMES	RALLIDAE

Scientific Name:

Gallirallus lafresnayanus

Species Authority:

Verreaux & Des Murs, 1860

Common Name/s:

English

–

New Caledonian Rail, New Caledonian Wood Rail

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered D ver 3.1

Year Published:

2009

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Symes, A., Butchart, S., Bird, J.

Contributor/s:

Ekstrom, J., Rouys, S., Theuerkauf, J., Chartendrault, V., Spaggiari, J.

Justification:
This species has not been recorded with certainty since 1890, despite recent surveys in 1998, and it may have been severely impacted by introduced cats, rats and pigs. The closely related Lord Howe Rail remains only in isolated forests free from pigs, but there are apparently no such areas on New Caledonia. However, it cannot be assumed to be Extinct, as there were unconfirmed reports in the 1960s and 1984, and it may now be restricted to largely inaccessible montane forests. Any remaining population is likely to be tiny, and for these reasons it is treated as Critically Endangered.

History:

2008	–	Critically Endangered
2004	–	Critically Endangered
2000	–	Critically Endangered
1996	–	Critically Endangered
1994	–	Critically Endangered

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Gallirallus lafresnayanus is known from at least 17 specimens taken between 1860 and 1890 from New Caledonia (to France), apparently including Ile des Pins³. There are a scattering of later reports from near Mt Panié in the north and the headwaters of Rivière Blanche in the south in the 1960s and in 1984 (on Mt Panié) suggesting that it may yet survive in small numbers^1,2,5. Interviews in 2004 produced credible reports by local hunters who stated they had seen the bird on the western slopes of the Panié Massif before the 1980s. These hunters have not observed the bird since².
Countries:	Native: New Caledonia
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Any remaining population assumed to be tiny, with no definite records since 1890, a series of more recent unconfirmed records notwithstanding.
Population Trend:	Unknown

Population:

Any remaining population assumed to be tiny, with no definite records since 1890, a series of more recent unconfirmed records notwithstanding.

Population Trend:

Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It is presumed to have inhabited evergreen forest with similar ecological requirements to Kagu Rhynochetos jubatus^2,7. Historical records have been from near sea-level to c.1,000 m, but recent reports have been from inaccessible montane forests, presumably as these areas have fewer introduced mammalian predators. Although two recent reports from marshland seem unlikely², it has been suggested that this habitat may be the last refuge from dogs and pigs⁴. It probably feeds on a variety of invertebrates including earthworms⁶.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

It is presumed to have inhabited evergreen forest with similar ecological requirements to Kagu Rhynochetos jubatus^2,7. Historical records have been from near sea-level to c.1,000 m, but recent reports have been from inaccessible montane forests, presumably as these areas have fewer introduced mammalian predators. Although two recent reports from marshland seem unlikely², it has been suggested that this habitat may be the last refuge from dogs and pigs⁴. It probably feeds on a variety of invertebrates including earthworms⁶.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	It is likely to have declined owing to predation by introduced species such as cats, pigs and rats which now occur throughout the island. Many historical records are of birds caught by hunting dogs and it is likely therefore that it remains at risk from village dogs on hunting trips and when straying^2,3,5.

Major Threat(s):

It is likely to have declined owing to predation by introduced species such as cats, pigs and rats which now occur throughout the island. Many historical records are of birds caught by hunting dogs and it is likely therefore that it remains at risk from village dogs on hunting trips and when straying^2,3,5.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway This species may be benefiting from the conservation action for Rhynochetos jubatus, particularly the control of introduced mammalian predators². The only measures of the sort currently being implemented are in the Rivière Bleue Park, where the occurrence of the rail is very unlikely. No new records of the species have been obtained despite 500 man-days spent doing bird censuses in forested areas of the central mountains. 120 locals interviewed between 2003 and 2006 did not provide any credible reports. Conservation Actions Proposed Conduct further intensive surveys in remote forests², although these should be cost effective and not divert funding away from conservation of other threatened habitats and species. Search other areas with high population densities of R. jubatus, another flightless bird, as these areas may have avoided the pressures that have caused the species's decline elsewhere. Include this species in the predator-control and public awareness programmes for R. jubatus in Rivière Bleue Park. Publicise the search for this species amongst forest workers and villagers².

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
This species may be benefiting from the conservation action for Rhynochetos jubatus, particularly the control of introduced mammalian predators². The only measures of the sort currently being implemented are in the Rivière Bleue Park, where the occurrence of the rail is very unlikely. No new records of the species have been obtained despite 500 man-days spent doing bird censuses in forested areas of the central mountains. 120 locals interviewed between 2003 and 2006 did not provide any credible reports.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct further intensive surveys in remote forests², although these should be cost effective and not divert funding away from conservation of other threatened habitats and species. Search other areas with high population densities of R. jubatus, another flightless bird, as these areas may have avoided the pressures that have caused the species's decline elsewhere. Include this species in the predator-control and public awareness programmes for R. jubatus in Rivière Bleue Park. Publicise the search for this species amongst forest workers and villagers².

Bibliography [top]

	Balouet, J. -C. 1986. Premiers colons de Novelle-Calédonie. Demographie-Société 55: 31-35. Ekstrom, J. M. M.; Jones, J. P. G.; Willis, J.; Isherwood, I. 2000. The humid forests of New Caledonia: biological research and conservation recommendations for the vertebrate fauna of Grande Terre. CSB Conservation Publications, Cambridge, U.K. Ekstrom, J. M. M.; Jones, J. P. G.; Willis, J.; Tobias, J.; Dutson, G.; Barre, N. 2002. New information on the distribution, status and conservation of terrestrial bird species in Grande Terre, New Caledonia. Emu 102: 197-207. Fullagar, P. J.; Disney, H. J.; de Naurois, R. 1982. Additional specimens of two rare rails and comments on the genus Tricholimnas of New Caledonia and Lord Howe Island. Emu 82: 131-136. Stokes, T. 1979. On the possible existence of the New Caledonian Wood Rail Tricholimnas lafresnayanus. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 99: 47-54. Taylor, B.; van Perlo, B. 1998. Rails: a guide to the rails, crakes, gallinules and coots of the world. Pica Press, Robertsbridge, UK.

Balouet, J. -C. 1986. Premiers colons de Novelle-Calédonie. Demographie-Société 55: 31-35.

Ekstrom, J. M. M.; Jones, J. P. G.; Willis, J.; Isherwood, I. 2000. The humid forests of New Caledonia: biological research and conservation recommendations for the vertebrate fauna of Grande Terre. CSB Conservation Publications, Cambridge, U.K.

Ekstrom, J. M. M.; Jones, J. P. G.; Willis, J.; Tobias, J.; Dutson, G.; Barre, N. 2002. New information on the distribution, status and conservation of terrestrial bird species in Grande Terre, New Caledonia. Emu 102: 197-207.

Fullagar, P. J.; Disney, H. J.; de Naurois, R. 1982. Additional specimens of two rare rails and comments on the genus Tricholimnas of New Caledonia and Lord Howe Island. Emu 82: 131-136.

Stokes, T. 1979. On the possible existence of the New Caledonian Wood Rail Tricholimnas lafresnayanus. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 99: 47-54.

Taylor, B.; van Perlo, B. 1998. Rails: a guide to the rails, crakes, gallinules and coots of the world. Pica Press, Robertsbridge, UK.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2009. Gallirallus lafresnayanus. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 21 May 2012.
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