Research

Strand Bavayia Bavayia crassicollis

Conservation status: Data deficient

Description: A moderately large species of gecko growing to a body length of 86 mm with a stout body and a tail measuring 100% that of the body. It has moderately broad toes. The colour pattern on the body typically has four to five pale blotches dark-edged below, and yellow underneath.

Natural distribution: Described from the Loyalty Islands by Jean Roux in 1913. It may be restricted to the Loyalties or could include populations from the south-west coast of the main island and its offshore islands.

Distribution within Province Sud: see above.

Distribution within Province Loyalties: Present on Lifou and Mare Island .

Threats:

• potentially high level of threat to closed forest populations with high infestation levels of introduced fire ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) causing significant decline in abundance
• moderate to high level of threat to coastal forest from clearing for subsistence agriculture resulting in loss and further fragmentation of habitat
• localised but potentially high level of threat from exotic pests such as rats and cats (predation of adults, young and eggs) on populations adjacent to settlement

Conservation status: Until the relationships between the population of B. crassicollis on Loyalty Islands and those populations from south-west of the main island showing affinities with B. robusta are clear it is inappropriate to formally assess the species conservation status.

Future research required:

• research into the taxonomic status and distribution of the populations currently placed under B. crassicollis

Copyright © Australian Museum, 2002