Research

Forest Bavayia Bavayia cyclura

Conservation status: Data deficient

Description: A moderately large species of gecko growing to a body length of 72 mm with 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, a pale stripe either side of the neck, and yellow underneath.

Natural distribution: Widespread throughout Grande Terre, also present on satellite islands, Isle des Pin, and Ouvea, Lifou and Mare Islands in the Loyalty Islands. However, the species as it is currently is recognised almost certainly comprises several species.

Distribution within Province Sud: Recorded from a number of scattered localities in the south of the province, both coastal and mountain, which probably represent several species. There is a large gap between Mt Ouin and Sarramea where no records appear, which reflects a lack collecting in both coastal lowlands and the ranges in this area.

Distribution within Province Nord: Recorded from a number of coastal lowland sites and from mid elevation sites in the central ranges between Col d' Rousettes and Foret Plate. Also recorded from Mt Mandjelia in the northeast ranges. This distribution most likely represents several species, possibly between certain coastal populations and again between coastal and mountain populations.

Distribution within Province Loyalties : Present on Ouvea, Lifou and Mare Island, most likely widespread.

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 closed forest from subsistence agriculture and ranching on coastal lowlands of the east and west coast respectively resulting in loss of area of occupancy and fragmentation of once continuous habitat
• moderate to high level of threat to coastal forest from clearing for subsistence agriculture resulting in loss and further fragmentation of habitat
• moderate to high level of threat through loss of, or degradation to populations in isolated high elevation closed forest and gully forests through activities associated with mining
• moderate level of threat to the area, extent and quality of closed forest edge habitat through repeated firing of adjacent savannah habitat
• low to moderate level of threat to the area, extent and quality of mid elevation forest habitat from timber plantations
• 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: Bavayia cyclura most likely comprises several sibling species that require substantial research is to clarify the taxonomy of the populations involved, for this reason 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. cyclura

Copyright © Australian Museum, 2002