Research

Sclerophyll Bavayia Bavayia excussida

Conservation status: Endangered

Description: A small species of gecko growing to a body length of 47mm, with a short tail approximately equal in length to its body and moderately broad toes. The colour pattern on the body is variable, but well marked individuals are typically light brown above with a pale V-shaped marking with dark outer edges on the nape and shoulders and dark transverse bands between on the body, other individuals have much more muted patterns.

Natural distribution: Known from several scattered locations along the north-west coast.

Distribution within Province Nord: Recorded from sclerophyll forest at Pindai and Poumbout, and gully forest and maquis shrubland near Ouaco.

Maquis shrubland - low and heath-like vegetation.

Threats:

• high level of threat to sclerophyll forest populations with high infestation levels of introduced Fire Ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) causing significant decline in abundance
• high level of threat to populations in sclerophyll forest on the west coast from clearing for ranching or agriculture leading to loss and further fragmentation of habitat, decline in area of occupancy and fragmentation of once continuous habitat through loss of sclerophyll forest to ranching on coastal lowlands of the west coast
• high level of threat to closed forest edge through repeated firing of adjacent savannah woodland leading to a decline in area, extent and quality of habitat

Conservation status: The species distribution is small, it is known from only three locations (area of occupancy <500 km2) representing three isolated sub-populations. The species has most likely suffered a decline in area of occupancy through loss of sclerophyll forest habitat to agriculture on the west coast lowlands, and a decline in quality of sclerophyll forest habitat through the activities of feral animals and introduced pests. The remaining sclerophyll forest on the west coast is fragmented and in some cases highly degraded, which in combination with several high levels of threat indicate the long-term survival species is at considerable risk. For these reasons Bavayia excussida is classified as Endangered. It is possible other isolated sub-populations will be found in other sclerophyll patches. Its recent discovery in gully forest and maquis habitat indicates a potentially broader distribution for the species. However, the severely degraded and fragmented nature of its primary habitat, sclerophyll forest, and the high level of threat to this habitat, place the species at risk.

Future research required:

• undertake targeted survey work to more comprehensively document the species distribution in other sclerophyll patches in the region
• assess the extent of decline in area and/or quality of forest habitat in which it occurs, particularly with regard to the impact of fire on the forest edge
• assess and monitor the spread of the fire ant through sclerophyll forest at the site

Copyright © Australian Museum, 2002