Research

High Elevation Bavayia Bavayia madjo

Conservation status: Vulnerable

Description: A medium species of gecko growing to a body length of 75mm, a long slender tail 119% that of the body, and moderately broad toes. The colour pattern on the body is typically brown above with 4 darker transverse blotches between the fore and hindlimb.

Natural distribution: Far north-east ranges of New Caledonia.

Distribution within Province Nord: Known only from two locations, Mt Panie and Mt Ignambi on the Panie Range.

Threats:

• potentially high level of threat with high infestation levels of introduced Fire Ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) at the species lower elevational limits
• moderate level of threat to closed forest edge through repeated firing of adjacent savannah habitat on the west side of the Panie range leading to a decline in area, extent and quality of habitat
• moderate level of threat from exotic pests such as rats and cats (predation of adults, young and eggs)

Conservation status: Bavayia madjo has a very small distribution on northern ranges with a likely area of occupancy of <100km2, and is considered to represent a single continuous population along the range. For most its distribution Bavayia madjo occurs within some of the least disturbed and most pristine closed forest habitat in New Caledonia. The species overall distribution as it is known satisfies the criteria for a small distribution (area of occupancy <500km2). It is most likely also present on Mt Colnett, but the species real area of occupancy is likely to remain small. Its' small distribution, in combination with several moderate levels of threat indicate Bavayia madjo is at risk, and should be categorised as Vulnerable.

Future research required:

• undertake targeted survey work to more comprehensively document the species overall distribution on the Panie Range
• 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 on the western side of the range
• assess the spread of the fire ant on the range

Copyright © Australian Museum, 2002