Research

Montane Bavayia Bavayia montana

Conservation status: Lower risk - near threatened

Description: A moderately large species of gecko growing to a body length of 76 mm, with a stout body and tail around 100% that of the body, and moderately broad toes. It is russet-brown in colour with a pattern of numerous scattered pale flecks and 4-5 dark, pale spotted, transverse bars across the body, and yellow below.

Natural distribution: A widespread but scattered distribution in the central, northern, and ultramafic ranges of the west coast of New Caledonia. The species occurs in closed forest habitat at mid to high elevation, but is also known from low elevation forest.

Ultramafic - rocks that are dominated by minerals high in magnesium and iron, and which tend to be dark-coloured rather than pale.

Distribution within Province Sud: From Sarramea and Col d'Amieu in the central ranges.

Distribution within Province Nord: In the central ranges from Me Adeo near Bourail north to Mt Mandjelia in the northeast ranges, and Mt Kopeto and Mt Koniambo on the northwest coast.

Threats:

• potentially high level of threat with high infestation levels of introduced Fire Ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) at lower elevation sites
• moderate level of threat from logging of native forest and clearing of forest for timber plantations (Mt Aoupinie and Foret Plate) resulting in a decline in area, extent and quality of mid elevation forest habitat
• low level of threat to populations in low elevation closed forest on the east coast from clearing for subsistence agriculture resulting in loss and further fragmentation of habitat
• low level of threat to closed forest edge through repeated firing of adjacent savannah habitat resulting in a decline in area, extent and quality of habitat
• low to potentially moderate level of threat from exotic pests such as rats and cats (predation of adults, young and eggs)

Conservation status: Bavayia montana is known from 11 locations representing five sub-populations. Because of its relatively broad distribution, it does not satisfy the criteria required to place it at a level of threat. It is restricted to closed forest, a habitat that is highly fragmented and subject to a range of potential threats and is likely to be undergoing a continuing decline in area, extent and/or quality of that habitat. Its dependence on closed forest habitat places the species at low level of risk, as such it is most appropriate at this time to categorise the species as lower risk - near threatened.

However, current research shows extensive sub-structuring between populations and identification and preservation of these geographical units is an important conservation issue.

Future research required:

• targeted survey work to more comprehensively document the species overall distribution
• research to identify distinct geographic units
• assessment of the extent of decline in area and/or quality of habitat of the closed forests in any geographical units identified above
• survey work to assess the spread of the fire ant on populations in low to mid elevation closed forests

Copyright © Australian Museum, 2002