Research

Bold-Stripe Bavayia Bavayia validiclavis

Conservation status: Vulnerable

Description: A small relatively stout species of gecko growing to a body length of 45 with a short tail 110% that of the body. It has moderately broad toes. The colour pattern on the body is variable, typically brown above with a broad and bold lighter vertebral stripe.

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

Distribution within Province Nord: Restricted to Province Nord and known only from two locations, Mt Panie and Mt Mandjelia.

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
• low level of threat to low elevation closed forest on the east coast from clearing for subsistence agriculture leading to loss and further fragmentation of habitat
• low level of threat to mid elevation forest for timber plantations (Mt Mandjelia)leading to a decline in area, extent and quality habitat
• low level of threat to closed forest edge through repeated firing of adjacent savannah habitat leading to a decline in area, extent and quality of habitat
• generally low level of threat from exotic pests such as rats and cats (predation of adults, young and eggs)

Conservation status: Bavayia validiclavis has a very small distribution on the northern ranges with a likely area of occupancy of <100km2, the two locations from which it is known may represent a single continuous population. Several threats have been identified which are likely to impact on the species, particularly at the closed forest edge, but for most of its distribution it occurs within closed forest habitat subject to little disturbance. Its' small distribution, in combination with several moderate levels of threat indicate B. validiclavis 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