Research

Sauvage's Bavayia Bavayia sauvagii

Conservation status: Data deficient

Description: A medium species of gecko growing to a body length of 62 mm with a tail measuring 112% that of the body. It has moderately broad toes. The colour pattern on the body is typically dark with four to five darker pale-edged blotches, and dark underneath.

Natural distribution: Widespread throughout Grande Terre, also present on Isle des Pin, and Mare Island in the Loyalty Islands. However, the species as currently recognised is considered to comprise several species.

Distribution within Province Sud: Recorded from a number of scattered localities in the north and south of the province, both coastal and mountian, and several locations on Ile des Pins. There is a gap in distribution between Mt Ouin and Col d' Nassirah, which reflects a lack of collecting along ranges in this area.

Distribution within Province Nord: Recorded from mid elevation sites in the central ranges between Col d' Rousettes and Mt Aoupinie, and low elevation sites on coastal ranges in the northeast from Poindimie to Mt Ignambi. Also from near coastal ranges on the west coast. This distribution most likely represents several species.

Distribution within Province Loyalties: Present only on Mare Island, most likely widespread in forest habitat.

Threats:

• potentially high level of threat to closed forest and sclerophyll forest populations with high infestation levels of introduced fire ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) causing significant decline in abundance
• moderate to high level of threat to sclerophyll and low elevation closed forest on the west coast from clearing for ranching or agriculture resulting in loss and further fragmentation of habitat
• moderate level of threat to low elevation closed forest on the east coast from clearing for subsistence agriculture resulting in loss and further fragmentation of habitat
• moderate to potentially high level of threat to isolated high elevation closed forest on ultramafic soils through activities associated with mining (particularly gully forests affected by mining spoil) resulting in a decline in area, extent and quality habitat
• low level of threat to mid elevation forest for timber plantations resulting in a decline in area, extent and quality 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
• generally low level of threat from exotic pests such as rats and cats (predation of adults, young and eggs) on mainland populations, but a potentially moderate to high of threat from these forces on island populations

Conservation status: Preliminary results based on genetic studies indicate B. sauvagii most likely comprises a number of sibling species that require substantial research 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. sauvagii

Copyright © Australian Museum, 2002