Taxonomy
Common name :
Le joli Bavaya
Pretty Bavayia Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 11/12/2017Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Description
Description:
A small relatively stout species of gecko growing to a body length of 45mm, with a short tail 90% the length of the body; moderately broad toes; and a colour pattern that is highly variable, from typically brown with a paler vertebral stripe and pale V-shaped markings on the nape and shoulders to individuals with almost no pattern at all.
Natural distribution:
Known only from the central ranges east of Bourail.
Distribution within Province Nord: Recorded from Mé Adéo.
Distribution within Province Sud: Recorded from ranges to the northwest of Mé Adéo.
Habitat:
Mid elevation humid forest and adjacent maquis shrubland.
Threats:
-
potentially high level of threat to populations in humid forest with high infestation levels of the introduced Little Red Fire Ant (Wasmannia auropunctata), resulting in a significant decline in abundance.
-
moderate to high level of threat on the west coast through loss, modification and fragmentation of forest habitat to ranching.
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potentially moderate to high but localised level of threat to humid forest on ultramafics through loss or degradation of habitat from activities associated with mining.
-
moderate to high level of threat to humid forest habitat on ultramafic soils through repeated firing of adjacent maquis habitat, leading to loss and degradation of the forest edge.
Conservation Status:
Vulnerable.
Bavayia pulchella has a very small distribution on the central ranges, it is known from two locations approximately 10km apart which could be part of a single continuous population with a likely area of occupancy of <100 km2. Within its known range it has most likely suffered a decline in area of occupancy through loss and degradation of closed forest edge habitat to agriculture and repeated firing of adjacent savannah and maquis habitat, and through degradation of maquis habitat through repeated firing. Maquis shrubland between the two sites and at Mé Adéo has numerous exploratory roads and could be threatened by any proposed mining activities.
The species small distribution, in combination with several moderate to potentially high level threats indicates Bavayia pulchella is at risk, and satisfies the criteria to be categorised as Vulnerable. It could be placed at a higher level of threat if declines in the area, extent and/or quality of habitat within its very narrow range continue.
Bavayia pulchella is listed as Endangered because it is know from two locations with an extent of occurrence and an area of occupancy estimated at 8 km2, and a continuing decline in its area of occupancy and extent and quality of its habitat due to a variety of threats.
Geographical area
Bavayia pulchella is endemic to New Caledonia. It has been recorded from only a small area of the main dividing range to the northeast of Bourail, Grande Terre. It is known from two localities about 6 km apart, and are between 500–600 m above sea level (Bauer et al. 1998). These sites are right on the provincial boundary. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are estimated at 8 km2.
Population
There are no quantitative data on population size or trends. It is presumed to have suffered some reduction in extent as a result of habitat loss on the western slopes from wildfires and clearance for agriculture and at higher elevation from mining exploration. Still locally abundant at both known sites (Bauer et al. 1998).
Habitat
Specimens have been collected from maquis shrubland and the margin of forests and pastureland (Bauer et al. 1998). It also inhabits closed forest areas. This species is nocturnal and arboreal, foraging at night in the vegetation. It is not known whether it shelters by day in trees or on the ground.
Threats
The greatest threat to Bavayia pulchella are the habitat loss and degradation from wildfires, introduced ungulates (deer and pigs) and clearance for agriculture.
Conservation
Protected in Province Nord under Code de l'environnement de la Province Nord (Délibération No. 306-2008/APN, 24 October 2008) and in Province Sud under Code de l'environnement de la Province Sud (Délibération No. 25-2009/APS, 20 March 2009). Not listed on CITES. Not protected in any reserves and no conservation management is currently being undertaken.
Further research is needed into the distribution, habitat status and threats to this species. As habitat degradation is impacting this restricted species, protected areas should be considered to help reduce the degree of threat. Monitoring is also necessary as if threats continue, significant declines may occur increasing the extinction risk of Bavayia pulchella.
Bibliography
Snow, N. 2009. Kanakomyrtus (Myrtaceae): A new endemic genus from New Caledonia with linear stigma lobes and baccate fruits. Systematic Botany(34) , p.330-344.
Snow N., McFadden J., Evans T.M., Salywon A.M., Wojciechowski M.F. & Wilson P.G. 2011. Morphological and molecular evidence of polyphyly in Rhodomyrtus (Myrtaceae: Myrteae). Systematic Botany(36(2)) , p.390-404.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Butin, J., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Goxe, J., Héquet, V., Lannuzel, G., Suprin, B., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Vandrot, H.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Warimavute, G.