Description:

Bavayia sauvagii as it is currently known (Bauer & Sadlier, 2000) is a composite of closely related and morphologically similar species of gecko that reach a body length of approximately 62mm and tail length 112% that of the body; have moderately broad toes; and a colour pattern on the body that is typically dark with 4-5 darker pale-edged blotches, and are dark underneath.

Natural Distribution:

Research in progress indicates Bavayia sauvagii as it is currently recognised comprises a number of morphologically and genetically distinct species distributed across Grande Terre, and is present on Isle des Pin and Maré Island in the Loyalty Islands.

Distribution within Province Sud:

Populations currently assigned to this species occur at a number of scattered coastal and montane localities in the north and south of the Province, and on the Ile des Pins - there is a gap in distribution between Mt Ouin and Col d’ Nassirah, reflecting a lack field surveys in the coastal lowlands and ranges of this area.

Distribution within Province Nord:

Populations currently assigned to this species occur at mid elevation sites in the central ranges between Col d’ Rousettes and Mt Aoupinié, low elevation sites on coastal ranges in the northeast from Poindimié to Mt Ignambi, and near coastal ranges on the west coast.

Distribution within Province Loyalties:

Known only from Maré Island.

Habitat:

Humid forest of ranges of the chaine central at low-mid elevation; humid forest on the Plaine des Lacs; humid forest on the Ile des Pin and Maré; occasionally in maquis shrubland of the Plaine des Lacs region; and sclerophyll forest on the southwest coast.

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.

• high level of threat to humid forest habitat through repeated firing of adjacent savannah habitat, leading to loss and degradation of the forest edge.

• high level of threat to populations in sclerophyll forest on the west coast from infestation by invasive animal species including livestock.

• high level of threat to populations in sclerophyll forest on the west coast through repeated firing of adjacent savannah habitat , leading to loss and degradation of the forest edge and modification of the forest interior.

• moderate to high level of threat to populations in humid forest on coastal lowlands of the east and west coast from local agriculture and ranching respectively, resulting in loss, modification and fragmentation of habitat.

• moderate to high but localised level of threat to isolated humid forest and gully forests on ultramafics through loss or degradation of habitat from activities associated with mining.

• moderate to high level of threat to populations in coastal forest on Maré from clearing for local agriculture resulting in loss, degradation and further fragmentation of habitat.

• localised moderate to high level of threat to populations in mid elevation humid forest through loss and modification of forest habitat to timber plantations and logging (Mt Aoupinié and Forêt Plate).

• potentially high level of threat from exotic pests such as rats and cats (predation of adults, young & eggs) in heavily affected forests, particularly on islands.

Conservation Status: Data Deficient.

Bavayia sauvagii comprises a complex of species that requires substantial research is to clarify the taxonomy of the populations involved, for this reason it is inappropriate to formally assess the species conservation status.

Department of Herpetology, Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney 2000, New South Wales, Australia