Description:

A small relatively stout species of gecko growing to a body length of 45 with a short tail 118% that of the body. It has moderately broad toes. The colour pattern on the body is variable, typically brown above with darker brown spotting (sometimes nearly forming a continuous line down the body) and darker on the side of the body, central part of the dorsal surface noticeably lighter in some individuals being more yellowish brown and forming a distinct middorsal stripe down the body.

Natural distribution:

Known only from Mt Kaala in the northwest ranges.

Distribution within Province Nord: see above.

Habitat:

Mid-high elevation maquis shrubland, high elevation closed, and low elevation riparian forest.

Threats:

• high level of threat to high elevation maquis shrubland and forest on Mt Kaala through activities associated with mining leading to a further decline in area, extent and quality of available habitat.

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

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

• potentially high level of threat to populations in low elevation riparian 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 to mid-high elevation maquis shrubland on Mt Kaala from spread of fire from adjacent low elevation agricultural land.

• moderate to high level of threat from predation by introduced rats, particularly if the species only persists in remnant patches of shrubland and forest in an already highly disturbed landscape.

Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Dierogekko kaalaensis has an extremely restricted distribution (<100km2). The summit area of Mt Kaala has been heavily impacted by mining activity. The species has been identified as highly threatened (Bauer et al., 2006) and to meet the criteria to be categorised as Critically Endangered.

*Species occurring in localised areas of maquis shrubland are highly susceptible to catastrophic impact of wildfires, and require pro-active conservation management to deal with this potential threat.