Ailuronyx trachygaster

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Bibliography

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	REPTILIA	SQUAMATA	GEKKONIDAE

Scientific Name:

Ailuronyx trachygaster

Species Authority:

(Duméril & Bibron, 1851)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Giant Bronze Gecko

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Vulnerable D2 ver 3.1
Year Published:	2006
Assessor/s:	Gerlach, J. & Ineich, I.
Reviewer/s:	Cox, N. & Stuart, S.N. (Global Reptile Assessment)
Contributor/s:
Justification: Listed as Vulnerable because its area of occupancy is 13 km² and it is known from only two locations. There is currently no evidence of decline, but it will be vulnerable to any further habitat deterioration in this restricted range.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is endemic to the Seychelles islands of Silhouette and Praslin. Although the type specimen is labeled 'Madagascar' this is believed to be erroneous. It occurs from 150–250 m.
Countries:	Native: Seychelles
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	It is a low density species, with an estimated population of 3,389 ± 205 animals in 2005 (Gerlach in prep).
Population Trend:	Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It is a canopy-dwelling arboreal species found in tropical forest with a canopy over 15 m. It does not occur in degraded habitats. On Praslin island it feeds largely on nectar and pollen from Lodoicea maldivica palms. Its reproductive biology is unknown.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The species has a very restricted range and it will be vulnerable to any degradation of its habitat, for example through the spread of invasive species.

Major Threat(s):

The species has a very restricted range and it will be vulnerable to any degradation of its habitat, for example through the spread of invasive species.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	It is present in Praslin National Park. Forest habitats on Silhouette island should be included in a new protected area.

Conservation Actions:

It is present in Praslin National Park. Forest habitats on Silhouette island should be included in a new protected area.

Bibliography [top]

	Cheke, A.S. 1984 Lizards of the Seychelles. In: D.R. Stoddart (ed.) Biogeography and Ecology of the Seychelles Islands Dr. W. Junk, The Hague. Gardner, A.S. 1985. An identification key to the geckos of the Seychelles, with brief notes on their distributions and habits. Herpetological Journal 1: 17–19. Gardner, A.S. 1986. The biogeography of the lizards of the Seychelles Islands. Journal of Biogeography 13: 237–253. Gerlach, J. 2002. The enigmatic giant bronze gecko Ailuronyx trachygaster. Part 1: Identity. Gekko 3: 29–38. Gerlach, J. 2004. The enigmatic giant bronze gecko Ailuronyx trachygaster. Part 2: Ecology. Gekko 4: 8–14. Gerlach, J. 2005 Ailuronyx trachygaster - the best view yet! Gekko 4: 31. Gerlach, J. (ed.). 1997. Seychelles Red Data Book 1997. The Nature Protection Trust of Seychelles, Mahé, Seychelles. Gerlach, J. In prep. Status assessments of Seychelles lizards and snakes. IUCN. 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 04 May 2006. Russell, A.P. and Bauer, A.M. 1989. Ungual asymmetry in the context of pedal symmetry in Ailuronyx (Reptilia: Gekkonidae): modification for an opposable grip. Journal of Zoology (London) 218: 1–9.

Cheke, A.S. 1984 Lizards of the Seychelles. In: D.R. Stoddart (ed.) Biogeography and Ecology of the Seychelles Islands Dr. W. Junk, The Hague.

Gardner, A.S. 1985. An identification key to the geckos of the Seychelles, with brief notes on their distributions and habits. Herpetological Journal 1: 17–19.

Gardner, A.S. 1986. The biogeography of the lizards of the Seychelles Islands. Journal of Biogeography 13: 237–253.

Gerlach, J. 2002. The enigmatic giant bronze gecko Ailuronyx trachygaster. Part 1: Identity. Gekko 3: 29–38.

Gerlach, J. 2004. The enigmatic giant bronze gecko Ailuronyx trachygaster. Part 2: Ecology. Gekko 4: 8–14.

Gerlach, J. 2005 Ailuronyx trachygaster - the best view yet! Gekko 4: 31.

Gerlach, J. (ed.). 1997. Seychelles Red Data Book 1997. The Nature Protection Trust of Seychelles, Mahé, Seychelles.

Gerlach, J. In prep. Status assessments of Seychelles lizards and snakes.

IUCN. 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 04 May 2006.

Russell, A.P. and Bauer, A.M. 1989. Ungual asymmetry in the context of pedal symmetry in Ailuronyx (Reptilia: Gekkonidae): modification for an opposable grip. Journal of Zoology (London) 218: 1–9.

Citation:	Gerlach, J. & Ineich, I. 2006. Ailuronyx trachygaster. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 19 June 2013.
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