Giant bronze gecko (Ailuronyx trachygaster)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 230532950

Population estimate of the Critically Endangered Seychelles endemic giant bronze gecko, Ailuronyx trachygaster

Ailuronyx trachygaster is among the world’s largest and rarest geckos and is Seychelles’ most threatened reptile. It has been recorded from two granitic islands (Praslin and Silhouette), although records from Silhouette are now considered erroneous, making it a Praslin endemic. The species’ taxonomic history is similarly typified by misunderstanding, with the type specimen’s provenance mistakenly assigned to Madagascar until it was established as a Seychelles endemic in 1990 (Bauer 1990). Its restricted distribution within a single habitat type (endemic palm forest, of which < 10 km^2 remains) and tiny population makes A. trachygaster extremely vulnerable to threats such as poaching, invasive alien species, habitat degradation, and disease. A recent surge in A. trachygaster poaching for the international pet trade is widely considered to have caused a significant population decline. Its distribution appears to be strongly—perhaps exclusively—correlated with mature, coco de mer-dominated palm forest. The coco de mer, Lodoicea maldivica, also endangered, is a keystone and flagship species for this rare habitat. As the main pollinator of L. maldivica, A. trachygaster is of critical importance to this ecosystem and as such, has global significance. Despite this, no Species Action Plan or consistent monitoring programme has yet been developed for A. trachygaster.

 

Our aim is to determine a first, island-wide census population estimate for A. trachygaster, which is essential for management to inform urgently needed conservation actions. We will develop capacity for local staff in gecko monitoring with intensive on-the-job training, aiming to achieve in-country, self-sustaining long-term monitoring and conservation management. Incorporating data from this project, we will support the development of a Species Action Plan (SAP) to establish long-term conservation management priorities. Furthermore, we will support the Seychelles government by providing necessary information for the NDF report required to list A. trachygaster under CITES to regulate international trade of poached geckos.