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Christmas Island Gecko (Lepidodactylus listeri)

Lister's gecko is a small gecko endemic to Christmas Island. It was found mainly in primary rainforest on the plateau, as well as in disturbed secondary forest, so these habitats are important to consider in works.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Critically endangered.

Seasonal planning

Lister’s Gecko egg production peaks roughly from August to November on Christmas Island.

Seasonal evidence: From published sources for this species.

Timing varies between sites and years.

  • Egg production peak: Lister’s Gecko egg production peaks roughly from August to November on Christmas Island.

Identification: Appearance

This brown gecko grows to about 5 cm snout-to-vent length. It has a broad, pale fawn or grey stripe along its back that extends over the head, a similarly patterned tail, a whitish belly and small, smooth scales.

This brown gecko grows to about 5 cm snout-to-vent length. It has a broad, pale fawn or grey stripe along its back that extends over the head, a similarly patterned tail, a whitish belly and small, smooth scales.

Identification: Confirming identity

Confirm the identity of any suspected record with a specialist and a photograph or voucher, as required by the relevant permit.

Distribution: Known range

The species is endemic to Christmas Island. It was formerly widespread across the island's plateau and terraces, and its last recorded sighting in the wild was in October 2012.

The species is endemic to Christmas Island. It was formerly widespread across the island's plateau and terraces, and its last recorded sighting in the wild was in October 2012.

Distribution: National mapping

The Commonwealth species distribution model (SNES) maps where the species or its habitat is known, likely or may occur. Use it with local records and site inspection.

Habitat: Habitat

Lister's gecko was most abundant in primary rainforest on the plateau and also occurred in disturbed secondary forest. It was absent from mined areas.

Lister's gecko was most abundant in primary rainforest on the plateau and also occurred in disturbed secondary forest. It was absent from mined areas.

Foraging habitat: Diet

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Breeding habitat: Breeding

Lister's gecko lays eggs, with a clutch size of two.

Lister's gecko lays eggs, with a clutch size of two.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter

The gecko is nocturnal and arboreal. During the day, it shelters under bark.

The gecko is nocturnal and arboreal. During the day, it shelters under bark.

Threats: Threats

Predation by the introduced wolf snake is considered the main threat to Lister's gecko in the wild. Other potential threats include feral cats, giant centipedes, yellow crazy ants, black rats, disease, competition from introduced geckos and habitat loss.

Predation by the introduced wolf snake is considered the main threat to Lister's gecko in the wild. Other potential threats include feral cats, giant centipedes, yellow crazy ants, black rats, disease, competition from introduced geckos and habitat loss.

Threats: Works risk

Clearing or mining in primary rainforest and disturbed secondary forest could remove habitat used by the species. Habitat loss is identified as a potential threat, and the gecko was absent from mined areas.

Survey methodology: 1. Species-specific methods

Use methods consistent with the Commonwealth survey guidelines and engage a specialist with the right permits.

Intensive and extensive searches were conducted for the species, although no specific survey techniques are described.

Survey methodology: 2. Commonwealth guidance

For EPBC Act referrals, survey effort and methods should be consistent with the survey guidelines for Australia's threatened reptiles, read with the Significant impact guidelines 1.1.

Survey methodology: 3. Limits

A non-detection is not proof of absence. Match survey timing to the species and season, and record effort.

Vegetation associations: Rainforest or vine thicket

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

Lister's gecko was most abundant in primary rainforest on the plateau and also occurred in disturbed secondary forest.

Automatically indexed from existing profile text. Not a verified preference, mapped occurrence or habitat requirement. Check the original source and regional qualifiers before use.

Evidence: Unreviewed profile-derived candidate

Confidence: Not independently verified

Region: Scope as described in the quoted profile text; not independently verified. Profile states: not specified.

Habitat use: general

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific water association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before disturbance: 1. Desktop and approvals

Confirm whether the project could affect the species before works begin.

Check national mapping, state records and recent surveys for the site. An action likely to have a significant impact on this nationally listed species needs EPBC Act referral, and state permits apply where it is state listed.

Before disturbance: 2. Plan to avoid

Design the footprint, timing and access to avoid known or likely habitat, and brief crews on what to look for and who to call.

During disturbance: 1. Controls

Keep works inside the approved footprint and conditions.

Fence or mark habitat to be retained and keep machinery, stockpiles and spoil out of it.

During disturbance: 2. Stop and report

If the species is found unexpectedly, stop work at that spot and contact the project ecologist and the relevant agency.

After disturbance: 1. Records

Record outcomes.

Record sightings, habitat lost or retained and any injury or death, and report them under the approval conditions.

Rehabilitation: 1. Restore

Restore disturbed habitat where possible.

Reinstate disturbed ground with local species, return logs, rocks and litter, and control weeds and erosion until the site is stable.

Sources