Giant bronze gecko

The giant bronze gecko (Ailuronyx trachygaster) is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae endemic to Seychelles.

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Habitat
The Giant Bronze Gecko (Ailuronyx trachygaster) is a species intricately linked to the Lodoicea maldivica with a continuous canopy. Its habitat preference is exclusive to this environment, covering an estimated area of no more than about 4 km^2 on Praslin, Seychelles. Unlike other habitat types, this gecko has not been observed in areas with individual Coco de Mer palms or isolated stands of these trees. The species exhibits a preference for the upper canopy of mature Coco de Mer forest, where it dominates inflorescences, a crucial source of pollen, and a key food source for the gecko.

Habitat Degradation and Poaching
The Giant Bronze Gecko possesses an extremely limited habitat range primarily dependent on intact Coco de Mer forest. Any degradation of this habitat, such as the spread of invasive species or poaching of Coco de Mer nuts, could pose a long-term threat to the species. The collection of Coco de Mer nuts may indirectly impact the gecko by inhibiting the regeneration of palm trees, vital to its habitat.

Environmental Factors and Climate Change
Potential threats to the habitat include fire, habitat degradation, fragmentation, and climate change. A single major fire could have devastating consequences for the Vallée de Mai, a significant location for the species. Climate change impacts, particularly longer periods of drought projected for the Seychelles, may also severely affect the palm forest and, consequently, the gecko's habitat.

Commercial Interest and Invasive Species
Recent surges in commercial interest in the Giant Bronze Gecko within the international pet trade have raised concerns due to the species' small population size. Additionally, the expansion of invasive Yellow Crazy Ants (Anoplolepis gracilipes) poses a direct threat. These ants negatively impact the abundance and species richness of arboreal molluscs and geckos in the native palm forest.