Jewelled Gecko - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Strophurus elderi

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 25 Jun 2004

Profile last updated: 01 Dec 2017

Description

The Jewelled Gecko is a small gecko (average snout vent length around 45 millimetres) that is dark brown to velvety grey or black above, with scattered small black-edged white spots. The undersurface is greyish with dark flecks. The tail is shortish and plump and has no spines or enlarged tubercules. In the past this gecko has been placed in the genus Diplodactylus.

Distribution

The species is found in a range of habitats throughout the arid areas of central Australia, though all have Spinifex present as the ground layer. Extends east to the ‘Murray Mallee’ in South Australia and south west NSW where it occurs in spinifex mallee (and rarely in pine with spinifex understorey). In this region they have been recorded from near Menindee and Coombah in the north south to near the Murray River, and from the NSW-SA border east to near Hatfield.

Habitat and ecology

Restricted to habitats containing spinifex on red sandy plains or dunes and to a lesser extent stony hills. Spinifex may occur as a dominant groundcover with little to no overstorey vegetation or in association with mallee, cypress pine or acacia woodlands.
Animals are nocturnal, foraging at night within or on the exterior portion of a clump of spinifex. They are also observed in the matrix between spinifex clumps, especially during stormy conditions, presumably seeking new refuge. They are semi-arboreal and climb around grass clumps with the assistance of a semi-prehensile tail, which is used to grasp objects such as grass stems. Animals seek refuge during the day inside hummock grass and they may also occupy underground burrows beneath spinifex.
Their diet consists of a variety of insects including small crickets, caterpillars, grubs, termites, spiders, cockroaches and moths.
In Western Australia, breeding appears to happen throughout the year, and may be opportunistic following suitable weather conditions. A clutch of two eggs is laid.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Habitat clearance, in particular, clearing of spinifex grasslands either with or without a mallee overstorey, usually for agricultural purposes.
Inappropriate fire frequency, which directly affects the amount of cover provided by spinifex. Alteration of fire frequency may reduce the availability of suitable habitat and food species.
Predation by foxes and cats is possible given the feeding habits and activity times of this species.
Heavy grazing and trampling of habitat and food resources by domestic stock, feral goats, rabbits and pigs.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Control of vertebrate pest populations, e.g. foxes, cats and rabbits, which either prey on, or compete against this species for resources.
Instil appropriate fire regime so as to not burn all habitat and food sources within a region at one time, and to promote natural succession.
Maintain spinifex habitats.
Reduce stock intensity of, or exclude grazing in, some areas to allow regeneration of vegetation for habitat, food sources or shelter sites.

Information sources

Cogger, H.G. (2000) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. 6th Edition. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
Greer, A.E. (1989) The Biology and Evolution of Australian Lizards. Surrey Beatty and Sons Pty. Ltd., Chipping Norton.
How, R.A., Dell, J. and Wellington, B.D. (1986) Comparative Biology of Eight Species of Diplodactylus Gecko in Western Australia. Herpetologica 42(4): 471-482.
NSW Scientific Committee (2004) Jewelled Gecko - Vulnerable species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
Shea, G.M. and Wells, R. (1983) New records of a skink and a gecko from western New South Wales. Herpetofauna. 15(1): 1-4.
Swan, G., Shea, G. and Sadlier, R. (2004) A Field Guide to Reptiles of New South Wales. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
Swan, M. and Watharow, S. (2005) Snakes, Lizards and Frogs of the Victorian Mallee. (CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood)
Wilson, S. and Swan, G. (2003) A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Broken Hill Complex	Barrier Range	Predicted	None
Murray Darling Depression	Darling Depression	Predicted	None
Murray Darling Depression	South Olary Plain	Known	None
Other State	SA	Known	None

Images

Jewelled Gecko, Steve Sass Image 1 of 3.
View slideshow.

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