Habitat use by southern forest geckos (Mokopirirakau 'Southern Forest') in the Catlins, Southland

Basic biological information is critical to evaluating conservation requirements for native taxa, but is lacking for many cryptic New Zealand lizard species. Southern forest geckos (Mokopirirakau Southern Forest') are known only from anecdotes, museum specimens and discoveries of an individual at each of three sites during recent surveys in the Catlins. We used systematic searching, photo identification and radio telemetry at one of these sites (Tahakopa Valley) to investigate habitat use of southern forest geckos. Forty-five hours of searching in 20102011 yielded 28 sightings of 17 individuals including four juveniles (indicating that a breeding population exists). Most geckos were found by searching a boulder used as a diurnal retreat site or in mnuka (Leptospermum scoparium). Two geckos were radio-tracked; both remained within 5 m of capture and exhibited primarily nocturnal behaviour. We recommend further survey work to identify populations and monitoring to evaluate the need for conservation intervention.