Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 3. Terrestrial Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
Garnett (1983) reported that there were 4 species of lizards on Abariringa (Canton). These
included the following:
1) Mourning gecko, Lepidodactylus lugubris,
2) House gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus,
3) Stump-toed gecko, Gehyra mutilata,
4) Snake-eyed skink, Ablepharus bouton.
Levy (1996) reported tiny insect-eating lizards on Abariringa (Canton).
Pierce et al (2006) recorded reptiles observed in Abariringa (Kanton), Birnie, Enderbury,
McKean, Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki (see Table III-3.15 above).
BIRNIE
No species of reptiles were reported from Birnie (Garnett 1983). There were no lizards there.
Pierce et al (2006) recorded reptiles observed in Abariringa (Kanton), Birnie, Enderbury,
McKean, Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki (see Table III-3.15 above).
ENDERBURY
As part of the 1938 Line Islands Expedition, Donaggho (1952 and 1953) visited Enderbury
and reported seeing lizards and skink.
Lizards were found on Enderbury (Hydrographic Office 1940).
Abbott (1966) reported that Enderbury was home to 2 species of reptiles. The species name
was not provided.
In 1973, Clapp (1975) observed gray-backed terns, Sterns lunata, on Enderbury, swoop down
and catch a snake-eyed skink, Crypotblepharus boutoni. Captured skinks were consumed in
flight by the terns. This appeared to be the first documentation of skink consumption by
gray-backed terns and might be related to the abundance of skink on Enderbury.
Garnett (1983) reported two species of lizards on Enderbury. These included: the mouring
gecko, Lepidodactylus lugubris, and snake-eyed skink, Ablepharus boutonii.
Radtkey et al (1995) investigated the origin and spread of an asexual species of gecko in the
central Pacific. They identified a new species of gecko, Lepidodactylus sp. nov. that ranged
from the Marshall Islands to French Polynesia. Specimens examined included one from
Enderbury.
Pierce et al (2006) recorded reptiles observed in Abariringa (Kanton), Birnie, Enderbury,
McKean, Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki (see Table III-3.15 above).
MANRA (SYDNEY)
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