CR

Insular Dwarf Gecko

Lygodactylus insularis

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Lygodactylus insularis faces severe threats from its extremely restricted range on small islands in the Comoros archipelago. Habitat degradation from agricultural expansion and human settlement development has significantly reduced available forest cover. The species' small population size makes it highly vulnerable to stochastic events and genetic bottlenecks, while invasive species introduction poses additional pressure on this endemic gecko's survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic gecko inhabits remaining forest fragments and woodland areas on the Comoros islands. It typically occupies trees and rocky outcrops within humid tropical forest environments at various elevations.

Forest· majorMarine coastal/supratidal· majorShrubland· majorRocky areas· major

Other threatened species in GEKKONIDAE

EN

Speckle-faced Bent-toed Gecko

Cyrtodactylus psarops

Unknown
EN

Hampi Rock Gecko

Hemidactylus siva

Unknown
VU

Gekko russelltraini

Stable
EN

Tanahjampea Bent-toed Gecko

Cyrtodactylus tanahjampea

Unknown

Threatened in Mozambique

VU

Copper Shark

Carcharhinus brachyurus

Declining
Cape GannetEN

Cape Gannet

Morus capensis

Declining
Slaty EgretVU

Slaty Egret

Egretta vinaceigula

Declining
CR

Huberantha mossambicensis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Insular Dwarf Gecko classified as Critically Endangered?
Insular Dwarf Gecko is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Lygodactylus insularis faces severe threats from its extremely restricted range on small islands in the Comoros archipelago. Habitat degradation from agricultural expansion and human settlement development has significantly reduced available forest cover. The species' small population size makes it highly vulnerable to stochastic events and genetic bottlenecks, while invasive species introduction poses additional pressure on this endemic gecko's survival.
Where does Insular Dwarf Gecko live?
Insular Dwarf Gecko occurs in Mozambique. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Insular Dwarf Gecko?
The main threats to Insular Dwarf Gecko are 11.1, 8.1, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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