The common gecko, Hoplodactylus pacificus (Gray, in McCann (1955) ), is widely distributed throughout New Zealand. As yet no specific ecological study of this lizard has been published, though Sharell (1966) mentions habitat preferences and hibernation behaviour, and Whitaker (1968) has published some data for H. pacificus on Poor Knights Islands (mentioned in this report) and describes their observed foraging behaviour. In this study, carried out from late March through to May 1970, I have recorded information on snout-vent lengths, weights, individual movements, and habitat preference, and have also estimated the population density. This particular lizard does not seem to be active during the Autumn months and no observations of food preferences and foraging behaviour were able to be made.

The common gecko, Hoplodactylus pacificus (Gray, in McCann (1955) ), is widely distributed throughout New Zealand. As yet no specific ecological study of this lizard has been published, though Sharell (1966) mentions habitat preferences and hibernation behaviour, and Whitaker (1968) has published some data for H. pacificus on Poor Knights Islands (mentioned in this report) and describes their observed foraging behaviour. In this study, carried out from late March through to May 1970, I have recorded information on snout-vent lengths, weights, individual movements, and habitat preference, and have also estimated the population density. This particular lizard does not seem to be active during the Autumn months and no observations of food preferences and foraging behaviour were able to be made.

This study was intended to provide information on certain aspects of the population ecology of H. pacificus. A population on Quail Island in Lyttelton Harbour was chosen for intensive study over a period of one year. Some information on the population was already available. derived from a preliminary study in 1970 (McIvor, 1970a). The following aspects were investigated; population density, natality and mortality, age structures and sex ratios, annual and seasonal growth, daily and seasonal activity, reproduction (detailed investigation of testicular activity), home range and movements and diet. Much of the population information was obtained from recapture of marked individuals. This study helps to fill some of the major gaps in our knowledge of the biology of the nocturnal gecko. Hoplodactylus pacificus.

This study was intended to provide information on certain aspects of the population ecology of H. pacificus. A population on Quail Island in Lyttelton Harbour was chosen for intensive study over a period of one year. Some information on the population was already available. derived from a preliminary study in 1970 (McIvor, 1970a). The following aspects were investigated; population density, natality and mortality, age structures and sex ratios, annual and seasonal growth, daily and seasonal activity, reproduction (detailed investigation of testicular activity), home range and movements and diet. Much of the population information was obtained from recapture of marked individuals. This study helps to fill some of the major gaps in our knowledge of the biology of the nocturnal gecko. Hoplodactylus pacificus.