IN THE RICHER ISLAND ecosystem of the Poor Knights Islands, Pacific geckos add to their insect diet with fruit, and nectar from flowers like pohutukawa. New Zealand reptiles once played a much greater role in forest ecology than we give them credit for today. On the Poor Knights — which boast a total of eight skink, gecko and tuatara species — reptiles pollinate forest flowers and distribute seeds. Coprosma and kawakawa seeds are suited to passing through the gut of animals and rough scales under geckos' chins can carry pollen for up to 24 hours. "Island ecosystems can operate in a way that is fundamentally different from our understanding of how those on continents function," says Morris.

Forest and Bird, Issue 268, 1 May 1993, Page 13

IN THE RICHER ISLAND ecosystem of the Poor Knights Islands, Pacific geckos add to their insect diet with fruit, and nectar from flowers like pohutukawa. New Zealand reptiles once played a much greater role in forest ecology than we give them credit for today. On the Poor Knights — which boast a total of eight skink, gecko and tuatara species — reptiles pollinate forest flowers and distribute seeds. Coprosma and kawakawa seeds are suited to passing through the gut of animals and rough scales under geckos' chins can carry pollen for up to 24 hours. "Island ecosystems can operate in a way that is fundamentally different from our understanding of how those on continents function," says Morris.