Hemidactylus persicus | UAE National Red List of Herpetofauna: Amphibians & Terrestrial Reptiles, Sea Snakes & Marine Turtles

Taxa
Hemidactylus persicus | Anderson, 1872
Location
Countries in Assessment
United Arab Emirates
Country ISO code(s)
ARE
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Off
Scope (Assessment)
National
Taxon
Taxonomic Group
Vertebrates
Taxonomic Group Level 2
Reptiles
Assessed taxon level
Species
Taxonomic Notes
Hemidactylus persicus was described by Anderson in 1872 based on specimens collected from Shiraz, Iran; its type locality is restricted to Shiraz (Smith 1935). Morphologically typical animals occur in northeast Saudi Arabia (as far south as Al-Hofuf and perhaps ar-Riyadh), in Bahrain, Kuwait, and lowland Iraq, southern Iran, Pakistan and Gujarat (India) (Smith 1935, Anderson 1999, Minton Jr. 1966, Leviton et al. 1992, Vyas et al. 2006, Sindaco and Jeremäenko 2008). They are characterized by relatively small size (up to 67 mm SVL), a low number of lamellae under the 1st toe of pes (mean 8.8, 8-“9) and relatively numerous prenatal pores in males (mean 9.2, 8-“11) arranged in a V-shaped line in front of the vent (Carranza and Arnold 2012).
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
Within the United Arab Emirates, this species is known from Qarn Nazwa and two of the islands (Dalma and Sir Bani Yas; Gardner 2013, Burriel-Carranza et al. in press), and from recent records of the species within the Dubai city area, which are presumed to be introduced. It is found from sea level to 200 m asl. Whilst the origin of this species in the UAE requires confirmation, the species was first found at Qarn Nazwa prior to widespread development that led to species introductions, and it is considered to be native to UAE at present.The global distribution of this species ranges from the Arabian Peninsula to Iraq, southern Iran (Khuzestan, Fars, Kerman and Balochistan Provinces) and Pakistan (Sind and Waziristan) (Minton 1966, Anderson 1999). It exhibits a marginal occurrence in India, where it has recently been reported from Jessore, Gujarat (Vyas et al. 2006). It is found from lowland areas to around 1,000 m asl (Minton 1966). It has been reported from northwestern Oman, close to the border with the UAE (Carranza et al. 2018).
Habitats and Ecology
Ecological system type
Terrestrial system
No
Freshwater system
No
Marine system
No
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This species naturally inhabits rocky areas in arid regions (Qarn Nazwa population), including those in limestone outcrops where it clings to cliffs, boulders and bushes (Gardner 2013). Apparently not a house gecko in Arabia, though it has occasionally been found in houses (Gardner 2013). It is nocturnal and females lay two hard-shelled eggs glued to rock surfaces or in secure crevices.
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Assessed status
Asessment status in full
Vulnerable
Assessment status abreviation
VU
Assessment status criteria
D1
Assessment rationale/justification
Within the United Arab Emirates, this species is known from Qarn Nazwa, the Dubai city area (where it is considered to be introduced), and from two offshore islands (Dalma and Sir Bani Yas). The species has a restricted extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO), however, the population trend at present, based on the Qarn Nazwa locality, is presumed to be stable. At Qarn Nazwa, it is thought likely that there are fewer than 1,000 mature individuals, whilst the populations on the islands, if native, are small. As a result, the species is assessed as Vulnerable (VU D1) on the basis of the restricted number of mature individuals. This taxon is not a non-breeding visitor, and it is presumed that any immigration from populations outside the UAE is not significant, and therefore there is no adjustment to the Category according to the IUCN regional and national Guidelines (IUCN 2012).Further research into the distribution and origin of the species in the UAE is required, and monitoring of the population at Qarn Nazwa is essential.
About the assessment
Assessment year
2018
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Affliation of assessor(s)/contributors/reviewers listed on assessment
Government
IGO
Assessor affiliation specific
Government|IGO
Criteria system
Criteria system specifics
IUCN v3.1 + Regional Guidelines v4.0
Criteria system used
IUCN
Criteria Citation
IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
Endemism
Endemic to region
Not_assigned
Endemism Notes
Is an endemic?: Not_assigned
Conservation
Threats listed in assessment
There appear to be no major threats to this species at Qarn Nazwa, where it occurs within a protected area. The island populations need further research.
Conservation Measures

Conservation measures:
Conservation measures notes:
Required conservation measures:

Scientific Name Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus
Hemidactylus persicus Animalia Chordata Reptilia Squamata Gekkonidae Hemidactylus