Uromastyx aegyptia ssp. leptieni | UAE National Red List of Herpetofauna: Amphibians & Terrestrial Reptiles, Sea Snakes & Marine Turtles

Taxa
Uromastyx aegyptia ssp. leptieni | Wilms & Böhme, 2000
Publication
UAE National Red List of Herpetofauna: Amphibians & Terrestrial Reptiles, Sea Snakes & Marine Turtles
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
Subspecies
Taxonomic Notes
Due to low levels of genetic differentiation between members of the Uromastyx aegyptia species group (considered to include U. aegyptia, U. leptieni, U. microlepis and U. occidentalis), Wilms et al. (2007) and Tamar et al. (2018) recognize U. aegyptia as a single species with three subspecies: U. a. aegyptia, U. a. leptieni and U. a. microlepis.The relationship of U. occidentalis, which was not included in genetic analysis, to U. aegyptia remains in need of clarification, however, Wilms et al. (2007) continue to recognize it as a full species due to its geographical separation from the remaining U. aegyptia-group taxa.
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
Within the United Arab Emirates, this subspecies is known to occur north of Abu Dhabi city to Al Ain and Sharjah (Gardner 2013, Burriel-Carranza et al. in press). The subspecies occurs further across the foothills of the Hajar Mountains at low altitudes on either side. Within the United Arab Emirates, the subspecies is frequently encountered from sea level to 100 m asl but have been recorded to 500 m asl. The subspecies has been recorded on the island of Sir Abu Nu'ayr, United Arab Emirates, due to an introduction of the subspecies from the mainland.The subspecies is endemic to northern Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
Habitats and Ecology
Ecological system type
Terrestrial system
No
Freshwater system
No
Marine system
No
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
The subspecies is found in sandy or gravel plains, interdunal plains and flat wadi beds with low gravel terraces and scattered vegetation (Gardner 2013). They are more frequently encountered on cemented sandstone or on hard surface plains. They are dependent on vegetation cover.A ground-dwelling and diurnal taxon. They prefer high temperatures and are most active during summer, while on cool winter days they may not leave the burrows at all (Gardner 2013). Adults are vegetarian and are able to survive on poor quality forage (Gardner 2013). They feed on a broad range of plants, including grasses and herbs, but tend to avoid Tetraena qatarensis despite its abundance (Gardner 2013). Individual lizards may move between several non-exclusive burrows (Gardner 2013). Mating occurs from spring to summer, and females lay a clutch of 12- 30 eggs in the burrow. The eggs incubation period is 59-65 days.
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Assessed status
Asessment status in full
Vulnerable
Assessment status abreviation
VU
Assessment status criteria
A2abcd+4abcd
Assessment rationale/justification
Uromastyx aegyptia ssp. leptieni relatively widespread in the United Arab Emirates, however, the area of occupancy (AOO) is moderately restricted, at 564 km<sup>2</sup>. The taxon is listed as Vulnerable (VU A2abcd+4abcd) due to continued urban development in its range which has resulted in a decline in suitable habitat (and AOO), and in view that the subspecies is regionally endemic. The population is suspected to have undergone a decline of at least 30% in the previous three generations (30 years) as a result of habitat loss, and a future decline of at least 10% is suspected as a result of ongoing habitat loss. The subspecies faces a wide range of threats in addition to urban development, including loss of vegetation cover, and persecution.The subspecies is unlikely to be declining fast enough and viable populations are present in several protected areas, thus the subspecies does not qualify for listing in a more threatened category.
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
The major threat to the subspecies is habitat loss through residential and industrial development and road construction. It is uncertain to what extent the taxon is harvested from the wild for either the pet trade or human consumption or medicinal use. Recreational off-road driving may have a negative impact on the subspecies in certain areas. Over-grazing on the plains leads to the loss of vegetation cover, whilst tree-planting impacts the subspecies elsewhere. The subspecies is also subject to persecution.The combination of extended drought duration and over-grazing (even in protected areas), leading to the loss of essential vegetation cover, is hard to estimate, but may be significant.
Conservation Measures

Conservation measures:
Conservation measures notes:
Required conservation measures:

Scientific Name Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus
Uromastyx aegyptia ssp. leptieni Animalia Chordata Reptilia Squamata Agamidae Uromastyx