Taxon name
Pristurus rupestris
Blandford, 1874
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Pristurus rupestris
Blandford, 1874
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Reptiles
Species authority
Blandford, 1874
Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed
Badiane et al. (2014) found the taxon Pristurus rupestris to contain two genetically well-differentiated species: an eastern clade (=Pristurus rupestris rupestris) that occurs in coastal Iran and the Hajar Mountain range in northern Oman and the eastern UAE, and a western clade distributed from coastal central Oman, through Yemen, Saudi Arabia and up to southern Jordan, with two possible names available: Pristurus guweirensis Haas, 1943 (=P. r. guweirensis elevated to species) or Pristurus migiurtinicus Scortecci, 1933 (synonymized with P. rupestris by Loveridge (1947). Further comparison of material from the type localities of Pristurus guweirensis and Pristurus migiurtinicus is required to confirm which is the applicable name for the western clade taxon, and Badiane et al. (2014) refer to the western clade as Pristurus sp. 1.The resulting P. rupestris concept includes two nominal subspecies, P. r. rupestris (endemic to the Hajar Mountains) and P. r. iranicus (endemic to coastal Iran). P. r. iranicus is, however, morphologically identical to P. r. rupestris and recognizing it has been found to render P. r. rupestris paraphyletic, and it is possible that work in the near future may synonymize it within P. r. rupestris (S. Carranza pers. comm. 2018).Within the Hajar Mountains, populations are a species complex that requires further study, and the taxonomic identity of subpopulations are likely to change (Garcia-Porta et al. 2017, Carranza et al. 2018).
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
United Arab Emirates (the)
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Least Concern
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
Assessment rationale/justification
Within the United Arab Emirates, the species is widespread throughout the Hajar Mountains and surrounding gravel plains, and it has been very widely introduced inadvertently elsewhere within the country. The species is listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, the absence of threats, and ability to adapt to habitat modifications. Its population is not in decline and hence it does not qualify for listing in a threatened category. 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).The species should be reassessed when the taxonomic revision of this species complex is finalised.
Assessment details
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
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.
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
Within the United Arab Emirates, this species is widespread throughout the Hajar Mountains and surrounding gravel plains from sea level to 1,300 m asl (Badiane et al. 2014, Burriel-Carranza et al. in press). It has been introduced to the offshore islands and populations were introduced incidentally to coastal areas, including Ras al Khaimah, Ajman, Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi city areas (Gardner 2013).Globally, this species is now considered to be endemic to the Hajar Mountains of UAE and Oman (P. r. rupestris) and coastal areas of southern Iran (P. r. iranicus (Badiene et al. 2014, Garcia-Porta et al. 2017, Carranza et al. 2018).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
The species is found in rocky wadis, scree slopes, gravel plains, mountainsides, and is also able to thrive in proximity to humans, living in gardens, farming areas and orchards, and climbing on walls (Gardner 2013). It is a territorial diurnal species that perches on stones, walls or tree trunks near their refuge. Reproduction can occur throughout the year and females lay clutches of a single egg (Gardner 2013).
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
There appear to be no major threats to this species.
Publication
Els, J., Allen, D., Hilton-Taylor, C., Harding, K. (2019). UAE National Red List of Herpetofauna: Amphibians & Terrestrial Reptiles, Sea Snakes & Marine Turtles. MOCCAE, UAE
