Taxon name
Varanus griseus
(Daudin, 1803)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Varanus griseus
(Daudin, 1803)
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Reptiles
Species authority
(Daudin, 1803)
Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed
The morphological diversity of this species complex is not adequately reflected in current subspecific divisions (Auliya and Koch 2020). This species is divided into three subspecies which occupy distinct geographical regions and can be identified by size, tail shape, and the number of bands on the body and tail. Varanus griseus griseus has a rounded tail and highest number of bands, Varanus griseus caspius reaches the largest size and has a laterally compressed tail, while Varanus griseus koniecznyi is the smallest subspecies and has the fewest bands (Stanner 2004).
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, this species is widespread throughout all of the mainland desert regions excluding the Hajar Mountains. It is listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, presence in several Protected Areas, it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.
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 all of the mainland desert regions excluding the Hajar Mountains (Gardner 2013, Burriel-Carranza et al. in press). It occurs from sea level to 300 m asl. Globally, this is a widespread species of arid areas of North Africa, West and Central Asia (Corkill 1928, Martens and Kock 1992, Stanner 2004, Trape et al. 2012). In northern Africa, this species ranges from Western Sahara, Mauritania, northern Mali, and Niger in the west, throughout the Saharan desert region, to Egypt and Sudan in the east. From Egypt, the species ranges northwards through the southern and eastern Levant and into Turkey (southeastern Anatolia), Iraq and Iran. The species is present throughout the Arabian Peninsula.
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
Within the UAE, this species is found in desert regions including sandy and harder substrates, dry wadis, and hills. They also use agricultural areas, irrigated forestry plots (Gardner 2013) and waste disposal sites.
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
Urban development is the main known threat to the species in some parts of its distribution range within the United Arab Emirates. The species is also persecuted, and it is likely to be impacted by recreational driving on dunes and sandy areas.
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
