Taxon name
Platyceps ventromaculatus
(Gray, 1834)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Platyceps ventromaculatus
(Gray, 1834)
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Reptiles
Species authority
(Gray, 1834)
Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed
This species was described in 1834 as Coluber ventromaculatus (Smith 1943). The type locality is unknown. This species is included in Platyceps following Nagy et al. (2004). Western populations of Platyceps ventromaculatus differ from populations in South Asia (India and Pakistan) for which the name Coluber chesneii Martin, 1838 is available. Schätti et al. (2012) determined that C. chesneii represents a subspecies of Platyceps karelini, removing these populations from P. ventromaculatus.Khan and Khan (2000) didn't specify any neotype for their new subspecies which are based on a figure in Gray (1830). The status of these subspecies, therefore, remains uncertain (no holotype specified, no valid description after ICZN) (Uetz et al. 2018). Barabanov (2003) indicated that the name C. v. bengalensis is not available and suggested the replacement name C. v. khanorum. Coluber ventromaculatus Gray, 1834 is the type species of the genus Platyceps Blyth, 1860. Its occurrence in the Himalayan foothills (Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal) and the speciï¬c identity of the holotype of P. semifasciatus Blyth, 1860 needs further investigation. P. ventromaculatus crosses the Indus Valley and is found, for instance, along the Makran littoral to as far west as the border area with Iran. Coluber chesneii Martin, 1838 may be a valid northern Saharo-Arabian taxon of the genus Platyceps Blyth, 1860 (Schätti and Schmitz 2006).
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
Qualifying criteria (if given)
D1
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
Assessment rationale/justification
Within the United Arab Emirates, this species is only recorded from two coastal islands, Sir Bani Yas and Dalma. The origin of the species in the UAE requires confirmation, however it is presumed to be native in this assessment.Little is known of the population size or trend of this species, however, given the restricted area involved, a population size of less than 1,000 mature individuals is presumed. As a result, the species is assessed as Vulnerable (D1). 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 origin of the species in the UAE and its population size and trend is needed.
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 only recorded from Sir Bani Yas and Dalma islands (Aspinal and Gardner 2007, Burriel-Carranza et al. in press), from sea level to 100 m asl. The species is probably native to the UAE, and it is found in adjacent parts of Qatar for example. Further research is required to confirm the origin of this species in the UAE; it may have been introduced, or it could be a glacial relict for example. Presence on other islands is not known, but further surveys are needed.The species is widespread globally, from the northern Arabian Gulf region (in southeastern Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, eastern Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and southeast Iran), east to Pakistan, although the eastern extent requires confirmation.
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
In the UAE, this species is found under rocks and in crevices of rocks, climbs into trees. Found in planted woodlands on Sir Bani Yas.This is a diurnal, semi-desert or sandy desert species known to sometimes hide under rocks and in crevices of rocks, generally found in steppe habitat with sparse vegetation. It can be found in forests on alluvial soils, but avoids more humid situations along watercourses (Khan 2006). It can be encountered in date groves, farm buildings, agricultural land and rubbish dumps (Egan 2007).
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
Threats to this species include urbanization and general development, however, these are localized within its range. The species will be killed when found, and in the past, a bounty encouraged control.
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
