Taxon name
Acanthodactylus schmidti
Haas, 1957
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Acanthodactylus schmidti
Haas, 1957
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Reptiles
Species authority
Haas, 1957
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 the sandy areas from western Abu Dhabi to Ras Al Khaimah, and there are no significant threats. The species is listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more 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).
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 sandy areas from western Abu Dhabi to Ras Al Khaimah (Arnold 1984, Gardener 2013, Burriel-Carranza et al. in press). It occurs from sea level to 400 m asl. Globally, this species ranges from southern and eastern Jordan and southeastern Iraq and southwestern Iran (Khuzestan and Fars Provinces), into the Arabian Peninsula (Sindaco and Jeremäenko 2008). It has been recorded from lowland areas in Iran, possibly below 200 m asl, it can be found up to 1,000 m asl (Saudi Arabia).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This species is found in open desert dune areas of soft (aeolian) sand, sand sheets and interdunal plains. It is a diurnal species that is active throughout the year. They prey on invertebrates. It has burrows close to the roots of bushes and other vegetation. Breeding occurs during spring and summer with females laying one to two elongated soft-shelled eggs per clutch. Females may lay multiple clutches throughout the breeding season.
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
Although impacted locally by a range of threats, there are no significant threats to this widespread and common species that will cause a severe decline in the overall population.
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
