Taxon name
Trachylepis tessellata
(Anderson, 1895)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Trachylepis tessellata
(Anderson, 1895)
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Reptiles
Species authority
(Anderson, 1895)
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
This species is listed as Least Concern for the UAE on the basis that it is widespread, abundant, somewhat adaptable, and not subject to any major threats. 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 recorded throughout most parts of the Hajar Mountains and its foothills, and at the base of Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain (Gardner 2013, Burriel-Carranza et al. in press). It occurs from sea level to 1,000 m asl.Globally, this species is distributed in Yemen, Oman and the United Arab Emirates (Sindaco and Jeremäenko 2008, 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
This species is found in well-vegetated, rocky areas, often close to water (Gardner 2013). It has also been encountered in urban gardens along the east coast. A small diurnal species that preys on invertebrates. Little is known about their natural history. Gardner (2013) reported a female from Rustaq which had four thick-shelled eggs.
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
There appear to be no significant threats to this species, although quarrying activities are known from within its distribution range.
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
