Taxon name
Stenodactylus arabicus
(Haas, 1957)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Stenodactylus arabicus
(Haas, 1957)
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Reptiles
Species authority
(Haas, 1957)
Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed
In a recent study, Nazarov et al. (2018) described a new species from Iran and proposed the validity of the genus Trigonodactylus Haas, 1957. However, since Stenodactylus is a monophyletic genus of similar age to the other geckos and the study by Nazarov et al. (2018) does not include S. pulcher, we consider that the new genus is not justified and therefore we use the taxonomy proposed by Metallinou et al. (2012) and Metallinou and Carranza (2013).
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 from the sandy deserts of Ras al Khaimah to as far southwest as Jebel Dhanna in the Gharbia, and inland as far as the edge of the mountains. This species is listed as Least Concern in view of its wide range within the UAE, lack of significant threats, and presence in several protected areas throughout its range. 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 sandy desert areas of the UAE, from Ras al Khaimah to as far southwest as Jebel Dhanna in the Gharbia (Gardner 2013) and As Sila in the west, and inland as far as the edge of the mountains, including from the Al Khatim area and towards Um az Zumul on saline plains and sabkhas. It has also been recorded from Sir Bani Yas Island. It occurs from sea level to 300 m asl.This species is restricted to the Arabian Peninsula, present in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, central Yemen, southern Kuwait, southern and central Oman and the United Arab Emirates (Metallinou and Carranza 2013, Carranza et al. 2018). It is found from sea level to 500-600 m asl.
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 on soft windblown sand, in areas with dunes or sand sheets and sparse or scattered vegetation from sea level to 300 m asl (Gardner 2013). It is a ground-dwelling nocturnal species that is abundant in suitable habitat. Females lay clutches of a single oval egg during the warmer months from May to October (Gardner 2013). Arnold (1977) reports it from fine windblown sand, but that it is also found on firmer substrates. They predate on small insects. There is ongoing habitat loss in coastal areas, but this is not significant given the wide range in the UAE.
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
There are threats in coastal areas, but these are not significant.
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
