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Assessment ID

330486

Taxon name

Streptopelia turtur

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Uploaded by

National Red List Database

Taxonomic information

Scientific name

Streptopelia turtur

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Assessed taxon level

Species

Higher level taxonomic groupings

Vertebrates

Birds

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

chordata

Class

aves

Order

columbiformes

Family

columbidae

Genus

Streptopelia

Species

turtur

Species authority

(Linnaeus, 1758)

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)

Country ISO code(s)

ARE

Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?

Not_assigned

Conservation Status

Assessed as

Near Threatened

Abbreviated status

Qualifying criteria (if given)

Criteria system used

IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification

This species has undergone large declines globally, but based on tentative evidence the breeding population size within UAE may be stable. The population within the country does remain small though, at a level which approaches the threshold for listing as Vulnerable under criterion D1. Therefore, the species is listed here as Near Threatened under Criterion D1.

Assessment details

Year assessed

2019

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

This species is a widespread summer visitor to the UAE, where it is fairly common between April and September (Pedersen et al. 2017). The subspecies present in the region is S. t. arenicola (Baptista et al. 2015).;;It breeds mainly in the northern and north-eastern part of the country, in the Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve in Dubai Emirate, as well as in central and southern Abu Dhabi Emirate (Jennings 2010, Pedersen et al. 2017, Alam et al. 2019). In autumn, it is a scarce migrant occurring in the whole country. Occasionally, large groups can congregate locally during migration, like for example at fodder fields near Al Wathba Camel Race Track near Abu Dhabi City, where over 1,200 individuals were recorded (Pedersen et al. 2017). Single individuals have also been recorded during the non-breeding season in December and January, e.g. in the Bab al Shams desert and the Al Ain Zoo (Pedersen et al. 2017, S. Alam (Dubai Municipality) pers. comm. 2019).

Is there a map available in assessment?

Yes

Habitat and systems

Ecological system type

Terrestrial

Not_assigned

Freshwater

Not_assigned

Marine

Not_assigned

Habitat

Habitat details as listed in assessment

This species occurs in lowland country with scattered woods or thickets, plantations, parkland, sand desert with ghaf trees, oases or irrigated farmland (Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It avoids mountains or densely forested areas (Jennings 2010). As long as drinking water is available, the species is able to persist in arid environments (Jennings 2010). It feeds on the ground, often in harvested fields and livestock enclosures, where it takes a variety of plant material like grains and seeds, as well as occasionally invertebrates like insects and molluscs (Jennings 2010). It tolerates humans but does not breed close to towns or villages (Jennings 2010, Baptista et al. 2015). The breeding season lasts from April to July, occasionally to October (Jennings 2010). The nest is a small platform of twigs lined with plant material and placed in trees like acacia, ghaf, tamarisk, Pithecellobium dulce, Parkinsonia aculea or even palms (Tucker and Heath 1994, Jennings 2010, Alam et al. 2019). Usually, clutches contain two eggs (Jennings 2010, Alam et al. 2019). The species is strongly migratory, wintering in the Sahel zone south of the Sahara from Senegal east to Eritrea and Ethiopia (Tucker and Heath 1994, Baptista et al. 2015).

Threats and conservation measures listed

Threats listed in assessment

The species faces a large number of threats outside of the country, and so any individuals passing through the country will likely be subject to these, outlined below.Transformation of agricultural land, including the destruction of hedges and areas of scrub (J. Dunn in litt. 2016) is thought to be an important factor in the global decline of this species, as well as the loss of semi-natural habitats. Changes in agricultural practices have several impacts on the species, as they can both reduce food supply and nesting habitat availability, and it is likely that the decline in food is the main limiting factor rather than the decline in nest site availability (Lutz 2006, Dunn and Morris 2012). Widespread use of chemical herbicides appears to also be a very serious factor, with a consequent decline or elimination of many food plants;and an increased reliance upon cultivated grain (Browne and Aebischer 2003). Hunting is a significant threat. There is believed to be an annual illegal hunting take of 0.6 million individuals across 27 Mediterranean countries (Brochet et al. 2016). The species is vulnerable to infection by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas gallinae (Lennon et al. 2013), which can cause mortality (Stockdale et al. 2015).;Competition with Eurasian Collared-dove Streptopelia decaocto;may also have an impact (Lutz 2006). A loss of suitable autumn stopping sites (field crops and trees around oases) may have contributed to its global decline, as well as a;change in tree composition, increased disturbance and an increase in the number of Common Myna Acridotheres tristis in cities where European Turtle-dove nested in Central Asia (R. Kashkarov in litt.;2015).

History

It is assessed that in 1996, the national Red List status of this species would have been the same as in this assessment.

Publication

UAE National Red List of Birds

Burfield, I.J., Westrip, J., Sheldon, R.D., Hermes, C., Wheatley, H., Smith, D., Harding, K.A. Allen, D.J. and Alshamsi, O. 2021. UAE National Red List of Birds. Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Assessment ID

330482

Taxon name

Otus brucei

(Hume, 1873)

Uploaded by

National Red List Database

Taxonomic information

Scientific name

Otus brucei

(Hume, 1873)

Assessed taxon level

Species

Higher level taxonomic groupings

Vertebrates

Birds

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

chordata

Class

aves

Order

strigiformes

Family

strigidae

Genus

Otus

Species

brucei

Species authority

(Hume, 1873)

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)

Country ISO code(s)

ARE

Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?

Not_assigned

Conservation Status

Assessed as

Near Threatened

Abbreviated status

Qualifying criteria (if given)

Criteria system used

IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification

The resident population of this species falls in the band 1,000-5,000 mature individuals and thus approaches, but does not exceed the threshold for listing as Vulnerable. It is not known whether the regional population experiences any significant immigration of potentially reproducing individuals; thus the species is classified as Near Threatened.

Assessment details

Year assessed

2019

Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed

UAE National Red List Workshop

Criteria system used

IUCN

Reference for methods given

Further information

Endemism (according to assessment)

Endemic to region

Not assigned

Taxon distribution as listed in assessment

This species is a fairly common resident in the UAE, mainly in the Dubai area and in the northern part of the country (Richardson 1990, Pedersen et al. 2017). The population is potentially supplemented by a small number of migrants and winter visitors (Jennings 2010).

Is there a map available in assessment?

Yes

Habitat and systems

Ecological system type

Terrestrial

Not_assigned

Freshwater

Not_assigned

Marine

Not_assigned

Habitat

Habitat details as listed in assessment

This species occurs in in acacia savanna, in cultivated areas, date and ghaf groves and well-vegetated wadis, but also in suburban and rural areas like parks and large gardens (Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It is well adapted to humans and even comes at night to artificially lit places to forage. In mainly feeds on beetles, moths and insects, but might also take reptiles, birds, bats and other small mammals (Jennings 2010). The species is monogamous; the breeding season lasts from December to June or July (Jennings 2010). In the UAE, it mostly nests in tree holes; elsewhere it also nests in palm tree holes, in crevices in buildings, wells, ruins and cliffs, or even in artificial nest boxes (Jennings 2010). Clutches likely contain up to four eggs (Jennings 2010). The species is a partial migrant with few individuals wintering in the UAE or passing through the country from Asian breeding sites, though not much it known about its migratory movements (Jennings 2010).

Threats and conservation measures listed

Threats listed in assessment

The threats to this species are not well known (Holt et al. 1999), but loss of nest sites may be important at a local scale (Aspinall 1996).

History

It is assessed that in 1996, the national Red List status of this species would have been the same as in this assessment.

Publication

UAE National Red List of Birds

Assessment ID

330465

Taxon name

Ammoperdix heyi

(Temminck, 1825)

Uploaded by

National Red List Database

Taxonomic information

Scientific name

Ammoperdix heyi

(Temminck, 1825)

Assessed taxon level

Species

Higher level taxonomic groupings

Vertebrates

Birds

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

chordata

Class

aves

Order

galliformes

Family

phasianidae

Genus

Ammoperdix

Species

heyi

Species authority

(Temminck, 1825)

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)

Country ISO code(s)

ARE

Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?

Not_assigned

Conservation Status

Assessed as

Near Threatened

Abbreviated status

Qualifying criteria (if given)

C2a(ii)

Criteria system used

IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification

This species has a small resident population size, which is likely to be all within one subpopulation and is suspected to be in decline at an unknown rate. It is therefore listed here as Near Threatened under Criterion C2a(ii).

Assessment details

Year assessed

2019

Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed

UAE National Red List Workshop

Criteria system used

IUCN

Reference for methods given

Further information

Endemism (according to assessment)

Endemic to region

Not assigned

Taxon distribution as listed in assessment

This species is a fairly common and widespread resident of the mountains of northern and north-eastern UAE (Jennings 2010, Pedersen et al. 2017). It has been introduced to Das and Sir Bani Yas islands (Jennings 2010).

Is there a map available in assessment?

Yes

Habitat and systems

Ecological system type

Terrestrial

Not_assigned

Freshwater

Not_assigned

Marine

Not_assigned

Habitat

Habitat details as listed in assessment

This species occurs in arid environments on desolate rocky and stony hillsides, in wadis and cliffs (Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It requires some vegetation cover and is thus rarely found in sandy places (Jennings 2010). While it is able to persist without water for long periods, it readily visits water sources when available, where flocks of up to 70 individuals may congregate (Jennings 2010). During the hottest time of the day, it hides in shady places under rocks and vegetation, and is only active around sunrise and sunset (Jennings 2010). The species is intolerant of any disturbance and very shy; thus it generally avoids proximity to humans and only occasionally visits open, cultivated landscapes for foraging (Jennings 2010). It feeds mainly on insects, but may also take leaves, fruits and even human food scraps (Jennings 2010). There is not much known about its breeding biology. In spring, males occupy and aggressively defend territories, and pairs are forming (Jennings 2010). It is assumed that nests are hidden in rock crevices, and clutches contain up to 15 eggs (Jennings 2010). While in central Arabia, adults with chicks have mostly been observed from March to July, records of small chicks from Oman in August suggest that also the population in the UAE might breed fairly late (Jennings 2010). It is likely that males and females raise separate broods (Jennings 2010).

Threats and conservation measures listed

Threats listed in assessment

Recreation within the species's occupied range could have an impact, reducing local numbers and potentially leading to individuals altering their behavioural patterns (Aspinall 1996), but in UAE the degree of impact on the species as a whole is thought to be negligible due to how inaccessible its habitat is (Aspinall 1996, Khan;et al.;2009). However, its habitat is becoming more accessible, with development leading to habitat loss and fragmentation. A potential threat to the species, which should not be allowed to occur in the future, is the introduction of See-see Partridge, Ammoperdix griseogularis, into the native range of Sand Partridge, due to the risk of hybridisation (Aspinall 1996), while introduction of Arabian Partridge and Chukar within Sand Partridge's range may be leading to increased competition over resources, and the risk of introduced diseases.

History

It is assessed that in 1996, the national Red List status of this species would have been the same as in this assessment.

Publication

UAE National Red List of Birds

Assessment ID

330685

Taxon name

Brevitrygon walga

(Müller & Henle, 1841)

Uploaded by

National Red List Database

Taxonomic information

Scientific name

Brevitrygon walga

(Müller & Henle, 1841)

Assessed taxon level

Species

Higher level taxonomic groupings

Vertebrates

Fishes

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

chordata

Class

chondrichthyes

Order

myliobatiformes

Family

dasyatidae

Genus

Brevitrygon

Species

walga

Species authority

(Müller & Henle, 1841)

Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed

Last et al. (2016a) placed Himantura heterurus, H. imbricata, H. javaensis, and H. walga within the new genus Brevitrygon, previously confused with other dwarf whiprays (Brevitrygon species) (Last et al. 2016b). There remains considerable taxonomic confusion over 'B. walga' with different forms across its range. These may turn out to represent a series of different species.

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)

Country ISO code(s)

ARE

Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?

Not_assigned

Conservation Status

Assessed as

Near Threatened

Abbreviated status

Qualifying criteria (if given)

A2cd

Criteria system used

IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification

The Scaly Whipray occurs throughout UAE shallow waters, and can be common. Within the Arabian Sea region, it is regularly caught in shallow water trawls and is normally discarded at sea in the western part, but landed in considerable numbers in the eastern part (i.e., India). This species is not targeted or valued in markets of the UAE, trawling has been banned there since 1980, and recently conducted surveys indicate it remains common in the area. It is, however, discarded in large numbers and it is unknown how impactful this threat is to the species. It is especially susceptible to exploitation (target and bycatch) in many largely unregulated gill net, longline and trawl fisheries that operate within its range outside and surrounding UAE waters. Some management measures are now in place in the Arabian Sea region, although domestic fisheries are likely to continue. Though data specifically from the UAE are not available, individuals in the UAE are a component of a larger, interconnected and migratory population that occurs broadly in the north-western Indian Ocean. It is inferred that declines reported in the Arabian Sea region are representative of its status in the UAE. Based on recorded levels of exploitation and decline in habitat quality, it is suspected to have declined by 20-30% over the past three generation lengths, or about 33 years. It is listed as Near Threatened, nearly meeting the thresholds for Vulnerable A2cd.

Assessment details

Year assessed

2019

Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed

UAE National Red List Workshop

Criteria system used

IUCN

Reference for methods given

Further information

Endemism (according to assessment)

Endemic to region

Not assigned

Taxon distribution as listed in assessment

The Scaly Whipray occurs throughout UAE waters. It is restricted to the Arabian Sea region, although its true distribution is unclear due to significant taxonomic issues, and research is urgently required to resolve this. Forms apparently consistent with the illustration in Last et al. (2016) appear to be present in eastern Iran waters of the Sea of Oman (F. Owfi unpub. data). However, specimens from the northern Arabian Gulf (hereafter referred to as the 'Gulf') (Kuwait and Iran; previously reported as Himantura imbricata) appear notably different (A.B.M. Moore unpub. data) and more consistent with the Bengal Whipray (Brevitrygon imbricata), a species that Last et al. (2016) report only from the Bay of Bengal region. Additional variation is evident in India. Until taxonomy is resolved, the forms are treated as a single species for the purposes of this assessment.

Is there a map available in assessment?

Yes

Habitat and systems

Ecological system type

Terrestrial

Not_assigned

Freshwater

Not_assigned

Marine

Yes

Habitat

Habitat details as listed in assessment

This species is very common in shallow and intertidal waters over soft substrates mostly to 30 m, but occasionally 40 m (K.V. Akhilesh pers. comm. 05/02/2017). It is a very small species, only growing to 32 cm disc width (DW). Data from the H. imbricata form show that males mature about 18 cm DW and females by at least 23 cm DW (Moore et al. 2012). It is born at 7-10 cm DW (Last et al. 2016). No data on litter size is available, but given the small size, it is likely to be low. Similarly, no data on frequency of breeding or on ageing are available. Generation length is estimated from the similar-sized Speckled Maskray (Neotrygon picta) from Australia that matures at 3-4 years and reaches a maximum age of 18 years, yielding a generation length of ~11 years (Jacobsen and Bennett 2010).

Threats and conservation measures listed

Threats listed in assessment

Publication

UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes

Ralph, G.M., Stump, E., Linardich, C., Bullock, R.W., Carpenter, K.E., Allen D.J., Hilton-Taylor, C., Al Mheiri, R., and Alshamsi, O. 2021. UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes. 2021. Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Assessment ID

330657

Taxon name

Pastinachus sephen

(Forsskål, 1775)

Uploaded by

National Red List Database

Taxonomic information

Scientific name

Pastinachus sephen

(Forsskål, 1775)

Assessed taxon level

Species

Higher level taxonomic groupings

Vertebrates

Fishes

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

chordata

Class

chondrichthyes

Order

myliobatiformes

Family

dasyatidae

Genus

Pastinachus

Species

sephen

Species authority

(Forsskål, 1775)

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)

Country ISO code(s)

ARE

Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?

Not_assigned

Conservation Status

Assessed as

Near Threatened

Abbreviated status

Qualifying criteria (if given)

A2cd

Criteria system used

IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification

The Cowtail Ray occurs throughout UAE coastal waters. The exact distribution is uncertain due to confusion amongst Pastinachus species and recent taxonomic changes. This species is not targeted or valued in markets of the UAE, trawling has been banned there since 1980 and recent surveys have detected it in the area. Cowtail rays are regularly discarded in the Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman. A large part of the species' regional distribution (namely, India and Pakistan) is under extremely intense and increasing demersal fishing pressure. It is not known how individuals occupying the UAE are connected with the broader population of the Arabian Seas region, and there is no information available to suggest that its population status differs in the UAE as compared to other parts of its range in the region. Given the threats faced by this species in other parts of the Arabian Seas region, and ongoing threats from discarding and habitat loss in the UAE, it is inferred that declines reported in the Arabian Seas are representative of the status in the UAE. Based on recorded levels of exploitation and decline in habitat quality, it is suspected to have declined by 20-30% over the past three generation lengths, or about 60 years. It is listed as Near Threatened, nearly meeting the thresholds for Vulnerable A2cd.

Assessment details

Year assessed

2019

Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed

UAE National Red List Workshop

Criteria system used

IUCN

Reference for methods given

Further information

Endemism (according to assessment)

Endemic to region

Endemism Notes

Possibly endemic to Arabian Sea region

Taxon distribution as listed in assessment

The Cowtail Ray occurs throughout UAE waters. It is possibly endemic to the Arabian Sea region, although its exact distribution is uncertain due to confusion amongst Pastinachus species, and recent taxonomic changes within the genus (Last et al. 2016).

Is there a map available in assessment?

Yes

Habitat and systems

Ecological system type

Terrestrial

Not_assigned

Freshwater

Not_assigned

Marine

Yes

Habitat

Habitat details as listed in assessment

The Cowtail Ray is benthic in coastal habitats and occurs over soft substrates, often near coral reefs (Last et al. 2016) to depths of 60 m. Maximum size and biology is poorly known due to confusion amongst Pastinachus spp. This species reaches at least 89 cm disc width (Last et al. 2016). Generation length is estimated at 20 years based on age data from Maculabatis astra (Jacobsen 2007).

Threats and conservation measures listed

Threats listed in assessment

Information pertaining to threats specific to the UAE are unavailable. This species is impacted by bycatch fisheries that are active elsewhere in its range. Marine habitats in the Gulf are experiencing high levels of disturbance and quickly deteriorating due to major impacts from development activities (including dredging and reclamation), desalination plants, industrial activities, habitat destruction through the removal of shallow productive areas and major shipping lanes (Sheppard et al. 2010). Corals in the UAE and Arabian Gulf have severely declined due to the increasing frequency of mass bleaching events caused by rising water temperatures, which is a consequence of climate change, as well as pervasive coastal development (Riegl et al. 2018, Burt et al. 2019).

Publication

UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes

Assessment ID

330656

Taxon name

Pastinachus ater

(Macleay, 1883)

Uploaded by

National Red List Database

Taxonomic information

Scientific name

Pastinachus ater

(Macleay, 1883)

Assessed taxon level

Species

Higher level taxonomic groupings

Vertebrates

Fishes

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

chordata

Class

chondrichthyes

Order

myliobatiformes

Family

dasyatidae

Genus

Pastinachus

Species

ater

Species authority

(Macleay, 1883)

Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed

Recently, molecular data confirmed that the single, widespread Indo-“Pacific species, Pastinachus sephen consists of two species, the widespread P. ater and a more restricted P. sephen (Last et al. 2016a).

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)

Country ISO code(s)

ARE

Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?

Not_assigned

Conservation Status

Assessed as

Near Threatened

Abbreviated status

Qualifying criteria (if given)

A2cd

Criteria system used

IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification

The Broad Cowtail Ray occurs throughout UAE coastal waters. The exact distribution is uncertain due to confusion amongst Pastinachus species and recent taxonomic changes. This species is not targeted or valued in markets of the UAE, trawling has been banned there since 1980 and recent surveys have detected it in the area. Cowtail rays are regularly discarded in the Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman. A large part of the species' regional distribution (namely, India and Pakistan) is under extremely intense and increasing demersal fishing pressure. It is not known how individuals occupying the UAE are connected with the broader population of the Arabian Seas region, and there is no information available to suggest that its population status differs in the UAE as compared to other parts of its range in the region. Given the threats faced by this species in other parts of the Arabian Seas region, and ongoing threats from discarding and habitat loss in the UAE, it is inferred that declines reported in the Arabian Seas are representative of the status in the UAE. Based on recorded levels of exploitation and decline in habitat quality, it is suspected to have declined by 20-30% over the past three generation lengths, or about 60 years. It is listed as Near Threatened, nearly meeting the thresholds for Vulnerable A2cd.

Assessment details

Year assessed

2019

Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed

UAE National Red List Workshop

Criteria system used

IUCN

Reference for methods given

Further information

Endemism (according to assessment)

Endemic to region

Not assigned

Taxon distribution as listed in assessment

The Broad Cowtail Ray occurs throughout UAE waters. Globally, it is widespread in the Indo-West Pacific, although its exact distribution is uncertain due to confusion amongst Pastinachus species and recent taxonomic changes within the genus.

Is there a map available in assessment?

Yes

Habitat and systems

Ecological system type

Terrestrial

Not_assigned

Freshwater

Not_assigned

Marine

Yes

Habitat

Habitat details as listed in assessment

The Broad Cowtail Ray is benthic in coastal habitats. Maximum size and biology is poorly known due to confusion amongst other cowtail rays. Reaches ~200 cm disc width (Last et al. 2016). Generation length is estimated at 20 years based on age data from Maculabatis astra (Jacobsen 2007).

Threats and conservation measures listed

Threats listed in assessment

Publication

UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes

Assessment ID

330017

Taxon name

Pateobatis jenkinsii

(Annandale, 1909)

Uploaded by

National Red List Database

Taxonomic information

Scientific name

Pateobatis jenkinsii

(Annandale, 1909)

Assessed taxon level

Species

Higher level taxonomic groupings

Vertebrates

Fishes

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

chordata

Class

chondrichthyes

Order

myliobatiformes

Family

dasyatidae

Genus

Pateobatis

Species

jenkinsii

Species authority

(Annandale, 1909)

Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed

Last et al. (2016) described the genus Pateobatis, consisting of five medium-size to very large, marine whiprays previously placed in Himantura (including jenkinsii).This species has probably been misidentified as Himantura (=Pateobatis) fai in the literature (W. White pers. obs). More specimens of both this species and of H. draco from South Africa need to be examined to resolve the taxonomic status of this species. Presently, H. draco is considered a synonym of P. jenkinsii. The South African species had dark spots along the posterior margin of the disc, but this form has also been reported from the Arafura Sea and off Sumatra in Indonesia. It is possible that these may in fact be colour forms of the same species. Examples of specimens with dark spots along the posterior margin of the disc are from the Arafura Sea, Sumatra (Last and Stevens 1994, Fahmi pers. obs. 2007), and from western Sri Lanka (Morón et al. 1998, Manjaji 2004), and the Sulu Sea (B.M. Manjaji-Matsumoto pers. obs. 2002).

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)

Country ISO code(s)

ARE

Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?

Not_assigned

Conservation Status

Assessed as

Near Threatened

Abbreviated status

Qualifying criteria (if given)

A2cd

Criteria system used

IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification

The Jenkins' Whipray occurs throughout UAE inshore waters. It is very poorly known in the Arabian Sea region due to confusion with Pateobatis fai (the Pink Whipray) and results from a recent taxonomic revision. It is presumably taken incidentally in net and longline fisheries, and fishing pressure is intense and increasing in the Arabian Sea region, particularly in India and Pakistan. Whiprays are generally discarded as bycatch in the Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman. Though data specifically from the UAE are not available, and it is not known how individuals occupying the UAE are connected with the broader population of the Arabian Seas region, there is no information available to suggest that its population status differs in the UAE as compared to other parts of its range in the region. Given the threats faced by this species in other parts of the Arabian Seas region, and ongoing threats from discarding and habitat loss in the UAE, it is inferred that declines reported in the Arabian Seas are representative of the status in the UAE. Based on recorded levels of exploitation and decline in habitat quality, it is suspected to have declined by 20-30% over the past three generation lengths, or about 60 years. It is listed as Near Threatened, nearly meeting the thresholds for Vulnerable A2cd.

Assessment details

Year assessed

2019

Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed

UAE National Red List Workshop

Criteria system used

IUCN

Reference for methods given

Further information

Endemism (according to assessment)

Endemic to region

Not assigned

Taxon distribution as listed in assessment

The Jenkins' Whipray occurs throughout UAE waters. Globally, it is widespread but patchy in the Indo-West Pacific. Its distribution is not well defined due to recent taxonomic changes and the re-identification of stingrays (Dasyatidae) from the region (Last et al. 2016). Records from Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka need confirmation. Further taxonomic revisions and surveys in the Arabian Sea region are required to determine its distribution.

Is there a map available in assessment?

Yes

Habitat and systems

Ecological system type

Terrestrial

Not_assigned

Freshwater

Not_assigned

Marine

Yes

Habitat

Habitat details as listed in assessment

This species is an inshore ray, usually found on sandy bottoms down to at least 90 m deep (Manjaji 2004, White et al. 2006, Last et al. 2016). It attains a maximum size of at least 150 cm disc width (DW) (~300 cm total length) (White et al. 2006, Last et al. 2016). Males mature at about 75-85 cm DW and size at birth is around 23 cm DW (White and Dharmadi 2007). Reproduction is viviparous with histotrophy (White et al. 2006). As there is no information on this species' maximum age and age at maturity, generation length was inferred as ~20 years based on data for Blackspotted Whipray (Maculabatis astra) (Jacobsen and Bennett 2011). However, it is noted that the Blackspotted Whipray grows to a much smaller maximum size (80 cm DW) than Jenkins' Whipray (150 cm DW).

Threats and conservation measures listed

Threats listed in assessment

Publication

UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes

Assessment ID

330014

Taxon name

Pateobatis fai

(Jordan & Seale, 1906)

Uploaded by

National Red List Database

Taxonomic information

Scientific name

Pateobatis fai

(Jordan & Seale, 1906)

Assessed taxon level

Species

Higher level taxonomic groupings

Vertebrates

Fishes

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

chordata

Class

chondrichthyes

Order

myliobatiformes

Family

dasyatidae

Genus

Pateobatis

Species

fai

Species authority

(Jordan & Seale, 1906)

Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed

Last et al. (2016) described the genus Pateobatis, consisting of five medium-size to very large, marine whiprays previously placed in Himantura (including fai). This species is frequently misidentified as Himantura (=Pateobatis) jenkinsii.

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)

Country ISO code(s)

ARE

Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?

Not_assigned

Conservation Status

Assessed as

Near Threatened

Abbreviated status

Qualifying criteria (if given)

A2cd

Criteria system used

IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification

The Pink Whipray occurs throughout UAE inshore waters, and is is apparently uncommon in the Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman area. This species is incidentally captured in inshore fisheries and mostly discarded in UAE waters. This species is not targeted or valued in markets of the UAE, trawling has been banned there since 1980, and recently conducted surveys have detected it in the area. In India, it is under extremely intense and increasing demersal fishing pressure. Though data specifically from the UAE are not available, and it is not known how individuals occupying the UAE are connected with the broader population of the Arabian Seas region, but there is no information available to suggest that its population status differs in the UAE, compared to other parts of its range in the region. Given the threats faced by this species in other parts of the Arabian Seas region, and ongoing threats from discarding and habitat loss in the UAE, it is inferred that declines reported in the Arabian Seas are representative of the status in the UAE. Based on recorded levels of exploitation and decline in habitat quality, it is suspected to have declined by 20-30% over the past three generation lengths, or about 60 years. It is listed as Near Threatened, nearly meeting the thresholds for Vulnerable A2cd.

Assessment details

Year assessed

2019

Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed

UAE National Red List Workshop

Criteria system used

IUCN

Reference for methods given

Further information

Endemism (according to assessment)

Endemic to region

Not assigned

Taxon distribution as listed in assessment

The Pink Whipray occurs throughout UAE waters. Globally, it is widespread in the Indo-West and Central Pacific (Kuiter and Debelius 1994, Anderson and Hafiz 1997, Golani and Bogorodsky 2010).

Is there a map available in assessment?

Yes

Habitat and systems

Ecological system type

Terrestrial

Not_assigned

Freshwater

Not_assigned

Marine

Yes

Habitat

Habitat details as listed in assessment

The Pink Whipray is found on soft sandy bottoms and coral rubble on the inner continental shelf from the intertidal zone to 70 m depth (Last et al. 2016). The species attains a maximum size of at least 146 cm DW (disc width) with males maturing at around 112 cm disc width (DW) (Last et al. 2016). Size at maturity for females is unknown, but reproduction is viviparous with histotrophy (White et al. 2006). Little else is known of its biology. As there is no information on this species' maximum age and age at maturity, generation length was inferred as ~20 years based on data for Blackspotted Whipray (Maculabatis astra) (Jacobsen and Bennett 2011). However, it is noted that the Blackspotted Whipray grows to a much smaller maximum size (80 cm DW) than the Pink Whipray (146 cm DW).

Threats and conservation measures listed

Threats listed in assessment

Publication

UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes

Assessment ID

330006

Taxon name

Rhinobatos annandalei

Norman, 1926

Uploaded by

National Red List Database

Taxonomic information

Scientific name

Rhinobatos annandalei

Norman, 1926

Assessed taxon level

Species

Higher level taxonomic groupings

Vertebrates

Fishes

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

chordata

Class

chondrichthyes

Order

rhinopristiformes

Family

rhinobatidae

Genus

Rhinobatos

Species

annandalei

Species authority

Norman, 1926

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)

Country ISO code(s)

ARE

Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?

Not_assigned

Conservation Status

Assessed as

Near Threatened

Abbreviated status

Qualifying criteria (if given)

A2cd

Criteria system used

IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification

The Bengal Guitarfish occurs throughout UAE coastal waters. Due to confusion with the Spotted Guitarfish (Rhinobatos punctifer), population data can be uncertain. There has been a total ban on fishing for this species in UAE waters since 2019, but is still taken as bycatch in coastal net fisheries. Declines of several species of inshore guitarfish have been documented (e.g., India). Habitat degradation from coastal development is a concern for this species as well. It is especially susceptible to exploitation (target and bycatch) in many largely unregulated gill net and trawl fisheries that operate within its range outside and surrounding UAE waters. Some management measures are now in place in the Arabian Sea region, although domestic fisheries are likely to continue. Though data specifically from the UAE are not available, individuals in the UAE are a component of a larger, interconnected and migratory population that occurs broadly in the north-western Indian Ocean. It is inferred that declines reported in the Arabian Sea region are representative of its status in the UAE. Based on recorded levels of exploitation and decline in habitat quality, it is suspected to have declined by 20-30% over the past three generation lengths, or about 15 years. It is listed as Near Threatened, nearly meeting the thresholds for Vulnerable A2cd.

Assessment details

Year assessed

2019

Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed

UAE National Red List Workshop

Criteria system used

IUCN

Reference for methods given

Further information

Endemism (according to assessment)

Endemic to region

Not assigned

Taxon distribution as listed in assessment

The Bengal Guitarfish occurs throughout UAE waters. Globally, it has a poorly defined distribution in the Northern Indian Ocean from the Arabian Gulf (Iran, UAE) to India and possibly Sri Lanka (Bianchi 1985, Talwar and Jhingran 1991, Assadi and Dehghani 1997, Vossoughi and Vosoughi 1999). There has been some confusion as to the identification of this species, making its exact distribution difficult to define, with some previous studies have referred to it as the Spotted Guitarfish.

Is there a map available in assessment?

Yes

Habitat and systems

Ecological system type

Terrestrial

Not_assigned

Freshwater

Not_assigned

Marine

Yes

Habitat

Habitat details as listed in assessment

Very little information is currently available on the habitat or biology of this guitarfish. It occurs from close inshore out to about 90 m deep and presumably occurs over soft substrates. Maximum total length is reported at approximately 87 cm (R.W. Jabado pers. obs.). Maturity for males is about 50-68 cm TL and for females it is around 60 cm TL (Raje 2006, Henderson et al. 2004, Last et al. 2016). Size at birth is about 19-20 cm TL. Fecundity is up to 3-20 pups (M. Khan pers. comm. 08/02/2016, Raje 2006) although females dissected from landings in Oman had between 3-5 pups (Henderson et al. 2004). Most pregnant and post-partum females in Indian and Pakistan waters occur in September and October (M. Khan pers. comm. 08/02/2016, Raje 2006) and in the summer and winter in Oman (Henderson et al. 2004). Generation length is inferred to be 5 years from the Lesser Guitarfish (Acroteriobatus annulatus) from southern Africa (Compagno et al. 1989).

Threats and conservation measures listed

Threats listed in assessment

This species has been impacted by target and bycatch fisheries. It may also being impacted by habitat degradation due to coastal development, especially nursery grounds. Marine habitats in the Gulf are experiencing high levels of disturbance and quickly deteriorating due to major impacts from development activities (including dredging and reclamation), desalination plants, industrial activities, habitat destruction through the removal of shallow productive areas and major shipping lanes (Sheppard et al.<em style=""font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia;""> 2010).

Publication

UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes

Assessment ID

330005

Taxon name

Rhinobatos punctifer

Compagno & Randall, 1987

Uploaded by

National Red List Database

Taxonomic information

Scientific name

Rhinobatos punctifer

Compagno & Randall, 1987

Assessed taxon level

Species

Higher level taxonomic groupings

Vertebrates

Fishes

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

chordata

Class

chondrichthyes

Order

rhinopristiformes

Family

rhinobatidae

Genus

Rhinobatos

Species

punctifer

Species authority

Compagno & Randall, 1987

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)

Country ISO code(s)

ARE

Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?

Not_assigned

Conservation Status

Assessed as

Near Threatened

Abbreviated status

Qualifying criteria (if given)

A2cd

Criteria system used

IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification

The Spotted Guitarfish occurs throughout UAE coastal waters. Due to confusion with the Bengal Guitarfish (Rhinobatos annandalei), population data can be uncertain. There has been a total ban on fishing for this species in UAE waters since 2019, but is still taken as bycatch in coastal net fisheries. Declines of several species of inshore guitarfish have been documented elsewhere. Habitat degradation from coastal development is a concern for this species as well. It is especially susceptible to exploitation (target and bycatch) in many largely unregulated gill net and trawl fisheries that operate within its range outside and surrounding UAE waters. Some management measures are now in place in the Arabian Sea region, although domestic fisheries are likely to continue. Though data specifically from the UAE are not available, individuals in the UAE are a component of a larger, interconnected and migratory population that occurs broadly in the north-western Indian Ocean. It is inferred that declines reported in the Arabian Sea region are representative of its status in the UAE. Based on recorded levels of exploitation and decline in habitat quality, it is suspected to have declined by 20-30% over the past three generation lengths, or about 15 years. It is listed as Near Threatened, nearly meeting the thresholds for Vulnerable A2cd.

Assessment details

Year assessed

2019

Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed

UAE National Red List Workshop

Criteria system used

IUCN

Reference for methods given

Further information

Endemism (according to assessment)

Endemic to region

Not assigned

Taxon distribution as listed in assessment

The Spotted Guitarfish occurs throughout UAE waters. Globally, it is restricted to the Arabian Sea region from the northern Red Sea to the Sea of Oman and Arabian Gulf (Bonfil and Abdallah 2004, Last et al. 2016). The species has been frequently misidentified in the literature, and sometimes confused with the Bengal Guitarfish (Rhinobatos annandalei).

Is there a map available in assessment?

Yes

Habitat and systems

Ecological system type

Terrestrial

Not_assigned

Freshwater

Not_assigned

Marine

Yes

Habitat

Habitat details as listed in assessment

This species inhabits the inshore continental shelf to depths of 70 m on soft substrates (Weigmann 2016). Reproduction is viviparous and the species reaches at least 90 cm total length (TL) (Weigmann 2016). Maximum litter size is up to at least seven and size at birth is ~25 cm TL (A.C. Henderson unpubl. data). Data from Oman indicates that females taken during autumn off Muscat were all mature at less than 77 cm TL while males matured at less than 71 cm TL (Henderson et al. 2004). Generation length is inferred to be 5 years from the Lesser Guitarfish (Acroteriobatus annulatus) from southern Africa (Compagno et al. 1989).

Threats and conservation measures listed

Threats listed in assessment

Publication

UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes