NT
Assessment ID
329890
Taxon name
Mobula eregoodoo
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Publication
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
329889
Taxon name
Loxodon macrorhinus
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Scientific name
Loxodon macrorhinus
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Fishes
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
chondrichthyes
Order
carcharhiniformes
Family
carcharhinidae
Genus
Loxodon
Species
macrorhinus
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
Assessed as
Near Threatened
Abbreviated status
NT
Qualifying criteria (if given)
A2cd
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
Assessment rationale/justification
The Sliteye Shark occurs throughout UAE inshore waters. It is caught in inshore gill net, trawl and line fisheries throughout the Arabian Sea region. Inshore fishing pressure is intense and intensifying, and declines are known in some areas. 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. Given the intense fishing pressures faced by this species throughout the Arabian Seas, ongoing threats from bycatch and habitat loss, 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 15 years. It is listed as Near Threatened, nearly meeting the thresholds for Vulnerable A2cd.
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.
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
The Sliteye Shark occurs throughout UAE waters. Globally, it is widespread in the Indo-West Pacific (Last and Stevens 2009).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Yes
Habitat details as listed in assessment
The Sliteye Shark is a small species that occurs near the bottom on continental and insular shelves to depths of 100 m (Jabado and Ebert 2015). The young are born at 40 to 45 cm, and males mature around 67 cm TL (Jabado et al. 2016), and grow to a maximum of 95 cm (Anderson and Ahmed 1993). It reproduces annually usually with a litter size of 2-4. Ageing work in Australia has demonstrated that it grows quickly, reaching maturity at 1.5 to 2 years of age, with a female maximum age of ~9 years (Gutteridge et al. 2013). Its generation length is estimated to be 5.15 years.
Threats listed in assessment
In the UAE, sharks have been impacted by targeted commercial fisheries until 2014 when a ban on export of sharks was imposed (Ministry of Climate Change and Environment). Sharks continue to be impacted by artisanal and bycatch fisheries (Annual Fisheries Statistical Report for Abu Dhabi Emirate 2001-2018), though catch data are not species-specific. Marine habitats in the region have experienced high levels of disturbance and are quickly deteriorating due to major impacts from development activities (Sheppard <em style=""font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2; text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px"">et al. 2010).
Publication
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
329886
Taxon name
Chiloscyllium griseum
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Scientific name
Chiloscyllium griseum
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Fishes
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
chondrichthyes
Order
orectolobiformes
Family
hemiscylliidae
Genus
Chiloscyllium
Species
griseum
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
Assessed as
Near Threatened
Abbreviated status
NT
Qualifying criteria (if given)
A2cd
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
Assessment rationale/justification
The Grey Bamboo Shark occurs throughout UAE coastal waters, but it is poorly known in part due to taxonomic uncertainty and confusion with Chiloscyllium arabicum. It is not targeted, but is taken as bycatch in trawl (and other) fisheries, and is typically discarded due to its small size and low market value. 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 27 years. It is listed as Near Threatened, nearly meeting the thresholds for Vulnerable A2cd.
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.
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
The Grey Bamboo Shark occurs throughout UAE waters. In the Arabian Seas region, it is known from a few specimens from the Arabian Gulf, Iran, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka. Its global distribution is uncertain due to confusion with other species, but is known to occur in the Indo-West Pacific.
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Yes
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This species is a sluggish inshore bottom dweller found on sandy and muddy bottoms, on rocks and in coral lagoons at depths from 5 to 100 m (Weigmann 2016). It is oviparous and deposits eggs in small oval egg cases on the sea floor. The maximum size is at least 77 cm total length (TL). Free-living individuals have been found at sizes of at least 12.2 cm, and size at hatching uncertain. Males mature between 45 and 55 cm TL. The species feeds mainly on small fish, shrimps, worms, molluscs and crabs. Age data are not available, but generation length is estimated as 9 years using data from the similar-sized White-spotted Bambooshark (C. plagiosum) (Chen et al. 2007).
Threats listed in assessment
In the UAE, sharks have been impacted by targeted commercial fisheries until 2014 when a ban on export of sharks was imposed (Ministry of Climate Change and Environment). Sharks continue to be impacted by artisanal and bycatch fisheries (Annual Fisheries Statistical Report for Abu Dhabi Emirate 2001-2018), though catch data are not species-specific. 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
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
329884
Taxon name
Carcharhinus macloti
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Scientific name
Carcharhinus macloti
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Fishes
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
chondrichthyes
Order
carcharhiniformes
Family
carcharhinidae
Genus
Carcharhinus
Species
macloti
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
Assessed as
Near Threatened
Abbreviated status
NT
Qualifying criteria (if given)
A2bcd
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
Assessment rationale/justification
The Hardnose Shark occurs throughout UAE inshore and offshore waters. It is caught in subsistence, artisanal and commercial fisheries that utilize gillnets, lines and trawls throughout the Arabian Sea region. Inshore fishing pressure is intense throughout this species' range, and the highest levels of exploitation probably occur in the UAE, Iran, Pakistan and India. Although of small size, its life history may not be as productive as that of other small carcharhinids (e.g., Rhizoprionodon spp.), making it more susceptible to fishing pressure. Anecdotal information indicates that significant declines have occurred over the past 20 years in UAE waters. Individuals in the UAE are a component of a larger, interconnected and migratory population that occurs broadly in the north-western Indian Ocean. Given the intense fishing pressures faced by this species throughout the Arabian Seas, and ongoing threats from bycatch and habitat loss, it is inferred that declines reported in the Arabian Seas are representative of the status in the UAE. Based on fish market observations over time, 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 24 years. It nearly meets the thresholds for Vulnerable under criterion A2bcd, and is listed as Near Threatened.
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.
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
The Hardnose Shark occurs throughout UAE waters. Globally, it is widespread in the Indo-West Pacific, but has not been recorded from the Gulf of Aden or the Red Sea (Last and Stevens 2009).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Yes
Habitat details as listed in assessment
The Hardnose Shark is a small species of carcharhinid that occurs in inshore and offshore waters to depths of 170 m (Ebert et al. 2013). The species reaches a maximum size of 99 cm total length (TL) in the region (Jabado et al. 2015, Raje et al. 2015). Young are born at a relatively large size (47-49 cm TL), with females maturing at 81 cm TL and males at 75 cm TL (Jabado et al. 2015). Mature females probably have a two-year reproductive cycle, with only 2-3 pups produced per litter (Henderson et al. 2004, Jabado et al. 2016). Smart et al. (2013) reported in Australian waters that maximum age was about 12 years with maturity around 4 years. This suggests a generation length of 8 years. Based on these life history parameters it is likely to have a much lower level of productivity than other small species of carcharhinid sharks (e.g., Rhizoprionodon spp.) and so is more susceptible to fishing pressure.
Threats listed in assessment
In the UAE, sharks have been impacted by targeted commercial fisheries until 2014 when a ban on export of sharks was imposed (Ministry of Climate Change and Environment). This species continues to be impacted by artisanal and bycatch fisheries (Annual Fisheries Statistical Report for Abu Dhabi Emirate 2001-2018), though catch data are not species specific. Marine habitats in the region have experienced high levels of disturbance and are quickly deteriorating due to major impacts from development activities (Sheppard <em style=""font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2; text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px"">et al. 2010).
Publication
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
329863
Taxon name
Carcharhinus falciformis
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Scientific name
Carcharhinus falciformis
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Fishes
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
chondrichthyes
Order
carcharhiniformes
Family
carcharhinidae
Genus
Carcharhinus
Species
falciformis
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
Assessed as
Near Threatened
Abbreviated status
NT
Qualifying criteria (if given)
A2cd
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
Assessment rationale/justification
The Silky Shark occurs throughout UAE inshore and offshore waters. Little specific data are available for this species in the UAE. There has been a total ban on fishing for this species in UAE waters since 2019. This species is valued for its meat and fins across the Arabian Sea region. It is one of the dominant species in landings across the Arabian Sea region, and both adults and juveniles are landed. It is apparently highly migratory, and has slow life history characteristics including low fecundity and a low annual rate of population increase. Considering this, the species has a low capacity to recover from even moderate levels of exploitation. It is especially susceptible to exploitation (target and bycatch) in many largely unregulated pelagic tuna longline and purse seine 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 45 years. It is listed as Near Threatened and nearly meets the thresholds for Vulnerable A2cd.
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.
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
The Silky Shark occurs throughout UAE waters. Elsewhere, it is circumglobally distributed in tropical waters (Last and Stevens 2009).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Yes
Habitat details as listed in assessment
The Silky Shark is a circumtropical oceanic and coastal-pelagic species, most often found near the edge of continental and insular shelves at depths of 200 m or more in the epipelagic zone. It is often associated with islands, insular slopes and deepwater reefs preferring warmer waters (about 23'°C) although it also occurs from the surface to a depth of at least 500 m offshore (Last and Stevens 2009). Smaller sharks are often found in coastal nurseries and adults further offshore over deeper water. In pelagic habitats, the Silky Shark is often associated with drifting materials on the surface (Filmalter et al. 2013). Life history parameters of this species vary considerably among regions (Clarke et al. 2015a). The maximum size varies from 229-371 cm total length (TL) with a size at maturity from 180-230 cm TL for males and 180-246 cm TL for females (Clarke et al. 2015). Age at maturity ranges from 5-13 years for males and 6-15 years for females with maximum ages of 8-28.6 years for males and 11-35.8 years for females. The Silky Shark gives birth to live young, averaging 5-7 pups per litter with a range of 2-18 pups per litter (Clarke et al. 2015a). Size at birth ranges from 65-81 cm TL and the gestation period ranges from 9-12 months depending on location and study (Clarke et al. 2015). Anderson and Ahmed (1993) report juveniles of 56-63 cm TL captured off the Maldives. Fecundity increases with increasing size of females, and females give birth every 1-2 years (Clarke et al. 2015). In the eastern Arabian Sea, total length and age at maturity for males is 201-“223 cm (TL) and 10 years, and 224-“231 cm and 11 years for females (Varghese et al. 2016). Generation length is estimated to be 15 years based on the average age of maturity of females as 9 years old and average maximum age of 21 years old (excluding outliers). This is in close agreement with generation length of 16 years in Dulvy et al. (2008).
Threats listed in assessment
Information pertaining to threats specific to the UAE are unavailable. This species is impacted by target (for fins and their valuable meat) and bycatch fisheries that are active elsewhere in its range. Marine habitats in the Arabian 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).
Publication
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
329859
Taxon name
Isurus oxyrinchus
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Scientific name
Isurus oxyrinchus
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Fishes
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
chondrichthyes
Order
lamniformes
Family
lamnidae
Genus
Isurus
Species
oxyrinchus
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
Assessed as
Near Threatened
Abbreviated status
NT
Qualifying criteria (if given)
A2d
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
Assessment rationale/justification
In UAE waters, the Shortfin Mako occurs only in offshore waters of the Sea of Oman. Little is known on the population of this species in UAE waters. It is mostly caught as bycatch in longline, purse seine and drift net fisheries targeting tuna and billfish. Most catches are inadequately recorded and likely underestimated in landings data. There is some evidence of declines in average size of individuals in catches off Oman. It is apparently highly migratory, and has slow life history characteristics including low fecundity and a low annual rate of population increase. Considering this, the species has a low capacity to recover from even moderate levels of exploitation. 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, it is suspected to have declined by 20-30% over the past three generation lengths, or about 75 years. It is listed as Near Threatened, nearly meeting the thresholds for Vulnerable A2d.
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.
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
The Shortfin Mako occurs in UAE waters on the Sea of Oman coast. It is excluded from the Arabian Gulf. Globally, it is widespread in temperate and tropical oceanic waters of all oceans from about 50'°N (up to 60'°N in the northeast Atlantic) to 50'°S (Compagno et al. 2005).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Yes
Habitat details as listed in assessment
The Shortfin Mako is an offshore littoral and epipelagic species found in tropical and warm-temperate seas to depths of up to 750 m (Compagno 2002, Weigmann 2016). This species reaches a maximum size of about 445 cm total length (TL) (Weigmann 2016). Males reach maturity at about 166-195 cm and females at about 265-280 cm (Pratt and Casey 1983, Stevens 1983, Cliff et al. 1990, Varghese et al. 2017). Age at maturity has been determined in several populations, including New Zealand (7-9 years for males, and 19-21 years for females Bishop et al. (2006)), and the NW Atlantic (eight years for males, and 18 years for females (Natanson et al. 2006)). Longevity has been estimated as 29-32 years (Bishop et al. 2006, Natanson et al. 2006). A study conducted off Brazil reported a longevity of 19-28 years and age at maturity of 7-12 years for females and longevity of 16-23 years and age at maturity of 3-6 years for males (Barreto et al. 2016b).The Shortfin Mako is ovoviviparous and oophagous, but what little is known of its reproductive cycle indicates the gestation period is 15-18 months, with a three year reproductive cycle (Mollet et al. 2002). Litter size is 4-25 pups (possibly up to 30, mostly 10-18), which are about 60-70 cm long at birth (Garrick 1967, Compagno 2001). There are comparatively few records of pregnant females. Among 26 shark species, the Shortfin Mako has an intrinsic rebound potential (a measure of its ability to recover from exploitation) in the mid-range (Smith et al. 1998) with an annual rate of population increase at 0.046 yr<sup>-1</sup>. Cortes (2002) calculated a finite rate of increase (lambda) of 1.141 (1.098 to 1.181 95% CI, r = 0.13) and the average reproductive age as 10.1 (9.2 to 11.1 95% CI) years. Generation length is estimated at 24-25 years based on data for this species from New Zealand and the NW Atlantic (Bishop et al. 2006, Compagno et al. 2005, Natanson et al. 2006).
Threats listed in assessment
In the UAE, sharks have been impacted by targeted commercial fisheries until 2014 when a ban on export of sharks was imposed (Ministry of Climate Change and Environment). Sharks continue to be impacted by artisanal and bycatch fisheries (Annual Fisheries Statistical Report for Abu Dhabi Emirate 2001-2018), though catch data are not species-specific. This species is impacted by bycatch fisheries that are active elsewhere in its range.
Publication
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
330724
Taxon name
Acanthodactylus boskianus ssp. asper
Infrarank
Acanthodactylus boskianus asper
Infratype
Subspecies (animalia)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Scientific name
Acanthodactylus boskianus ssp. asper
Assessed taxon level
Subspecies
Infrarank
Acanthodactylus boskianus asper
Infratype
Subspecies (animalia)
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Reptiles
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
reptilia
Order
squamata
Family
lacertidae
Genus
Acanthodactylus
Species
boskianus
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
Assessed as
Near Threatened
Abbreviated status
NT
Qualifying criteria (if given)
B1a+2a
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
Assessment rationale/justification
This subspecies is listed as Near Threatened for the UAE. It has a very limited distribution within the United Arab Emirates on gravel plains bordering the Hajar Mountains on the west from 100 m to 300 m asl. The area of occupancy (AOO) is just 24 km<sup>2</sup>, and the extent of occurrence (EOO) is 195 km<sup>2</sup>. There are no current major threats to the species, however, one known locality is subject to intensive recreational use, and another area faces significant potential impacts from gravel extraction. The species has restricted AOO and EOO, and occurs in fewer than ten locations, however at present, no continuing decline is known. It qualifies as NT under Criterion B (B1 and B2). This taxon is not a non-breeding visitor, and it is presumed that any immigration from populations from Oman is not significant, and therefore there is no adjustment to the Category according to the IUCN regional and national Guidelines (IUCN 2012). Further monitoring and research are required, and the species should be reassessed if new data become available.
Year assessed
2018
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.
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
Within the United Arab Emirates, this subspecies is known from a small area on gravel plains bordering the western side of the Hajar Mountains (Roobas and Feulner 2013, Roobas et al. 2014) from 100 m to 300 m asl (Burriel-Carranza et al. in press). The AOO is just 24 km<sup>2</sup>, and the EOO is 195 km<sup>2</sup>.Globally, the subspecies is very widely distributed and known from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Jordan, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Mali, Nigeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Chad, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait (Tamar et al. 2014, 2016).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Not_assigned
Habitat details as listed in assessment
The subspecies is found on hard desert surfaces such as sandy-gravel plains, dry wadis, interdunal plain and stony outwash plains (Gardner 2013).It is an active, diurnal ground-dwelling animal, with a diet that includes invertebrates and smaller lizards (Gardner 2013). In winter it is active throughout the day, but in summer may have a bimodal activity pattern, or even be active in mornings only when particularly hot. Clutch size is reported to be two to eight, and repeated clutches may be laid (Gardner 2013). The breeding season in the United Arab Emirates is observed to be from at least late summer through mid-winter (Roobas and Feulner 2013, Roobas et al. 2014).
Threats listed in assessment
There are at present no major threats known, however, there is quarrying (gravel extraction) near one known locality, and this has the potential to significantly impact the species in the future. A further locality is subject to intensive recreational use.
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
Assessment ID
329990
Taxon name
Acomys dimidiatus
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Scientific name
Acomys dimidiatus
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
rodentia
Family
muridae
Genus
Acomys
Species
dimidiatus
Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed
Formerly considered a subspecies of Acomys cahirinus. See Musser and Carleton (2005) for details concerning the relationship between Acomys dimidiatus and A. cahirinus.
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
Assessed as
Near threatened
Abbreviated status
NT
Qualifying criteria (if given)
B1b(iii)
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
Assessment rationale/justification
Within the UAE, this species is restricted to rocky areas, primarily the Hajar Mountains, Jebel Hafeet and Qarn Nazwa. The extent of occurrence (EOO) is just over 6,000 km<sup>2</sup>, there is a continuing decline in the extent and quality of habitat due to a variety of threats, however, the number of locations is more than ten and the range is not severely fragmented, so it is assessed as Near Threatened (close to qualifying for a threatened category under criterion B1ab(iii)). There might be some rescue effect from populations in adjoining countries, particularly Oman, but this is not thought to be significant hence the regional assessment is not adjusted.
Year assessed
2018
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.
URL (link) of redlist assessment or publication
https://www.moccae.gov.ae/assets/download/b352eff1/UNRL%20of%20Mammals%20-%20Report%202019.pdf.aspx?view=true
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
This species was first recorded for the UAE in 1971 at Jebel Faiyah, Sharjah, and then again in 1991 when a dead specimen was found by a road near Ghayl, Ra's al Khaimah. Subsequent surveys have shown that this species is quite widespread and numerous through the Hajar Mountains at lower elevations, particularly where Acacia tortilis is present. The species is also found on Jebel Hafeet, where it occurs at all elevations including barren rocks near the summit (Aspinall et al. 2005). It has also been recorded at several sites in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK Nature pers. comm. 2018) and on Qarn Nazwa in Dubai Emirate. Globally, this species is distributed from the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt through much of the Arabian Peninsula to Iran and southern Pakistan (Cassola 2016a).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Not_assigned
Habitat details as listed in assessment
Predominantly crepuscular and nocturnal and prefers all kinds of rocky habitats (Harrison and Bates 1991). Found on boulder-strewn slopes and rocky terrain where it lives in crevices among boulders (Cunningham 2008) and in wadi beds in Wadi Wurayah (Judas 2016). In a community structure study of Jebel Al Jais in Ras Al Khaimah Emirate, the species was recorded at elevations ranging from 450-“1,650 m, was most abundant in the wadi area around 450 m, and its abundance declined with increasing altitude (Melville and Chaber 2016). It was trapped at around 180 m asl on he outlying hill of Jebel Nazwa (Qarn Nazwa) in 2018 (J. Judas pers. comm. 2018). This species is omnivorous (Melville and Chaber 2016). There is evidence from trapping surveys that the Arabian Spiny Mouse is more susceptible than other small mammal species to disturbance and fragmentation (B. Howarth pers. comm. 2018).
Threats listed in assessment
Overgazing, quarrying, road construction and other development activities in the mountains result in habitat loss and degradation and increased fragmentation. Species in the mountains may also be affected indirectly by falling water tables due to over-abstraction and reduced precipitation. An increase in numbers of feral cats and Red Foxes may also pose a threat to all small mammals.
History
The backcasted 1996 assessment for this species is Near Threatened (almost meets a threatened listing under criterion B1ab(iii)) which matches the listing given by Hornby (1996).
Publication
Mallon, D., Hilton-Taylor, C., Allen, D., & Harding, K. (2019). UAE National Red List of Mammals: Marine and Terrestrial. A report to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, United Arab Emirates (p. 41). IUCN Global Species Programme. https://bit.ly/2RdZCQR
Assessment ID
329832
Taxon name
Jaculus jaculus
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Scientific name
Jaculus jaculus
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
rodentia
Family
dipodidae
Genus
Jaculus
Species
jaculus
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
Assessed as
Near threatened
Abbreviated status
NT
Qualifying criteria (if given)
A2c
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
Assessment rationale/justification
Loss of quality and extent of habitat over the past 10 years has increased and a 25-30% loss in extent and quality of habitat is is suspected, hence a >20% reduction in population size in the past 10 years seems reasonable, thus qualifying for an Near Threatened (NT) listing. Any rescue effect is thought to be negligible.
Year assessed
2018
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.
URL (link) of redlist assessment or publication
https://www.moccae.gov.ae/assets/download/b352eff1/UNRL%20of%20Mammals%20-%20Report%202019.pdf.aspx?view=true
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
Sparsely distributed in desert areas and not recorded in the mountains. Mostly known from the deserts of Abu Dhabi and also recorded from sites near the coast at Jebel Ali (Jongbloed et al. 2001, Aspinall et al. 2005). It is occasionally seen in Sharjah Emirate but has not been seen in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR) for several years (G. Simkins pers. comm. 2018). It is most commonly seen in protected areas away from human activities and is scarce outside protected areas. It is a very difficult species to trap in Sherman traps (though easier in cage traps) and details of the distribution are unclear. This species is widespread in the Arabian Peninsula and inhabits sand desert and stony steppe (Harrison and Bates 1991), and found throughout North and Northeast Africa, to southwestern Iran (Amori et al. 2016b).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Not_assigned
Habitat details as listed in assessment
Prefers gravel and sandy plains. Not recorded in the mountains or sabkha (coastal salt flats). It is nocturnal and can survive without drinking (Harrison and Bates 1991).
Threats listed in assessment
Overgrazing, especially by camels, has caused extensive habitat degradation outside protected areas. An increase in numbers of feral cats and an increase in Red Fox range and numbers may also be having an impact on small mammals.
History
The backcasted 1996 assessment for this species is Near Threatened which matches the listing given by Hornby (1996).
Publication
Mallon, D., Hilton-Taylor, C., Allen, D., & Harding, K. (2019). UAE National Red List of Mammals: Marine and Terrestrial. A report to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, United Arab Emirates (p. 41). IUCN Global Species Programme. https://bit.ly/2RdZCQR
Assessment ID
329820
Taxon name
Dugong dugon
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Scientific name
Dugong dugon
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
sirenia
Family
dugongidae
Genus
Dugong
Species
dugon
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
Assessed as
Near threatened
Abbreviated status
NT
Qualifying criteria (if given)
C2a(ii)
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
Assessment rationale/justification
Since the first surveys in the region were started in 1986 (Saudi Wildlife Authority) to 2018, the population has largely been stable. The population size is about 3,000 mature individuals and all the animals are in a single subpopulation, however, there is no current evidence of decline. The species is therefore assessed as Near Threatened as it almost qualifies for a threatened listing under criterion C2a(ii). There is some movement of individuals in and out of the area, but there would not be a significant rescue effect (satellite tagging shows movements of > 30 km).
Year assessed
2018
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.
URL (link) of redlist assessment or publication
https://www.moccae.gov.ae/assets/download/b352eff1/UNRL%20of%20Mammals%20-%20Report%202019.pdf.aspx?view=true
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
Within the UAE, the Dugong is mainly found off Abu Dhabi Emirate, but occurs in the region in the waters from Bahrain and Qatar, through the UAE, to as far east as Ras al Khaimah (Preen 2004). There are seagrass beds in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah but Dugongs appear to be only occasional visitors there. A 2014 survey of Dubai waters did not record any Dugongs. There was a stranding at Jebel Ali in 2013 and a dead animal was washed up in Umm al Qawain in 2014. The distribution in Abu Dhabi is centred around the islands in the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve and Al Yasat Marine Protected Area, but with significant records to the east, off the coast from Abu Dhabi city (<a href=""https://enviroportal.ead.ae/map/"">EAD Enviro-Portal</a>). Globally, Dugongs inhabit coastal and island waters from East Africa to Australia and Vanuatu between latitudes of about 27'° north and south of Equator (Marsh and Sobzick 2015).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Incomplete
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Not_assigned
Habitat details as listed in assessment
Occurs in shallow waters and near-shore areas and uses natural channels between foraging areas where it consumes seagrass (Halodule spp. and Halophila spp.) (Marsh et al. 2011, EAD 2014). Surveys in Abu Dhabi have identified 1,500 km<sup>2</sup> of seagrass habitat and estimated the total area at >5,000 km<sup>2</sup> with smaller areas in the central and eastern emirates (e.g., 2 km<sup>2</sup> at Jebel Ali in Dubai; Erftemeijer and Shuail 2012). Dugongs are observed as solitary individuals and in groups of up to 200. The average daily movement in the Arabian Gulf is 32.7 km/day according to a United Arab Emirates satellite telemetry study (EAD tagging reports 2008 and 2012).
Threats listed in assessment
Dugongs used to be harvested and sold as meat in fish markets up until 1970. Incidental mortality in illegal fishing nets and abandoned fishing gear has been the biggest recent threat. Other threats include vessel strikes, degradation of seagrass beds due to coastal development, and water pollution. Since monitoring began in 2001, 175 cases of Dugong mortality have been investigated by EAD. Mortality incidence is frequently reported during the winter months from November to March which coincides with higher seagrass biomass, large congregations of Dugongs and intense fishing activities. The main cause of mortality in the last 16 years has found to be drowning in abandoned, lost and/or illegal fishing nets (69.7%) followed by vessel strikes (13.7%). However, in 2010-2015, the cause of death due to drowning increased to 85%, indicating that Dugong mortality in the UAE is a human/wildlife conflict due to irresponsible fishing practices, use of illegal nets and the inadequate implementation of regulations (EAD 2015). A total of 22 incidences of Dugong mortality were reported and investigated by EAD during 2015. Three mortalities were reported from the Eastern Region, six from the Central Region and the remaining 13 from the Western Region. Eleven (50%) were due to drowning in nets but the cause of death could not be ascertained for the remainder. No mortalities resulting from vessel strikes were observed in 2015 (EAD 2015). Boat strikes have decreased inside protected areas due to the implementation of controls. However, adult Dugongs normally avoid noise, so strikes are mainly an issue for the more curious subadults.
History
The species was assessed as Endangered for the UAE (Hornby 1996) and it seems reasonable to use this as the backcasted 1996 assessment. The establishment of marine protected areas to cover key Dugong sites, regulations on boat access, controls on driftnet fishing, implementation of other fishing regulations, and education programmes have reduced threats (incidence of boat strikes, oil spills, and entanglement) and improved the conservation status of this species.
Publication
Mallon, D., Hilton-Taylor, C., Allen, D., & Harding, K. (2019). UAE National Red List of Mammals: Marine and Terrestrial. A report to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, United Arab Emirates (p. 41). IUCN Global Species Programme. https://bit.ly/2RdZCQR