NRLD - 330728 | Uromastyx aegyptia ssp. leptieni

Assessment ID

330728

Taxon name

Uromastyx aegyptia ssp. leptieni

Wilms & Böhme, 2000

Infrarank

Uromastyx aegyptia leptieni

Infratype

Subspecies (animalia)

Uploaded by

National Red List Database

Taxonomic information

Scientific name

Uromastyx aegyptia ssp. leptieni

Wilms & Böhme, 2000

Assessed taxon level

Subspecies

Infrarank

Uromastyx aegyptia leptieni

Infratype

Subspecies (animalia)

Higher level taxonomic groupings

Vertebrates

Reptiles

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

chordata

Class

reptilia

Order

squamata

Family

agamidae

Genus

Uromastyx

Species

aegyptia

Species authority

Wilms & Böhme, 2000

Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed

Due to low levels of genetic differentiation between members of the Uromastyx aegyptia species group (considered to include U. aegyptia, U. leptieni, U. microlepis and U. occidentalis), Wilms et al. (2007) and Tamar et al. (2018) recognize U. aegyptia as a single species with three subspecies: U. a. aegyptia, U. a. leptieni and U. a. microlepis.The relationship of U. occidentalis, which was not included in genetic analysis, to U. aegyptia remains in need of clarification, however, Wilms et al. (2007) continue to recognize it as a full species due to its geographical separation from the remaining U. aegyptia-group taxa.

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

Vulnerable

Abbreviated status

Qualifying criteria (if given)

A2abcd+4abcd

Criteria system used

IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification

Uromastyx aegyptia ssp. leptieni relatively widespread in the United Arab Emirates, however, the area of occupancy (AOO) is moderately restricted, at 564 km<sup>2</sup>. The taxon is listed as Vulnerable (VU A2abcd+4abcd) due to continued urban development in its range which has resulted in a decline in suitable habitat (and AOO), and in view that the subspecies is regionally endemic. The population is suspected to have undergone a decline of at least 30% in the previous three generations (30 years) as a result of habitat loss, and a future decline of at least 10% is suspected as a result of ongoing habitat loss. The subspecies faces a wide range of threats in addition to urban development, including loss of vegetation cover, and persecution.The subspecies is unlikely to be declining fast enough and viable populations are present in several protected areas, thus the subspecies does not qualify for listing in a more threatened category.

Assessment details

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.

Further information

Endemism (according to assessment)

Endemic to region

Not assigned

Taxon distribution as listed in assessment

Within the United Arab Emirates, this subspecies is known to occur north of Abu Dhabi city to Al Ain and Sharjah (Gardner 2013, Burriel-Carranza et al. in press). The subspecies occurs further across the foothills of the Hajar Mountains at low altitudes on either side. Within the United Arab Emirates, the subspecies is frequently encountered from sea level to 100 m asl but have been recorded to 500 m asl. The subspecies has been recorded on the island of Sir Abu Nu'ayr, United Arab Emirates, due to an introduction of the subspecies from the mainland.The subspecies is endemic to northern Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

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

The subspecies is found in sandy or gravel plains, interdunal plains and flat wadi beds with low gravel terraces and scattered vegetation (Gardner 2013). They are more frequently encountered on cemented sandstone or on hard surface plains. They are dependent on vegetation cover.A ground-dwelling and diurnal taxon. They prefer high temperatures and are most active during summer, while on cool winter days they may not leave the burrows at all (Gardner 2013). Adults are vegetarian and are able to survive on poor quality forage (Gardner 2013). They feed on a broad range of plants, including grasses and herbs, but tend to avoid Tetraena qatarensis despite its abundance (Gardner 2013). Individual lizards may move between several non-exclusive burrows (Gardner 2013). Mating occurs from spring to summer, and females lay a clutch of 12- 30 eggs in the burrow. The eggs incubation period is 59-65 days.

Threats and conservation measures listed

Threats listed in assessment

The major threat to the subspecies is habitat loss through residential and industrial development and road construction. It is uncertain to what extent the taxon is harvested from the wild for either the pet trade or human consumption or medicinal use. Recreational off-road driving may have a negative impact on the subspecies in certain areas. Over-grazing on the plains leads to the loss of vegetation cover, whilst tree-planting impacts the subspecies elsewhere. The subspecies is also subject to persecution.The combination of extended drought duration and over-grazing (even in protected areas), leading to the loss of essential vegetation cover, is hard to estimate, but may be significant.

Publication

UAE National Red List of Herpetofauna: Amphibians & Terrestrial Reptiles, Sea Snakes & Marine Turtles

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