NRLD - 330055 | Hemidactylus persicus

Assessment ID

330055

Taxon name

Hemidactylus persicus

Anderson, 1872

Uploaded by

National Red List Database

Taxonomic information

Scientific name

Hemidactylus persicus

Anderson, 1872

Assessed taxon level

Species

Higher level taxonomic groupings

Vertebrates

Reptiles

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

chordata

Class

reptilia

Order

squamata

Family

gekkonidae

Genus

Hemidactylus

Species

persicus

Species authority

Anderson, 1872

Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed

Hemidactylus persicus was described by Anderson in 1872 based on specimens collected from Shiraz, Iran; its type locality is restricted to Shiraz (Smith 1935). Morphologically typical animals occur in northeast Saudi Arabia (as far south as Al-Hofuf and perhaps ar-Riyadh), in Bahrain, Kuwait, and lowland Iraq, southern Iran, Pakistan and Gujarat (India) (Smith 1935, Anderson 1999, Minton Jr. 1966, Leviton et al. 1992, Vyas et al. 2006, Sindaco and Jeremäenko 2008). They are characterized by relatively small size (up to 67 mm SVL), a low number of lamellae under the 1st toe of pes (mean 8.8, 8-“9) and relatively numerous prenatal pores in males (mean 9.2, 8-“11) arranged in a V-shaped line in front of the vent (Carranza and Arnold 2012).

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)

Criteria system used

IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification

Within the United Arab Emirates, this species is known from Qarn Nazwa, the Dubai city area (where it is considered to be introduced), and from two offshore islands (Dalma and Sir Bani Yas). The species has a restricted extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO), however, the population trend at present, based on the Qarn Nazwa locality, is presumed to be stable. At Qarn Nazwa, it is thought likely that there are fewer than 1,000 mature individuals, whilst the populations on the islands, if native, are small. As a result, the species is assessed as Vulnerable (VU D1) on the basis of the restricted number of mature individuals. This taxon is not a non-breeding visitor, and it is presumed that any immigration from populations outside the UAE is not significant, and therefore there is no adjustment to the Category according to the IUCN regional and national Guidelines (IUCN 2012).Further research into the distribution and origin of the species in the UAE is required, and monitoring of the population at Qarn Nazwa is essential.

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 species is known from Qarn Nazwa and two of the islands (Dalma and Sir Bani Yas; Gardner 2013, Burriel-Carranza et al. in press), and from recent records of the species within the Dubai city area, which are presumed to be introduced. It is found from sea level to 200 m asl. Whilst the origin of this species in the UAE requires confirmation, the species was first found at Qarn Nazwa prior to widespread development that led to species introductions, and it is considered to be native to UAE at present.The global distribution of this species ranges from the Arabian Peninsula to Iraq, southern Iran (Khuzestan, Fars, Kerman and Balochistan Provinces) and Pakistan (Sind and Waziristan) (Minton 1966, Anderson 1999). It exhibits a marginal occurrence in India, where it has recently been reported from Jessore, Gujarat (Vyas et al. 2006). It is found from lowland areas to around 1,000 m asl (Minton 1966). It has been reported from northwestern Oman, close to the border with the UAE (Carranza et al. 2018).

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 naturally inhabits rocky areas in arid regions (Qarn Nazwa population), including those in limestone outcrops where it clings to cliffs, boulders and bushes (Gardner 2013). Apparently not a house gecko in Arabia, though it has occasionally been found in houses (Gardner 2013). It is nocturnal and females lay two hard-shelled eggs glued to rock surfaces or in secure crevices.

Threats and conservation measures listed

Threats listed in assessment

There appear to be no major threats to this species at Qarn Nazwa, where it occurs within a protected area. The island populations need further research.

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