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

Taxa
Ablepharus pannonicus | (Fitzinger, 1824)
Location
Countries in Assessment
United Arab Emirates
Country ISO code(s)
ARE
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Off
Scope (Assessment)
National
Taxon
Taxonomic Group
Vertebrates
Taxonomic Group Level 2
Reptiles
Assessed taxon level
Species
Taxonomic Notes
Barabanov and Milto (2017) give the authority of this species as 'Lichtenstein, 1823', however, the name Scincus pannonicus was reported in this source (correctly, Fitzinger in Lichtenstein, 1823) without an associated description, and is consequently considered a nomen nudum by Uetz et al. (2018). The correct authority is consequently 'Fitzinger, 1824', in which publication the species was formally described (P. Uetz pers. comm. 2018).
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
Within the United Arab Emirates, this species is known from the Hajar Mountains between Asimah and Daftah (Gardner 2013, Burriel-Carranza et al. in press) and occurs at between 400-900 m asl. The species distribution might extend further, but due to its semi-fossorial habits, small size and difficulty to observe, it is under-sampled in surveys. This species is the most widely distributed member of its genus and has been recorded from southwestern Saudi Arabia, Yemen, southeast Kuwait, northern Oman, Iraq, northern and western Iran, southern Turkmenistan, southern Tajikistan, southeastern Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and Pakistan (from Quetta to Chitral; Minton 1966), reaching its eastern range limit in the Indian state of Jammu-Kashmir (Sahi and Duda 1986). In Afghanistan Sindaco and Jeremçenko (2008) mapped lowland localities along the borders of Pakistan, Iran and Turkmenistan, however, the records provided by Wagner et al. (2016) suggest that the species is confined to montane areas in this country. A single specimen has also been reported from Syria (Aleppo; Jeremäenko and Szczerbak 1986), but the occurrence in this country needs to be confirmed, as do reports of its occurrence in Azerbaijan and Georgia (Sindaco and Jeremäenko 2008). It can occur up to 2,500 m asl.
Habitats and Ecology
Ecological system type
Terrestrial system
No
Freshwater system
No
Marine system
No
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
The species is found in the Hajar Mountains especially in well-vegetated areas, oases, date gardens and orchards (Gardner 2013). It may also enter small crevices, hide under stones, leaves, or in cracks in the soil. It is a diurnal species with a semi-fossorial habit that preys on invertebrates such as ants, small beetles and crickets (Gardner 2013). It is presumed that the breeding season is during spring and summer. Females will lay a clutch of three to four eggs (Gardner 2013).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Assessed status
Asessment status in full
Least Concern
Assessment status abreviation
LC
Assessment rationale/justification
Within the United Arab Emirates, this species is known from the Hajar Mountains between Asimah and Daftah, however, the distribution may extend further. The species is listed as Least Concern, despite its limited known area of occupancy (EOO) of 12 km<sup>2</sup> and extent of occurrence (EOO) 21 km<sup>2</sup>, which may be attributed to under-sampling due to its small size and semi-fossorial habits. It is able to adapt to habitat modification and appears to thrive within cultivated areas, and there are no known threats to the species which may cause it to decline in the near future to qualify for listing in a threatened category. 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).
About the assessment
Assessment year
2018
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Affliation of assessor(s)/contributors/reviewers listed on assessment
Government
IGO
Assessor affiliation specific
Government|IGO
Criteria system
Criteria system specifics
IUCN v3.1 + Regional Guidelines v4.0
Criteria system used
IUCN
Criteria Citation
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.
Endemism
Endemic to region
Not_assigned
Endemism Notes
Is an endemic?: Not_assigned
Conservation
Threats listed in assessment
There appear to be no major threats to this species within its limited known area of occupancy. The species can adapt to habitat modifications and appear to thrive within cultivated areas.
Conservation Measures

Conservation measures:
Conservation measures notes:
Required conservation measures:

Scientific Name Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus
Ablepharus pannonicus Animalia Chordata Reptilia Squamata Scincidae Ablepharus