A new distribution record of Arnold’s Gecko, Pristurus minimus (Arnold, 1977) (Squamata, Sphaerodactylidae), in Saudi Arabia
Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: Reptiles are considered an important element of Saudi Arabia’s wildlife to be conserved as a priority. However, the status and distribution of the Kingdom’s reptile fauna is not well understood, thus hindering the conservation initiatives. Better understanding of the taxonomy and distribution of the Kingdom’s reptile fauna is important for implementing effective conservation measures. Here, we provide the new distribution record of Pristurus minimus (Arnold, 1977; common name, Arnold’s Gecko) from southern Saudi Arabia. The species was recorded from the Uruq Bani Ma'arid Protected Area (UBM) of southern Saudi Arabia. Four individuals were captured from different survey sites across the UBM and their species identification was confirmed through a mixture of physical and genetic examination. These results increase the number of species from the Pristurus genus to five for Saudi Arabia and improve the understanding of the Kingdom’s reptile fauna and its distribution.
Source: Biodiversity Data Journal
Authors: Mohammed Al Mutairi, Abdulaziz Alqahtani, Zaffar Rais Mir, Riyaz Ahmad, Saad Alsubaie, Michael Smith
Institutions: University of Bisha, National Center for Wildlife
Language: English
Subfield: Global and Planetary Change
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $485
OpenAlex ID: W4384523830