Agamidae
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.37828/em.2023.68.7 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/9618879F-FF80-411D-CBF8-882FFAD4F8F0 |
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treatment provided by |
Felipe |
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scientific name |
Agamidae |
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Family Agamidae View in CoL View at ENA
Phrynocephalus arabicus Anderson 1894 Fig. 6B View Figure 6
Material examined: EZC052, Al Hassa National Park, 4.9.2023. Observed: Hejrat Al Oseferat, 3.9.2023
Remarks: It was previously collected from several localities around Riyadh ( Al-Sadoon, 1988; Tilbury, 1988), Al Jubail ( Martens, 1996), several sites in Al Hassa ( Al-Sadoon, 2010), ‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid ( Aloufi et al., 2022b). The Arabian toad-head agama was found in areas with mixed sand and small rocks. The animal was seen basking on small flat stones among the sand, and when alarmed it takes refuge in the sand by shaking its body until it becomes invisible.
Phrynocephalus longicaudatus Haas, 1957 Fig. 5C View Figure 5
Observed: Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Street, Al-Hofuf, 1.3.2023.
Remarks: Originally, the Arabian populations of P. maculatus was referred to as the subspecies Ph. m. longicaudatus ( Martens, 1996) . The spotted toad-headed agama has a wide range of distribution along the eastern coast of Arabia. This species was previously reported from coastal sabkha near Al Jubail ( Martens, 1996). One specimen was observed on a rock near a salt marsh near Al Hassa.
Morphological and ecological features, along with molecular studies suggested that Ph. longicaudatus is a distinct species ( Solovyeva et al., 2014). Another molecular study indicated that Phrynocephalus maculatus is confined to the western part of the Zagros Mountains ( Ebrahimipour et al., 2021).
Trapelus persicus (Blanford, 1804) Fig. 5A View Figure 5
Material examined: EZC022, Khafra lake , 6.6.2023 . EZC057, Qatar highway farms, 2.9.2023 . Observed : Al-Hofuf, 2 specimens, 1.3.2023 . Research Centre Garden , King Faisal University, 1.3.2023 .
Remarks: This a rather common species with a wide range of distribution across eastern parts of Saudi Arabia. It was reported from Qatif and Abqaiq ( Haas, 1957), several localities around Riyadh ( Al-Sadoon, 1988), Al Jubail Martens (1996) and Al Hassa ( Al-Sadoon, 2010). Ross (1991) gave an account on its ecology and behaviour in a site near Al Khobar, including colour changes in both males and females.
Uromastyx aegyptia (Forsskål, 1775) Fig. 5D &E View Figure 5
Material examined: Observed specimens: Al Hanah, 22.5.2023. Osba’a Judah area, 18.7.2023. Manifah, 8.10.2013
Remarks: The Egyptian spiny-tailed lizard is a common species inhabiting gravel deserts and flat and firm substratum of Saudi Arabia and adjacent countries. In the eastern region, it was recorded from Dhahran ( Haas, 1957), Al Jubail ( Martens, 1996) and Al Hassa ( Al-Sadoon, 2010). This is a threatened species due to high demand on its meat and eggs that are consumed by the locals ( Aloufi et al., 2019).
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