The conservation status and distribution of reptiles of the Arabian Peninsula

The Arabian Peninsula contains a diversity of desert and mountain habitats. Reptile species richness is high, with 172 species currently recognized. Among these, 89 species (52%) are endemic to the Arabian Peninsula. The conservation status of these species was assessed at a workshop held in Sharjah, UAE, 6-9 February 2012 through the application of the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria at the global and regional scales. Distribution maps were compiled for the majority of species. The dataset provides a valuable baseline to inform the conservation and development planning process.