An inventory of herpetofauna from Wadi Sayq, Dhofar, Oman

Abstract

Two research expeditions surveyed the herpetofauna within the monsoon-influenced zone of Wadi Sayq, a coastal wadi system 31.5km in length, situated in the southwestern Jabal Qamar mountain range, Dhofar, Oman. Surveys were undertaken from 02 to 29 February 2012, and from 06 February to 07 March 2013. Ninety-three individuals belonging to 15 species were recorded. Morphological data was collected for 10 species. An elevation gradient in habitat preference is observed for the genus Hemidactylus, and the discovery of four Coluber thomasi individuals significantly increases the total global records for this species.

Keywords

• Coluber thomasi
• Dhofar
• Hemidactylus
• herpetofauna
• Oman
• reptiles, Wadi Sayq.