Philochortus zolii

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

View Printer Friendly

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	REPTILIA	SQUAMATA	LACERTIDAE

Scientific Name:	Philochortus zolii
Species Authority:	Scortecci, 1934
Taxonomic Notes:	The taxonomy of this species, and other Philochortus species, needs to be reviewed (S. Baha El Din pers. comm).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Critically Endangered B1ab(iii) ver 3.1
Year Published:	2006
Assessor/s:	Böhme, W. & El Din, S.B.
Reviewer/s:	Stuart, S.N. & Cox, N. (Global Reptile Assessment)
Contributor/s:
Justification: Listed as Critically Endangered because its extent of occurrence is presumably less than 100 km², its distribution is severely fragmented, and there is a rapid continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat in Egypt and presumably in Libya.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This relictory species is present in Libya where it is known only from two localities, the Oasis of Elbarkat (Al Barkat) 8km south of Ghat, Fezzan and from near to Ajedabia, in western Cyrenaica, and in Egypt where it is known from Wadi El Natrun (S. Baha El Din pers. comm). Animals in Egypt have previously been misidentified as belonging to P. intermedius (S. Baha El Din pers. comm.). It is found at sea level and below.
Countries:	Native: Egypt; Libya
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	It is a very rare species occurring in small populations.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It is found in semi-desert on the edge of oasis, where it is confined to areas with Halfa grasses on sandy soil. The species is not believed to be adaptable to cultivated land. It is an egg-laying species.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	It is a highly localised relict species. In Egypt it is highly endangered if not extinct, the area of occurrence is a less than 5 km2. It is threatened by habitat loss through land reclamation for agriculture and overgrazing. There is some collection for the pet trade or for scientific research.

Major Threat(s):

It is a highly localised relict species. In Egypt it is highly endangered if not extinct, the area of occurrence is a less than 5 km2. It is threatened by habitat loss through land reclamation for agriculture and overgrazing. There is some collection for the pet trade or for scientific research.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	It is not present in any protected areas. Research is urgently needed into the taxonomy, range, ecology and biology of this species. This species could benefit from ex-situ conservation measures to prevent the extinction of the species while in-situ conservation measures are developed (S. Baha El Din pers. comm.). There is a need to create protected areas to protect the species and to develop community based action to conserve the species habitat.

Conservation Actions:

It is not present in any protected areas. Research is urgently needed into the taxonomy, range, ecology and biology of this species. This species could benefit from ex-situ conservation measures to prevent the extinction of the species while in-situ conservation measures are developed (S. Baha El Din pers. comm.). There is a need to create protected areas to protect the species and to develop community based action to conserve the species habitat.

Citation:	Böhme, W. & El Din, S.B. 2006. Philochortus zolii. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 23 May 2013.
Disclaimer:	To make use of this information, please check the <Terms of Use>.
Feedback:	If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please fill in the feedback form so that we can correct or extend the information provided