ANNOTATED CHECKLIST OF REPTILIAN FAUNA OF BASRAH, SOUTH OF IRAQ

Authors

  • Saman R. Afrasiab Iraq Natural History Research Center and Museum, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
  • Azhar A. Al-Moussawi Iraq Natural History Research Center and Museum, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
  • Hind D. Hadi Iraq Natural History Research Center and Museum, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26842/binhm.7.2018.15.1.0077

Keywords:

Basrah, Squamata, Serpentes, Turtles, Zoogeography

Abstract

    Basrah province is situated at the extreme south of Iraq,  it has an interesting reptile fauna (Squamata and Serpentes) and represents a land bridge between three different zoogeographical regions ( Oriental, Palaearctic and  Ethiopian).

     This situation gave Basrah province a topographic specific opportunity for raising its own faunal diversity including reptiles; in this study Basrah province was divided into four main zones: the cities and orchards, marshes and wetlands (sabkha), the true dessert, the seashore and Shat Al-Arab.

Forty nine reptile species were recorded including snakes, sea and fresh water turtles, and Lizards; brief notes and descriptions for the rare and important species were provided and supported by Plates.

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References

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2018-07-01

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