Ablepharus rueppellii
{{Short description|Species of lizard}}
{{italic title}}
{{speciesbox
| name = Rüppell's snake-eyed skink
| image = Ablepharus Rueppellii.JPG
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Ablepharus
| species = rueppellii
| authority = Gray, 1839
| range_map = Ablepharus rueppellii distribution (gray).png
}}
Ablepharus rueppellii, known commonly as Rüppell's snake-eyed skink, is a species of skink found in the Middle East. It was formerly considered a subspecies of Ablepharus kitaibelii, but has since been distinguished. What is currently recognized as this species is possibly two distinct species.
Range
It is found throughout north and central Israel, Lebanon, western Jordan, and the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt.{{Cite book|title=A Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians of Egypt|last=Baha el Din|first=Sherif|publisher=The American University in Cairo Press|year=2006|isbn=978-9774249792}} It also possibly lives in Syria, though this is also unconfirmed. In the areas where it can be found, it is generally uncommon. It is found in the leaf litter of forested or shrubby areas, and in Egypt, it is usually found near oases. It is highly localized in densely vegetated areas.
In Israel, the species is common and can be found in cities. It is one of the few reptiles capable of living in areas afforested with Aleppo pine (these are very widespread in Israel).
Possible threats
Few threats exist to the species as a whole, though deforestation and loss of traditionally farmed orchards may affect specific populations. The species is protected by legislation in Israel.
References
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Further reading
- Gray, J.E. 1839. Catalogue of the slender-tongued saurians, with descriptions of many new genera and species. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (1)2: 331–337 (287–293)
- Lymberakis, P. and Kalionzopoulou, A. 2003. [http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09397140.2003.10637967#.VRSLI5VFDrc Additions to the herpetofauna of Syria.] Zoology in the Middle East 29: 33–39.
- Schmidtler, J.F. 1997. [http://www.landesmuseum.at/pdf_frei_remote/HER_10_1_2_0035-0063.pdf Die Ablepharus kitaibelii - Gruppe in Süd-Anatolien und benachbarten Gebieten (Squamata: Sauria: Scinidae).] Herpetozoa 10(1/2):35-63
{{Ablepharus}}
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Category:Reptiles described in 1839
Category:Reptiles of West Asia