Least Concern
A small- to medium-sized, slightly depressed lizard, with a maximum SVL of 55 mm. Snout distinctly short; usually with 4 supralabials anterior to the subocular, which usually does not reach the upper lip; nasal areas somewhat swollen; upper nasals in contact behind rostral. Lower eyelid with a window made of two large, semi-transparent scales of roughly equal size. Occipital scale absent or very small; temporals small, smooth; tympanic shield obvious. Dorsal scales small, granular. Average number of dorsals at mid-body 52 (range 46-55) and ventrals 12, respectively; average number of femoral pores 15 (13-17) (based on a sample of 5 Egyptian specimens). Dorsal side of tibia covered with smooth scales. Dorsal surfaces pinkish gray, with reddish and light spots, which might form a weak striated pattern; reddish spots are larger on the flanks and sides of tail. Venter white.
Restricted to the southern tip of Sinai and the Island of Tiran. Recorded in Ras Mohamed National Park north along the Gulf of Suez to at least 27°48'N and in several of the large wadis that drain into the Gulf of Aqaba north to Wadi Kid. Its range on the Gulf of Suez coastal plain might extend much further north as no ecological or geographical barriers are apparent.
Sinai east through northern Arabia, Syria, Iraq, Arabian Gulf coasts to Pakistan.
In Sinai, animals have been found on gravel and sand plains with moderate vegetation cover not far from the coast. Near the tip of Ras Mohamed they are found in broken country made of uplifted fossil reef. In this region the species is sympatric with its congener Mesalina olivieri, which seems to prefer more dense halophytic vegetation.
Localized and uncommon. In Egypt it is Vulnerable on account of its small range (though most of it falls within protected areas).
Mesalina brevirostris, also known as Blanford's short-nosed desert lizard, is a species of sand-dwelling lizard in the family Lacertidae. It occurs in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, and United Arab Emirates.[2]
Mesalina brevirostris, also known as Blanford's short-nosed desert lizard, is a species of sand-dwelling lizard in the family Lacertidae. It occurs in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, and United Arab Emirates.
