Pristurus insignis Blanford, 1881

Razzetti, Edoardo, Sindaco, Roberto, Grieco, Cristina, Pella, Francesca, Ziliani, Ugo, Pupin, Fabio, Riservato, Elisa, Pellitteri-Rosa, Daniele, Butikofer, Luca, Suleiman, Ahmed Saeed & Al-Aseily, Badar Awadh, 2011, Annotated checklist and distribution of the Socotran Archipelago Herpetofauna (Reptilia), Zootaxa 2826, pp. 1-44 : 12

Pristurus insignis Blanford, 1881

Pristurus insignis Blanford, 1881: 466 , pl. 42.1—Locus typicus: “ Socotra ”. Pristurus insignis .— Peters, 1882b: 44.

Pristurus insignis .— Boulenger, 1885: 54.

Pristurus insignis [partim].— Boulenger, 1903: 75.

Pristurus insignis .— Arnold, 1986b: 353, Figs 1 –3.

Pristurus insignis . — Arnold, 2009: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 16, 20, 21.

Habitat. This species is associated with rocks and cliffs. Our records included mostly large rocks of extensive geological complexes, whereas small and isolated rocks seemed unsuitable for the species. It is also rather frequent along wadis; in this habitat it was observed also on large boulders and stone walls in palm groves. It presents a wide altitude range from near sea level (Ras Shu’ab) up to 1170 m on the Hajhir (Skand area). Both recent surveys and bibliographic data show that the species is widespread, although more common in the eastern part of the island. The scarcity of records in the western side of the island is also probably due to a lower availability of its favourite habitat (large rocks, cliffs). In February and March numerous specimens were found at night sleeping on branches of bushes close to rocks.

Original data. Fig. 18. NE Coast, Homhil, Momi plateau, Timeroh area, Go'o area, Wadi Di-Fa'rhoh, E Noged, Wadi Di Asrhon, Firmihin, Dheroh, Diksam plateau, Diksam SW, Central Noged, Qa'arah area, Neet, Shu'ab inland, Shu'ab area, Qalansiyah inland, Wadi Trubah, Skand, Adho Di Meleh, Wadi Ayhaft.

Bibliographic data. Blanford (1881), Boulenger (1903), Loveridge (1947), Wranik (1998b), Schätti & Desvoignes (1999), Rösler & Wranik (2004)

General distribution. Endemic to Socotra Island.