In a significant move to promote and advance research on biodiversity, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve announced it has identified five species new to global science; the Hejaz black-collared snake (Rhynchocalamus hejazicus), a gecko (Hemidactylus sp) marked by brown stripes and white nodules, and three plants – a globe thistle, a mignonette, and a hogbean.
The Reserve recorded three new species new to Saudi Arabia and extended the known global range of 34 more. These outcomes, the result of four years of field work by Saudi and international experts, increase the total number of species documented in the Reserve to 791. The Reserve only covers 1 per cent of the Kingdom’s terrestrial area, but it is home to more than half of Saudi Arabia’s terrestrial species, highlighting its importance as a refuse for biodiversity in a changing climate.
“At a moment in time when the IUCN has warned that 28 per cent of species globally are now at risk of extinction these discoveries are significant”, said Andrew Zaloumis, CEO of the Reserve. “They reaffirm the importance of Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve as a bioclimatic refuge, particularly as climate change is increasingly impacting the customary habitats of many of these species.”
“Testament to this is the Reserve’s iconic Wadi Al-Disah, with its 200+ species, a key site on the UNESCO World Heritage Bioclimatic Refugia of Western Arabia tentative list. None of this would have been possible without the strong collaboration of natural scientists from the Kingdom and 14 other countries with the Reserve over the last 4 years to conduct multi-season field surveys.”
Among the five species new to science are two reptiles and three plants, each with unique ecological and cultural significance. The gecko (Hemidactylus sp.), currently undergoing DNA analysis, features striking brown horizontal stripes from neck to tail and white nodules along its back. This gecko preys on small invertebrates like mosquitoes, playing an essential role in pest control within desert ecosystems.
The Hejaz black-collared snake (Rhynchocalamus hejazicus) is a small, non-venomous species that is bright red with a distinctive black collar.
The three new plants to science are; the globe thistle (Echinops sp. aff. glaberrimus) from the Asteraceae family. It produces vibrant blooms that support pollinators and promote ecosystem health. Historically, it has been used medicinally to treat infections and inflammations. The mignonette, (Reseda sp. aff. muricata), known for its herbal properties, is often used in teas and perfumery. In contrast, the hogbean (Hyoscyamus sp.) from the Nightshade family has a more complex history, having been used both as a poison and in early anesthesiology and palliative care.
Since 2021, the Reserve has partnered with organisations like KAUST to conduct seasonal ecological surveys that record the diversity of species and highlight seasonal variations across taxonomical groups. To date, the surveys have identified 791 terrestrial species, including 461 plant species, of which three are new to science, one is new to Saudi Arabia, and 11 represent global range extensions. The surveys also recorded 240 bird species, including seven global range extensions, 18 bat species, 31 rodent and large mammal species, one amphibian, one freshwater fish, and 39 reptile species.
“The Reserve’s vast size and ecological diversity presented challenges in establishing a baseline”, said Josh Smithson, the Reserve’s lead Senior Advisor Wildlife Ecologist. “To address this, we adopted a phased approach, starting with higher-value ecological areas and progressively expanding study sites. Eco-monitoring programmes now augment this baseline work, allowing us to better understand ecological functionality and diversity while informing Reserve management plans.”
Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve has published four peer-reviewed academic papers on its biodiversity to date, with four more awaiting publication. The Reserve is committed to sharing its findings with the local and global scientific and conservation community.
