Amphibian Distribution and Habitats in Northwestern Saudi Arabia

Abstract

More effort is needed to study wild animals, especially if they depend on a specific type of habitat. The amphibian community in Saudi Arabia needs additional research attention since not all potentially suitable habitats, particularly those in northern areas, have been studied. Different wetland habitats in Tabuk Province in northwestern Saudi Arabia were surveyed for amphibians in 2021 and 2022. Interestingly, only the Arabian toad was recorded at the sites visited. This finding contributes valuable data to the current amphibian distribution map of Saudi Arabia and suggests the great capacity of this species to inhabit habitats with different conditions and characteristics. Habitat destruction and potential sources of pollution were observed in some of the sites surveyed and, importantly, large construction projects are under way in the majority of amphibian habitats in Tabuk Province. Therefore, further effort is required to explore the less studied areas of Saudi Arabia to aid in the conservation of species, especially those such as amphibians that require specific habitat conditions.