Fauna

According to the IUCN Red List (2014), Jordan has 103 globally threatened species of fauna. The proportion of threatened species to the total number of species is very high, especially for mammals, where 13 out of 83 mammals (15.6%) are considered globally threatened. Jordan’s location by the Great Rift Valley makes the country one of the most important flyways and resting points for migratory birds in the spring and autumn. Hundreds of thousands of birds cross the area yearly, some of which are globally. In addition to mammals, a total of 106 species of reptiles occurred in Jordan where 6 of them are threatened. The high number of birds (436) is expected because of Jordan’s location along the migratory route between Eurasia and Africa. The invertebrate fauna of Jordan is unique in many aspects since its composition is a mixture of several faunal origins; but due to lack of comprehensive research, the exact number of invertebrate species is unknown. Several assessments published tackled Jordan’s fauna on the national, regional and international levels. Mammals were assessed in the Mediterranean region including species from Jordan where a single species was listed as a critically endangered; Gazella subgutturosa. In addition, two species are endangered and eight are vulnerable. Moreover, several assessments from the Arabian Peninsula were published including snakes, birds, reptiles, and carnivores. Below is the table of major groups with examples

#

Category

Total species

Number of Red List species

Key species

1

Mammals

83

8

Capra Nubiana, G. subgutturosa, Gazella gazella, Oryx leucoryx, Myotis capaccinii,

2

Reptiles

107

6

Vanus griseus, Uromastux aegyptia, Testudo graeca, Chalcides guentheri, Telescopus hoogstraali

3

Amphibians

3

0

Hyla savignyi

4

Birds

436

8

Acuila heliaca, Geroticus eremita, Neophron percnopterus, Serinus syriacus, Torgos tracheliotos

5

Freshwater Fish

15

3

Aphanius sirhani Garra ghorensis Aphanius richardsoni

Source: IUCN Red List, 2014.

 

For More information follow this link: The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2015 - 2020