Tuesday 18 June
Invertebrates
Invertebrates dominate the fauna of the United Arab Emirates, both in terms of species and population numbers. The UAE is believed to be home to between 5,000 and 10,000 insect species, with many more yet to be described, as well as a host of spiders, scorpions and other arthropods, and seven native land snails. The diversity of the terrestrial invertebrates is matched by the colourful marine species, which include sponges, crustaceans, molluscs and myriad corals, so vital in creating the UAE’s important reef habitats.
Learn about UAE habitats & speciesInvertebrates found in the UAE
Species 1 - 50 of 130 [ next ]Sort all by common name | Sort all by scientific name
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Acropora (Acropora arabensis)
Information on Acropora arabensis is being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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African babul blue (Azanus jesous)
A finely-marked, beautiful butterfly of Africa and Asia, the male African babul blue (Azanus jesous) has lilac-blue wings with black margins…
More about the African babul blue »
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African pillow coral (Siderastrea savignyana)
The African pillow coral is a beautiful coral species with elaborately-shaped skeletal walls and neatly arranged septa that form a fan-like…
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Alveopora coral (Alveopora tizardi)
Information on Alveopora tizardi is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Arabian cicada (Platypleura arabica)
A common sight on trees and bushes in summer months, the Arabian cicada (Platypleura arabica) is also well known throughout its range for…
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Arabian fat-tailed scorpion (Androctonus crassicauda)
The Arabian fat-tailed scorpion (Androctonus crassicauda) is a formidable predator, with a thick, powerful tail that is equipped with a…
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Asian dwarf honey bee (Apis florea)
Information on the Asian dwarf honey bee is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Black pennant (Selysiothemis nigra)
A small and graceful dragonfly, the black pennant (Selysiothermis nigra) is distinguished by its large, fragile-looking wings and…
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Blue pansy (Junonia orithya)
Information on the blue pansy (Junonia orithya) is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Blue-spotted arab (Colotis phisadia)
Information on the blue-spotted arab is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Bowl coral (Turbinaria peltata)
The reef-building coral Turbinaria peltata forms colonies of flat, overlapping plates and occasionally vertical columns. A single colony…
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Brain coral (Platygyra sinensis)
Platygyra sinensis is a widespread coral that typically forms large, domed colonies up to a metre or more in diameter. The diameter of its…
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Brain coral (Platygyra daedalea)
This coral gains its common name from the colony’s meandering, brain-like pattern of brown walls, separated by grey or green depressions…
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Branched sandpaper coral (Psammocora contigua)
The colonies of the branched sandpaper coral (Psammocora contigua) grow in a variety of shapes depending on water movements, variously…
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Cactus coral (Pavona decussata)
Information on the cactus coral is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Caper white (Belenois aurota)
Information on the caper white is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Caterpillar hunting wasp (Delta dimidiatipenne)
Named for its habit of hunting caterpillars to feed its young, the caterpillar hunting wasp (Delta dimidiatipenne) belongs to one of the…
More about the Caterpillar hunting wasp »
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Closed brain coral (Leptoria phrygia)
Forming large, irregular-shaped mounds covered by a dense, maze-like network of sinuous ridges and valleys, Leptoria phrygia is a striking…
More about the Closed brain coral »
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Common pond-damsel (Ceriagrion glabrum)
A small, yet striking red and yellow damselfly with bright green eyes, the common pond-damsel (Ceriagrion glabrum) is a distinctive…
More about the Common pond-damsel »
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Common scarlet-darter (Crocothemis erythraea)
Information on the common scarlet-darter is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Corrugated coral (Pavona varians)
Information on Pavona varians is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
More about the Corrugated coral »
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Crimson speckled footman (Utetheisa pulchella)
Information on the crimson speckled footman is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Crisp pillow coral (Anomastraea irregularis)
The only species in its genus, Anomastraea irregularis forms small, low, mound-like colonies that grow up to about 20 cm in height. In…
More about the Crisp pillow coral »
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Death’s-head hawkmoth (Acherontia styx)
Information on the death’s-head hawkmoth is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Desert babul blue (Azanus ubaldus)
A finely-marked, beautiful butterfly of Africa and Asia, the male desert babul blue (Azanus ubaldus) has iridescent blue upperparts with…
More about the Desert babul blue »
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Desert black tip (Elphinstonia charlonia)
Information on the desert black tip is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
More about the Desert black tip »
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Desert mantis (Eremiaphila braueri)
Information on the desert mantis is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
More about the Desert mantis »
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Desert runner ant (Cataglyphis niger)
Information on the desert runner ant is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
More about the Desert runner ant »
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Desert white (Pontia glauconome)
A beautiful, striking white butterfly of arid regions of North Africa and Asia, the desert white (Pontia glauconome) is a member of the…
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Diadem butterfly (Hypolimnas misippus)
Information on the diadem butterfly is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Domino beetle (Anthia duodecimguttata)
The domino beetle (Anthia duodecimguttata) is a member of the Carabidae family, an insect group which contains an impressive 40,000 species…
More about the Domino beetle »
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Echinopora (Echinopora gemmacea)
Information on Echinopora gemmacea is being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Elegant rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes elegans)
Information on the elegant rhinoceros beetle is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
More about the Elegant rhinoceros beetle »
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Elegant sprite (Pseudagrion decorum)
Information on the elegant sprite is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
More about the Elegant sprite »
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Elliptical star coral (Favia speciosa)
One of the most common species in the Faviidae family, particularly at high latitudes, Favia speciosa typically forms domed colonies that…
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Encrusting coral (Leptoseris foliosa)
Information on Leptoseris foliosa is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
More about the Encrusting coral »
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Encrusting pore coral (Montipora aequituberculata)
Information on the encrusting pore coral (Montipora aequituberculata) is being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
More about the Encrusting pore coral »
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Epaulet skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma)
Information on the epaulet skimmer is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
More about the Epaulet skimmer »
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Fairy mantis (Oxyothespis nilotica)
Information on the fairy mantis is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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False pillow coral (Pseudosiderastrea tayamai)
Information on the false pillow coral is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
More about the False pillow coral »
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Favia coral (Favia pallida)
Information on Favia pallida is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Favia coral (Favia rotumana)
Information on Favia rotumana is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Fleshy artichoke coral (Acanthastrea maxima)
The fleshy artichoke coral is a little-known, rare coral described as recently as 1998. The most distinguishing features of this species are…
More about the Fleshy artichoke coral »
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Fluorescence grass coral (Galaxea fascicularis)
Although usually growing as small cushion-shaped or domed colonies, Galaxea fascicularis is also capable of producing massive or columnar…
More about the Fluorescence grass coral »
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Fungia (Fungia cyclolites)
Information on Fungia cyclolites is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Giant skipper (Coeliades anchises)
Information on the giant skipper is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
More about the Giant skipper »
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Goniopora coral (Goniopora tenuidens)
Information on Goniopora tenuidens is being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
More about the Goniopora coral »
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Grass jewel (Freyeria trochylus)
Information on the grass jewel is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Grasshopper (Pseudosphingonotus savignyi)
Information on Pseudosphingonotus savignyi is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Grasshopper (Scintharista notabilis)
Information on Scintharista notabilis is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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