Saturday 15 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 latin name
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Acanthastrea echinata (Starry cup coral)
The most common species of Acanthastrea, this coral forms large encrusting colonies over the surface of rocks, or takes the form of a…
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Acanthastrea hillae (Starry cup coral)
Usually forming colonies that are relatively small, but which can sometimes grow to over 1.5 metres across, Acanthastrea hillae is quite a…
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Acanthastrea maxima (Fleshy artichoke coral)
The fleshy artichoke coral is a little-known, rare coral described as recently as 1998. The most distinguishing features of this species are…
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Acherontia styx (Death’s-head hawkmoth)
Information on the death’s-head hawkmoth is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Acropora arabensis (Acropora)
Information on Acropora arabensis is being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Acropora clathrata (Table coral)
Information on Acropora clathrata is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Acropora yongei (Staghorn coral)
Information on Acropora yongei is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Alveopora tizardi (Alveopora coral)
Information on Alveopora tizardi is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Ammocleonus aschabadensis (Weevil)
Information on the weevil is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Anacridium melanorhodon (Grasshopper)
Information on Anacridium melanorhodon is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Anax ephippiger (Vagrant emperor)
Information on the vagrant emperor is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Anax parthenope (Lesser emperor)
Information on the lesser emperor is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Androctonus crassicauda (Arabian fat-tailed scorpion)
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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Anomastraea irregularis (Crisp pillow coral)
The only species in its genus, Anomastraea irregularis forms small, low, mound-like colonies that grow up to about 20 cm in height. In…
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Anthia duodecimguttata (Domino beetle)
The domino beetle (Anthia duodecimguttata) is a member of the Carabidae family, an insect group which contains an impressive 40,000 species…
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Apis florea (Asian dwarf honey bee)
Information on the Asian dwarf honey bee is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Apistobuthus pterygocercus (Scorpion)
The scorpion Apistobuthus pterygocercus is noted for the conspicuous circular secondary segment on its tail. This feature, which is thought…
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Arabicnemis caerulea (Powder blue damsel)
For a desert region, southern Arabia has a remarkable number of dragonflies and damselflies. One particularly striking damselfly, discovered…
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Arabineura khalidi (Hajar Wadi damsel)
For a desert region, southern Arabia has a remarkable range of dragonfly and damselfly species. First discovered as recently as 1988, the…
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Astreopora expansa (Staghorn coral)
One of the most distinctive species in its genus, the variably brown, pink or dark green colonies of Astreopora expansa take the form of…
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Azanus jesous (African babul blue)
A finely-marked, beautiful butterfly of Africa and Asia, the male African babul blue (Azanus jesous) has lilac-blue wings with black margins…
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Azanus ubaldus (Desert babul blue)
A finely-marked, beautiful butterfly of Africa and Asia, the male desert babul blue (Azanus ubaldus) has iridescent blue upperparts with…
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Barabattoia amicorum (Stony coral)
One of only two coral species belonging to the Barabattoia genus, Barabattoia amicorum is an uncommon component of coral reefs, which forms…
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Belenois aurota (Caper white)
Information on the caper white is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Blastomussa merleti (Pineapple coral)
Information on Blastomussa merleti is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Brephidium exile (Western pygmy blue)
The smallest butterfly in the USA, the tiny western pygmy blue (Brephidium exile) is notoriously difficult to find, but is certainly worth…
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Buthacus yotvatensis (Scorpion)
Buthacus yotvatensis is a highly poisonous yellow-green scorpion, found in deserts and other arid, sandy areas. Like other members of the…
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Cataglyphis niger (Desert runner ant)
Information on the desert runner ant is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Ceriagrion glabrum (Common pond-damsel)
A small, yet striking red and yellow damselfly with bright green eyes, the common pond-damsel (Ceriagrion glabrum) is a distinctive…
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Chilades parrhasius (Indian cupid)
Information on the Indian cupid is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Coeliades anchises (Giant skipper)
Information on the giant skipper is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Colotis calais (Small salmon arab)
The small salmon arab (Colotis calais) is a small orange butterfly found throughout arid regions of Africa and Arabia. The upper sides of…
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Colotis phisadia (Blue-spotted arab)
Information on the blue-spotted arab is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Coscinaraea columna (Wrinkle coral)
Information on Coscinaraea columna is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Coscinaraea monile (Wrinkle coral)
Coscinaraea monile is a common species of wrinkle coral that usually forms encrusting or dome-shaped colonies. These are often uniformly…
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Crocothemis erythraea (Common scarlet-darter)
Information on the common scarlet-darter is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Crocothemis sanguinolenta (Slim scarlet-darter)
The slim scarlet-darter (Crocothemis sanguinolenta) is a medium-sized dragonfly with dazzling scarlet colouration and a long, slender body…
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Cyphastrea microphthalma (Lesser star coral)
Information on the lesser star coral is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Danaus chrysippus (Plain tiger)
This beautifully bright butterfly has captivated humankind’s attention since it was first depicted in an Egyptian tomb 3,500 years ago…
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Daphnis nerii (Oleander hawk-moth)
Information on the oleander hawk-moth is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Delta dimidiatipenne (Caterpillar hunting wasp)
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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Diadema setosum (Long-spined sea urchin)
Information on the long-spined sea urchin is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Diplacodes lefebvrii (Purple darter)
Giving off an iridescent dark-purplish sheen as it flies across its freshwater habitat, it is not hard to see how the purple darter (…
More about the Purple darter »
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Echinopora gemmacea (Echinopora)
Information on Echinopora gemmacea is being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Elphinstonia charlonia (Desert black tip)
Information on the desert black tip is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Eremiaphila braueri (Desert mantis)
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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Favia favus (Head coral)
Information on Favia favus is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Favia pallida (Favia coral)
Information on Favia pallida is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Favia rotumana (Favia coral)
Information on Favia rotumana is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly…
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Favia speciosa (Elliptical star coral)
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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