The Ruus al Jibal — meaning “heads of the mountains” — refers to one of the highest areas of the Hajar mountain range. As of last month it also is the name of a new gecko species, discovered there this year by an international team of scientists.
At a length of up to 98mm, Ptyodactylus ruusaljibalicus may be tiny by human dimensions, yet it is among the largest gecko species. Unimpressed by its size, people are also unlikely to notice the key feature which differentiates this species from its cousin Ptyodactylus orlovi. The difference consists in four prominent scales near the cloaca which ruusaljibalicus has and its cousin lacks.
“In the eye of the average person, if you look at the two geckos, you will say they look exactly the same,” said Johannes Els, head of the herpetology and freshwater fishes department at the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife and the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah.
But for Mr Els and his colleagues the differences were quite distinct. These differences were also confirmed by genetic sampling carried out this year.
The scientists collected genetic material from 68 animals found in 46 locations in the Hajar mountains. Afterwards, a team from the Institute of Evolutionary Biology in Barcelona, Spain, extracted genomic DNA from ethanol-preserved tissue samples and sequenced six genetic markers.
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“Several results in our research can help us define the two species, Ptyodactylus ruusaljibalicus and Ptyodactylus orlovi, as distinct,” said Marc Simó Riudalbas, a researcher at the institute.
The two species do not share any alleles in the four nuclear genes the scientists sequenced. This is important as it suggests the animals are reproductively isolated and are currently evolving as independent units.
The team also confirmed that the mitochondrial genetic divergence between the two species was higher than among other recognised species of the genus. The data suggests that the two species diverged seven million years ago.
Ptyodactylus ruusaljibalicus and Ptyodactylus orlovi are what scientists call cryptic species — morphologically similar species erroneously classified under the same name. These species are very similar in appearance to the point that the boundaries between them can only be identified with the help of molecular methods. Defining those genetic boundaries has an important role in conservation, said Mr Riudalbas.
“Species that are considered common, widely distributed and of low conservation priority may actually contain multiple morphologically similar species, each with small ranges and therefore of high conservation concern,” he said.
Mr Els said Ptyodactylus ruusaljibalicus lives in the extreme northern parts of the Hajar range in Oman and the UAE and is separated from its cousin by the Masafi depression.
The findings were published in early August in the journal Plos One.
The scientists suspect the new species is most likely endemic to the Hajar Mountains which means it is not present anywhere else in the world. This, as well as two discoveries from last year, show that the mountain range has incredible diversity when reptile species are concerned.
In 2016, a study revealed that geckos from the Hajar Mountains thought to belong to a single species (A caudivolvulus) should be reclassified as three.
Of the three species, one kept the designation A caudivolvulus (Emirati leaf-toed gecko), while another was named A gardneri (Gardner’s leaf-toed gecko) and the third named A margaritae (Margarita’s leaf-toed gecko), each in honour of scientists who made a valuable contribution to the study of lizards in the UAE.
There are 18 species of reptiles that are endemic just to the Hajar mountains, said Mr Els.
“They are not found anywhere else outside of the Hajar mountain range,” he said. “Documenting these animals that only occur here again highlights how important the Hajar mountain range is, particularly for Eastern Arabia.”
Like anywhere in the region, the mountain range is higher in diversity in reptile species compared to other taxonomic groups such as mammals and birds. The continued study of these animals can help inform conservation measures to ensure they are protected.
“Highlighting where these particular species occur in different areas of the mountain range, can be incorporated into conservation management plans by allocating certain areas for protected areas or for non-development purposes,” said Mr Els.
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
Generation Start-up: Awok company profile
Started: 2013
Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev
Sector: e-commerce
Size: 600 plus
Stage: still in talks with VCs
Principal Investors: self-financed by founder
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Haltia.ai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Arto%20Bendiken%20and%20Talal%20Thabet%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20AI%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2041%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20About%20%241.7%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self%2C%20family%20and%20friends%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
More Expo 2020 Dubai pavilions:
ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
%3Cp%3ECreator%3A%20Tima%20Shomali%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0Tara%20Abboud%2C%C2%A0Kira%20Yaghnam%2C%20Tara%20Atalla%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
