ANNOTATED CHECKLIST OFREPTILIAN FAUNA OF BASRAH, SOUTH OF IRAQ

Basrahprovince is situated at the extreme south of Iraq, it has an interesting reptile fauna (Squamata and Serpentes) and represents a land bridge between three different zoogeographical regions ( Oriental, Palaearcticand Ethiopian).This situation gave Basrahprovincea topographic specific opportunity forraising its own faunal diversity including reptiles;in this study Basrahprovincewas divided into four main zones:the cities and orchards,marshes and wetlands (sabkha),the true dessert, the seashore and Shat Al-Arab.Forty ninereptile species were recorded including snakes, sea and fresh water turtles, and Lizards; brief notes and descriptions for the rare and important species were provided and supported by Plates.