INTRODUCTION Although the Middle East is predominantly defined by arid and semi-arid climatic conditions (Barlow et al., 2016), the region supports a remarkably high diversity of terrestrial and freshwater biota, reflecting its position at the intersection of three major biogeographic realms (Krupp et al., 2009). However, like other parts of the world, biodiversity in the Middle East is increasingly threatened by anthropogenic habitat alterations, overexploitation and climate change.