The nominate subspecies Phrynocephalus mystaceus mystaceus is found in Europe, ranging as far east as the Volga River sands inclusive.

Wide mtDNA sampling of this species across its range suggests that two deeply divergent clades exist, one isolated in the Khorasan region of northeastern Iran and the other in the remainder of its Middle Asian range, a pattern previously found with more limited sampling using other genetic markers (Solovyeva et al. 2018). Solovyeva et al. (2018) "tentatively" elect to describe the Khorasan lineage as a subspecies, P. m. khorasanus, rather than a full species due to weak morphological differentiation from populations elsewhere and the existence of both morphologically and genetically intermediate populations in the Caspian and Middle Asian regions. At the same time, this work found that the two previously recognized subspecies - P. m. galli and P. m. aurantiacocaudatus - are not supported by either mtDNA or morphological data. Solovyeva et al. (2020) consequently synonymized them with the nominate form, while recommending further research to clarify the claimed morphological distinctiveness of the latter (based on characters they were unable to examine in preserved material).

European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Not Recorded

Within the European Region, this species occurs in South European Russia. It is assessed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution in southern European Russia, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a threatened category. Nevertheless, at least one Russian subpopulation, which is isolated from the main part of the range, is considered to be threatened by sand mining, dune stabilisation and habitat loss.

Within the European Region, this species occurs in South European Russia (Kalmykia and Astrakhan regions). In Russia, isolated subpopulations inhabit the south of the Astrakhan oblast, the east of Kalmykia, and Eastern Ciscaucasia (Ananjeva et al. 2006).

Outside Russia the species ranges through Kazakhstan to northwestern China (where it is only known from the Ili Basin in northwest Xinjiang). In the south of its range it occurs from the Central Plateau of Iran, through Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikstan and Uzbekistan (and marginally in adjacent Kyrgyzstan) (Sindaco and Jeremčenko 2008). Although widespread, the species is thought to occur as a number of isolated subpopulations. In China it is known only from Huocheng in the Ili River Basin, in Xinjiang (L. Shi and X.G. Guo unpublished data 2018). It is found from 45 m below sea level to around 1,000 m asl.

The density of local populations in the Astrakhan region is 1.25–10 ind./ ha, and in Kalmykia 6–13 ind./ha. At the beginning of the current century, the density in typical habitats of the Central Ciscaucasia was 0.001–50 ind. /ha. In the Chechen Republic, the average density in the western part of the Terek Sands in the late 1980s was 27.72 ind. /ha. In 2008–2010 and 2018 in the central part of the Tersky sand massif, up to 7 individuals were counted on a transect 4 km long. In 1957–1958 the density of the Sarykum population was 100 ind. /ha, in 1966 it was 46–54 ind./ha (Khonyakina, 1962, 1967), in 1991 it was 76 ind. /ha, in 2004–2008 – 33–36 ind. /ha. By the beginning of the 21^st century, the species had disappeared on the right bank of the river. Shura-Ozen, due to the removal of sand from a small dune, and in the Kapchugai tract. The density of local populations in the Nogai steppe is 8–23 ind. /ha. The Russian national Red Data Book suggests a reduction in the number of mature individuals over 10 years by more than 30% (Ananjeva and Mazanaeva 2021).

In Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan this is a common species in sandy deserts; it has been found at densities of 18 animals per 2 km² in Kara Kum in Turkmenistan (Shammakov 1981), and up to 64 animals per hectare in Kazakhstan. It was reported as being abundant in the deserts of northern Afghanistan by Clark (1990). It is found in very low densities in Tajikistan, where it has been found at densities of 1–2 individuals per kilometre, and it is under pressure in this country due to loss of habitat. In the Kyzylkum region of Uzbekistan densities range from 2–8 individuals per kilometre based on surveys in 2010 (Nuridjanov 2011; D. Nuridjanov pers. comm. 2016). A survey of the Yamankum Sands found an average of six individuals per kilometre in July, of which 50% were juveniles (Nuridjanov 2011). In China, it is a rare species and declining (X.G. Guo and L. Shi pers. comm. 2018).

This species is generally associated with large, high sand dunes.

In the Kyzylkum Desert in Uzbekistan, animals appear to be associated exclusively with the unvegetated tops of dunes, being replaced by Phrynocephalus interscapularis on slopes and in depressions (Clemann et al. 2008; N. Ananjeva pers. comm. 2016). Animals dig small and shallow holes under shrubs to shelter. It feeds on insects, and sometimes plants (X.G. Guo pers. comm. 2018). Animals have also been recorded from flat desert areas, where they are confined to sandy flats with a low shrub cover; references to this species' occurrence on other substrates (Anderson 1999) are thought to be in error. Animals are often observed in suitable habitat close to roads (Anderson 1999). The annual activity period is between late March and early October (Ščerbak 2003). The female lays between one and six eggs in a clutch, and two clutches are laid per year and sexual maturity is reached at two years of age (Ščerbak 2003).

In Russia, it is a typical psammophile that lives on shifting dune-type sands with sparse shrubs and herbaceous vegetation (dzhuzgun, tamariks, kumarchik, Chernov and sandy wormwood, giant grate, sweet clover, etc.). On sands devoid of vegetation, it occurs in fewer numbers. Rarely settles on sandy dumps of roadsides in breakers. In spring and autumn, it adheres to hollows of blowing, in summer - slopes of shedding, and during the heat period - ridges on the tops of dunes. Burrows in the sand at a depth of 8–13 cm serve as shelters. It leaves for wintering in October, leaves in late March - early April, depending on weather conditions. Daily activity. Sexual maturity occurs in the third year of life, with a body length of about 6 cm. Females in populations are slightly larger than males. The mating season begins in April - May. During the season, the female makes two clutches, the first in late May - early June, the second in July. Clutch contains 3-4 eggs. Insects predominate in food, with their deficiency it feeds on other invertebrates and plant foods. Under yearlings appear at the end of July, mass release in the second half of August and in September (Ananjeva and Mazanaeva, 2021).

This species is locally threatened by the stabilization of dunes and the conversion of dune habitats to agricultural land (through irrigation), mining (sand extraction) and urbanisation. In the European portion of its range, declines in cattle grazing have resulted in dunes becoming more heavily-vegetated, eliminating suitable microhabitat for this species. Clennan et al. (2010) list general threats to vegetated desert habitats in the Kyzyzlkum region from overgrazing, increasing soil salinity, desertification and firewood extraction, but do not identify these as specific threats to this lizard. It is targeted for the international pet trade, and collection for the pet trade could have a large, but localized, impact on this species. Ecophysiological climate modelling based on recorded thermal tolerances predicted probabilities of around 50% that it would be lost from the highest elevations (around 1,000 m asl) but produced a high probability of persistence at low elevations (Sinervo et al. 2018), including its core distribution in Russia north of the Caspian Sea. Degradation of habitats associated with the overgrowth of sands, the removal of sand for construction needs, and partly with the economic development of territories. This leads to a progressive fragmentation of the range, because due to the fixation of blowing sands, desert-semi-desert landscapes with a complex mosaic of biotopes turn into a monotonous sandy steppe. Also, the fragmentation of the range is due to an increase in precipitation and the disappearance of sheep breeding in a number of areas of the Nogai steppe. Very small subpopulations isolated on remnant dunes often have a high density, but are vulnerable to stochastic extinction. Direct human destruction and capture for commercial purposes have been observed. In recent years anthropogenic impacts on the Sarykum Barkhans site, within Dagestansky Reserve have increased, which may lead to the extinction of this relict subpopulation (Doronin 2013, Ananjeva and Mazanaeva 2021).

This species is collected for the European pet trade and is also sold in low numbers in the United States. It is thought to be locally overcollected for this purpose.

In general no conservation activities are currently needed for this species as a whole, and despite a variety of local impacts in European Russia and its sporadic occurrence in this area it is widespread in this region.