Papers by Mohammed Shobrak
BMC Microbiology
Background In contrast with macroorganisms, that show well-documented biogeographical patterns in... more Background In contrast with macroorganisms, that show well-documented biogeographical patterns in distribution associated with local adaptation of physiology, behavior and life history, strong biogeographical patterns have not been found for microorganisms, raising questions about what determines their biogeography. Thus far, large-scale biogeographical studies have focused on free-living microbes, paying little attention to host-associated microbes, which play essential roles in physiology, behavior and life history of their hosts. Investigating cloacal gut microbiota of closely-related, ecologically similar free-living songbird species (Alaudidae, larks) inhabiting desert, temperate and tropical regions, we explored influences of geographical location and host species on α-diversity, co-occurrence of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) and genera, differentially abundant and dominant bacterial taxa, and community composition. We also investigated how geographical distance explained ...
Low genetic variation and high levels of inbreeding are usually a consequence of recent populatio... more Low genetic variation and high levels of inbreeding are usually a consequence of recent population declines in endangered species. From a conservation point of view, it is essential to genetically screen endangered populations to help assess their vulnerability to extinction and to properly create informed management actions towards their conservation efforts. The leopard,Panthera pardus, is a highly generalist predator with currently eight different subspecies inhabiting a wide range of habitats. Yet, genomic data is still lacking for the Critically Endangered Arabian leopard (P. p. nimr). Here, we sequenced the whole genome of two specimens of Arabian leopard and assembled the most complete genomic dataset for leopards to date, including genomic data for all current subspecies. Our phylogenomic analyses show that leopards are divided into two deeply divergent clades, one including the only African subspecies and a second one including all seven subspecies of Asian leopards. Intere...
Zachvatkinia (Zachvatkinia) repressae Negm & Alatawi, sp. n
<i>Zachvatkinia</i> (<i>Zachvatkinia</i>) <i>repressae</i> Ne... more <i>Zachvatkinia</i> (<i>Zachvatkinia</i>) <i>repressae</i> Negm &amp; Alatawi sp. n. (Figs. 1 ̶ 9) <b>Type material.</b> Male holotype (KSMA), 8 male and 18 female paratypes ex <i>Sterna repressa</i> Hartert, 1916 (Charadriiformes: Sternidae), Jana Island, Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia, 27 º 22 ' 10 "N, 49 º 53 ' 53 "E, 11 July 2012, leg. M.G. Nasser. Holotype, most male and female paratypes—KSMA; a paratype female and male—The Acarology Laboratory, Museum of Biological Diversity, The Ohio State University. <b>Description.</b> <i>Male</i> (Figs. 1–5) (holotype, range for 4 paratypes in parentheses): gnathosoma length 100 (90– 105), maximum width 80 (80–85). Idiosoma length 710 (650–720) from anterior end of propodosomal shield to level of bases of setae <i>h 3</i> posteriorly, greatest width 340 (322–348) (Fig. 1). Propodosomal shield: subtriangular, posterolateral angles rounded, posterior margin straight or slightly convex and with a pair of small transversely directed extensions, surface of shield without ornamentation, length along midline 180 (166–180), maximum width 210 (200–228), lengths of scapular setae <i>si</i> 26 (24–26) and <i>se</i> 125 (122–126), distance between setae <i>se-se</i> 180 (173–180) (Fig. 3). Humeral shields well developed, setae <i>c 2</i> 35 (32–36) situated on their anterior ends, lanceolate setae <i>c 3</i> 45 (44–46) long and macrosetae <i>cp</i> 125 (122–128) long. Hysteronotal shield: anterior margin straight or slightly concave, anterior angles acute, length from anterior margin to the bases of setae <i>h 3</i> 530 (515–542), width at anterior margin 300 (288–305). Openings of opisthosomal glands situated anterolateral to setae <i>e 1</i>. Terminal cleft narrow, subtriangular, anterior end extending beyond level of setae <i>e 2</i>, length of cleft from anterior end to bases of setae <i>h 3</i> 250 (248–253). Setae <i>ps 1</i> 60 (57–62) long, situated on lateral margins of supranal concavity, their tips almost extending to bases of setae <i>h 3</i>. Macrosetae <i>h 2</i> and <i>h [...]
Zachvatkinia (Zachvatkinia) sternae Canestrini & Fanzago 1876
<i>Zachvatkinia</i> (<i>Zachvatkinia</i>) <i>sternae</i> (Can... more <i>Zachvatkinia</i> (<i>Zachvatkinia</i>) <i>sternae</i> (Canestrini &amp; Fanzago, 1876) <i>Dermaleichus sternae</i> Canestrini &amp; Fanzago, 1876: 109. <b>Specimen examined.</b> One male ex sooty gull, <i>Ichthyaetus hemprichii</i> (Bruch, 1853) (Charadriiformes: Laridae), Umm Al-Malik Island, Red Sea, Tabuk province, Saudi Arabia, 25 º 13 ' 48 ''N, 37 º 8 ' 37 ''E, 12 November 2011, leg. M. Shobrak. <b>Remarks.</b> In Saudi Arabia, the sooty gull is considered as a coastal gull found throughout the year in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf, especially around fishing ports. It is distributed through Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, India, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Maldives, Mozambique, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates and Yemen (Pons <i>et al</i>. 2005; Cottridge 2006; Porter &amp; Aspinall 2010). The type specimens of <i>Z. sternae</i> were collected from <i>Chlidonias niger</i> (Linnaeus, 1978) in Italy (Canestrini &amp; Fanzago 1876) and further it was recorded by these authors also from <i>Sterna hirundo</i> Linnaeus, 1758 (Canestrini &amp; Fanzago 1877). We consider the collection of <i>Z. sternae</i> from <i>I. hemprichii</i> to represent a new host record for this species although we collected only one specimen of it. The Saudi male specimen is very similar to the redescription done by Mironov (1989 a: 97) who depicted the ventral setae <i>cx</i> <i>3</i> (= <i>3 b</i>) and <i>c</i> <i>1</i> (= <i>3 a</i>) at one level. However, <i>3 b</i> are distinctly posterior to the level of <i>3 a</i> in the Saudi specimen. We consider this difference to represent intraspecific variation. This is the first record of this species in Saudi Arabia. <i>Z. sternae</i> occurs in Italy (Canestrini &amp; Fanzago 1876, 1877), Russia (Mironov, 1989 a) and Saudi Arabia (present study).
Saemundssonia (Saemundssonia) lari O. Fabricius 1780
<i>Saemundssonia</i> (<i>Saemundssonia</i>) <i>lari</i> (O. F... more <i>Saemundssonia</i> (<i>Saemundssonia</i>) <i>lari</i> (O. Fabricius, 1780) (Figs 3 e,f, 4 d) <i>Pediculus lari</i> O. Fabricius, 1780: 219. <i>Saemundssonia</i> (<i>Saemundssonia</i>) <i>lari</i> (O. Fabricius, 1780); Price <i>et al</i>. 2003: 234. <b>Type host.</b> <i>Larus hyperboreus</i> Gunnerus, 1767 —Glaucous gull. <b>Material examined</b> (n = 53). Ex <i>Larus argentatus</i> Pontoppidan, 1763: 2 &amp;male;, 8 &amp;female;, 3 N, Umm Al-Malik Island, Red Sea (25 º 13 ' 48 ''N, 37 º 8 ' 37 ''E), 12 Nov. 2011. Ex <i>Ichthyaetus leucophthalmus</i> (Temminck, 1825): 5 &amp;male;, 10 &amp;female;, 5 N, Jazan Fish Market (16 o 54 ' 12 ''N, 42 o 32 ' 40 ''E), 24 Nov. 2012. Ex <i>Larus armenicus</i> Buturlin, 1934: 2 &amp;male;, 7 &amp;female;, Jazan Fish Market (16 o 54 ' 9 ''N, 42 o 32 ' 40 ''E), 23 Nov. 2012. Ex <i>Ichthyaetus hemprichii</i> (Bruch, 1853): 2 &amp;male;, 4 &amp;female;, Jeddah (21 o 24 ' 56 ''N, 39 o 11 ' 13 ''E), 25 Apr. 2013. Ex <i>Larus michahellis</i> Naumann, 1840: 3 &amp;male;, 1 &amp;female;, 1 N, Jazan Coast (16 o 56 '' 22 ''N, 42 o 32 ' 35 ''E), 12 Dec. 2013. Species of <i>Saemundssonia</i> live primarily on the head and neck of the host. They are highly pigmented and are characterized by male genitalia, female subgenital plate and clypeal signature. <i>Saemundssonia</i> (<i>S.</i>) <i>lari</i> parasitises a great number of gull species (Price <i>et al.</i> 2003: 234), and is distinguished from other <i>Saemundssonia</i> species by the male genitalia (Fig. 4 d), as other characters may be confusing (Palma 2000; 2012). These are the first records of <i>S.</i> (<i>S.</i>) <i>lari</i> from the Armenian (<i>Larus armenicus</i>) and the yellow-legged gulls (<i>Larus michahellis</i>).
Journal of Biogeography, 2021
Aim: Deserts are generally perceived as areas of low diversity, and hence receive little attentio... more Aim: Deserts are generally perceived as areas of low diversity, and hence receive little attention from researchers and conservationists. Squamates are the dominant group of vertebrates in arid regions, and as such represent an ideal model to study biodiversity patterns in these areas. We examine spatial patterns of diversity, evolutionary history and endemism of terrestrial squamates of the Arabian Peninsula and test hypotheses on the role of topography and history of isolation so as to identify possible environmental drivers of diversification. Location: The Arabian Peninsula. Taxon: Squamate reptiles (Squamata; lizards and snakes). Methods: We generated distribution maps for all Arabian squamate species (including yet undescribed) and reconstructed their phylogenetic relationships using existing and newly produced genetic data for nearly all the species. We assessed patterns of the distribution of species richness, phylogenetic diversity and phylogenetic endemism across the peninsula to identify areas that could be considered evolutionary or endemicity hotspots for squamates. We evaluated community turnover across the peninsula and assessed the possible environmental drivers affecting the diversity of Arabian squamates in a regression framework. Results: The main hotspots of Arabian squamate diversity are mostly along the mountains that rim the peninsula while the most arid, central regions support a low diversity of species. The distribution of the phylogenetic diversity mirrors that of the species richness. Phylogenetic endemism is also highest in the mountains, especially when only endemic species are analysed. The deserts of northern Arabia are poor in terms of species richness and they show low connectivity to the peninsular communities. Topographic heterogeneity is the strongest predictor for Arabian squamates, followed by elevation. There is no correlation between richness and temperature. Main conclusions: The mountains of Arabia support rich and unique squamate communities that are dominated by local radiations of closely related and narrow-ranging species. In particular, the Asir Mountains of SW Arabia, Dhofar Province of Oman and Agamidae Acanthocercus adramitanus YES KU097507 KU169222 KU097582 KU097645 Agamidae Acanthocercus yemensis YES KU097509 KU169224 KU097581 KU097646 Agamidae Phrynocephalus arabicus YES KT182055 KF691651 KF691675 KJ363434 KJ363507 Agamidae Phrynocephalus longicaudatus YES KF691623 KF691707 KF691650 KF691674 KJ363433 Agamidae Phrynocephalus nejdensis YES KT182061 Agamidae Phrynocephalus sakoi YES KT182047 KJ195909 KJ195950 Agamidae Pseudotrapelus aqabensis YES KU097464 KP994947 KU169191 KU097554 KU097630 KP994934 Agamidae Pseudotrapelus dhofarensis YES KU097450 KP979759 KU169176 KU097574 KU097590 KP994932 Agamidae Pseudotrapelus jensvindumi YES KU097476 KP979760 KU169202 KU097533 KU097607 KP994936 Agamidae Pseudotrapelus neumanni YES KU097474 KU169200 KU097556 KU097638 Agamidae Pseudotrapelus sinaitus YES KU097434 KP994943 KU169157 KU097526 KU097643 JX839249 KP994929 Agamidae Pseudotrapelus sp_Riyadh YES MK176908 MK176910 MK176912 MK176914 Agamidae Stellagama stellio YES GU128464 GU128500 JX838986 JX839247 Agamidae Trapelus agnetae YES MW198205 MW204509 MW204517 MW204529 MW204542 MW204556 Agamidae Trapelus flavimaculatus YES MW198206 MW204519 MW204530 MW204544 MW204558 Agamidae Trapelus ruderatus YES MW198207 MW204510 MW204518 MW204531 MW204543 MW204557 Agamidae Uromastyx aegyptia YES FJ639658 FJ639620 MF960631 MF993250 MF960319 MF960419 MF960515 Agamidae Uromastyx benti YES EF081056 MF960603 MF993220 MF960288 MF960393 MF960496 Agamidae Uromastyx ornata YES AB641361 EF081046 MF960626 AB641376 MF993245 MF960313 MF960413 MF960510 Agamidae Uromastyx shobraki YES EF081068 MF960599 MF993215 MF960286 MF960392 MF960494 Agamidae Uromastyx thomasi YES MF980217 MF960591 MF993210 MF960280 MF960388 MF960490 Agamidae Uromastyx yemenensis YES AB114447 AB114447 AB114447 AB114447 AB114447 AB114447 AB114447 MF960295 MF960396 MF960499 Boidae Eryx jayakari YES MW198196 MW198204 MW204508 DQ465566 DQ465565 Boidae Eryx jaculus YES KJ841055 KU986317 Colubridae Dasypeltis arabica YES AY611854 AY612036 AY611945 Colubridae Dolichophis jugularis YES AY486917 AY486968 AY487007 AY487046 AY486941 Colubridae Eirenis coronella YES MW198195 MW198203 MW204505 MW204512 MW204515 MW204534 MW204559 Colubridae Lytorhynchus diadema YES KX909259 KX909293 KX909324 KX909363 Colubridae Lytorhynchus gasperetti NO Colubridae Platyceps elegantissimus YES AY039147 AY039185 Colubridae Platyceps insulanus NO Colubridae Platyceps rhodorachis YES AY486921 AY486973 AY487012 AY487051 AY486945 Colubridae Platyceps rogersi YES AY188082 AY188041 AY486974 AY487013 AY487052 AY188002 Colubridae Platyceps saharicus YES MF767311 MF767373 MF767350 Colubridae Platyceps variabilis YES MW198200 MW204506 Colubridae Platyceps thomasi YES MW198199 MW204507 Colubridae Rhynchocalamus arabicus YES KT878842 KT878847 KT878854 KT878851 Colubridae Spalerosophis diadema YES KX694605 KX694668 KX694865 KX694764 KX694820 KX695051 Colubridae Telescopus dhara YES MK372073 MK372111 MK373062 MK373097 MK373132 MK373171 MK373243 MK373211 Elapidae Naja arabica YES GQ359663 GQ359749 GQ359500 GQ359582 Elapidae Walterinnesia aegyptia YES U96807 AF217838 AY058963 AY059001 AY058988 AY058943 Elapidae Walterinnesia morgani YES
Figure S 1 In Cutting The Gordian Knot: Phylogenetic And Ecological Diversification Of The Mesalina Brevirostris Species Complex (Squamata, Lacertidae)
Figure S 1. Results of the BI analysis of concatenated mtDNA data and GMYC species delimitation a... more Figure S 1. Results of the BI analysis of concatenated mtDNA data and GMYC species delimitation analysis. (a) MCC tree from the mtDNA analysis with posterior probabilities ≥ 0.95 shown by nodes. Sample codes correspond to those in Table S 1. Branches colored in red indicate putative species identified by the GMYC species delimitation analysis. (b) Likelihood values produced by GMYC to estimate the transition between cladogenesis and intraspecific coalescence. (c) Lineagethroughtime plot based on the depicted tree that shows the transition from interspecific to intraspecific branching events (red line). The time scale in (b) and (c) is relative.
F I G U R E 3 In Cutting The Gordian Knot: Phylogenetic And Ecological Diversification Of The Mesalina Brevirostris Species Complex (Squamata, Lacertidae)
F I G U R E 3 Results of 100 replicates of niche identity (above diagonal) and background tests (... more F I G U R E 3 Results of 100 replicates of niche identity (above diagonal) and background tests (below diagonal). Observed niche overlap (Schoener's D) is given in the upper right corner of each graph and is also indicated by red bars. The identity tests show that the niches are significantly different from models based on pooled and randomly resampled records for all species pairs except M. bernoullii — M. microlepis. Scales of the x axis of all identity tests are 0 – 1. Background tests show two comparisons, one of the occurrences of the species in row against the background for the species in column (black bars and p values), the other of occurrences of the species in column compared with the background for the species in row (grey bars and p values). Note that the scale of the x axes differs in the background graphs. Asterisks by p values denote significant results. Names of taxa correspond to changes proposed in this study
Figures 8 – 9 In Feather Mites Of The Genus Zachvatkinia Dubinin, 1949 (Astigmata: Analgoidea: Avenzoariidae) From Saudi Arabia: A New Species And Two New Records
FIGURES 8 – 9. Zachvatkinia repressae sp. n., female— 8, propodosomal shield. 9, genital area. Ab... more FIGURES 8 – 9. Zachvatkinia repressae sp. n., female— 8, propodosomal shield. 9, genital area. Abbreviations: eg—epigynum, gp—genital papillae, of—oviporus fold.
Figure 5 In Feather Mites Of The Genus Zachvatkinia Dubinin, 1949 (Astigmata: Analgoidea: Avenzoariidae) From Saudi Arabia: A New Species And Two New Records
FIGURE 5. Zachvatkinia repressae sp. n., male, A—tarsus III, B—tarsus IV. Abbreviations: as—apica... more FIGURE 5. Zachvatkinia repressae sp. n., male, A—tarsus III, B—tarsus IV. Abbreviations: as—apical spine-like extension, db—dorsobasal spine-like extensions.
Figures 1–5 In A New Species Of The Genus Amyrsidea (Phthiraptera: Amblycera: Menoponidae) Parasitizing Domestic Chickens In Saudi Arabia
FIGURES 1–5. Amyrsidea (Argimenopon) saudiensis n. sp.: 1, female habitus. 2, male habitus. 3, fe... more FIGURES 1–5. Amyrsidea (Argimenopon) saudiensis n. sp.: 1, female habitus. 2, male habitus. 3, female head and prothorax. 4, male genitalia. 5, hypopharyngeal sclerites.
Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 2019
The agamid Pseudotrapelus lizards inhabit the mountainous areas of the Arabian Peninsula and east... more The agamid Pseudotrapelus lizards inhabit the mountainous areas of the Arabian Peninsula and eastern North Africa. Currently six Pseudotrapelus species are recognised, though diagnostic morphological characters are still lacking, creating great difficulty in describing new species. Recently, two specimens of Pseudotrapelus were collected from the vicinity of Riyadh in central Saudi Arabia, an area that was not sampled in previous phylogenetic studies. In here we used both mitochondrial and nuclear data to investigate the phylogenetic position of the new samples, and assess their phylogenetic relationships with the other recognised species of Pseudotrapelus from across the distribution range of the genus. We used a multilocus approach of haplotype networks, concatenated datasets and species trees, performed mitochondrial and nuclear species delimitation analyses, and estimated divergence times. In general, our results support previous molecular studies and uncover the presence of cryptic diversity within Pseudotrapelus. The phylogenetic structure of the genus is of two major clades and within them seven distinct, delimited phylogenetic groups belonging to the six recognised species and the seventh to the individuals from Riyadh. The Riyadh specimens were distinct in all analyses performed. We suggest that the new specimens from the Riyadh area are a distinct lineage, forming a clade with their phylogenetic relatives, P. sinaitus and P. chlodnickii. The clade formed by these three species diverged during the Late Miocene around 6.4 Ma, with cladogenesis possibly facilitated by vicariance and isolation caused due to climatic fluctuations and the progression of sandy areas. Our results suggest further morphological research is necessary to revise the taxonomic status of this lineage and of the entire genus.
Avian Biology Research, 2015
Saunders's Tern ( Sternula saundersi) is a small ground-nesting seabird which breeds in the c... more Saunders's Tern ( Sternula saundersi) is a small ground-nesting seabird which breeds in the coasts and islands of Africa and Asia bordering the northern Indian Ocean. Despite having a wide distribution, little information is available on the breeding biology of this species. This study was carried out on Farasan Islands, Saudi Arabia, to document some aspects of the breeding biology of this species using a small trail camera. Such camera systems can reveal the incubation routine of this species in such a harsh environment. The midday ground temperature in March may reach up to 50 °C, while the midnight ground temperature may only reach 20 °C, thus leaving the eggs unattended even for few minutes, especially during the hottest and coldest parts of the day, may cause nest failure. This huge variation in ground temperatures between day and night gave us an excellent opportunity to test the behavioural mechanism used by the parents for maintaining the optimal egg temperature so as t...
Does size matter? Comparison of body temperature and activity of free-living Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) and the smaller Arabian sand gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa marica) in the Saudi desert
Journal of Comparative Physiology B, 2011
Heterothermy, a variability in body temperature beyond the normal limits of homeothermy, is widel... more Heterothermy, a variability in body temperature beyond the normal limits of homeothermy, is widely viewed as a key adaptation of arid-adapted ungulates. However, desert ungulates with a small body mass, i.e. a relatively large surface area-to-volume ratio and a small thermal inertia, are theoretically less likely to employ adaptive heterothermy than are larger ungulates. We measured body temperature and activity patterns, using implanted data loggers, in free-ranging Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx, ±70 kg) and the smaller Arabian sand gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa marica, ±15 kg) inhabiting the same Arabian desert environment, at the same time. Compared to oryx, sand gazelle had higher mean daily body temperatures (F(1,6) = 47.3, P = 0.0005), higher minimum daily body temperatures (F(1,6) = 42.6, P = 0.0006) and higher maximum daily body temperatures (F(1,6) = 11.0, P = 0.02). Despite these differences, both species responded similarly to changes in environmental conditions. As predicted for adaptive heterothermy, maximum daily body temperature increased (F(1,6) = 84.0, P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.0001), minimum daily body temperature decreased (F(1,6) = 92.2, P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.0001), and daily body temperature amplitude increased (F(1,6) = 97.6, P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.0001) as conditions got progressively hotter and drier. There were no species differences in activity levels, however, both gazelle and oryx showed a biphasic or crepuscular rhythm during the warm wet season but shifted to a more nocturnal rhythm during the hot dry season. Activity was attenuated during the heat of the day at times when both species selected cool microclimates. These two species of Arabian ungulates employ heterothermy, cathemerality and shade seeking very similarly to survive the extreme, arid conditions of Arabian deserts, despite their size difference.
Journal of Experimental Biology, 2012
Selective brain cooling is a thermoregulatory effector proposed to conserve body water and, as su... more Selective brain cooling is a thermoregulatory effector proposed to conserve body water and, as such, may help artiodactyls cope with aridity. We measured brain and carotid blood temperature, using implanted data loggers, in five Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) in the desert of Saudi Arabia. On average, brain temperature was 0.24±0.05°C lower than carotid blood temperature for four oryx in April. Selective brain cooling was enhanced in our Arabian oryx compared with another species from the same genus (gemsbok Oryx gazella gazella) exposed to similar ambient temperatures but less aridity. Arabian oryx displayed a lower threshold (37.8±0.1°C vs 39.8±0.4°C), a higher frequency (87±6% vs 15±15%) and a higher maximum magnitude (1.2±0.2°C vs 0.5±0.3°C) of selective brain cooling than did gemsbok. The dominant male oryx displayed less selective brain cooling than did any of the other oryx, but selective brain cooling was enhanced in this oryx as conditions became hotter and drier. Enhanced selective brain cooling in Arabian oryx supports the hypothesis that selective brain cooling would bestow survival advantages for artiodactyl species inhabiting hot hyper-arid environments.
Mesalina bernoullii Jiří Šmíd & Jiří Moravec & Václav Gvoždík & Jan Štundl & Daniel Frynta & Petros Lymberakis & Paschalia Kapli & Thomas Wilms & Andreas Schmitz & Mohammed Shobrak & Saeed Hosseinian Yousefkhani & Eskandar Rastegar-Pouyani & Aurora M. Castilla & Johannes Els & Werner Mayer 2017, ...
<b> <i>Mesalina bernoullii</i> (Schenkel, 1901) comb. nov.</b> Holotype. ... more <b> <i>Mesalina bernoullii</i> (Schenkel, 1901) comb. nov.</b> Holotype. NMB 4396 . Type locality: " Palmyra " (Syria). MorphoBank pictures: M407230–M407235.
Mesalina saudiarabica Moravec, Smid, Schmitz, Shobrak, Wilms
<i>Mesalina saudiarabica</i> Moravec, Šmíd, Schmitz, Shobrak, Wilms – sp. n. <i>... more <i>Mesalina saudiarabica</i> Moravec, Šmíd, Schmitz, Shobrak, Wilms – sp. n. <i>Mesalina brevirostris</i> – Kapli <i>et al.</i> (2015) <i>Mesalina</i> sp. – Kapli <i>et al</i>. (2015) Holotype. ZFMK 91912, subadult male, Mahazat asSayd, Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia, 22.237 N, 41.843 E, 1000 m a.s.l., collected in October 2006 by T. Wilms. MorphoBank pictures: M407306–M407312. Paratype. ZFMK 86583, subadult male, Mahazat asSayd, near Al Muwayh, Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia, 22.395 N 41.753 E, 960 m a.s.l., collected in October 2006 by T. Wilms. MorphoBank picture: M410851. Referred material not included in the type series. NMP 6 F 2930 (photovoucher), adult male, observed on the type locality in October 2006 by T. Wilms. Diagnosis. A species of <i>Mesalina</i> and a member of the <i>M. brevirostris</i> species complex as revealed by the genetic analyses and characterized by the following combination of characters: (1) genetic (uncorrected) distance of 2.0% from <i>M. brevirostris</i>, 2.7% from <i>M. bernoullii</i>, and 2.8% from <i>M. microlepis</i> for the <i>12 S</i> (after Gblocks); 2.9% from <i>M. brevirostris</i>, 3.3% from <i>M. bernoullii</i>, and 4.0% from <i>M. microlepis</i> for the <i>16S</i> (after Gblocks); 9.5% from <i>M. brevirostris</i>, 7.5% from <i>M. bernoullii</i>, and 10.8% from <i>M. microlepis</i> for the <i>cytb</i>; (2) low number of dorsal scales (41–42); (3) low number of collar plates (6–8); (4) low number of preanal scales (2–3); (5) low number of femoral pores in males (12–13); (6) having 1–2 large semitransparent scales in the lower eyelid window; (7) in life, dorsum light cinnamon brown with a pattern of small whitish and larger dark cinnamon spots arranged in more or less regular longitudinal rows. Most of the whitish spots are not edged with dark brown color. The dark cinnamon brown spots predominate on flanks where they form a characteristic longitudinal lateral row that continues onto the tail. Ventral side bright white, sharply contrasting with the coloration of the dorsu [...]
Figure 2 In Chewing Lice (Phthiraptera: Amblycera, Ischnocera) From Red Sea Gulls With New Host-Parasite Records
FIGURE 2. Map showing collection sites along the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia. 1, Umm Al-Malik I... more FIGURE 2. Map showing collection sites along the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia. 1, Umm Al-Malik Island, Near the coast of Tabuk; 2, the coast of Jeddah, Jeddah Islamic Port; 3, The coast of Jazan, near Jazan University; 4, Jazan Fish Market.
Corresponding author: Eslam Adly, E-mail: [email protected] & [email protected] Copyr... more Corresponding author: Eslam Adly, E-mail: [email protected] & [email protected] Copyright © 2020, Nasser et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Host habitat and position on host affecting the evolution of chewing lice (Phthiraptera): Phylogenetic analysis of Ischnocera in Saudi Arabia
Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Intestinal Bacteria Isolated from Captive Adult Houbara Bustards ( ) Exposed to Natural Weather Conditions in Saudi Arabia
3 Abstract: Defining enteric bacterial flora of clinically healthy capitive houbara bustard and t... more 3 Abstract: Defining enteric bacterial flora of clinically healthy capitive houbara bustard and their resistance to antibiotics are an important step in understanding the epidemiology of bacterial diseases. These diseases may affect their population in captivity and so the environment after their release. The study amied to identify the intestinal bacterial flora associated with houbara bustard in captivity and their resistance to currently used antibiotics in Saudi Arabia. Samples from capitive houbara and their environment were cultured for enteric bacteria, tested for resistance to antibiotics and screend for integrons by polymerase chain reaction. A culture based method recoverd a total of 118 bacterial isolates and bacteriological identification revealed that the most encountered species were Escherichia coli 66 (55.9%), followed by Enterococcus sp. 19 (16.1%). The Salmonella sp. Was only detected in 6 (5.1%) samples. All tested samples were negative for Campylobacter sp. The a...
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