This study combines palynological, ecological, and molecular techniques to elucidate the taxonomic relationships within the complex genus Centaurea. By analysing quantitative parameters such as P, E, P/E ratio, colpus length, exine thickness, and ornamentation from SEM studies, we investigated pollen morphology across five species—C. behen, C. regia, C. iberica, C. virgata, and C. solstitialis—collected along a climatic gradient in Iraq, Iran, and Turkey. The findings indicate significant ecotypic variation strongly associated with local environmental conditions. Iranian populations, adapted to dry conditions, exhibit thicker exines and longer colpi, suggesting enhanced desiccation resistance. Turkish populations tend to have thinner exines and longer grains, likely optimised for temperate pollination environments. Iraqi populations show intermediate pollen traits, reflecting their role as transitional ecotypes in semi-arid regions. These results highlight how environmental adaptation shapes reproductive morphology and offer a basis for integrative taxonomy, leveraging adaptive traits to refine species delimitation and clarify phylogenetic relationships within Centaurea.
Four new species of Thrips (Thripidae) Chirothrips imperatus sp. nov.; Frankliniella megacephala sp. nov.; Retithrips bagdadensis sp. nov; Taeniothrips tigridis sp. Nov.; from middle of Iraq, are described and illustrated with their hosts.
Ziziphora persica Bunge is recorded as a new Study in Iraq. This species has been collected from Jabal Sinjar in Nineveh province in the north western part of Iraq. The morphological characters, habitat and geographical distribution of the species with a key to Ziziphora L. species in Iraq have been provided.
This study was designed for isolation and molecular identification of Nontuberculous Mycobacterium (NTM) from fish during the period between October and December 2017 from Karbla province, Iraq. This study included 200 fresh fish samples from four different species including Spondyliosoma cantharus, Liza abu, Carassius carassius and Cyprinuscarpio. Three samples of each fish were taken including gills, muscles and all internal organs. The samples were processed by decontamination, concentration of 4% sodium hydroxide, and 0.1 ml of sediment was streaking on Löwenstein Johnson (LJ) media; then the bacterial cultures were incubated at 28-30 °C for 3days up to 4 weeks and suspected colonies were stained with acid fast stain to confir
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Background: Preterm infants face significant health challenges due to the underdevelopment of their organ systems. The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is considered a stressful environment, which can disrupt self-regulation and maturation. Developmental supportive care strategies have been shown to enhance neurodevelopmental outcomes in neonates by mimicking intrauterine conditions, reducing stress, and providing appropriate sensory stimulation. Nursing interventions, particularly developmental care, are essential in improving neonatal health, with nurses playing a pivotal role in implementing these strategies. Aim: This article aimed to provide a comprehensive narrative synthesis of recent research on the impact of development
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The easternmost extent of the Pharaoh Eagle Owl Bubo ascalaphus (Savigny, 1809)
distribution has remained enigmatic due to id entification problems and lack of owl research.
In Iraq, B. ascalaphus has been reported from only few localities in western Iraqi deserts;
while its occurrence in Iran has not been reported before this study. In 2017 2020, several
new records of B. ascala phus in western through southeastern Iraq were made and a new
distribution range in western Iran was confirmed. Furthermore, field identification,
interspecific relationships and conservation status of B. ascalaphus in Iraq and Iran were
comprehensively di scussed.
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This paper provides an identification key to the species of Orthetrum Newman, 1833 (Odonata, Libellulidae), including six species that were collected from different localities in Iraq.
The species of O. anceps (Schneider, 1845) is registered as a new record in Iraq; the most important characters which are used in diagnostic key are included
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Rationale, aims and objectives: A review of studies published over the last six years gives update about this hot topic. In the middle of COVID-19 pandemic, this study findings can help understand how population may perceive vaccinations. The objectives of this study were to review the literature covering the perceptions about influenza vaccines and to determine factors influencing the acceptance of vaccination using Health Belief Model (HBM). Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed utilizing PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Three keywords were used: Influenza vaccine, perceptions, and Middle East. Empirical studies that dealt with people/ HCW perceptions of influenza vaccine in the Middle East and writt
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Reishi Mushroom, Ganoderma, is considered one of important wood-decaying medicinal mushrooms. This study aimed to identify three samples of this genus in Mosul city in February and April 2019. Three species of Ganoderma were collected from three various trees including Eucalyptus, Morus, and Olea (olive) in Mosul City, Northern Iraq. Their identifications and their DNA sequences were genetically identified by using PCR techniques according to detect nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. Results exhibited the finding of Ganoderma resinaceum, Ganoderma applanatum, and Ganoderma sp. This study is first attempt to identify Reishi Mushroom by molecular methods in Iraq. Thus, the current study is considered new good d
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