A square experimental arena with vegetation on one interior side was deployed in a Sharjah, United Arab Emirates desert. Individual darkling beetles (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) Akis subtricostata Redtenbacher, 1850 and Trachyderma philistina Reiche and Saulcy, 1857 were placed inside the arena at temperatures ranging between 27 - 49°C. Whether they chose the vegetated side of the arena or not was recorded, as well as how long it took for them to reach the vegetated side, if they chose it. Both species preferred the vegetated side at all temperatures, and the chance of them choosing the vegetated side increased significantly with increasing temperature (logistic regression, p = 0.0096 and p = 0.0003 for

This study aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of seven calliphorid species of third- instar larvae that were collected from central Iraq. The purpose was to morphologically characterize these species and develop an identification key to differentiate them from closely related species. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) graphical images and high-resolution traditional optical microscopes were used to analyze the morphological characteristics of the species Calliphora vomitoria (Linnaeus, 1758), C. vicina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, Chrysomya albiceps (Widemann, 1819), Ch. rufifacies (Macquart, 1844), Ch. megacephala (Fabricius, 1794), Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann, 1830), and L. sericata (Meigen, 1826). An identification key was constructe

Examination of the blood and the alimentary canal of moorhens in two sites around
Baghdad area in the middle of Iraq showed that 38% of the examined birds were infected with
one or more of the following parasites, Haemoproteus baghdadensis, H. gallinulae
(Protozoa), Cyclocoelum mutbile (Trematoda), Diorchis inflata, Ligula intestinalis (Cestoda),
Amidostomum fulicae and Porrcaecum sp. (Nematoda) .The stomach analysis revealed that
the bird is omnivorous in feeding including wid range of invertebrate animals with some plant
origin food items.

The humid and warm conditions in greenhouses provide an excellent environment for
pests’ living conditions, and therefore, they provide ideal medium for alien introductions.
Molluscs are among the most significant pests that infest plastic covered greenhouses. To
identify and report their mollusc species, 23 greenhouses in Iraq were surveyed between
March 2023 and April 2024. Of these, 11 were found to be infested with snails. A total of 158
specimens were collected and morphologically identified to seven species: Monacha
obstructa (L. Pfeiffer, 1842), Eobania vermiculata (O.F. Müller, 1774), Xeropicta krynickii
(Krynicki, 1833), Rumina decollata (Linnaeus, 1758), Polygyra cereolus (Megerle Von
Mühlfeld, 1818)

A rhabditid Mesorhabditis franseni Fuchs, 1933 (Family, Mesorhabditidae) and
pratylenchid nematode Pratylenchus goodeyi Sher and Allen, 1953 (Family, Pratylenchidae).
They were illustrated by molecular aspects. All specimens of both genera were cultured and
reproduced for DNA extraction. M. franseni (IRQ.ZAh2 PP528819.1 isolate) was
characterized. P. goodeyi (IRQ.ZAh5 PP535537 isolate) was also characterized. Selected
specimens of these two species were molecularly characterized using the partial ITS-rRNA
gene sequences. The ITS-rRNA sequence of IRQ.ZAh2 PP528819.1 isolate had a range of
(98.62%-100%) sequence homology with ITS-rRNA sequence of M. franseni available in
NCBI database. While, the ITS-rRNA sequence o

The current study aimed to identify the morphological, histological, and histochemical
composition of the proventriculus and the gizzard of the slender-billed gull Chroicocephalus
genei (Breme, 1839) (Aves, Charadriiformes, Laridae) using a light microscope.
Morphological analysis revealed that the stomach of the bird is divided into proventriculus
and gizzard. The proventriculus is situated to the left of the body's midline and is completely
encompassed by the liver's left lobe, and appears pear-shaped or elongated oval and has
smooth walls. The gizzard has a pear-shaped muscular organ and is located to the left of the
midline in the lower quarter of the abdominal cavity. The results of histological examination
s

The taxonomic features of the Casuarinaceae family were carefully examined to determine
which characters were most trustworthy for taxonomic delimitation. Morphological
characteristics that represented habit, leaf teeth, article, phyllichnia, male spike, female cone,
samara, and seed were used in our evaluation. Fieldwork revealed that seven taxa were
present, among which four species belonged to the genus Casuarina L., 1759. On the other
hand, herbarium studies identified the previous record of three species belonging to the genus
Allocasuarina L.A.S. Johnson, 1982, nevertheless could not be found in the field. Casuarina
cunninghamiana Miq., 1848 and Casuarina equisetifolia L., 1759 were represented in Egypt
by t

This work deals with the description of histopathological effects of the nematode Hartertia
gallinarurn Theiler. 1919 on the digestive system of the seesee partridge collected from Qa’ra
area in the western desert district of Iraq. along with some notes on intensity fluctuation of the
parasite according to the seasons. It is found that the major effects of the nematode are
necrosis and fibrosis of gizzard: granulomatous reaction. necrosis and mononuclear
infiltration of proventriculus: damage of mucosal lining of intestine and lymphocytic
infiltration of liver.

To identify the fungi associated with water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes [Mart.] Solms), an aquatic weed, which presents in Tigris river from Baghdad south ward. Five regions from middle and south of Iraq (Al-Noumanya, Saeid Bin-Jubier, Al-Azizia, Al-Reyfay and Al-Hay) were selected for this study. Twelve fungal species were isolated. Alternaria alternata, Acremonium sp and Cladsporium herbarum, were the most frequently species (91.66 % ,50 % and 25 %) respectively. The fungi Alternaria alternata, Acremonium sp. and Phoma eupyrena were more aggressive to water hyacinth as (91.66%,83,33%, and 75%) in pathogenicity test.

No detailed morphological, palynological, or molecular studies had previously been conducted on Pseuderucaria clavata (Boiss. & Reut.) O. E. Schulz (1916) (Brassicales, Brassicaceae). This species exhibits two distinct forms with different flower colors: violet and white. A taxonomic revision of these color forms identified two subspecies Pseuderucaria clavata (Boiss. & Reut.) O. E. Schulz subsp. clavata (1916), and P. clavata subsp. tourneuxii (Cross.) Maire (1933). Molecular study using the chloroplast barcoding markers rbcL and matK to elucidate the taxonomic relationships approved, and supported that the two color forms represent two different subspecies. The sequences of the two confirmed subspecies have been documented and

   The present study introduced a new description of the last larval instar of the oak tree borer, Latipalpis johanidesi Niehuis, 2002 (Coleoptera, Buprestidae). The larval specimens were collected from the oak trees within the mountainous areas, Erbil governorate, Iraqi Kurdistan Region, during the beginning of April till the end of May 2019.

   Schematic sketches were provided to illustrate unclear morphological features, and the results presented importance morphological evidence for confirming the identification of this species in the larval stage precisely.

The Nilgiri large burrowing spider, Haploclastus nilgirinus Pocock, 1899, an endemic tarantula in the Nilgiris Region of India, is critical for conservation yet poorly understood in terms of its ecology and habitat. This study addresses this gap by examining the nesting habits, tree-hole dynamics, and prey diversity of the species in Coonoor, The Nilgiris, specifically within tea plantations and fruit orchards. Observations focused on seven pear trees serving as nesting sites, with detailed measurements of nesting holes, including outer and inner circumference, depth, trunk base, ground-based height (gbh), and height from the ground. Data were collected over four consecutive months, both morning and evening. Insect diversity in the orcha

The study aimed to describe the anatomical, histological, and histochemical structure of the proventriculuc of adult male Eurasian marsh harrier, Circus aeruginosus (Linnaeus, 1766) (Accipitriformes, Accipitridae). Six birds were used for this study. The histological sections of proventriculus were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid Schiff, and alcain blue. The proventriculus, representing the upper stomach, appeared as a conical structure with a thick wall connecting the caudal end of the thoracic esophagus to the gizzard. It had a light brown color. Microscopic examination revealed that the proventriculus wall consists of the outer tunica serosa, the tunica muscularis, tunica sub mucosa, and the inner tunica mucosa.
T

Cyprinidae species are the most abundant and widely distributed fish species in the inland waters of Iraq. Cyprinids are complex species, and it is difficult to identify them on the basis of morphology. Thus, the morphological characteristics must be achieved and confirmed by molecular analysis. Twenty specimens of Cyprinion kais Heckel, 1843 (Piscies, Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae) were collected from two localities at Tigris River in the middle of Iraq: five specimens from Al-Tharthar Lake, Saladin Province, and 15 specimens from Al- Zubaydiyah sub-district, Wasit Province.
The DNA sequences of C. kais were done using the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b (cytb) gene. After analysis, the sequences were compared with sequences of other fish

In this study, we provide an analytical comparison combined with morphological characteristic of eggs and newly hatched precocial chicks of three lapwing species, Red–owattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus (Boddaert, 1783), Spur-winged Lapwing V. spinosus (Linnaeus, 1758), and White-tailed Lapwing V. leucurus (Lichtenstein, 1823) that breed in Al-Malih Wetland in Babylon Province, Middle of Iraq. Occupied nests were located during the breeding season (March–June 2023), breeding events (e.g., adult courtship, marking of the breeding territories, nest-site selection, nest building, and egg incubation) were carefully observed. A total of 48 eggs from a total of 12 lapwing nests (4 eggs for each nest, 4 nests for each species) were cautiously

Eimeriosis is a major problem affecting ruminants worldwide. The disease is primarily caused by Eimeria species, which are specialized for each host and grow in the small and large intestine of animals. The losses due to subclinical infections (especially weight loss) and clinical disease (diarrhea) make the species of this genus a very significant economic concern. Therefore, this study was conducted in some areas of Wasit Province. A total of 180 fecal samples from goats, of both sexes and covering different age groups and months, were collected. All fecal samples were examined microscopically, and 75 positive fecal samples were taken for molecular examination and further analyzed using conventional PCR, sequencing and phylogenetic ana

A new species of the family Carabidae, subfamily Harpalinae was introdIle7: (1 or a Acupalpus mesopota¬micus on the basis external morphology and male genctalia. The specimens were compared with a world collection of Acupalptis of the British Museum (N. H.) Holotype was kept at the Iraq Natural History Museum. Other 12 specimens were kept in Iraq Natural History Museum.

This study deals with Aphid predators of the genus Coccinella L. recognized in different
regions of the world. They have been arranged systematically according to Korschefsky’s
catalogue (1931). The list includes sites of study and the reference (works) that consider
Coccinellids as predator. The study has revealed that there are thirteen Aphid predator species
belonging to the genus Coccinella L. in different places of the world, although there might be
other species that were not recorded by this work.

Mammals are under threat worldwide due to deforestation, hunting, and other human activities. In Iraq, a total of 93 species of wild mammals have been recorded including species with global conservation concern. Bamo Mountain is situated within the Zagros Mountains in northern Iraq which is a suitable habitat for wild mammals. Due to scarcity of the field survey efforts and cryptic behavior, monitoring of the wild mammals fauna in Zagros Mountain seems challenging. Therefore, we used a camera trap which seems to be an ideal way to determine species diversity of wild mammals in Bamo Mountain. Moreover, interviews with local villagers were performed. The mammalian diversity of Bamo Mountain is not fully explored but seemed threatened by lo

This paper deals with a preliminary survey helminth parasites of the black partridge. Francolinus francolinus arabistanicus in Baghdad area, middle of Iraq. It was found that the bird was infected with the cestodes Cotugnia digonopora and Raillietina tetragona with infection rates of 61.9% and 4.8% respectively, and the nematodes Heterakis gallinarum and Paroneoccrca rouss-lotti with infection rates of 4.8% and 19% respectively. Some important measurements, distribution and occurrence according host-sex of each parasite were provided along with some remarks on parasites biology.

Cosmochthonius reticulatus Grandjean, 1947 (Acari: Oribatei: Cosmochthoniidae) and Rhysotritia ardua ardua C. L. Koch, 1841 ( Acari : Oribate : Euphthiracari¬dae), are two species of oribatids mites first recorded in Iraq from a woodland in the central part of Iraq. The two species are described and illustrated.

A comparative study was carried out on ecological and genetical adaptation of three Iraqi
freshwater snails, Physa acuta, Melanopsis buccinoidea and Melanoides tuberculata, in
respect to acute toxicity of heavy metals (Zn, Cd and Hg). Longevity are used as poisoning
tolerance criterion. LT 50 and LT 100 were determined for the studied snails at (0.5, 1, 5, and
10 ppm), for the three metals. Results indicated that Physa acuta had a higher tolerance than
Melanopsis buccinoidea and Melanoides tuberculata, which was the lower one. Previous
exposure to heavy metals in the original habitat was affecting on experimental tolerance and
no relationships of physical and chemical factors (total hardness, temperature, D. O. and

Examination of 241 specimens of two bee-eater species, Merops apiaster and Merops
superciliosus persicus reveal recording of Haemoproteus meropis (Zagar, 1945) emend.
Bennett, 1978 and H. manwelli Bennett, 1978 for the first time in Iraq. A new species
Haemoproteus hudaidensis sp. nov. is described. Microfilariae are also infected the two host
species. The results are discussed with the pertinent literature and the necessary comparision
of morphometric measurements of the recorded parasites with that previously reported is
provided along with a taxonomic key including the newly described haemoproteid.

A parasitological investigation of diagenetic trematodes in three fish species from Iraqi
marine territorial waters was conducted from December 2021 to December 2022. The study
identified five trematode species belonging to the families Hemiuridae, Acanthocolpidae, and
Opecoelidae. Lecithocladium angustiovum Yamaguti, 1953, found in the intestines of the
black pomfret Parastromateus niger (Bloch, 1795) ( T hree species of
acanthocolpid trematodes, Monostephanostomum loossi (Pandey & Tewari , 1984),
Stephanostomum ditrematis (Yamaguti, 1939), and Stephanostomum sp., were recorded in the
greater amberjack Seriola dumerili (Risso, 1810) Additionally, Pseudopecoeloides tenuis
Yamaguti, 1940 (Opecoelidae) was recor

The present paper attempts to establish a distinction between Exochomus negripennis (Er.) and E. quadripustulatus L., depending on the characters of femoral line, male genitalia and spermatheca.

The current study reports the first record of Ammatomus rufonodis (Radoszkowski, 1877) for insect fauna of Iraq. Although this species shows morphological similarity to A. mesostenus (Handlirsch, 1888), it can be distinguished by the clear large diameter of the gastral punctures, which are similar in size to those on the mesopleuron. Thorough synonyms, diagnostic features, morphological descriptions, and distribution notes are given.

The conservation for biodiversity in Iraqi freshwater environments is important to protecting native species from the environmental impacts of alien species. Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) (Siluriformes, Clariidae) has been recognized as an alien species in Iraqi water bodies. This study aims to use molecular DNA to identify this catfish and trace its origins using. The DNA sequences of C. gariepinus were done using the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene, and a specific primer set. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification was used to align the COI gene as a barcoding marker. After analysis, the sequences were compared with sequences in the National Center for Biology Information (NCBI) database usin

This investigation is the first of its kind in this reservoir for more than three decades, it aimed at evaluating the diversity, abundance, and spatiotemporal variations of rotifers in the Samarra dam during 2023. Three distinct sampling stations were selected to ensure a comprehensive coverage of the dam. The first station was located just below the river's entrance to the dam. The second station was situated near the Samarra Barrage, while the third was positioned close to the Tharthar Regulator. Fifty-seven taxa from fourteen families of rotifers were identified, classified into three orders: Ploima, Flosculariaceae, and Bdelloida, under the Eurotatoria class. Most abundant taxa were Synchaeta oblonga Ehrenberg,1832, Rotaria neptunia

Tardigrada is a phylum that has never been studied in Armenia, along with many other arthropod groups. Our research is about terrestrial tardigrade species. This study is the first paper on tardigrades from Armenia. Six species of tardigrade were identified, belonging to five genera: Macrobiotus hufelandi C.A.S. Schultze, 1834; Paramacrobiotus areolatus (Murray, 1907); Paramacrobiotus richtersi (Murray, 1911); Ramazzottius cf. oberhaeuseri (Doyère, 1840); Milnesium tardigradum Doyère, 1840; and Echiniscus testudo (Doyère, 1840), which are present in lichen and moss from the northern forests of Tavush Province in Armenia. All the mentioned are new to the fauna of Armenia.