The Seed-Head Weevil,Larinus Latus Herbst (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) as a New Record in Egypt on the Milk Thistle,Silybum Marianum (L.) (Asteraceae: Compositaea)

The seed-head weevil, Larinus latus Herbst (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was recorded for the first time in Egypt on the milk thistle, Silybum marianum (L.) (Asteraceae: Compositaea), which is considered as a weed in certain winter field crops and as a herb with medical importance. The general morphology and biology of this insect pest as well as the host plant were described.     

Microbialite formation in southern Sinai (Egypt)

Ongoing microbialite formation is described at two previously unreported sites in southern Sinai, Egypt. Samples were collected in the peritidal tropical environment of Nabq Bay and Hidden Bay (southern Sinai, Egypt). Field observations and sample analyses show evidence of both sediment trapping and biostabilization in bacterial mucilaginous sheaths and microbially induced mineralization, producing a suite of increasingly lithified material: from agglomerated, consolidated sand to lithified crusts and oncoids. Thin-sections show evidence of bacteria (cyanobacteria and sulphate-reducing bacteria) among the constituent grains in the form of gelatinous filaments (green and red sheaths), and microalgal colonies along the outer edge, accompanied by a very high grade of clast alteration. The alternation of planar to irregular dark, superposed layers, and clastic layers is visible at the surface and/or inside some crusts. Widespread filaments of Schizothrix among grains have been identified, as well as extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), sheaths stabilizing particles, and calcareous tubular encrustations around cyanobacteria filaments. Carbonate precipitates include diffuse micrite, microcrystals of high-Mg calcite precipitating in the EPS matrix, and acicular aragonite as isopachous rims around grains. Cementation is accompanied by partial dissolution and progressive alteration of original grain boundaries. We describe four microbialite categories on the basis of their macroscopic morphology combined with different texture and lithification grade. The occurrence of the southern Sinai microbialites is explained by the interplay of local sedimentary dynamics and accommodation space in a peritidal tropical environment undergoing large temperature and salinity variations.     

The role of augmentative releases of indigenous parasitoid Metaphycus lounsburyi (Hymenoptera: encyrtidae) in enhancing the biological control of Saissetia oleae (Homoptera: coccidae) on olive in Egypt

The Mediterranean black scale, Saissetia oleae (Olivier) (Homoptera: Coccidae) is the most important pest of olive in Egypt. Indigenous parasitoid Metaphycus lounsburyi (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) from different localities in Egypt, were manipulated, reared and mass produced for classical biological control in Egypt, more than 193130 parasitoids were released. Several releases were made between May 1999 to April 2001. Increases of the parasitism from 17.4 to 42.0 and from 6.4 to 19.2 during the first year (1999–2000) and the second year (2000–2001), respectively in the Northern Coast. This parasitoid became established in some of the release sites in El-Arish and Matruh Governorates.     

On the scorpion fauna of Egypt,with an identification key (Arachnida: Scorpiones)

The taxonomy and diversity of the scorpion fauna of Egypt was examined based on a large collection from most parts of the country and in view of recent revisionary systematics. We assessed the validity of listed records in light of new taxonomic findings and geographic distribution data and present a new list and an identification key to the scorpion fauna of Egypt consisting of 31 species, 18 of which were collected during this survey. Four species were not accepted for the list because no voucher material was available.     

Field and storage testing Bt potatoes for resistance to potato tuberworm (Lepidoptera: Gelichiidae)

Potato tuberworm, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), is the most serious insect pest of potatoes worldwide. The introduction of the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin gene through genetic engineering offers host plant resistance for the management of potato tuberworm. We report on the field and storage studies to evaluate Bt-cry5 potato lines for resistance to potato tuberworm in Egypt under natural infestations and their agronomic performance in both Egypt and Michigan. From 1997 to 2001, field experiments were conducted at the International Potato Center (CIP) Research Station, Kafr El-Zyat, Egypt, and/or Agricultural Genetic Engineering Institute (AGERI), Giza, Egypt, to evaluate resistance to tuberworm. A total of 27 Bt-transgenic potato lines from six different Bt constructs were evaluated over a 5-yr period. After harvest and evaluation of the agronomic trials, storage evaluation of potato tuberworm damage was done at the CIP Research Station. The 1997 field trial was the first field test of genetically engineered crops in Egypt. Field tests to assess potato tuberworm resistance in Egypt were able to differentiate between the Bt-transgenic lines and the nontransgenic lines/cultivars in 1999, 2000, and 2001. The Bt-cry5-Spunta lines (Spunta-G2, Spunta-G3, and Spunta-6a3) were the most resistant lines in field with 99-100% of tubers free of damage. In the 2001 storage study, these lines were also over 90% free of tuberworm damage after 3 mo. NYL235-4.13, which combines glandular trichomes with the Bt-cry5/gus fusion construct, also had a high percentage of clean tubers in the field studies. In agronomic field trials in Michigan from 1997 to 2001, the Bt-transgenic lines in most instances performed similar to the nontransgenic line in the agronomic trials; however, in Egypt (1998-1999), the yields were less than one-half of those in Michigan. Expression of the Bt-cry5 gene in the potato tuber and foliage will provide the seed producer and grower a tool in which to reduce potato tuberworm damage to the tuber crop in the field and storage.     

The Egyptian fruit bat Rousettus aegyptiacus (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) in the Palaearctic: Geographical variation and taxonomic status

Two metrically defined subspecies have traditionally been recognised within the Palaearctic distribution range of the Egyptian fruit bat Rousettus aegyptiacus; the larger R. a. aegyptiacus in Egypt and the northern part of the Middle East and the smaller R. a. arabicus in the southern Middle East. An extensive material of R. aegyptiacus from all parts of this area, i.e. the Levant (incl. Turkey and Cyprus), Egypt (incl. Sinai), northern Sudan, Yemen, Oman, Iran, and Pakistan, as well as comparative samples from its sub-Saharan range, were tested using both morphological and genetic approaches in order to revise the species’ taxonomic status. The results indicated two possible processes, depending on the method used. Genetic analysis of the mitochondrial genome (nd1 and cytb) indicated low variation (< 2.0% of genetic distance) and lack of geographical structure while morphometric analysis indicated significant metric differences. Two basic size morphotypes were found within the Palaearctic range, with a rather mosaic-like geographical distribution and a lack of clear size distinction between the two categories, though intermediate types were detected. Thus, we suggest that all Palaearctic populations of R. aegyptiacus represent one form, the nominotypical subspecies, which is uniform in genetic traits but plastic in metric traits.     

Taxonomic revision of the genus Gynecaptera Skorikov, 1935 from Egypt,with description of a new species (Hymenoptera: Bradynobaenidae,Apterogyninae)

The genus Gynecaptera Skorikov (Bradynobaenidae: Apterogyninae) is revised from Egypt, based on specimens collected from the Sinai Peninsula and those deposited in Egyptian insect collections as well as recorded data from the literature. Three species were previously recorded from Egypt, G. alexandri (Invrea), G. alfierii (Invrea) and G. trimaculata (Skorikov). Gynecaptera sinaitica sp. n. is described here. An illustrated key and a faunistic list comprising all Gynecaptera species recorded from Egypt are also given.     

Revision of Myxobolus heterosporus Baker, 1963 (syn. Myxosoma Heterospora) (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) in African records

There is uncertainty regarding the validity of Myxobolus heterosporus Baker, 1963. The present study revises the taxonomy, using specimens isolated from plasmodia situated in the infected cornea of Oreochromis aureus, O. niloticus or Tilapia zillii inhabiting the River Nile, Egypt. In addition, histological effects of the parasite on the infected tissue were examined. The spores of M. heterosporus had a variety of shapes expressing remarkable heteromorphism. Five main Myxobolus-like spore types and tailed-spores were found. All forms were photographed, measured, sketched and described. Light and electron microscopy supported that spores of a Myxobolus-like morphology co-existed with so-called tailed-spores in one plasmodium. Some transitional stages from Myxobolus-like spore types to tailed-spores were observed. Therefore, some tailed-spores may be simply heteromorphs of Myxobolus.     

The morphology and anatomy ofHydrastis (Ranunculales): Systematic reevaluation of the genus

Evidence from morphology and anatomy (including embryology), as well as from palynology, chemistry and cytology, indicates thatHydrastis is quite divergent from Ranunculaceae (in which the genus has been most often included) as well as from both Glaucidiaceae and Berberidaceae. Distinctive features ofHydrastis, which demarcate it from Ranunculaceae but which are sometimes shared by Berberidaceae, are: the unique mode of origin of the vascular supply to stamens and carpels; the micropyle being formed by both integuments; the xylem not V-shaped in cross section; scalariform vessel perforations present; haploid chromosome number 13; pollen tectum consisting of a compound layer of striae; leaf mesophyll not differentiated; the unique course of stem medullary bundles; D-galactose present. Its distinctive higher haploid chromosome number, as well as its many less-specialized character states (in floral structure, leaf anatomy, and xylem and vessel morphology), suggest thatHydrastis is a relictual primitive group which diverged early from a common ancestral stock of Ranunculaceae, Berberidaceae and probably of Circaeasteraceae; at least some of the features shared byHydrastis and one or another of the families concerned seem to be a heritage from their common ancestor. We propose a reestablishment of a monotypic family, Hydrastidaceae.     

Bulinus guernei (Mollusca: Gastropoda) of West Africa: taxonomic status and role as host for schistosomes

The basommatophoran freshwater snail Bulinus guernei (Dautzenberg, 1890; type-locality in Sénégal, West Africa) has been treated as a full species, subspecies of B. truncatus (Audouin) or synonym of the latter. Improved knowledge of B. guernei is desirable as this snail has been implicated as a host in Senegambia for Schistosoma haematobium , the blood parasite causing human urinary schistosomiasis (bilharzia). Snail samples from 18 localities were studied: from The Gambia (3), Sénégal (9), Mali (1), Mauritania (1) and, to represent B. truncatus , Morocco (2) and Egypt (2), Characters investigated were morphological (shell, radula and certain soft parts), biochemical (egg proteins and enzymes from body tissue extracts) and cytological (chromosome number). Multivariate analyses (principal components analysis and canonical variate analysis) were performed on data from the shell and radula. Comparison with the holotype shell of B. guernei confirmed that this taxon is represented by recently collected specimens from Senegambia. Variation in the total material examined did not appear to warrant making any taxonomic subdivision, and thus the taxa guernei and truncatus appear to be conspecific. Further sampling is desirable, particularly to determine the possible value of variation in the enzyme HBDH in defining infraspecific units. Experimental infection showed some individual B. guernei to be a compatible host for 5. haematobium (isolate from Sudan; transmitted locally by B. truncatus ). Snails identified as B. guernei apparently have little importance in the transmission of S. haematobium in the Sénégal river basin at present, but such snails could constitute a health hazard if a compatible form of the parasite were to be introduced into this region of Africa.     

SYSTEMATICS OF POTAMACMAEA FLUVIATILIS (BLANFORD): A BRACKISH WATER PATELLOGASTROPOD (PATELLOIDINAE: LOTTIIDAE)

Potamacmaea fluviatilis (Blanford, 1867), which is known fromestuaries and tributaries that drain into the Bay of Bengal,was studied to assess available material, determine possiblerelationships between P. fluviatilis and other patellogastropodtaxa, and review the current state of our knowledge of thisenigmatic species. Radular and shell structure characters indicatethat P. fluviatilis is referable to the Patelloidinae Chapman& Gabriel, 1923. The radular tooth morphology of P. fluviatilisis similar to that of the wood-eating taxon PectinodontinaePilsbry, 1891; both taxa have multicuspid lateral teeth. Substantialhuman population increase and its accompanying habitat destructionin this region may have had deleterious effects on this uniquepatellogastropod. (Received 22 May 1989; accepted 25 July 1989)     

Oldest known Varanus (Squamata: Varanidae) from the Upper Eocene and Lower Oligocene of Egypt: support for an African origin of the genus

Abstract: A large collection of lizard vertebrae from northern Africa represents the oldest unambiguous occurrence of the genus Varanus. The fossils come from late Eocene and early Oligocene freshwater deposits of the Fayum, Egypt, an area noted for many significant primate finds. The recovery and identification of this material indicate that the genus Varanus arose in Africa, before dispersing to Australia and Asia. This dispersal occurred prior to the early to mid‐Miocene, by which time fossil Varanus are known from Australia and Eurasia. Although the dispersal route remains unknown, the lizard material reported here supports the hypothesis that a corridor existed allowing freshwater and terrestrial organisms to cross from Africa to Asia.     

Changing pattern of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its risk factors in Egypt: possibilities for prevention

The burden of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been increasing in Egypt with a doubling in the incidence rate in the past 10 years. This has been attributed to several biological (e.g. hepatitis B and C virus infection) and environmental factors (e.g. aflatoxin, AF). Other factors such as cigarette smoking, occupational exposure to chemicals such as pesticides, and endemic infections in the community, such as schistosomiasis, may have additional roles in the etiology or progression of the disease. Estimates of the burden of cancer caused by these factors provide an opportunity for prevention. Previously, there was strong evidence that hepatitis B virus (HBV) was the major cause of HCC in Egypt, but more recently HCV has become the predominant factor associated with the more recent epidemic of HCC. It has been well documented that Egypt has one of the highest prevalence rates of HCV infection in the world. The natural history of HCV infection and disease progression, however, are influenced by additional factors such as duration of infection, age at infection, sex, co-infection with HBV, the level of HCV viraemia and its genotype. The role of exposure to aflatoxins and development of HCC in Egypt was historically less clear. Nevertheless, recent food sampling surveys and population-based studies indicated that exposure to aflatoxins in Egypt may have been underestimated in the past. Recent results indicated that both local and imported samples were positive for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1, 17.5% and 20%, respectively), with concentrations ranging from 3 to 25 microg/kg. The level of AFB1 was dependent on the area of collection as well as the season of the year. In a population-based study, the level and frequency of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1, a major metabolite of aflatoxin B1 excreted in breast milk) was assessed as a biomarker of maternal exposure. The samples were collected from a selected group of 388 Egyptian lactating mothers during May-September 2003. Non-working status, obesity, high corn oil consumption, and the number of offspring contributed to the variability in occurrence of AFM1 in breast milk. Prevention and intervention approaches directed to risk factors of HCC can play a critical role in its prevention. In the case of HCV infection a prevention programme can be achieved by changing personal behaviors and/or cultural habits which are risk factors for HCV transmission, such as injection with contaminated syringes, blood transfusion, surgical operations, venous catheterization, use of common syringes, dental treatment and circumcision at home. Prevention of exposure to aflatoxins can be achieved either at community (via good agriculture practices) or individual levels (treatment or dietary interventions). In conclusion, due to the alarming increase in the incidence of HCC in Egypt, there is a need to further investigate the contribution of these emerging risk factors to the development of HCC in Egypt. This may enable us to determine the susceptibility to HCC among high-risk groups and to provide these individuals with effective measures for early prevention or intervention.     

The genus Synchaeta (rotifers) in a north-western Mediterranean coastal lagoon (Etang de Thau, France): taxonomical and ecological remarks

During a survey of a north-western Mediterranean coastal lagoon, (the Etang de Thau, and at a nearby marine station, 1994–1998), six species of the genus Synchaetawere identified. The systematics of this illoricate genus is difficult and identification is virtually impossible in preserved material, although some indication may be obtained from an examination of the trophi after treatment with sodium hypochlorite. In this study, taxonomic characters (mastax, body morphology and egg size) were obtained from living material prior to preservation. We add some ecological observations: distribution of species (neither temperature nor salinity were found to be determining factors), co-existence (up to five species can co-occur) and consideration of trophic links (competition with tintinnids, copepod nauplii and cirripedes).     

Comparative morphology of caecilian sperm (Amphibia: Gymnophiona)

The morphology of mature sperm from the testes of 22 genera and 29 species representing all five families of caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona) was examined at the light microscope level in order to: (1) determine the effectiveness of silver-staining techniques on long-preserved, rare material, (2) assess the comparative morphology of sperm quantitatively, (3) compare patterns of caecilian sperm morphology with that of other amphibians, and (4) determine if sperm morphology presents any characters useful for systematic analysis. Although patterns of sperm morphology are quite consistent intragenerically and intrafamilially, there are inconsistencies as well. Two major types of sperm occur among caecilians: those with very long heads and pointed acrosomes, and those with shorter, wider heads and blunt acrosomes. Several taxa have sperm with undulating membranes on the flagella, but limitations of the technique likely prevented full determination of tail morphology among all taxa. Cluster analysis is more appropriate for these data than is phylogenetic analysis. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The evolution of hyoid apparatus in Xenarthra (Mammalia: Eutheria)

The hyoid apparatus reflects aspects of the form and function of feeding in living and extinct organisms and, despite the availability of information about this structure for Xenarthra, it remains little explored from an evolutionary perspective. Here we compare the morphology of the hyoid apparatus in xenarthrans, describing its general morphology and variation in each major clade and score these variations as phylogenetic characters, which were submitted to ancestral states reconstructions. The general hyoid morphology of Xenarthra consists of a v-bone (basihyal fused with the thyrohyals) and three paired bones (stylohyal, epihyal and ceratohyal), which are unfused in the majority of taxa. The clade-specific morphology observed here, allowed us to obtain additional synapomorphies for all major clades of Xenarthra (Cingulata, Pilosa, Folivora and Vermilingua), for Glyptodontididae, and for Nothrotheriidae. The fusion of hyoid elements are convergentelly achieved among the diphyletic extant tree sloths, some extinct ground sloths and glyptodontids. Despite the heavy influence of adaptive evolution related to feeding habits, the morphology of the hyoid apparatus proved to be a valuable source of phylogenetic information.     

Description of a new species of Alboglossiphonia Lukin, 1976 (Hirudinea: Glossiphoniidae) from Egypt

Abstract

Alboglossiphonia disugi n.sp. was collected from the Nile and freshwater channels in the delta region of Egypt during 1988. The morphology, anatomy and taxonomy of the leech are dealt with.     

Comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of Tilapia in two production systems: semi-intensive and intensive

Purpose

In order to meet the upscaling demand of food products worldwide, the aquaculture industry has been expanding within the last few years in developed countries. Major expansions of aquaculture farming occurred in many developed countries such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Egypt. Egypt ranks ninth in fish farming production worldwide and first on Africa. Egypt has the largest aquaculture industry in Africa which represents two-thirds of African aquaculture production. Tilapia production accounts for 75.5 % of aquaculture production in Egypt. Tilapia aquaculture production has grown exponentially in recent decades until it reached 4.5 million tonnes in 2012 placing Egypt as the second worldwide producer of tilapia after China. The production of tilapia is practiced in different production systems including intensive and semi-intensive systems. These production systems require different resources and impact differently on the environment. The aim of the current study was to model the environmental performance of tilapia production and compare semi-intensive and intensive production systems. The main questions were the following: What are the different impacts of tilapia production on the environment? Which production system is more environmentally friendly? What are the preferable practices for better environmental performance and sustainable ecofriendly industry of Tilapia production?

Methods

Life cycle assessment (LCA) was employed to determine the environmental impacts of tilapia production and compare semi-intensive and intensive production systems. Data for life cycle inventory were collected from two case study farms for tilapia production in Egypt. Four impact categories were taken into consideration: Global Warming Potential (GWP), Acidification Potential (AP), Eutrophication Potential (EP), and Cumulative Energy Demand (CED).

Results and discussion

LCA revealed that production of tilapia in intensive farming has less impact on GWP, AP, and CED, while its impact on EP is higher than in semi-intensive farming. The identified impacts from 1-tonne live weight production of tilapia were the following: GWP 960.7 and 6126.1 kg CO₂ eq; AP 9.8 and 24.4 kg SO₂ eq; EP 14.1 and 6.3 kg PO₂ eq; and CED 52.8 GJ and 238.3 GJ eq in intensive and semi-intensive systems, respectively.

Conclusions

Fish meal production and energy consumption were the major contributors to different impact indicators in both systems. An overall improvement in environmental performance for tilapia production can be achieved by novel feed formulations that have better environmental performance. Energy consumption is a major area for improvement as well, as proper energy management practices will reduce the overall impact on the environment.