Crossbreeding between different geographical populations of the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae)

Brown dog ticks are distributed world-wide, and their systematics and phylogeny are the subject of an ongoing debate. The present study evaluates the reproductive compatibility between Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks from North America, Israel, and Africa. Female ticks of the parent generation were mated with males from the same and alternate colonies. Every pure and hybrid cohort was maintained separately into the F2 generation with F1 females being allowed to mate only with males from the same cohort. The following survival parameters were measured and recorded for every developmental stage: feeding duration and success; engorgement weight, fertility, and fecundity of females; molting and hatching success. Ticks from North American and Mediterranean populations hybridized successfully. The survival parameters of all their hybrid lines were similar to those in pure lines throughout the F1 generation, and F1 adults were fully fertile. Parent adult ticks from the African population hybridized with either North American or Mediterranean ticks and produced viable progenies whose survival parameters were also similar to those in pure lines throughout the F1 generation. However, F1 adults in the four hybrid lines that included African ancestry were infertile. No parthenogenesis was observed in any pure or hybrid lines as proportion of males in F1 generation ranged from 40 to 60 %. Phylogenetic analysis of the 12S rDNA gene sequences placed African ticks into a separate clade from those of the North American or Mediterranean origins. Our results demonstrate that Rh. sanguineus ticks from North America and Israel represent the same species, whereas the African population used in this study is significantly distant and probably represents a different taxon.     

Blooms of the invasive ctenophore, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mnemiopsis</Emphasis> <Emphasis Type="Italic">leidyi</Emphasis>, span the Mediterranean Sea in 2009

Blooms of the invasive ctenophore, Mnemiopsis leidyi, occurred in 2009 along the Mediterranean Sea coasts of Spain and Israel. This voracious zooplanktivore spread throughout the Black Sea basin after its introduction in the early 1980s, throughout northern European coastal waters, and now occurs throughout the Mediterranean Sea. M. leidyi occurred throughout the summer along the entire Catalan Spanish and Israeli coasts in 2009. Those locations had high temperatures (18–26°C) and salinities (37–38) during the blooms. The patterns of abundance of large jellyfish along the Catalan coast were unusual in 2009, with low numbers during July, August, and September when ctenophores were abundant. Small populations of those potential predators and food competitors of M. leidyi could have contributed to the ctenophore bloom. The identity of the ctenophores from Spain and Israel was confirmed as M. leidyi by molecular analysis based on DNA sequencing of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. This is the first molecular confirmation of M. leidyi in the Mediterranean Sea. Most ctenophores had an ITS genotype previously found in M. leidyi from other invaded regions (the Black, Azov, and Mediterranean seas), as well as native regions in the United States, suggesting common ancestry. Based on the circulation patterns of Mediterranean surface waters and shipping activities, we conclude that the spread of M. leidyi in the Mediterranean probably resulted from re-introductions by ballast water transport and subsequent distribution by currents. We also conclude that the near-simultaneous blooms in opposite ends of both the Mediterranean basins indicate that M. leidyi is resident around the Mediterranean. We discuss environmental conditions, food, and predators of M. leidyi in both regions that would influence the future effects of this voracious consumer on the pelagic food web of the Mediterranean Sea.     

The Effect of Resource Islands on Abundance and Diversity of Bacteria in Arid Soils

Bacteria and nutrients were determined in upper soil samples collected underneath and between canopies of the dominant perennial in each of three sites along a steep precipitation gradient ranging from the Negev desert in the south of Israel to a Mediterranean forest in the north. Bacterial abundance, monitored by phospholipid fatty acid analysis, was significantly higher under the shrub canopy (compared to barren soils) in the arid and semi-arid sites but not in the Mediterranean soils. Bacterial community composition, determined using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and clone libraries, differed according to the sample’s origin. Closer examination revealed that in the arid and semi-arid sites, α-Proteobacteria are more abundant under the shrub canopy, while barren soils are characterized by a higher abundance of Actinobacteria. The bacterial communities in the Mediterranean soils were similar in both patch types. These results correspond to the hypothesis of “resource islands”, suggesting that shrub canopies provide a resource haven in low-resource landscapes. Yet, a survey of the physicochemical parameters of inter- and under-shrub soils could not attribute the changes in bacterial diversity to soil moisture, organic matter, or essential macronutrients. We suggest that in the nutrient-poor soils of the arid and semi-arid sites, bacteria occupying the soil under the shrub canopy may have longer growth periods under favorable conditions, resulting in their increased biomass and altered community composition.     

Dispersal history of a spider (Stegodyphus lineatus) across contiguous deserts: vicariance and range expansion

Israel marks a crossroads between three continents encompassing several phytogeographical and zoogeographical zones. In this complex area, the flow of species from different biogeographical regions creates opportunities to study how geographical division and colonization routes affect current distribution and structure of resident populations of organisms associated with desert and arid environments, habitats that may have persisted throughout Pleistocene glacial periods. The present paper analyses the population history of the spider Stegodyphus lineatus in the contiguous Negev and Judean deserts in Israel using allozyme and mtDNA variation. The distinct patterns of variation indicate that Judean and Negev populations are vicariant lineages. The residence time was longer in Judea, where populations were more polymorphic for mtDNA, showed isolation by distance and were less structured than in the Negev. The Negev population, possibly linked to other Mediterranean populations of S. lineatus , consisted of two subdivisions derived from a recent eastward expansion across the central Negev watershed. Despite differences in age and level of structure, all lineages show similar dispersal processes dominated by restricted gene flow. The distribution patterns of allozyme and mtDNA markers are unrelated to geographical patterns of precipitation and vegetation. Rather, they follow large-scale topographic features, namely the water divide between Mediterranean and Afro-Syrian rift drainages and between eastern and western Negev drainages.   © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 84 , 739–754.     

Turkey as a crossroad for Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus: evidence from population trends and ring-resightings (Aves: Phoenicopteridae)

The Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus is a waterbird commonly found in saline and brackish lagoons throughout the Mediterranean Region. We have gathered existing data on Greater Flamingos in Turkey and carried out field surveys to present the most up to date information on wintering (1999–2014) and breeding (1969– 2014). The wintering population of flamingos shows an increasing trend with 54,947±20,794 individuals mainly concentrated in the Gediz, Büyük Menderes and Çukurova deltas, respectively. Breeding attempts were recorded in at least seven wetlands in Turkey in the past, yet after 1999 most of the colonies were abandoned due to basin scale intensive water management practices in Central Anatolia. Currently, only Tuz Lake and Gediz Delta are used as regular breeding sites, while breeding has been recorded sporadically in Ac?göl and Ak?ehir Lakes. The breeding colony of Tuz Lake is of prime importance at the Mediterranean scale, with the number of young chicks in 2011, 2012 and 2013 accounting for the highest number of fledglings in the Mediterranean Region and West Africa (18,418, 20,274 and 20,292 respectively). Finally, building upon the previous findings about Turkey and the western Mediterranean metapopulation links, recent resightings of Turkish flamingos (despite the limited numbers) confirm post-fledging and natal dispersal reaching the western Mediterranean Basin and West Africa. Flamingos from Turkey were also found to disperse to Israel and to a region outside the known flyways of the western Mediterranean and West African flamingos (i.e. to Israel and UAE). Thus, Turkey, due to its geographic position, appears to be a crossroad between the western and eastern Mediterranean Region and southwest Asia.     

Analysis of the distribution of insectivorous bats in Israel

Data on localities from which insectivorous bats were collected or sighted in Israel were compiled into a Geographical Information System (GIS) in order to analyse patterns of species distribution. By intersecting precipitation and temperature data with spatially-referenced data on species observations stored in the GIS we determined the 'climatic envelope' of each species and constructed predictive maps which show the potential distribution of each species. Using cluster analysis, the bats were classified into three main biogeographic groups according to their distribution, namely desert, Mediterranean, and widespread in Israel. The potential distribution maps of all the species indicate that there are areas which have suitable bat habitats but from which bats have never been collected or observed. In the Mediterranean region of Israel, this is attributed to a large reduction in population size due to fumigation of caves, cave visitation and secondary poisoning.     

Essential‐Oil Composition of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G.Don ssp. italicum from Elba Island (Tuscany,Italy)

The composition of 21 essential‐oil samples isolated from Helichrysum italicum collected in seven locations of Elba Island (Tuscany, Italy), characterized by different soil types, during three different periods (January, May, and October 2010) was determined by GC‐FID and GC/EI‐MS analyses. In total, 115 components were identified, representing 96.8–99.8% of the oil composition. The oils were characterized by a high content of oxygenated monoterpenes (38.6–62.7%), while monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons accounted for 2.3–41.9 and 5.1–20.1% of the identified constituents, respectively. The main oxygenated derivatives were nerol (2.8–12.8%) and its ester derivative neryl acetate (5.6–45.9%). To compare the chemical variability of the species within Elba Island and between the island and other localities within the Mediterranean area, studied previously, multivariate statistical analysis was performed. The results obtained showed a difference in the composition of the essential oils of H. italicum from Elba Island, mainly due to the environment where the plant grows, and, in particular, to the soil type. These hypotheses were further confirmed by the comparison of these oils with essential oils obtained from H. italicum collected on other islands of the Tuscan archipelago.     

Biogeographic and demographic changes in the distribution and abundance of scorpions inhabiting the Mediterranean region in northern Israel

A recent survey of the scorpion fauna in the Mediterranean region of northern Israel, has shown that the desert buthid, Leiurus quinquestriatus, formerly restricted to the arid and semi-arid regions in southern and eastern Israel, has penetrated through the Jordan Valley deep into the Mediterranean region, reaching into the northern Galil Mountains. At the same time, the oakwood scorpionid, Scorpio maurius fuscus, formerly the most abundant scorpion in the Mediterranean region, showed a marked decline in numbers. Various aspects of this apparent colonization and replacement in the scorpion fauna are discussed.     

Mitochondrial DNA variation, but not nuclear DNA, sharply divides morphologically identical chameleons along an ancient geographic barrier

The Levant is an important migration bridge, harboring border-zones between Afrotropical and palearctic species. Accordingly, Chameleo chameleon, a common species throughout the Mediterranean basin, is morphologically divided in the southern Levant (Israel) into two subspecies, Chamaeleo chamaeleon recticrista (CCR) and C. c. musae (CCM). CCR mostly inhabits the Mediterranean climate (northern Israel), while CCM inhabits the sands of the north-western Negev Desert (southern Israel). AFLP analysis of 94 geographically well dispersed specimens indicated moderate genetic differentiation (PhiPT = 0.097), consistent with the classical division into the two subspecies, CCR and CCM. In contrast, sequence analysis of a 637 bp coding mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragment revealed two distinct phylogenetic clusters which were not consistent with the morphological division: one mtDNA cluster consisted of CCR specimens collected in regions northern of the Jezreel Valley and another mtDNA cluster harboring specimens pertaining to both the CCR and CCM subspecies but collected southern of the Jezreel Valley. AMOVA indicated clear mtDNA differentiation between specimens collected northern and southern to the Jezreel Valley (PhiPT = 0.79), which was further supported by a very low coalescent-based estimate of effective migration rates. Whole chameleon mtDNA sequencing (∼17,400 bp) generated from 11 well dispersed geographic locations revealed 325 mutations sharply differentiating the two mtDNA clusters, suggesting a long allopatric history further supported by BEAST. This separation correlated temporally with the existence of an at least 1 million year old marine barrier at the Jezreel Valley exactly where the mtDNA clusters meet. We discuss possible involvement of gender-dependent life history differences in maintaining such mtDNA genetic differentiation and suggest that it reflects (ancient) local adaptation to mitochondrial-related traits.     

First record of the Brassy Chub Kyphosus vaigiensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) in the Eastern Mediterranean (Osteichthyes: Perciformes: Kyphosidae)

The Brassy Chub, Kyphosus vaigiensis, first recorded in the Mediterranean in 1998, is reported herein from the coast of Israel. The identity of the specimen was confirmed by morphological and molecular analysis. This is the first record of K. vaigiensis from the Eastern Mediterranean. The possible origins of the Israeli record is discussed.     

The analysis of convergence in ecological indicators: An application to the Mediterranean fisheries

Ecological indicators are increasingly used to examine the evolution of natural ecosystems and the impacts of human activities. Assessing their trends to develop comparative analyses is essential. We introduce the analysis of convergence, a novel approach to evaluate the dynamic and trends of ecological indicators and predict their behavior in the long-term. Specifically, we use a non-parametric estimation of Gaussian kernel density functions and transition probability matrix integrated in the R software. We validate the performance of our methodology through a practical application to three different ecological indicators to study whether Mediterranean countries converge towards similar fisheries practices. We focus on how distributions evolve over time for the Marine Trophic Index, the Fishing in Balance Index and the Expansion Factor during 1950–2010. Results show that Mediterranean countries persist in their fishery behaviors throughout the time series, although a tendency towards similar negative effects on the ecosystem is apparent in the long-term. This methodology can be easily reproduced with different indicators and/or ecosystems in order to analyze ecosystem dynamics.     

Phenotypic plasticity and gene diversity in Pistacia lentiscus L. along environmental gradients in Israel

The Mediterranean common shrub Pistacia lentiscus is distributed in a wide range of habitats along the climatic gradient in Israel. We studied the factors that may shape its morphological, physiological, and genetic differentiation. We examined the phenotypic and molecular genetic variability among and within the six Israeli populations as correlated with the local environmental conditions. The genetic structure of the shrub on the island of Cyprus was also examined. Plant morphological parameters correlated significantly with the local environmental conditions, especially with the annual precipitation and temperature. Gene diversity did not differ significantly among locations, and, hence, no differentiation among Israeli populations or between populations in Israel and Cyprus was found. The major part of the molecular variance (69%) was found within the populations, 22% of the variance was found between Israel and Cyprus and 9% among the populations within the region. Gene flow estimates among all the tested populations were high with no indication for the isolation by distance. We did not find any pattern of ecologically related genetic differentiation; hence, the morphological and physiological differences are probably due to phenotypic plasticity. It seems that the ability of P. lentiscus to express the different phenotypes in response to the varying conditions in the Mediterranean region is an adaptive trait in a species that is characterized by intensive gene flow.     

Revision of the Widow-spider genus Latrodectus (Araneae:Theridiidae) in Israel

The six species of Widow-spiders ( Latrodectus ) found in Israel are revised. Three of them are reported for the first time from this region. The Mediterranean L.tredecimguttatus is maintained as a distinct species differing from the American L.mactans , while evidence on the occurrence in Israel of a distinct population, close to the American L.hesperus is provided. Five sympatric species of Latrodectus are found in the more arid zones of Israel and one allopatric population of the cosmotropical L.geometricus occurs in the Mediterranean Coastal Plain. A conspectus on the systematics alongside distribution and ecological records of each species is given. The biological and morphological distinctive characters separating the species are then assessed in an extended discussion. Illustrations and a key to the species are provided.     

Environmental and seasonal impacts on the chemical composition of Satureja horvatii Šilić (Lamiaceae) essential oils

The chemical composition of the essential oils of Satureja horvatii Šilić from two natural habitats (Mt. Orjen and Mt. Lovćen in Montenegro) and from cultivated plants (Belgrade, Serbia) were characterized. For the latter, plants from the locus classicus, i.e., Orjenske Lokve (Mt. Orjen), were transferred to Belgrade and, after three years of cultivation, the chemical composition of their essential oils at different phenological stages was analyzed. The essential oils were obtained from the aerial parts of the plants by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The yields and chemical compositions of the S. horvatii oils showed significant differences between the plants collected in the natural habitats and those from cultivation, as well as between the plants at different phenological stages. In the populations from the natural habitats, growing in Mediterranean conditions, the most abundant oil constituents were the phenols thymol (63.7% in the samples from Mt. Orjen) or carvacrol (68.1% in the samples from Mt. Lovćen), while the oils from the cultivated plants (Belgrade), growing in continental conditions, were dominated by linalool (up to 65.8 and 55.9% in average). The basic characteristics of the essential oil from plants at the early phenological stage (before flowering) were high percentages of linalool (37.4%), thymol (27.3%), and carvacrol (12.2%). At the stage of flowering, the percentage of linalool (56.6–57.5%) increased, while those of thymol (15.5–15.8%) and carvacrol (1.4–1.5%) significantly decreased. The essential oil of plants in the full stage of fruiting was characterized by the domination of linalool (58.4 and 65.8%) and lower percentages of thymol (7.6 and 1.3%) and carvacrol (0.7 and 0.1%). In conclusion, the oil composition of S. horvatii was found to depend on the pedoclimatic conditions of the habitat and the phenological stage of the plants.     

Late autumn trophic flexibility of the golden jackalCanis aureus

The feeding habits of the golden jackal Canis aureus (Linnaeus, 1758) were compared using scat analysis in Hungary (temperate climate agricultural area), Greece (Mediterranean marshland), and Israel (Mediterranean agricultural area). Samples (84, 70 and 64 scats, respectively) were collected during late autumn, a period with capital importance to the long term survival of young jackals, during which they become independent. Predation of wild-living prey species was highest in Hungary, consisting primarily of small mammals (biomass estimation: 51.5%, mainly rodents), contrary to Israel and Greece, where scavenging on domestic animals dominated the diet of jackals (74%, mainly poultry and 62.6%, mainly goats, respectively). The highest consumption of wild ungulates (mainly wild boar) was found in Greece (15.7%), and plants in Hungary (39%). Bird consumption was low in all three areas. Reptiles, amphibians and fish occurred only in the diet of jackals in Greece and Israel, whereas invertebrates were eaten more frequently in Hungary. Jackal dietary composition was extremely variable between regions, strongly associated with human presence. These results illustrate the golden jackal as having a very variable diet, resulting from opportunistic feeding habits.     

Variability of the Needle Essential Oils of Juniperus deltoides R.P.Adams from Different Populations in Serbia and Croatia

The essential‐oil compositions of one Croatian and three Serbian populations of Juniperus deltoides R.P.Adams have been determined by GC/MS analysis. In total, 147 compounds were identified, representing 97.3–98.3% of the oil composition. The oils were dominated by monoterpenes, which are characteristic components for the species of the section Juniperus. Two monoterpenes, α‐pinene and limonene, were the dominant constituents, with a summed‐up average content of 49.45%. Statistical methods were used to determine the diversity of the terpene classes and the common terpenes between the newly described J. deltoides populations from Serbia and Croatia. Only reports on several specimens from this species have been reported so far, and there are no studies that treat population diversity. Cluster analysis of the oil contents of 21 terpenes showed high correlation with the geographical distribution of the populations, separating the Croatian from the Serbian populations. The comparison of the essential‐oil compositions obtained in the present study with literature data, showed the separation of J. deltoides and J. oxycedrus ssp. oxycedrus from the western Mediterranean region.     

Mutational analysis of the PRYSPRY domain of pyrin and implications for familial mediterranean fever (FMF)

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal, recessively inherited disease, characterized by recurrent fever and serositis that affects mainly patients of the Mediterranean basin. The gene responsible for FMF, named MEFV, was cloned and several missense mutations were found to be responsible for the disease. Based on a recent molecular analysis of MEFV gene mutations in 43 patients from Crete aiming to correlate specific genotypes and clinical manifestations of FMF, we were prompted to construct a three-dimensional model (3-D model) of the PRYSPRY domain of pyrin. The majority of the known MEFV mutations located on this domain have been classified, according to disease severity, and localized on this 3-D model. The functional consequences of these mutations and their implications on disease severity are discussed. Moreover, we report a putative novel missense mutation, S702C, which we identified in exon 10 of the MEFV gene and localized on the constructed 3-D model.     

Molecular Evidence for Lessepsian Invasion of Soritids (Larger Symbiont Bearing Benthic Foraminifera)

The Mediterranean Sea is considered as one of the hotspots of marine bioinvasions, largely due to the influx of tropical species migrating through the Suez Canal, so-called Lessepsian migrants. Several cases of Lessepsian migration have been documented recently, however, little is known about the ecological characteristics of the migrating species and their aptitude to colonize the new areas. This study focused on Red Sea soritids, larger symbiont-bearing benthic foraminifera (LBF) that are indicative of tropical and subtropical environments and were recently found in the Israeli coast of the Eastern Mediterranean. We combined molecular phylogenetic analyses of soritids and their algal symbionts as well as network analysis of Sorites orbiculus Forskål to compare populations from the Gulf of Elat (northern Red Sea) and from a known hotspot in Shikmona (northern Israel) that consists of a single population of S. orbiculus. Our phylogenetic analyses show that all specimens found in Shikmona are genetically identical to a population of S. orbiculus living on a similar shallow water pebbles habitat in the Gulf of Elat. Our analyses also show that the symbionts found in Shikmona and Elat soritids belong to the Symbiodinium clade F5, which is common in the Red Sea and also present in the Indian Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Our study therefore provides the first genetic and ecological evidences that indicate that modern population of soritids found on the Mediterranean coast of Israel is probably Lessepsian, and is less likely the descendant of a native ancient Mediterranean species.     

A synopsis of East-Mediterranean Synaphris Simon, 1894 (Araneae, Synaphridae) with a description of a new species from Israel

Three species of Synaphris occurring in the East Mediterranean - Synaphris orientalis Marusik & Lehtinen, 2003, Synaphris lehtineni Marusik, Gnelitsa & Kovblyuk, 2005 and Synaphris letourneuxi (Simon, 1884) - are surveyed; and a new species - Synaphris wunderlichisp. n. - is described from southern Israel on the basis of males. The new species differs from other East- Mediterranean congeners by its smaller size, a smaller lamella with fewer ridges, and a thick palpal femur. Comparative figures are provided for all species from the East Mediterranean.     

Recent records of the Nile Soft-shelled Turtle,Tríonyx triunguis,and of the Euphrates Soft-shelled Turtle,Tríonyx euphratìcus,in the Middle East

Abstract

Thriving populations of the Spiny Oyster Spondylus spinosus Schreibers, 1793, an Indo-Pacific bivalve, are reported from off the Mediterranean coast of Israel. The taxonomy and nomenclature of this new Lessepsian migrant are briefly discussed. The polymorphism of the Mediterranean specimens is discussed. Their habitat is described, and the epibionts and predators in the Mediterranean are enumerated.