Six nephtyid species were identified from samples collected off the west coast of Saudi Arabia. Two of these species had been previously reported for the Red Sea (Inermonephtys aff. inermis, Nephtys palatii), three are new records (Aglaophamus lobatus, A. cf. verrilli, Micronephthys stammeri) and one is new to science (Inermonephtys aramco). Inermonephtys aramco was collected in the southern region of the Red Sea at depths between 60 and 83 m. It is characterized by the presence of branchiae from chaetiger 15 or 16, well-developed parapodial prechaetal lamellae, broadly rounded notopodial postchaetal lamellae and rudimentary neuropodial postchaetal lamellae. The species Nephtys palatii is transferred to the genus Micronephthys. Based on the current finding, the previously known bathymetric range of Micronephthys stammeri is extended from 4–7 to 17 m, and occurrence depths for N. palatii are given for the first time (4–90 m). Full descriptions are included for all species except M. stammeri. An identification key for all the species known to occur in the Red Sea is provided.
A survey of the Chrysididae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) of the Farasan Archipelago (Red Sea) was undertaken, mainly using Malaise traps and sweep nets from 2012 to 2017. Twenty-eight species belonging to eight genera were identified and recorded in this study (four of which are new records for the south-western Saudi Arabia). We have described four new species: (Hedychridium azizi sp. nov., Chrysis farasanensis sp. nov., Chrysis decolorata ssp. nov., Trichrysis flavicornis sp. nov.) A list of all species of Chrysididae recorded from the major Farasan Island is provided. The Chrysididae population of the Farasan Archipelago is composed mainly of species of South West Palaearctic Region. The presence of a few Afrotropical species is evidence of their expansion in the nearby Southern Arabia. Key word: Chrysididae, cuckoo wasp, Saudi Arabia, Jazan, Farasan Island, new species
Sediment samples were collected at low tide from various localities of the Jubail Marine Wildlife Sanctuary in the Arabian Gulf on several occasions during l996-l997 for the study of the marine interstitial ciliate fauna of the Sanctuary. Twenty three species belonging to the order Hypotrichida were identified after protargol impregnation, 20 of which represent new records of the fauna of Saudi Arabia, and of the Arabian Gulf at large. The distribution of each species is compared to those in similar habitats worldwide. The present study increases the total known number of hypotrichid ciliates species in Saudi Arabia to 40 species.
This paper concerns a probable shipwreck cargo of Aqaba amphorae, which was discovered during the second season of the survey project along the Saudi Arabian coast, initiated by nautical archaeologists of Philipps-University Marburg and conducted in cooperation with members of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Heritage in autumn 2013. Seafaring and sea trade was, according to the few ancient sources and modern research activities, a hazardous endeavor in antiquity. Transport containers like the Aqaba Amphorae played a major role in sea trade, a significant number of which have been detected on various sites along the Red Sea coast and its hinterland. The chronological classification as well as the application is far from complete, and recent archaeometrical investigations help to clarify the logistical aspects of manufacturing and distribution of Aqaba amphorae. Finding a number of remains of Aqaba amphorae at a supposed shipwreck site close to Jeddah delivers new insight into the maritime routes and activities along the western coast of Saudi Arabia. The documentary material currently available is the baseline for further research in the field of maritime archaeology as it pertains to trade in the Red Sea.
Al-Qusayr is located 40 km south of modern al-Wajh, roughly 7 km from the eastern Red Sea shore. This site is known since the mid-19th century, when the explorer R. Burton described it for the first time, in particular the remains of a monumental building so-called al-Qasr. In March 2016, a new survey of the site was undertaken by the al-‘Ula–al-Wajh Survey Project. This survey focused not only on al-Qasr but also on the surrounding site corresponding to the ancient settlement. A surface collection of pottery sherds revealed a striking combination of Mediterranean and Egyptian imports on one hand, and of Nabataean productions on the other hand. This material is particularly homogeneous on the chronological point of view, suggesting a rather limited occupation period for the site. Attesting contacts between Mediterranean merchants, Roman Egypt and the Nabataean kingdom, these new data allow a complete reassessment of the importance of this locality in the Red Sea trade routes during antiquity.
Free-Living Marine Interstitial Hypotrichid Ciliates from Jubail Marine Wildlife Sanctuary in the Arabian Gulf