Bryophyte novelties from the Arabian Peninsula and Socotra Island

Nova Hedwigia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-286
Author(s):  
Harald Kürschner ◽  
Wolfgang Frey

Based on unedited bryophyte collections from the Arabian Peninsula and Socotra Island, six new records of mosses are reported for the area. New to the Arabian Peninsula are Pohlia elongata and Ptychostomum cernuum, the remaining four species are new records for Saudi Arabia, resp. Yemen (mainland) and the Socotra Archipelago. Most interesting is Hymenostylium hildebrandtii from the Makkah-Taif area, indicating the influence of the south-western monsoon rainfall far to the north. All taxa show major range extensions in Southwest Asia and contribute to the floristic diversity of the Arabian Peninsula.

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4514 (3) ◽  
pp. 341 ◽  
Author(s):  
MAHMOUD S. ABDEL-DAYEM ◽  
IFTEKHAR RASOOL ◽  
ALI A. ELGHARBAWY ◽  
PETER NAGEL ◽  
HATHAL M. ALDHAFER

Study of ground beetles of the Garf Raydah Nature Reserve, located in the Asir Mountains of southwestern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) resulted in one species, Paussus abditus Nagel, sp. n. described as new to science. Thirteen species (21.3%) are reported as new country records and fifteen species (24.6%) are new records for Asir Province. Adult beetles were collected from 2013 to 2017. The determination of this material yielded a total of 61 species in 40 genera and 17 tribes belonging to nine subfamilies of Carabidae. The species richness represented approximately 36.1% of carabid species previously reported from KSA. The most species rich tribes were the Lebiini (20 species), the Harpalini (10 species), and the Bembidiini (6 species). The life form analysis of adults indicated 18 life form types that are grouped into three categories, Zoophagous (77.1%), Mixophytophagous (18.0%), and Myrmecophilous (4.9%). Zoogeographical analyses indicated that the Afrotropical (19.3%) and the Saharo-Arabian (19.3%) species dominate the carabid fauna of this region of KSA. Coryza cf. maculata (Nietner, 1856) is considered the only Oriental representative. Only one cosmopolitan species, Perigona nigriceps (Dejean, 1831), was collected. Eleven endemics were identified; six species are considered KSA endemics and five are Arabian Peninsula endemics. 


GeoArabia ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 77-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahbub Hussain ◽  
Lameed O. Babalola ◽  
Mustafa M. Hariri

ABSTRACT The Wajid Sandstone (Ordovician-Permian) as exposed along the road-cut sections of the Abha and Khamis Mushayt areas in southwestern Saudi Arabia, is a mediun to coarse-grained, mineralogically mature quartz arenite with an average quartz content of over 95%. Monocrystalline quartz is the dominant framework grain followed by polycrystalline quartz, feldspar and micas. The non-opaque heavy mineral assemblage of the sandstone is dominated by zircon, tourmaline and rutile (ZTR). Additional heavy minerals, constituting a very minor fraction of the heavies, include epidote, hornblende, and kyanite. Statistical analysis showed significant correlations between zircon, tourmaline, rutile, epidote and hornblende. Principal component R-mode varimax factor analysis of the heavy mineral distribution data shows two strong associations: (1) tourmaline, zircon, rutile, and (2) epidote and hornblende suggesting several likely provenances including igneous, recycled sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. However, an abundance of the ZTR minerals favors a recycled sedimentary source over other possibilities. Mineralogical maturity coupled with characteristic heavy mineral associations, consistent north-directed paleoflow evidence, and the tectonic evolutionary history of the region indicate a provenance south of the study area. The most likely provenances of the lower part (Dibsiyah and Khusayyan members) of the Wajid Sandstone are the Neoproterozoic Afif, Abas, Al-Bayda, Al-Mahfid, and Al-Mukalla terranes, and older recycled sediments of the infra-Cambrian Ghabar Group in Yemen to the south. Because Neoproterozic (650-542 Ma) rocks are not widespread in Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia, a significant source further to the south is not likely. The dominance of the ultrastable minerals zircon, tourmaline and rutile and apparent absence of metastable, labile minerals in the heavy mineral suite preclude the exposed arc-derived oceanic terrains of the Arabian Shield in the west and north as a significant contributor of the sandstone. An abundance of finer-grained siliciclastic sequences of the same age in the north, is consistent with a northerly transport direction and the existence of a deeper basin (Tabuk Basin?) to the north. The tectonic and depositional model presented in this paper differs from the existing model that envisages sediment transportation and gradual basin filling from west to east during the Paleozoic.


Author(s):  
Beatriz Susana Beltrán León ◽  
Raúl Ríos Herrera ◽  
Efraín Rubio Rincón

We present new records of larvae and adult fish from the family Callionymidae in the Colombian Pacific coast. Larvae and juvenile of Synchiropus atrilabiatus (Garman 1899), expands its distribution range within this coast (between Tumaco in the South to the border with Panama in the North), presenting low to medium abundances in September-October 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and February-March 2006, 2014. Larvae were always collected at stations 54 km away from the coast. Adults of S. atrilabiatus were collected as bycatch from the deep-sea shrimp fishing fleet between 67-700 m depth at Bahía Cupica in 1995 and Arusí in 2005.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-331
Author(s):  
A.V. Fateryga ◽  
◽  
M.Yu. Proshchalykin ◽  

New data on 22 species of bees of the family Megachilidae from the North Caucasus and the south of European Russia are reported. Six species are new to Russia: Hoplitis curvipes (Morawitz, 1871), Osmia cinerea Warncke, 1988, O. ligurica Morawitz, 1868, O. cyanoxantha Pérez, 1879, Protosmia glutinosa (Giraud, 1871), and Coelioxys mielbergi Morawitz, 1880. Hoplitis turcestanica (Dalla Torre, 1896), sp. resurr. is treated as a distinct species, not a junior synonym of H. caularis (Morawitz, 1875). Megachile albocristata Smith, 1853 and M. alborufa Friese, 1911 are listed instead of previously recorded M. lefebvrei (Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau, 1841) and M. pyrenaica (Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau, 1841), respectively. Fourteen new regional records are reported: seven species are new to the North Caucasus, five ones are new to the south of European Russia, and two species are new to the European part of Russia as a whole. The numbers of megachilid bee species currently known in Russia, the North Caucasus, and the south of European Russia are 217, 130, and 71, respectively. The lectotype of Osmia proxima Morawitz, 1875 is designated.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Hind Abdel Moneim Khogali

Riyadh, capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is the largest city in the Kingdom. It is also the capital of Riyadh Province, and is located in the historical regions of Najd and Al-Yamama and in the center of the Arabian Peninsula, on a vast plateau. Densely populated, with over 5.7 million people, it is the urban center of a region with about 7.3 million people. It consists of 15 municipal districts under the management of Riyadh Municipality, headed by the mayor of Riyadh, and the Riyadh Development Authority, chaired by the Governor of Riyadh Province.This research aims at dealing with the development of Al Maliha Neighborhood, as a case study of development of heritage places.Al Maliha neighbourhood is located in the center of Riyadh, bounded on the north by AL Jomla Suq and market, in the south by Al Salam garden, in the west by King Fahad Street and in the east by warehouses and a school from the south. There are also old heritage houses in the southeast of the area. The proposed project will develop the old heritage area, re-use it as a Heritage Museum, and demolish the warehouses to establish new galley rooms and Heritage research center.The research methodology will follow the UNESCO regulations and guidelines followed for conservation of heritage places. It will also adopt Riyadh Municipality, and the Riyadh Development Authority regulations for the development of heritage places. The project is proposed for architectural students at level four in Dar Al Uloom University, to be completed within four months and presented for Prince Sultan Award 2006 for Heritage.The aim of the research is to follow the KSA strategy in protecting and maintaining historical places like Al Daraya, old palaces and old mosques. The project will give a proposal study in managing and developing heritage places, by following the UNESCO guideline for heritage places and Riyadh Municipality regulations.The research outlines conclusions and recommendations to decision makers, for application in the development of Al Maliha neighbourhood applied in developing Al Maliha neighbourhood


Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4319 (3) ◽  
pp. 461 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.J. EBEJER

An overview of the Chamaemyiidae of the Middle East is given with species distribution within the Arabian Peninsula. For countries bordering Saudi Arabia, the distribution is tabulated. Data on new records for species of Chamaemyiidae from countries within the Arabian Peninsula are included. Descriptions and illustrations are provided for Chamaemyia aurilinea sp. n., C. grisea sp. n., C. xanthopoda sp. n. and Melanochthiphila arabica sp. n. from Saudi Arabia. 


1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale H. Vitt ◽  
Diana G. Horton

The Nahanni and Liard mountain ranges are located at about 61° N latitude and 122° W longitude. They form the easternmost slopes of the Rocky Mountains and lie just east of Nahanni National Park in the southwestern corner of the District of Mackenzie, Northwest Territories. The moss flora of the area is rich in the number of taxa; 207 species and two varieties are reported from this relatively small area. Of these, 53 species are new records for the South Nahanni region. A number of rare or disjunct bryophyte species are found in the area. Moss species which are either disjunct or occur at the edge of their range include Arctoa fulvella (Dicks.) B.S.G., Aulacomnium acuminatum (Lindb. & Arn.) Kindb., Andreaeobryum macrosporum Steere & B. Murray, Geheebia gigantea (Funck) Boul., Isopterygiopsis muelleriana (Schimp.) Iwats., Mnium spinosum (Voit) Schwaegr., Psilopilum cavifolium (Wils.) Hagen, Rhabdoweisia crispata (With.) Lindb., Seligeria calcarea (Hedw.) B.S.G., S. polaris Berggr., Trematodon brevicollis Hornsch., and Trichostomum arcticum Kaal. The North American distribution of these species is mapped. Herbertus stramineus (Dum.) Trev., Metacalypogeia schusterana Hatt. & Mizut., Scapania crassiretis Bryhn, and S. simmonsii Bryhn & Kaal. are four hepatic species of phytogeographic interest.


ZooKeys ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 977 ◽  
pp. 41-74
Author(s):  
Yusuf A. Edmardash ◽  
Usama M. Abu El-Ghiet ◽  
Ahmed M. Soliman ◽  
Zarrag I. A. Al-Fifi ◽  
Neveen S. Gadallah

The doryctine wasp species (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) of Farasan Archipelago (Saudi Arabia) are studied here for the first time. Six species are reported, of which Mimodoryctes arabicus Edmardash, Gadallah & Soliman is described and illustrated as a new species. Neoheterospilus sp. is most probably a new species but further collecting should be done to obtain the female. Four species are new records for Saudi Arabia as well as for the whole Arabian Peninsula: Dendrosotinus ferrugineus (Marshall, 1888), Hecabalodes anthaxiae Wilkinson, 1929, Mimodoryctes proprius Belokobylskij, 2001, and Rhaconotus (Rhaconotus) carinatus Polaszek, 1994. The newly recorded species are re-described and illustrated.


Significance Syria's beleaguered mainstream rebel movement suffered numerous territorial losses in 2014 at the hands of Islamic State group (ISG) and the regime. Partly in response to these losses, a wider realignment of rebel alliances is now underway. Rebel groups are shifting away from overambitious schemes to unify under one national umbrella or on an ideological basis, and are moving towards more pragmatic local coalitions that are creating a de facto geographical 'north-south' divide among the rebels. Impacts Any international fightback against ISG requires the overcoming of US and Saudi objections to LF and other Islamist rebels. A nationwide Syrian rebel army will only materialise in the event of a US-led ground campaign against ISG. Recruiting tribal militias will probably prove a cheaper and more practical option. Saudi Arabia will prioritise the rebel scene in the south and Euphrates valley, leaving Qatar and Turkey to dominate the north. Dire military conditions will reinforce the drive for pragmatic cooperation among Damascus rebels.


Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4636 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
UWE ZAJONZ ◽  
EDOUARD LAVERGNE ◽  
SERGEY V. BOGORODSKY ◽  
FOUAD NASEEB SAEED ◽  
MOTEAH SHEIKH AIDEED ◽  
...  

The Socotra Archipelago, located in the eastern Gulf of Aden, has a unique marine environment which combines tropical and ‘pseudo-temperate’ elements. Studies on the fish biogeography of the archipelago, partially framed in regional studies, have substantially outpaced critical elementary research on the archipelago’s fish diversity. The present study seeks to close this gap and identifies the Socotra Archipelago as a major hotspot of coastal fish diversity in the Indian Ocean.       The archipelago supports unique coastal fish assemblages which are predominantly composed of coral-associated (“reef”) species, in spite of the limited biogenic reef frameworks. A Preliminary Checklist comprises 682 species with confirmed records and a “Working List” includes an additional 51 records, totalling 733 faunal records in 108 families. The family Labridae is the most speciose, followed by Gobiidae, Pomacentridae, Serranidae and Chaetodontidae. The species richness of the archipelago is the highest when compared to adjacent Arabian ecoregions. The richness of the Acanthuridae, Chaetodontidae, Labridae, Pomacentridae and Pseudochromidae stand out as particularily high, and the richness of several families is as high as or higher than in the entire Red Sea. The total archipelagic richness is extrapolated at up to 875 species based on incidence-based richness models and expert opinion. Inshore fish inventories, covering 497 species, found between 14 and 132 species per site (x̄ = 66). Site diversity decreased across the archipelago from west to east and from north to south. Total fish diversity was highest around Socotra Island, followed by Abd al-Kuri & Kal Farun and Darsa & Samha. Occurrence frequencies were very unevenly distributed and dominated by Pomacentrus caeruleus and Thalassoma lunare, whilst many species were infrequent. The fish assemblages are dominated by species from the Indo-West Pacific and the north-western Indian Ocean. The assemblages are rich in rare species and hybrids, and include a low number of endemics (4–5), and a high number of species with far-reaching and Western Indian Ocean ranges. 


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