scholarly journals Genetic evidence for cryptic speciation in the freshwater shrimp genus Atyaephyra de Brito Capello (Crustacea, Decapoda, Atyidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2025 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOSÉ E. GARCÍA MUÑOZ ◽  
ANTONIO RODRÍGUEZ ◽  
J. ENRIQUE GARCÍA RASO ◽  
JOSÉ A. CUESTA
Keyword(s):  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
Morphological Differentiation ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Cryptic Speciation ◽  
North African ◽  
Mediterranean Islands ◽  
The North ◽  
Freshwater Habitats ◽  
Coi Sequences

The species Atyaephyra desmarestii (Millet, 1831) has a wide geographic distribution in freshwater habitats, rivers and lakes, spanning from North Africa to the Middle East, a large part of Europe and some Mediterranean islands. This wide distribution, together with the disjunct nature of freshwater populations, makes A. desmarestii a candidate taxon to undergo processes of cryptic speciation. To test this assumption, in the present study two mitochondrial genes (16S and COI) were used to examine the diversity between selected populations across the distribution range of this species. The data support three clearly distinguishable groups of haplotypes. The largest one includes the majority of the west European populations and the North African ones, belonging to Atyaephyra desmarestii desmarestii. Within this group the genetic composition found for the Portuguese specimens does not support the validity of Atyaephyra rosiana de Brito Capello, 1867 as a different species, and is therefore here proposed to represent a synonym of Atyaephyra desmarestii. The second European group includes two Greek populations which must be considered as a different species and are tentatively identified as Atyaephyra stankoi (Karaman, 1972) according to geographic distribution. This species-level distinction is supported by high genetic differences, although morphological differentiation is not clear at present. The third group comprises only one sequence from Iraq whose value of genetic variability for 16S could support A. mesopotamica Al-Adhub (or A. orientalis Bouvier) as a valid species. Unfortunately, there are no COI sequences available for this specimen that could be used to confirm its status.

scholarly journals Distribution of Testudo graeca in the western Mediterranean according to climatic factors

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Daniel Anadón ◽  
Andrés Giménez ◽  
Eva Graciá ◽  
Irene Pérez ◽  
Marcos Ferrández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Africa ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Distribution Model ◽  
Southern Europe ◽  
North African ◽  
Mediterranean Islands ◽  
Testudo Graeca ◽  
The North

Despite being one of the most charismatic elements of the Mediterranean Basin fauna and its threatened status, the western Mediterranean range of Testudo graeca is at present very poorly known. The present work provides the most detailed geographical and ecological description for the North African clade of T. graeca so far. We gathered 283 occurrence data of T. graeca in North Africa and modelled the distribution by means of presence-only distribution modelling tools. The obtained model was then projected to southern Europe in order to explore whether the environmental characteristics of European populations fall into the predicted niche of the species in North Africa. T. graeca showed a wide environmental range in North Africa. Presence localities ranged from the sea level to 2090 m of altitude and from 116 to 1093 mm of annual precipitation. The presence-only model indicates that distribution in North Africa is mainly related to rainfall, specifically rainfall values in the wettest and coldest quarter of the year. The distribution model showed a range of ca. 1 000 000 km2. The projection of the model to southern Europe showed that the southern Iberian and Balkan Peninsulas, as well as most Mediterranean islands, present climatic conditions within those found in the range of the species in North Africa.

scholarly journals Reports of Baetidae (Ephemeroptera) species from Tafna Basin, Algeria and biogeographic affinities revealed by DNA barcoding

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadhira Benhadji ◽  
Michel Sartori ◽  
Karima Abdellaoui Hassaine ◽  
Jean-Luc Gattolliat
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Study ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
North African ◽  
Mediterranean Islands ◽  
African Species ◽  
North West ◽  
Sister Clade ◽  
Macaronesian Islands ◽  
The Moment

The Mediterranean basin is known to be the cradle of many endemic species. Within mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera), North African species belonging to the family Baetidae remain poorly known and, traditionally, affinities to European fauna were proposed. Recent studies, based on molecular reconstructions, showed closer relationships to Mediterranean islands fauna. Baetidae were sampled from North-West Algerian wadis (Tafna basin) and involved in COI barcoding reconstructions. Seven species were identified. The subgenus Rhodobaetis is represented by Baetis atlanticus known previously from Macaronesian islands, Europe and Morocco and the Maghrebian endemic Baetis sinespinosus. Specimens, previously identified as Cloeon cf. dipterum, correspond to Cloeon peregrinator and, until now, only reported from Macaronesia. Besides the confirmation of endemicity of some species, such as Procloen stagnicola and B. sinespinosus, our molecular study showed quite original results for relationships between European, insular and Algerian species. Baetis maurus stood out as a North African endemic sister clade to an Iberian clade. Furthermore, we found clear interspecific distances between Algerian and European clades for A. cf. sinaica and B. cf. pavidus, suggesting the presence of cryptic species in Algeria. However, additional studies are needed, as, for the moment, no clear morphological characters were found to separate the different clades and support them as valid species.

The genus Haplodrassus Chamberlin, 1922 in the Mediterranean and the Maghreb in particular (Araneae: Gnaphosidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4451 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROBERT BOSMANS ◽  
OURIDA KHERBOUCHE-ABROUS ◽  
SOUÂD BENHALIMA ◽  
CHRISTOPHE HERVÉ
Keyword(s):  
Valid Species ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
New Combinations ◽  
North African ◽  
The North ◽  
New Synonyms ◽  
Nomina Dubia ◽  
First Time ◽  
New Distribution ◽  
Unknown Male

The Haplodrassus species of the the Maghreb are revised. Six new species are described: H. dentifer Bosmans & Abrous, sp. n. (♂♀, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Spain), H. longivulva Bosmans & Hervé, sp. n. (♂♀, Algeria, Morocco), H. lyndae Abrous & Bosmans, sp. n. (♂♀, Algeria, Morocco, Spain), H. ovatus Bosmans & Hervé, sp. n. (Tunisia, Algeria), H. securifer Bosmans & Abrous, sp. n. (♂♀, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Belgium) and H. triangularis Bosmans, sp. n. (♂♀, Morocco, Tunisia). The following new synonyms are proposed. Drassus corticalis Lucas, 1846, syn. n. and Drassus similis C.L. Koch, 1866, syn. n. were found to be junior synonyms of Drassus rufipes Lucas, 1846. Drassus parvulus L. Koch 1882, Drassodes acrotirius Roewer, 1928, Drassodes seditiosus Caporiacco, 1928, Drassodes parvicorpus Roewer, 1951 and Haplodrassus maroccanus Denis, 1956 are junior synonyms of Drassus omissus O.P.-Cambridge, 1872 syn. n. and this species is transferred to Haplodrassus comb. n. (taken out of the synonymy with H. morosus (O.P.-Cambridge, 1872, contra Levy, 2004). Drassodes nigroscriptus deminutus Simon, 1909 and Drassodes nigroscriptus Simon, 1909 are synonyms and the species is transferred to Haplodrassus comb. n. Haplodrassus isaevi Ponomarev & Tsvetkov, 2006 is a junior synonym of Haplodrassus orientalis (L. Koch), 1866 syn. n. comb. n. H. macellinus hebes (O.P.- Cambridge, 1874) is a synonym of Haplodrassus macellinus (Thorell, 1871) syn. n. Haplodrassus vignai Di Franco, 1996 is a synonym of H. macellinus (Thorell, 1871) (taken out of the synonymy of H. invalidus O.P.-Cambridge, 1872, contra Levy, 2004). H. gridellii Caporiacco, 1949 is taken out of the synonymy with H. pugnans (Simon, 1880) and synonymized with H. rufipes (Lucas, 1846) syn. n. (contra Levy, 2004). The following new combinations are proposed. Drassodes rhodanicus Simon, 1914 = Haplodrassus rhodanicus (Simon, 1914), comb. n. Drassus crassipes Lucas, 1846 = Haplodrassus crassipes (Lucas, 1846) comb. n. The following new status is proposed: Haplodrassus typhon (Simon, 1878) is removed from the synonymy of H. macellinus Thorel, 1871, is declared a valid species, a female lectotype is designated and the unknown male is described. Drassodes severus L. Koch, 1839 and Drassodes spinicrus Caporiacco, 1928 are declared nomina dubia. The female of H. rhodanicus is described for the first time, and the male illustrated for the first time. All Haplodrassus species occurring in the Maghreb are redescribed as well as Haplodrassus macellinus (Thorell, 1871), only occurring in S.W. Europe and deleted from the North African list. New distribution data and photos of other European Haplodrassus species are presented.  

Skeletochronology and mark–recapture assessments of growth in the North African agamid lizard (Agama impalearis)

1999 ◽  
Vol 249 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-461
Author(s):  
El Hassan El Mouden ◽  
Mohammed Znari ◽  
Richard P. Brown
Keyword(s):  
North African ◽  
Mark Recapture ◽  
Agamid Lizard ◽  
The North

scholarly journals Defatted Hydroethanolic Extract of Ammodaucus leucotrichus Cosson and Durieu Seeds: Antidiabetic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (24) ◽  
pp. 9147
Author(s):  
Imane Es-Safi ◽  
Hamza Mechchate ◽  
Amal Amaghnouje ◽  
Anna Calarco ◽  
Smahane Boukhira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wistar Rats ◽  
Fasting Blood Glucose ◽  
Diabetic Mice ◽  
North African ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
The North ◽  
Blood Glucose Levels ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Hydroethanolic Extract ◽  
Inflammatory Effect

The seeds of Ammodaucus leucotrichus Cosson and Durieu have been used in the North African Sahara as a traditional medicine to treat diabetes. The present study investigates the antidiabetic, antihyperglycemic, and anti-inflammatory properties of the defatted hydroethanolic extract of Ammodaucus leucotrichus (DHEAM). The antidiabetic and the antihyperglycemic studies were assessed on alloxan-induced diabetic with orally administered doses of DHEAM (100 and 200 mg/kg). At the same time, its anti-inflammatory propriety was evaluated by measuring edema development in the Wistar rats paw induced with carrageenan. Treatment of diabetic mice with DHEAM for four weeks managed their high fasting blood glucose levels, improved their overall health, and also revealed an excellent antihyperglycemic activity. Following the anti-inflammatory results, DHEAM exhibited a perfect activity. HPLC results revealed the presence of seven molecules (chlorogenic acid, 3-p-coumaroylquinic acid, gallic acid, ferulic acid, myricetin, quercetin, luteolin). This work indicates that the DHEAM has an important antidiabetic, antihyperglycemic, and anti-inflammatory effect that can be well established as a phytomedicine to treat diabetes.

scholarly journals Identification and Characterization of the Most Common Genetic Variant Responsible for Acephalic Spermatozoa Syndrome in Men Originating from North Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 2187
Author(s):  
Caroline Cazin ◽  
Yasmine Boumerdassi ◽  
Guillaume Martinez ◽  
Selima Fourati Ben Mustapha ◽  
Marjorie Whitfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Posterior Part ◽  
North African ◽  
The North ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Variant Filtering ◽  
North African Population ◽  
Sperm Nuclei

Acephalic spermatozoa syndrome (ASS) is a rare but extremely severe type of teratozoospermia, defined by the presence of a majority of headless flagella and a minority of tail-less sperm heads in the ejaculate. Like the other severe monomorphic teratozoospermias, ASS has a strong genetic basis and is most often caused by bi-allelic variants in SUN5 (Sad1 and UNC84 domain-containing 5). Using whole exome sequencing (WES), we investigated a cohort of nine infertile subjects displaying ASS. These subjects were recruited in three centers located in France and Tunisia, but all originated from North Africa. Sperm from subjects carrying candidate genetic variants were subjected to immunofluorescence analysis and transmission electron microscopy. Moreover, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed on sperm nuclei to assess their chromosomal content. Variant filtering permitted us to identify the same SUN5 homozygous frameshift variant (c.211+1_211+2dup) in 7/9 individuals (78%). SUN5 encodes a protein localized on the posterior part of the nuclear envelope that is necessary for the attachment of the tail to the sperm head. Immunofluorescence assays performed on sperm cells from three mutated subjects revealed a total absence of SUN5, thus demonstrating the deleterious impact of the identified variant on protein expression. Transmission electron microscopy showed a conserved flagellar structure and a slightly decondensed chromatin. FISH did not highlight a higher rate of chromosome aneuploidy in spermatozoa from SUN5 patients compared to controls, indicating that intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can be proposed for patients carrying the c.211+1_211+2dup variant. These results suggest that the identified SUN5 variant is the main cause of ASS in the North African population. Consequently, a simple and inexpensive genotyping of the 211+1_211+2dup variant could be beneficial for affected men of North African origin before resorting to more exhaustive genetic analyses.

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