First Northwest African species of the spider genus Artema, from caves in Morocco, with notes on body size in pholcid spiders (Araneae: Pholcidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4984 (1) ◽  
pp. 324-334
Author(s):  
BERNHARD A. HUBER
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Middle East ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Arabian Peninsula ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
African Continent ◽  
African Species ◽  
The Mean

The genus Artema Walckenaer, 1837 includes some of the largest pholcid spiders and is geographically largely restricted to Central Asia, the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, and the eastern Mediterranean. One species has previously been known from West Africa. The first known Moroccan species, A. martensi sp. n., extends the known distribution of the genus to the northwestern limit of the African continent. The species is described from two caves in the western Anti-Atlas, but it is not troglomorphic. A comparative analysis of male carapace width in 1632 pholcid species shows that A. martensi sp. n. is the largest known pholcid with respect to this character. Plots of mean carapace sizes of newly described species on periods of time (50 years, 20 years) show that the mean sizes of newly described species have been constantly decreasing. 

scholarly journals New data on Garra makiensis (Cyprinidae, Labeoinae) from the Awash River (Ethiopia) with remarks on its relationships to congeners on the Arabian Peninsula

ZooKeys ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 984 ◽  
pp. 133-163
Author(s):  
Gernot K. Englmaier ◽  
Nuria Viñuela Rodríguez ◽  
Herwig Waidbacher ◽  
Anja Palandačić ◽  
Genanaw Tesfaye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Short Distance ◽  
Additional Data ◽  
Arabian Peninsula ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
African Continent ◽  
Type Specimens ◽  
Fin Ray ◽  
Fin Length ◽  
Pelvic Fin

On the African continent, the genus Garra consists of several species often insufficiently separated from each other by diagnostic characters. Herein, a detailed morphological redescription of Garra makiensis from the Awash River drainage is presented, together with additional data on the type specimens of G. makiensis and G. rothschildi. Mitochondrial CO1 sequence data are also provided, including the historic paralectotype of G. makiensis, with a comparison to Garra species from Africa and the Middle East. Based on these sequences, G. makiensis clusters outside the group of African congeners and is a sister lineage to species from the south-east of the Arabian Peninsula. Although morphologically variable, G. makiensis is characterised by having a single unbranched pectoral-fin ray, a short distance between vent and anal-fin origin (7.3–19.7 % of pelvic – anal distance), chest and belly covered with scales, and a prominent axillary scale at base of pelvic fin (18.8–35.5 % of pelvic-fin length).

Growth of blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, in the Yumurtalik Cove, Turkey: a molt process approach

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Canan Bilen ◽  
Irem Yesilyurt
Keyword(s):  
Blue Crab ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Callinectes Sapidus ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
Degree Days ◽  
Western Atlantic ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Discontinuous Growth

AbstractThe blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is native to the western Atlantic, but is an invasive species in the Mediterranean. This study examined the dynamics of growth in an invasive population of blue crab in the Yumurtalık Cove, Turkey (North Eastern Mediterranean). Growth was quantified using a discontinuous growth model, a molt process model. Crab growth histories were observed for individual crabs held in field enclosures in summer 2010 and 2011. Carapace widths ranged from 14.13 to 80.07 mm. A mean growth per molt of 120.6% increase in carapace width was observed. Chronological inter-molt periods ranging between 3 days and 67 days were observed. The average IMP was 16 days in Yumurtalık Cove. The mean physiological IMP was 270±163 degree-days, ranging from 72–781 degree-days.

scholarly journals Assessment of Th1/Th2 cytokines among patients with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (12) ◽  
pp. 799-804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulkarim Alhetheel ◽  
Ahmed Albarrag ◽  
Zahid Shakoor ◽  
Ali Somily ◽  
Mazin Barry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Arabian Peninsula ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Coronavirus Infection ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Normal Controls

Abstract Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a member of the beta-coronavirus genus of zoonotic origin that emerged in the Arabian Peninsula and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to assess the plasma levels of cytokines to evaluate the Th1/Th2 status among 46 MERS-CoV-infected patients (19 asymptomatic and 27 symptomatic) and 52 normal healthy controls using a customized luminex kit. Comparative analysis of data between MERS-CoV-infected patients and normal healthy controls revealed that although no difference was observed between asymptomatic MERS-CoV patients and controls, the mean plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-10 (44.69 ± 40.04 pg ml−1 versus 14.84 ± 6.96 pg ml−1; P < 0.0001), IL-4 (22.46 ± 8.02 pg ml−1 versus 16.01 ± 9.97 pg ml−1; P < 0.0001), IL-5 (10.78 ± 2.86 pg ml−1 versus 8.06 ± 1.41 pg ml−1; P < 0.0001) and IL-13 (14.51 ± 3.97 pg ml−1 versus 11.53 ± 4.16 pg ml−1; P < 0.003) in MERS-CoV symptomatic patients were significantly higher than the normal controls. The mean plasma levels of interferon (IFN)-γ and IL-12 were no different among the study groups. The cytokine profile among symptomatic MERS-CoV-infected patients was skewed to a Th2 type immune response.

scholarly journals K-means cluster analysis of the West African species of cereals based on nutritional value composition

2021 ◽  
Vol 21` (01) ◽  
pp. 17195-17212
Author(s):  
Donald Douglas Atsa’am ◽  
◽  
Solomon Oyelere ◽  
Oluwafemi Samson Balogun ◽  
Ruth Wario ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Mean Square ◽  
The West ◽  
African Species ◽  
Nutritional Values ◽  
Food Items ◽  
The Mean

The K-means algorithm was deployed to extract clusters within the prevalent cereal foods in West Africa. The West Africa Food Composition Table (WAFCT) presents all the 76 food sources in the cereals class as a single group without considering the similarity or dissimilarity in nutritional values. Using K-means clustering, the Euclidean distance between nutritional values of all cereal food items were measured to generate six sub-groups based on similarity. A one-way analysis to validate the results of the extracted clusters was carried out using the mean square values. For every nutrient, the “within groups” and “between groups” values of the mean squares were examined. This was done to ascertain how similar or dissimilar data points in the same or different clusters were to each other. It was discovered that the P values for all “between groups” and “within groups” mean squares for every nutrient was P < 0.01. Additionally, it was observed that in all cases, the mean square values of the “within groups” were significantly lower than those of the “between groups”. These outcomes are indications that clustering was properly done such that the variability in nutrient values for all food sources within the same clusters was significantly low,while those in different clusters were significantly high. Thus, the ultimate objective of clustering,which is to maximize intra-cluster similarity and minimize inter-cluster similarity was effectively achieved. Cluster analysis in this study showed that all food items within a particular cluster are similar to each other and dissimilar to food items in a different cluster.These findings are valuable in dietaries, food labeling, raw materials selection, public health nutrition, and food science research,when answering questions on the choice of alternative food items. Where original choices are not available or unaffordable, the clusters can be explored to select other similar options within the same cluster as the original choice.

scholarly journals Does Size Matter? The Case of the Courtship Pyramids in Red Sea Ghost Crabs (Ocypode saratan)

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3541
Author(s):  
Reuven Yosef ◽  
Michal Korkos ◽  
Jakub Z. Kosicki
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Red Sea ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
Relative Size ◽  
Ghost Crabs ◽  
Burrow Entrance ◽  
Anthropogenic Development ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Size Matter ◽  
Sexually Mature

Display, wherein males attempt to maximize fitness by attracting sexually mature females to mate, is known to drive speciation by Sexual Selection. We researched the Red Sea Ghost Crab (Ocypode saratan; RSGC), in which males build display pyramids to attract females. The study was conducted at the beach in Eilat, Israel. At each session, we measured the height (in cm) of all pyramids and the dimensions (height, breadth; in cm) of the burrow entrance. We assumed that the size of the entrance represented the relative size of the carapace width of the occupant. The mean (± SE) entrance volume was 230.8 ± 11.7 cm, and the height of the pyramid was 11.8 ± 0.49 cm (n = 54). The results of our study did not support our hypothesis because we had expected to find a linear correlation between body size and pyramid height, i.e., the larger the male, the larger the pyramid. However, our results show that the largest males in the population either built small pyramids or not at all, and the cut-off of the larger crab’s body size appears to be around 350 cm3. We discovered a step-wise function in the data in that crabs with the smallest body size of ca. 250 cm3 constructed the highest pyramids, with a declining tendency between 250–350 cm3 and extremely low pyramids beyond 350 cm3. However, our findings need to be further studied with a stress on the ambiance and elucidate whether the habitats differ in temperature, humidity, prey-base, etc., before concluding as to why the larger males desist from building pyramids. This study underwrites the importance of studying the mating systems of the macro-fauna of the beaches that are fast disappearing owing to anthropogenic development.

scholarly journals Comparative Analysis of Different Local Anesthetic Solutions Available in Market: An In Vitro and Clinical Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eisha Imran ◽  
Faisal Moeen ◽  
Beenish Abbas ◽  
Bakhtawar Yaqoob ◽  
Mehreen Wajahat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Local Anesthetic ◽  
Compositional Analysis ◽  
Bacterial Activity ◽  
Similar Composition ◽  
Ph Values ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference

Abstract Objectives The study aimed to evaluate and compare various commercially available local anesthetic solutions. Materials and Methods A total of 150 commercially available local anesthetic cartridges of similar composition (2% lidocaine with epinephrine 1:100,000) were randomly collected and divided into 3 groups. The designations of groups were selected from their product names such that each group consisted of 60 cartridges. Group S (Septodont, France) Group M (Medicaine, Korea) and Group H (HD-Caine, Pakistan). The samples were divided into five sub-groups, each consisting of 10 cartridges from each group to investigate each parameter. Results The acquired data was statistically analyzed and compared (using SPSS version 12). Compositional analysis revealed a non-significant (P>0.05) difference when the three Groups were compared with standard lidocaine and epinephrine solutions. The mean pH values of samples from group S, M and H respectively fell within the range of pH values of commercially available solutions. Non-significant difference in EPT values of Group S and H was found when efficacy was compared (p = 0.3), however a significant difference (p < 0.01) was observed in contrast to Group M. Anti-bacterial activity was observed in all the group and a non-significant difference in cell viability values of Group S and M was found (p = 0.6), while the difference was significant in comparison to Group H. Conclusion Within the limitations of these investigations, it appears that the properties of different manufacturers fall within the recommended ranges as mentioned in literature and do not appear to be statistically different in the variables we have tested.

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