Bulletin of the Iraq Natural History Museum

Convolvulus arvensis L., 1753 (Solanales, Convolvulaceae) is a cosmopolitan polymorphic
perennial herb and one of 15 noxious crop weeds. The species has notable phenoplasticity
among its populations. This study aimed to assess phenoplasticity in 20 morphologically
distinct populations collected from the same habitat in Egypt to understand this feature in
terms of chromosome number and karyotyping. A total of 55 morphological characters were
studied, and the similarity values were assessed using Jaccard’s similarity coefficient. The
morphological characters were distinguished into five groups with variations in chromosome
counting and karyotyping. Accordingly, they were treated as genotypes. These genotypes
include two distinct ploidy levels: tetraploids (2n = 32) and hexaploids (2n = 48). The
hexaploid genotypes had a higher intrachromosomal asymmetry index A1 value than the
tetraploids. Significant chromosomal differences among the studied genotypes were revealed
through an ANOVA test, indicating that quantitative genomic alteration has an essential role
in C. arvensis diversification. The study concluded that the studied phenoplasticity of the
populations of this species was genetically controlled and not attributed to ecological
factors. The importance of cytological studies in assessing the phenoplasticity of C.
arvensis populations is highlighted in this study, especially for those grown in the same
habitat.

This paper included the study of Al-Rahimawi drainage basin, one of the watersheds in the
Iraqi southern desert. It represents one of the hydro-geomorphological systems so-called
Lower Valleys Region, according to the geomorphological division of Iraq. A set of
geomorphometric parameters were used for the morphological characteristics of the AlRahimawi watershed, which gave precise consequences about this valley's geomorphological
features and the erosive phase. The parameters used in this study are the circulatory ratio (RC),
form factor (Ff
), elongation ratio (Re
), compactness factor (CC ), lemniscate ratio (k), and
length/width ratio (R/W). In addition to using the digital elevation model (DEM) type SRTM
and the satellite image of the American satellite Landsat ETM+8. The results indicated that
the circulatory ratio was 0.154, suggesting that the watershed moved away from the circular
shape. Also, the value of the form factor was low, reaching 0.098, which suggest that the
watershed is close to the triangular shape. The results also demonstrated that the elongation
ratio was low, reaching 0.353, indicating that the watershed is close to the rectangular shape.
In addition, the value of the compactness factor was high, reaching 2.415. There is a rise in
the lemniscate ratio, with a value of 2.551, indicating progress in the erosion cycle stages. The
results suggested that the length-to-width ratio reached 5.054, which is a high percentage.

Micromorphological characters of petals in 8 genera representing 12 taxa of Bignoniaceae
from Egypt were carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate their
taxonomic importance in petal epidermal micromorphology, including epidermal cell types
(areolate, papillose conical, and areolate mixed with papillose conical), trichome types (nonglandular; funnel shape, flexible and stiff-bristly, and glandular; peltate, capitate, cupular,
stipitate, and patelli-form), trichome ornamentation (striate, verucate, and smooth, and
stomata on both the abaxial and adaxial surfaces. Stomata are present in all species except
Jacaranda acutifolia Humb. & Bonpl., 1806 and Markhamia zanzibarica (Bojer ex DC.) K.
Schum., 1895. We used the past 4.03 program to performs a statistical analysis on the data set
matrices using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA, and a
phylogram was produced. Our result showed that the two studied genera of Markhamia Seem.
ex Baill. ,1888 and Tabebuia Gomes ex DC., 1838 showed support for the monophyly,
however, Tecoma (Juss., 1789) are not monophyletic genera.

In the current study, wild land plant specimens were collected during the flowering and
fruiting period of these plants in February, April, June, August, and October 2023 from the
riparian area of the Dujail River, Salahaldin Province, north of Baghdad, Iraq. Identified and
the results showed that the number of these species were: 104 species, belong to 29 plant
families, Included 26 dicotyledon families with 76 genera and 96 species. The asteraceae
family was the most diverse, with 30 species, followed by Brassicaceae with (12) species.
Additionally, there were 13 families represented by only one species in Dujail River which
included: Apocynaceae, Berberidaceae, Capparaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Convolvulaceae,
Geraniaceae, Lythraceae, Malvaceae, Papaveraceae, Plumbaginaceae, Primulaceae, Rutaceae
and Urticaceae. For the monocotyledon seven genera and eight species. The Poaceae family
was the most diverse, with five genera and five species, followed by Cyperaceae which has
one genus and two species

Fomes fomentarius (L.) Fr., 1849 (Agaricomycetes, Polyporales, Polyporaceae) is a significant fungal species widely used in traditional medicine. However, several studies have noted there is a genetic variation among strains collected from different geographic regions. The current study focused on identifying the genetic lineage of the first record of Iraqi strain F. fomentarius which was collected from the dead trunk Ficus sycomorus L., 1753 in Sulaylmaniyah Province. The study also and investigated the intraspecific genetic variability of the polypore. After multiple DNA sequence alignment analysis with international sequences, the study confirmed a genetic non-homogeneity of the presented species, and revealed the Iraqi strain has a unique 7 pb signature sequence and belonged to the lineage B. The Iraqi strain has only 2 base pairs differences from Slovak Southern European sequence and 4-8 base pairs from China, Asia (lineage B) and North American. Characterizing the genetic lineage of the current Iraqi strain is important to preserve its divers therapeutic prosperities and biotechnological applications of this species.

No detailed morphological, palynological, or molecular studies had previously been conducted on Pseuderucaria clavata (Boiss. & Reut.) O. E. Schulz (1916) (Brassicales, Brassicaceae). This species exhibits two distinct forms with different flower colors: violet and white. A taxonomic revision of these color forms identified two subspecies Pseuderucaria clavata (Boiss. & Reut.) O. E. Schulz subsp. clavata (1916), and P. clavata subsp. tourneuxii (Cross.) Maire (1933). Molecular study using the chloroplast barcoding markers rbcL and matK to elucidate the taxonomic relationships approved, and supported that the two color forms represent two different subspecies. The sequences of the two confirmed subspecies have been documented and deposited in the global database under the accession numbers OR573855, OR573856, OR573857, OR573858, OR573859, OR573860, OR636847, OR636848, OR636849, OR636850, OR636851, and OR636852. Additionally, the analysis of pollen grains characteristics in both subspecies confirmed the high taxonomic value of pollen features.

This study aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of seven calliphorid species of third- instar larvae that were collected from central Iraq. The purpose was to morphologically characterize these species and develop an identification key to differentiate them from closely related species. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) graphical images and high-resolution traditional optical microscopes were used to analyze the morphological characteristics of the species Calliphora vomitoria (Linnaeus, 1758), C. vicina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, Chrysomya albiceps (Widemann, 1819), Ch. rufifacies (Macquart, 1844), Ch. megacephala (Fabricius, 1794), Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann, 1830), and L. sericata (Meigen, 1826). An identification key was constructed based on the observed morphological differences to enable accurate species separation. The constructed identification key provided a reliable method for species separation based on their morphological features.
This study contributes to the field by providing a comprehensive morphological characterization of the larvae of these blowfly species which are distributed in central Iraq. The developed identification key offers a valuable tool for future research and forensic investigations involving these species, enabling accurate species identification and differentiation.

A parasitological investigation of diagenetic trematodes in three fish species from Iraqi
marine territorial waters was conducted from December 2021 to December 2022. The study
identified five trematode species belonging to the families Hemiuridae, Aca nthocolpidae, and
Opecoelidae. Lecithocladium angustiovum Yamaguti, 1953, found in the intestines of the
black pomfret Parastromateus niger (Bloch, 1795) ( T hree species of
acanthocolpid trematodes, Monostephanostomum loossi (Pandey & Tewari, 1 984),
Stephanostomum ditrematis (Yamaguti, 1939), and Stephanostomum sp., were recorded in the
greater amberjack Seriola dumerili (Risso, 1810) Additionally, Pseudopecoeloides tenuis
Yamaguti, 1940 (Opecoelidae) was recorded in the purple spotted bigeyes P riacanthus
tayenus Richardson, 1810. Except for L. angustiovum , all of these parasites were recorded for
the first time in Iraq and the Arabian Gulf.

Eimeriosis is a major problem affecting ruminants worldwide. The disease is primarily caused by Eimeria species, which are specialized for each host and grow in the small and large intestine of animals. The losses due to subclinical infections (especially weight loss) and clinical disease (diarrhea) make the species of this genus a very significant economic concern. Therefore, this study was conducted in some areas of Wasit Province. A total of 180 fecal samples from goats, of both sexes and covering different age groups and months, were collected. All fecal samples were examined microscopically, and 75 positive fecal samples were taken for molecular examination and further analyzed using conventional PCR, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Microscopic results showed that the overall infection rate was 41.6%. The incidence of Eimeria species ranged from 5.55% to 22.22% across three different species of the genus Emeria Schneider, 1875, namely E. arloingi (Marotel, 1905), Martin, 1909 (22.22%), E. christenseni Levine, Ivens & Fritz, 1962 (13.88%), and E. hirci Chevalier, 1966 (5.55%). Regarding the PCR reaction, results from the 18S rRNA, COI gene and genetic sequencing, Confirmed that the fecal samples were positive for Eimeria Schneider, 1875 species.
Keywords: COI gene, Eimeriosis, Eimeria species, Goat

The brown trout Salmo trutta Linnaeus, 1758 is an important species for fisheries in Armenia, with a comparatively wide distribution in both wild habitats and aquaculture. Despite its significance and widespread presence, there is limited information regarding diseases and parasites affecting brown trout in Armenia. The aim of this study was to examine the parasite fauna of brown trout in the southern part of Armenia. The research was conducted in the Vayots Dzor Region, as well as at the Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology, and Armenian National Agrarian University. Captured fish were examined using the method of complete parasitological research. Parasites were analyzed under microscope and identified using specialized manuals based on their morphological features. A total of 20 brown trout were captured between September and December 2023. Of these, 8 individuals (40%) were (40%) were infected with parasites. Six species of parasites were identified: Dactylogyrus vastator Nybelin, 1924 (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae), Gyrodactylus sp. (Monogenea: Gyrodactylidae), Bunodera luciopercae Müller, 1776 (Trematoda: Allocreadiidae), Proteocephalus longicollis Zeder, 1800 (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae), Khawia armeniaca Cholodkovsky, 1915 (Cestoda: Lytocestidae), and Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Fouquet, 1876 (Ciliata: Ichthyophthiriidae). Parasite infections were generally characterized by low intensity, except for I. multifiliis. Gyrodactylus sp. and B. luciopercae helminths were detected for the first time in Armenia. This pilot study provides baseline information for further large-scale investigations and offers a valuable insight for farmers to better understand the challenges associated with efficient production.

Land snails constitute an important group of mollusks distributed worldwide. This study reports on land snails found in Iraq. A survey of terrestrial gastropods was performed during their activity seasons in gardens, agricultural lands and nurseries in Iraq from March 2022 to September 2023. Fifteen terrestrial snails belonging to seven families were documented. The species Euchondrus michonii (Bourguignat, 1853) was identified and recorded based on several distinct conchological characters for the first time in Iraq. The recently collected specimens, along with those previously recorded in Iraq, were included in this checklist. Essential information on each species is also presented. As there is no previous checklist or study that provides an overview of land snails in Iraq, the results of this study fill the gap in our knowledge about this group and provide an important database for further research in this field in the country.

The current study aimed to determine the morphometric and meristic characteristics of the North African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822). Six specimens of C. gariepinus were collected from the Tigris River, in central Iraq. This study is considered the confirmation first record of this species in Iraq, and the second documentation of this exotic fish. The present species is characterized by a very long dorsal fin, a rounded caudal fin and four pairs of barbels.

The current investigation was to redescribe the morphology of the species of hard tick, Rhipicephalus pravus Dönitz, 1910 (Ixodida, Ixodidae) that was recently recorded from Baghdad Province, central of Iraq. A total of 130 sheep were obtained from the local animal markets in Baghdad Province, throughout the period from May 2022 to November 2023; these sheep were examined for the presence of hard ticks. The current study revealed five sheep infested with R. pravus in Baghdad Province. The specimens were deposited in the Iraq Natural History Research Center and Museum-Baghdad University under the number: INHM, 2023: Hard Ticks, No. 1.1. Hard tick-borne pathogens were reviewed, so this species of tick was associated with several pathogens, so it an important species that affects public health and livestock as well. The present description was provided with pictures and illustrations.

Vagrancy is a less contrived part in the context of bird migration; thus, observing the vagrancy pattern of immigrants helps to discover changes in distribution, range shifting, and range expansion of the bird species. It is critical to look after the determinants and patterns of vagrancy for effective conservation measures for all migratory bird species, including threatened pelican species, since their inland migration routes are understudied in India. Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus Linnaeus, 1758 (Pelecaniformes, Pelecanidae) is one of the winter visitors to India, but its wintering range in India is not addressed adequately. This communication provides documentation of the sighting of a Great White Pelican at Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, one of the Important Bird Areas in Andhra Pradesh, India, and briefly highlights the less-noticed vagrancy phenomenon of this species in the states of southern India.