Bulletin of the Iraq Natural History Museum

Heliotropium curassavicum L., 1753 belongs to the Boraginaceae family, and it was recorded for the first time to the Flora of Iraq in Basrah Province, Iraq. Its morphological characteristics have been described with photos; as well as a taxonomical key has been suggested to separate it from other species of Heliotropium that grow in Basrah Province. The geographical distribution of the species was determined, and the results showed that it was grown in five different locations along the southern parts of Shatt Al-Arab. Pollen morphology and anatomy of leaves were studied by using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which showed that the species has psilate and hexa-heterocolpate pollen grains, and the leaves were glabrous with anomocytic and hemiparacytic stomata.

Monitoring migrating raptors is among the most cost-effective and simple methods for forecasting shift in the ecosystem and environment. The Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Accipitriformes, Accipitridae) represents a widely wintering, on-passage raptor over Iraq's southern Mesopotamian marshlands. However, recent information related to this species’ population trend, as well as its spatial and temporal migration patterns, is not fully known. From October 2021–June 2022, nine ornithological field surveys were undertaken in the Central Marshes (UNESCO Site, RAMSAR Site, and Iraq's National Park). Three transect lines were chosen, and the surveying plot covered 40,000 hectares (400 Km2). Our recent surveys recorded a total of 64 harriers passing over the Central Marshes. The species density was determined using a distance sampling method; perpendicular distances were gauged using a digital range finder. During our surveys, the Central Marshes hosted a migratory population of ≈3,508-21,499 harriers. In addition, we assessed the breeding status of this bird species in the surveyed area; however, no confirmed breeding was found. Furthermore, illegal hunting/trapping were identified as the main threat facing the species in Iraq.

In this study, we provide an analytical comparison combined with morphological characteristic of eggs and newly hatched precocial chicks of three lapwing species, Red–owattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus (Boddaert, 1783), Spur-winged Lapwing V. spinosus (Linnaeus, 1758), and White-tailed Lapwing V. leucurus (Lichtenstein, 1823) that breed in Al-Malih Wetland in Babylon Province, Middle of Iraq. Occupied nests were located during the breeding season (March–June 2023), breeding events (e.g., adult courtship, marking of the breeding territories, nest-site selection, nest building, and egg incubation) were carefully observed. A total of 48 eggs from a total of 12 lapwing nests (4 eggs for each nest, 4 nests for each species) were cautiously examined and measured. Lapwing chicks and eggs show many morphological differences. Morphometrical data were tested using ANOVA, calculating the Mean, standard deviation (SD), and coefficient of variation (CV). The mean and SD for egg length were 46.25±0.68 mm for V. indicus, 42.25±0.96 mm for V. spinosus (Linnaeus, 1758), and 42.28±0.67 mm for V. leucurus. The egg breadth mean and SD were 33.34±0.84 mm for V. indicus, 31.43±0.55 mm for V. spinosus (Linnaeus, 1758), and 31.42±0.67 mm for V. leucurus. The egg weight Mean and SD were 21.39±0.91 gm for V. indicus, 16.51±0.73 gm for V. spinosus (Linnaeus, 1758), and15.87±0.50 gm for V. leucurus. The low value of CV (≤5%) may indicate a close hereditary clan in the birds that belong to the same genus. In addition, the results indicate that there are considerable differences in the morphometrical measurement of the three species of Vanellus. Eggs, as all of these variables have ≤5% CV. Our preliminary results, which were obtained for the first time, may contribute to the conservation efforts of these wetlands-dwelling birds in Iraq.

The Nilgiri large burrowing spider, Haploclastus nilgirinus Pocock, 1899, an endemic tarantula in the Nilgiris Region of India, is critical for conservation yet poorly understood in terms of its ecology and habitat. This study addresses this gap by examining the nesting habits, tree-hole dynamics, and prey diversity of the species in Coonoor, The Nilgiris, specifically within tea plantations and fruit orchards. Observations focused on seven pear trees serving as nesting sites, with detailed measurements of nesting holes, including outer and inner circumference, depth, trunk base, ground-based height (gbh), and height from the ground. Data were collected over four consecutive months, both morning and evening. Insect diversity in the orchard was also assessed through counts and diversity indices, revealing variability among trees. The seventh tree had the highest spider population, with 13 spiders in 10 nests. Insect orders such as Blattodea, Orthoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, and Lepidoptera were most prevalent around the seventh tree’s nests. Across all trees, a total of 25 spiders in 21 nests were documented, with variations in hole size and other tree measurements. This research provides crucial insights into the nesting habits, tree-hole dynamics, and prey diversity of this species, informing conservation efforts for this vulnerable species. As H. nilgirinus faces threats from habitat destruction, climate change, and illegal trade, understanding its ecological needs is vital for developing effective conservation strategies and sustaining ecosystem health.

By using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the pollen grains and foliar epidermal morphology of four species and two varieties of Egyptian Oxalis Linnaeus, 1753 belonging to three sections of the subgenus Oxalis Linnaeus, 1753 were studied. The objective was to determine the importance of pollen and foliar epidermal characters as taxonomic evidence. The current study revealed that the pollen grains of all taxa examined are monads, radially symmetric, isopolar, and of medium size; the shape varied from sub-spheroidal to subprolate. The pollen apertures were tricolpate with ornamented colpal membranes (rugulate, warty, congregated granules). Exine is semi-tectate, with micro-reticulate to reticulate ornamentation, perforate in O. debilis Kunth, 1822. The study also revealed the presence of four types of stomata: actinocytic, anisocytic, anomocytic, and an unusual 4-celled anisocytic. Both abaxial and adaxial epidermal cells were irregular or polygonal in shape, with undulate or straight anticlinal walls and semi-swollen to swollen periclinal walls with dispersed epicuticular wax. Two forms of non-glandular, unicellular trichomes were observed: short clavate and long with a tapering apex and papillate surface. The study further discussed numerical results based on combined morphological, palynological, and foliar epidermal characters. This study is the first report dealing with anatomical and palynological features of the genus Oxalis in Egypt.

The importance of understanding auxiliary insects in agroecosystems has become increasingly necessary due to the overuse of chemical products that disturb their presence and sometimes lead to their extermination without our awareness of their existence. The objective of this research project is to conduct the first inventory of aphid parasitoids in the Aphidiinae subfamily in orange orchards in the Guelma Region (Eastern Algeria) and to estimate the number of species present in this region using four non-parametric estimators. The results revealed the presence of ten species, namely Aphidius matricariae (Haliday, 1834), Aphidius sp., A. ervi (Haliday, 1834), Binodoxys angelicae (Haliday, 1833), B. acalephae (Marshall, 1896), Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh, 1855), Ephedrus plagiator (Nees, 1811), Praon volucre (Haliday, 1833), Lipolexis gracilis (Foerster, 1862), and Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson, 1880) . Among these species, L. testaceipes, B. angelicae, and A. matricariae were the most dominant during the study period. Binodoxys acalephae, despite being present in small numbers, had a ubiquitous ecological status, while A. matricariae, A. ervi, B. angelicae, D. rapae, and L. testaceipes maintained a constant status. According to the non-parametric estimators, the number of species varied, but the average was 11.39 ± 0.54 species, indicating that the richness could increase to 12 with a sampling accuracy of 87.74%. Despite their low abundance, the richness of Aphidiinae species in the orange orchards could be used in a biological control context.

The first molecular research on Iraqi centipede fauna is presented in this article. Between October 2022 and May 2023, during various climatic circumstances, centipedes were collected from several locations in four provinces of Iraq. Three families, represented by four genera, underwent molecular identification, and five species were found. From the order Scolopendromorpha family Scolopendridae, two species were recorded, Scolopendra morsitans Linnaeus, 1758, and S. cingulata Latreille, 1829, Cormocephalus sp.; while from the order Lithobiomorpha, family Lithobiidae, one species was recorded for first time in Iraq; Lithobius crassipes L. Koch, 1862 from the order Geophilomorpha family Himantariidae, one species Bothriogaster Signata Kessler, 1874. DNA was extracted from the specimens, the mtDNA fragment from the Cytochrome C Oxidase Subunit I (COI) gene was amplified by using the PCR technique with appropriate primers, and subsequently, the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) tool, which is accessible at the NCBI, was used. Additionally, a phylogenetic tree was built, and a distant comparison was shown.

This study is to identify the comparative morphological description of the tongue in two species of domesticated waterbirds, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos (Linnaeus,1758) and Graylag Goose Anser anser (Linnaeus,1758) (Anseriformes, Anatidae). Four adult male birds (two for each species) were collected from the Iraqi environment and used in the current study by buying them from the AL-Ghezil Market, a local market in Baghdad City. Anaesthetized, dissected, and laboratory work were conducted and visually documented. The results of the study showed that the tongue of both birds was characterized by the appearance of being a narrow-elongated organ divided into three areas represented by the apex, the lingual body, and the root. It was noted that there was a median sulcus, lingual prominence, and conical and filiform papillae of varying numbers and distribution on the dorsal surface of the tongue. While the ventral surface was free of lingual papillae, but it might contain in return a triangular squamous plate called a lingual nail or a bar-shaped structure called a lyssa in proportion to the type and nature of nutrition.

The study aimed to describe the anatomical, histological, and histochemical structure of the proventriculuc of adult male Eurasian marsh harrier, Circus aeruginosus (Linnaeus, 1766) (Accipitriformes, Accipitridae). Six birds were used for this study. The histological sections of proventriculus were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid Schiff, and alcain blue. The proventriculus, representing the upper stomach, appeared as a conical structure with a thick wall connecting the caudal end of the thoracic esophagus to the gizzard. It had a light brown color. Microscopic examination revealed that the proventriculus wall consists of the outer tunica serosa, the tunica muscularis, tunica sub mucosa, and the inner tunica mucosa.
The mucous layer exhibited folds, and the sulci represented many longitudinal folds with uniform lengths on its luminal surface. A single layer of columnar cells with oval-shaped nuclei made up the lining epithelium. The second layer was the laminal layer propria, composed of a relatively dense network of connective tissue. A thin, discontinuous layer of circularly arranged smooth muscle fibers in the muscularis mucosa separates the lamina propria from the sub mucosa. The submucosa appears as a very thick layer of dense vascular connective tissue, sub-mucosal compound tubuloalveolar glands form the major bulk of this tunica. These glands are arranged in one to three series of lobules that appear in different shapes. Muscularis externa consists of smooth muscle fibers arranged in a thick inner circular layer and a thin discontinuous outer longitudinal layer. The tunica serosa was a well-developed layer constituted by loose connective tissue covered by a single layer of flattened epithelial cells of the mesothelium. The proventriculus has some similarities to other bird species as well as some variations to other species, which may be explained by its nourishing food and behavior.

Anatomy and morphology study of seeds for seven Lathyrus L., 1753 species in Iraq; the species were: L. annuus L.,1753, L. aphaca L., 1753, L. chloranthus Boiss., 1859, L. cicera L., 1753, L. sativus L., 1753, L. inconspicuus L., 1753 and L. sphaericus Retz.,1753. There are 17 species of the Fabaceae family that are distributed throughout the middle and northern regions of Iraq. Using a scanning electron microscope, the study's characteristics were examined to ascertain the taxonomic relationships, interactions, and issues that impeded the species' ability to be separated according to taxa.
The seeds were glossy in all species except L. sativus L. and L. sphaericus L. which were matt, the surface cells wall undulation, the wax covered the peak of the conical papillae, the anatomical characteristics determined by cross section in seeds and pointed some trails such us ,Epidermis parenchyma thickness and Palisade, the species L. annus L. and L.aphaca L. were given the highest value of exocarps thickness (5.5) μm while the species L.sativus recorded the Lowest mean (3.8)μm, the seed coat in L. sativus L. is detached from some epidermis in some area with pit aperture, in according the epidermis thickness, the species classification to three groups the L. aphaca L. and L. sphericaus Retz. recorded the highest value (46-49) μm respectively, L. sphaericus Retz. recorded the highest value of palisade thickness which was 61 μm, some unique trails such us present the pit in exocarp, and the pit cavity was along parenchyma layer in L. sativus L., the similar morphology features are considered the evidence for the proximity of the taxa, so the internal structure (anatomy) of the seeds can be used to separate the taxa.

Data from the current study was used to analyse the impact of marine heat waves on the quantity and distribution patterns of Iraqi marine fisheries following the recent change in the climate of the northwestern Arabian Gulf. The average annual water temperature and salinity were 26◦C and 38.6 psu, respectively, higher than the averages recorded during previous decades. The dissolved oxygen average was 8.65 psu, and the pH was 8.23. Principal components analysis (PCA) showed that temperature and salinity accounted for 66.93% of the effect of the studied factors, while the percentage of dissolved oxygen was 32.81% and the pH was 0.27%. The results showed a decrease in the weight, numbers, and diversity of the fish during the summer compared to the data from previous decades. Supplementary variable analysis showed that the number of species, individuals, and weights of commercial marine fisheries' catches were inversely correlated to water temperature and salinity. Autocorrelation analysis revealed temporal changes in the effect of temperature and salinity on the decline in the number of fish during the summer. It is extremely important that significant progress be made in understanding marine heat waves and the risks they pose to marine ecosystems in order to predict how these systems and the products they provide will be affected.

The Zagros Mountain range in western Iran is an area of species endemism within the Irano-Anatolian biodiversity hotspot. A couple of relict and morphologically isolated species have been reported for the Zagros Mountains, yet their distribution patterns in relation to the geological and climatic history of the region are not fully understood. Clinopodium kallaricum (Jamzad) Bordbar, 2019 (Lamiaceae), Hypericum dogonbadanicum Assadi, 1984 (Hypericaceae), and Iranoaster bachtiaricus (Mozaff.) Kaz. Osaloo, Farhani & Mozaff. 2018 (Asteraceae) are local endemic species restricted to Zagros with no clear affinities to the Irano-Turanian or other Northern Hemisphere temperate species. Previous studies suggested some afromontane relations for these species, beyond the Saharo-Sindian lowlands. Here, we provide dated phylogenies for these three species, to assess the most probable drivers behind this pattern of distribution. Our results represent that the split between these taxa and their relatives is not contemporaneous, implying different biogeographical histories. I. bachtiaricus originated in the Middle Miocene, while C. kallaricum and H. dogonbadanicum are relatively younger (late Miocene early Pliocene). The divergence of these taxa coincided with the major geological and climatic events of the Miocene, mainly the collision of the Afro-Arabia and Eurasia plates in 18-16 Mya and the aridification of the Sahara (started in 11-7 Mya), followed by a shift in the vegetation of the Sahara from subtropical/steppe to arid desert. The possible relict nature of these species is discussed, and the role of the Saharo-Sindian Region as a vicariant agent is highlighted, which could have subdivided formerly uniform populations and subsequently accelerated the allopatric speciation.

Three species of nematodes within Acrobeloides (Cobb, 1924); Thorne, 1937 (Rhabditida, Cephalobidae) were collected and recorded for the first time in Iraq, based on morphometric and molecular data, these species, A. saeedi Siddiqi, Ley & Khan, 1992, A. apiculatus (Thorne, 1925), and A. bodenheimeri (Steiner, 1936), were molecularly characterized using the partial 28S rRNA gene sequences. The phylogenetic tree has been constructed to separate Acrobeloides species from closely related species.

Four species of Spheciformes wasps belonging to two families and two genera Crabronidae Latreille, 1802 (one species to the genus Tachysphex Kohl, 1883) and Philanthidae Latreille, 1802 (three species to the genus Cerceris Latreille, 1802) are reported for the first time from Djerba Island in Tunisia. The distribution in Tunisia and morphological description for reported species are given and illustrated.

The present study aimed to report and provids an account of the population status, nesting
behavior, and conservation threats faced by the Critically Endangered w hite rumped Vultures
Gyps bengalensis (Gmelin, 1788 ) (Aves, Accipitriformes, Accipitridae) in Baairukhhar
village, Raisen District, Madhya Pradesh, India in the month of April 2023. In the current
study, the nesting and roosting sites were systematically surveyed and a total population of 98
to 102 w hite rumped vultures were recorded. For roosting purposes, the w hite rumped
vultures preferred high canopy trees, including s acred fig Ficus religiosa L., 1753 and Teak
Tectona grandis L. f., 1782 in the area. A total of 12 nests of w hite rumped vultures were
o bserved, all of which were located on high canopy F . religiosa trees with an 800 meter radius
within and around the Baairukhhar Village outskirts. The presence of this critically
endangered species in an anthropocentric area could have adverse effects on t heir breeding
success and lead to a decline in the population within the landscape.

Al-Dalmaj marsh is one of the most important marshes in Iraq; it extends from Al-Qadisiyah Province in the west to Wasit Province in the east, south of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. In order to study the malacological diversity of this site, a survey of the marsh molluscs species was made during this study. About 177 specimens were collected, seven species of gastropods belonging to six families and two species of Bivalves belonging to one family were identified, remarks on the nomenclature, taxonomy and distribution of these species. According to this study Al-Dalmaj Marsh includes diverse molluscs species and the presented results will provide important information for future studies concerned with the molluscs or Invertebrates biodiversity state of this important ecosystem in Iraq.