Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. Plant Protection Dept. Food and Agricultural Sciences College, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Abstract: The increased cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis vectored by Phlebotomus papatasi in Libya have driven considerable effort to develop a predictive model for the potential geographical distribution of this disease.
We collected adult P. papatasi from 17 sites in Musrata and Yefern regions of Libya using four different attraction traps. Our trap results and literature records describing the distribution of P. papatasi were incorporated into a MaxEnt algorithm prediction model that used 22 environmental variables.
The model showed a high performance (AUC= 0.992 and 0.990 for training and test data, respectively). High suitability for P. papatasi was predicted to be largely confined to the coast at altitudes less than 600m. Regions south of 30° N latitude were calculated as unsuitable for this species. Jackknife analysis identified precipitation as having the most significant predictive power, while temperature and elevation variables were less influential.
The National Leishmaniasis Control Program (NLCP) in Libya may find this information useful in their efforts to control zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis. Existing records are strongly biased towards a few geographical regions, and therefore further sand fly collections are warranted that should include documentation of such factors as soil texture and humidity, land cover, and NDVI data to increase the model’s predictive power.
Abstract: Endemic species are usually not very widespread in their distribution, but are only found in a particular region and nowhere else in the world. Because of this, they are of great conservation concern. A checklist of the endemic carabid beetles of Egypt was compiled and updated from published and unpublished records including long-term surveys. As far as can be ascertained, there are 39 valid carabid species and subspecies from 28 genera that are endemic to Egypt including Sinai. These represent about 16.3% of the total carabid fauna recorded from the country, and belong to five subfamilies: Brachininae, Cicindelinae, Harpalinae, Scaritinae, and Trechinae. I provide notes about type localities, depositories and distribution.
Abstract: Urbanization is a global phenomenon, particularly along coastal Mediterranean Sea that represents a threat to natural ecosystem and whole biodiversity due to the reduction of natural environment with land conversion. This impact was investigated on beetle diversity at three urbanized sites in addition to natural control site in New Damietta city, Egypt for 24 successive months (2007-2009). Within each site, 20 pitfall traps were distributed systematically in grid arrangement. Overall, beetle diversity (diversity index, richness and abundance) showed a highly significant among study sites and clarified the higher species of diversity, richness and abundance in the natural control site compared to urbanized sites. Moreover, cluster analysis and ordination (DCA) differentiated between natural control site and urbanized sites, while canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) revealed seven important environmental factors from 22 factors that correlated with beetle community. This study clarified that urbanization is not only threat to beetle diversity but also on species composition and environmental characters.
Abstract: An illustrated key to the chelonine species (Braconidae) recorded and collected from different regions of Egypt, during the period 2008-2010, is given. It includes 16 species, of which five species are new to the Egyptian fauna and two (Phanerotoma (Phanerotoma) elbaiensis and P. (Bracotritoma) ponti) are new, described for the first time. This key is followed by a faunistic list to all species under study, and full description for the two new species.
Abstract: Th is study aimed to characterise Egyptian desert vine fl ora and compare it with that of deserts in other
continents, such as Australia and North America. Specifi cally, 5 common climbing desert plants (Citrullus colocynthis, Cocculus pendulus, Cucumis prophetarum, Pergularia tomentosa, and Periploca angustifolia) were selected for this study. Th e fl oristic composition, vegetation heterogeneity, and chorological affi nities of the associated species of the studied climbing plants were quantitatively analysed. In general, Leguminosae, Convolvulaceae, Cucurbitaceae, and Asclepiadaceae are the most species-rich families of the climbing plants in Egypt. Th e comparison of all desert climbing plants in Egypt to those found in the deserts of other continents (specifi cally, the Australian, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan deserts) revealed the same dominant plant families. Th e chorological analysis of the associated fl ora indicated the abundance of the Saharo-Arabian chorotype within the major growth forms. Classifi cation of the vegetation associated with the 5 climbing plants yielded 4 vegetation groups, each linked to 1 or more of the studied climbing plants. Both DCA and CCA were used to assess the soil-vegetation relationships; results indicated that gravel, coarse sand, Na+, SO4-2, Cl-, and NO3
- were the most important factors for the distribution of the vegetation patterns of the studied desert vines.
Abstract: Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) captured in pitfall traps were compared within and among three altitudinal gradients in St. Catherine Protectorate, south Sinai, Egypt, to study the ant diversity patterns and its relation with environmental factors. A total of 26,165 specimens of ants from 17 different species were sampled. Our main findings were that (1) there were no significant differences in ant species richness, evenness and Shannon`s diversity index between the three elevation plots; while ant abundance was significantly different between low-elevation plots and both mid- and high-elevation plots, meanwhile there was no significant difference between mid- and high-elevation plots in terms of ant abundance. (2) TWINSPAN analysis and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) of the ant fauna indicated that the high elevation plots were distinctly separated from both mid- and lower-elevation plots according to their ant species compostion. (3) CCA showed that both the elevation and the two plant species Acacia raddiana and Casuarina sp were the significant factors, separating the ant species community along their alti-tudinal gradients. (4) Lepisiota nigra (P<0.01), Tetramorium depressiceps (P<0.05), and Cataglyphis ruber were found at the high-elevation plots; while, Camponotus aegyptiacus (P<0.02), Cataglyphis sabulosus (P<0.03), and Messor foreli (P<0.05) favoured the low-elevation plots.
Abstract: This study on the subfamily Oedipodinae (Acrididae, Orthoptera), treats 4 tribes, 12 genera, and 23 species and subspecies in Egypt, including one species, Oedaleus senegalensis (KRAUSS, 1877), as new to the Egyptian fauna. Keys for tribes, genera, species and subspecies, with illustrations are provided. Diagnoses for different taxa with world and local distributions of species and subspecies are provided as well.
Abstract: A comprehensive survey was accomplished for two of the most important and beautiful wadis in the Sinai, Wadi Isla & Hebran. The biodiversity of the two wadis are surveyed including plant species and their associated insects, spiders and scorpions. The list includes 20 plant families with 51 species, 8 insect orders with 54 families and 138 species, and 4 arachnid orders with 17 families and 23 species. The highest number of species recorded were Coleoptera and Hymenoptera.
Abstract: Eight Egyptian anthribid species belonging to five genera were taxonomically studied during the present work. Diagnosis, identification key, host plants, and distribution were given to each species.
Abstract: Nine species in four genera and four subfamilies: Alfieriellinae (rebinovitchi in genus Alfieriella), Atomariinae (munda in genus Atomaria and exiguus in genus Curelius), Cryptophaginae (acutangulus, afflnis, cellaris, dentatus and thomsoni in genus Cryptophagus), and subfamily Hypocoprinae (lathridioides in genus Hypocoprus) are investigated taxonomically during the present work. Identification keys are given to separate the four cryptophagid subfamilies and the species of genus Cryptophagus. Also, illustrated diagnostic features of the species and diagnosis of higher taxa are introduced.
Abstract: The taxonomy of Egyptian Sphingonotus species has received a little attention; all previous studies were limited to descriptions of new species and lists with general notes of some species.
In the present study, keys for 17 Egyptian species and subspecies of Sphingonotus are given. Each species is fully diagnoised, synonymized, and provided with information about world and local zoogeographical distribution, activity period, and some ecological notes.
Abstract: This is the first paper of a designed series dealing with the taxonomy of Egyptian Anthicidae. The present work treated 20 species of ant-beetles genera Anhticus, Omonadus, and Stricticomus known to occur in Egypt. Keys were provided to separate the treated genera and species. All species are diagnosed and provided with detailed distribution, and some ecological notes.
Abstract: The carabid beetle fauna was investigated and analyzed in Sinai Peninsula for the first time through many expeditions and field trips since 1992 until 2004, in addition to a critical examination of previously published data and collected specimens. Twenty two carabid species were newly recorded from Sinai; these newly recorded species increased the known species to 98 species inhabiting different habitats in Sinai including the protected areas. Sinai Peninsula harbors 7 endemic species out of 44 in allover Egypt. The carabid fauna was compared with the total fauna of Egypt (45.6% of Egyptian fauna) and its different geographical regions. The composition and structure of the carabid species and their spatial distribution in relationship to different geomorphological parts and different habitats was illustrated. Moreover, the fauna of protected areas were analyzed and compared to the whole fauna, these data about the biodiversity of carabid species will help the decision makers to put the management and conservation plans.
Abstract: An annotated key to species of family Mythicomyiidae (order: Diptera) from Egypt is given. 3 Subfamilies, 6 Genera, and 16 Species are involved. Some figures of wings, antennae and genitalia are provided to illustrate the most important characters used for the key. The distribution of species in the ecological zones of Egypt is tabled.
Abstract: The thirteen Egyptian species and subspecies belonging to subfamily Cicindelinae are revised taxonomically, separated in keys and pertinent morphological features are illustrated. The diagnoses of species are supplemented by information of the main distribution throughout Egypt. Brief information on biology, as far as known, is outlined. One species Lophyridia fimbriata (DEJEAN 1831) is still unconfirmed to occur in our fauna.
Abstract: Ground dwelling beetles (Coleoptera), captured by pitfall traps, were sampled in a nested-scale design in three different localities in the mountainous arid ecosystem of South Sinai. Each locality was represented by three different sites (each of 20m.X 20m. area); twenty individual traps were distributed systematically in each site. Habitat type and altitude were clearly different among the three localities and to a less extent within localities. Species diversity was significantly varied spatially and temporally among the different localities and sometimes within localities. Altitudinal gradient, by itself, had a positive correlation with beetle species diversity, while the degree of habitat heterogeneity within the locality may play a role in determining its species diversity. The different localities comprised distinctive and characteristic groups of species responding to their altitude and habitat characteristics.
Abstract: Patterns of species diversity and community organization in insect fauna were studied in 4 sites in Zaranik Protectorate, northern Sinai, Egypt. Local communities of insects included 187 species and subspecies belonging to 49 families and representing 15 orders; 25 of these species were very rare and seem to be threatened. Five of the collected species were recorded for the first time from Egypt. The insect diversity and abundance showed differences among different sites. Faunal similarity and diversity measures and species composition suggest the division of the insect fauna of Zaranik Protectorate into 2 main communities; one occurring at the area surrounding the rest building, 10 km away from the sea shore and the other community at the sea shore including some nearby small islands. The present study may constitute a basis for any attempt to include insects in any conservation assessment.
Abstract: A preliminary list of the insect fauna of Wadi Allaqui is given. This list is provided with the scientific names of orders, families, genera, and species in addtion to the date of collection and some remarks on the habitats of the species. A trial to classify according to their feeding habits is also included. 50 species belonging to 10 orders and 29 families are recorded.
Abstract: Key to species, diagnoses, ecological and biological data, geographical distribution and figures of the12 species of the genus Bembidion Latreille thus far recorded from Egypt are given. Bembidion moursyi n. sp. is described; and B. karounense Jedlicka, 1959 is newly synonymized with B. latiplaga Chaudoir, 1850.
Abstract: A study of ground beetle (Coleoptera) Communities was conducted in south Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. Using pitfall trap we collected a total of 4182 specimens from all sites, representing 73 genera and 98 species belonging to 19 coleopterous families. Various environmental factors influencing the distribution of beetles were measured. The most important were altitude and medium sand. Overall results suggest that abundance and species richness increased as the level of elevation decreased. To determine whether sites might sort into groups based in their beetles assemblage and environmental factors, sites were ordinated by detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and canocal correspondence analysis (CCA), and classified by two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN). Ordination suggested that the distribution of beetles was somewhat influenced by altitude and medium sand size. We used the cross-taxon analysis to assess the use of different beetle families as indicators of the health and functioning of the environment (ecological and environmental indicators) or as surrogate indicators of the overall diversity or assemblage composition of other groups within an area (biodiversity indicators). Cryptophagidae and Dermestidae were highly correlated with the environment and Tenebrionidae and Anthicidae were highly correlated with overall community.
