To identify the fungi associated with water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes [Mart.] Solms), an aquatic weed, which presents in Tigris river from Baghdad south ward. Five regions from middle and south of Iraq (Al-Noumanya, Saeid Bin-Jubier, Al-Azizia, Al-Reyfay and Al-Hay) were selected for this study. Twelve fungal species were isolated. Alternaria alternata, Acremonium sp and Cladsporium herbarum, were the most frequently species (91.66 % ,50 % and 25 %) respectively. The fungi Alternaria alternata, Acremonium sp. and Phoma eupyrena were more aggressive to water hyacinth as (91.66%,83,33%, and 75%) in pathogenicity test.

Mammals are under threat worldwide due to deforestation, hunting, and other human activities. In Iraq, a total of 93 species of wild mammals have been recorded including species with global conservation concern. Bamo Mountain is situated within the Zagros Mountains in northern Iraq which is a suitable habitat for wild mammals. Due to scarcity of the field survey efforts and cryptic behavior, monitoring of the wild mammals fauna in Zagros Mountain seems challenging. Therefore, we used a camera trap which seems to be an ideal way to determine species diversity of wild mammals in Bamo Mountain. Moreover, interviews with local villagers were performed. The mammalian diversity of Bamo Mountain is not fully explored but seemed threatened by lo

The survey and checklist of invasive species of the insects in some different localities of Iraq are revised; 24 invasive species were documented until December 2018 during the current investigations. The species distributions, common names and synonyms are given.

The current investigation included all of exotic species in Iraq, which are not collected during this study.

   A square experimental arena with vegetation on one interior side was deployed in a Sharjah, United Arab Emirates desert. Individual darkling beetles (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) Akis subtricostata Redtenbacher, 1850 and Trachyderma philistina Reiche and Saulcy, 1857 were placed inside the arena at temperatures ranging between 27 - 49°C. Whether they chose the vegetated side of the arena or not was recorded, as well as how long it took for them to reach the vegetated side, if they chose it. Both species preferred the vegetated side at all temperatures, and the chance of them choosing the vegetated side increased significantly with increasing temperature (logistic regression, p = 0.0096 and p = 0.0003 for

In this study, the specimens of land snails Polygyra cereolus (Megerle v on Mühlfeld t , 181 8
(Gastropoda, Stylommatophora, are collected between March and April 2021
from gardens and nurseries in Baghdad province, this species was recorded as a new record to
Iraq molluscan fauna. Description of the most important characteristics, measurements of the
shell are presented with digital p photographs, subsequently, this study represents the first record
of the Polygyridae in Iraq.

The predatory bush crickets Saga ephippigera Fischer Von Waldheim, 1846 is the largest Iraqi orthopterans and one of the most active and successful predators in the Kurdistan region. The nymphs and adults prey on all the stages of various species of insects. Twelve adult specimens were collected from Erbil Province during May 2018 and June 2021. Morphological structures of the adult insects were described and illustrated in details; important taxonomic characteristics of body regions with their appendages were chosen; and the results indicated the importance of morphological characteristics which confirmed the identification of this species correctly.

    Two dwarf snakes were discovered, Eirenis thospitis Schmidtler & Lanza from Sereen mountain, north east of Arbil  and E. rothii Jan from Saffin mountain North of Arbil  city  North of Iraqi Kurdistan. Supported by description and important notes on variation. In addition summarized list for 9 species of the genus Eirenis Jan in Iraq is also presented.  

    The aim of this study to survey the leaf miner Phytomyza Fallen of Iraq, many leaf plants which infested by leaf miners  were collected from several regions of Iraq.  The paper showed there are  four species of this genus during the work: Phytomyza horticola Gourear,1840; Ph. atricornis Meigen, 1838; Ph. rufipes Meigen,1830; Ph. ranunculi (Schrank,1803)

    Shiranish has been studied at Hijran section near Erbil city, NE Iraq. Fifty two thin-sections were prepared to study them under polarized microscope, to determine the petrographic component, organic content and digenetic processes. Rock units subdivided into four rock beds, as follows: dolostone, foraminiferal biomicrite, poorly washed biomicrite and micrite. Vertical succession of Shiranish Formation refers to off-shore quite marine environment.

    A total of 533 specimens were collected in survey of Brachyceran species from different regions of Iraq during February to November 2014 .This study was reported 16 species belonging to 13 genera and 7 families, the results showed that Dicranosepsis Duda, 1926 (Family; Sepsidae) is  recorded the genus  for the first time in Iraq.

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 Al-Rahimawi 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 th

    The monogeneans Gyrodactylus dzhalilovi Ergens & Ashurova, 1984, G. magnus Konovalov, 1967 and G. matovi Ergens & Kakachava-Avramova, 1966 were recorded in this study for the first time in Iraq from gills of the common carp Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758 collected from Tigris River in Baghdad city. The description, measurements and illustrations of these parasites were given.

    This study included isolation and identification of the fungi associated with Aloe vera (L.) in nurseries and plant gardens. The results showed that the fungi Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Nigrospora oryzae, Cladosporium herbarum, Stemphylium botryosum, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp. were isolated from the diseased leaves of Aloe vera showing spots and blight symptoms. The percentages of disease incidence in March, Jun and August were found to be 5, 50 and 60 %, respectively. Pathogenicity test of Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum, Nigrospora oryzae and Cladosporium herbarum showed that disease index were 50, 25,25and 12.5 %,

A new species of the family Carabidae, subfamily Harpalinae was introdIle7: (1 or a Acupalpus mesopota¬micus on the basis external morphology and male genctalia. The specimens were compared with a world collection of Acupalptis of the British Museum (N. H.) Holotype was kept at the Iraq Natural History Museum. Other 12 specimens were kept in Iraq Natural History Museum.

This paper provides an identification key to the species of Orthetrum Newman, 1833 (Odonata, Libellulidae), including six species that were collected from different localities in Iraq.

    The species of O. anceps (Schneider, 1845) is registered as a new record in Iraq; the most important characters which are used in diagnostic key are included

The current study aimed to identify the morphological, histological, and histochemical
composition of the proventriculus and the gizzard of the slender-billed gull Chroicocephalus
genei (Breme, 1839) (Aves, Charadriiformes, Laridae) using a light microscope.
Morphological analysis revealed that the stomach of the bird is divided into proventriculus
and gizzard. The proventriculus is situated to the left of the body's midline and is completely
encompassed by the liver's left lobe, and appears pear-shaped or elongated oval and has
smooth walls. The gizzard has a pear-shaped muscular organ and is located to the left of the
midline in the lower quarter of the abdominal cavity. The results of histological examination
s

The taxonomic features of the Casuarinaceae family were carefully examined to determine
which characters were most trustworthy for taxonomic delimitation. Morphological
characteristics that represented habit, leaf teeth, article, phyllichnia, male spike, female cone,
samara, and seed were used in our evaluation. Fieldwork revealed that seven taxa were
present, among which four species belonged to the genus Casuarina L., 1759. On the other
hand, herbarium studies identified the previous record of three species belonging to the genus
Allocasuarina L.A.S. Johnson, 1982, nevertheless could not be found in the field. Casuarina
cunninghamiana Miq., 1848 and Casuarina equisetifolia L., 1759 were represented in Egypt
by t

The humid and warm conditions in greenhouses provide an excellent environment for
pests’ living conditions, and therefore, they provide ideal medium for alien introductions.
Molluscs are among the most significant pests that infest plastic covered greenhouses. To
identify and report their mollusc species, 23 greenhouses in Iraq were surveyed between
March 2023 and April 2024. Of these, 11 were found to be infested with snails. A total of 158
specimens were collected and morphologically identified to seven species: Monacha
obstructa (L. Pfeiffer, 1842), Eobania vermiculata (O.F. Müller, 1774), Xeropicta krynickii
(Krynicki, 1833), Rumina decollata (Linnaeus, 1758), Polygyra cereolus (Megerle Von
Mühlfeld, 1818)

A rhabditid Mesorhabditis franseni Fuchs, 1933 (Family, Mesorhabditidae) and
pratylenchid nematode Pratylenchus goodeyi Sher and Allen, 1953 (Family, Pratylenchidae).
They were illustrated by molecular aspects. All specimens of both genera were cultured and
reproduced for DNA extraction. M. franseni (IRQ.ZAh2 PP528819.1 isolate) was
characterized. P. goodeyi (IRQ.ZAh5 PP535537 isolate) was also characterized. Selected
specimens of these two species were molecularly characterized using the partial ITS-rRNA
gene sequences. The ITS-rRNA sequence of IRQ.ZAh2 PP528819.1 isolate had a range of
(98.62%-100%) sequence homology with ITS-rRNA sequence of M. franseni available in
NCBI database. While, the ITS-rRNA sequence o

The primary aim of this investigation is to update the taxonomy of the genus Paeonia
L.,1753 (Paeoniaceae) in Iraq based on morphological characteristics, anatomical features,
ecological notes, and geographic distribution using, geographic information systems (GIS).
The results showed that the genus in Iraq contains only one subspecies, P. mascula subsp.
mascula (L.) Mill.,1768 a perennial herbs less than 80 cm tall with ascending, cylindrical,
glabrous stems, showy flowers, and underground carrot-shaped tuber roots. Anatomical
analysis reveals anomocytic stomata with an elliptical or rectangular apparatus, a
hypostomatic leaf, a stomatal index of 26.2%, and a stomatal density of 51 per mm2. A crosssection
of the

The aim of the current investigation is to study the embryogenesis of the pseudobranchia
(PB) in the Eastern mosquito fish Gambusia holbrooki, Girard, 1859 (Cyprinodontiformes,
Poeciliidae). Histological sections from 2-4 mm long embryos revealed the presumable PB as
a cell mass surrounded by a row of squamous cells in the operculum, as well as the formation
of cartilage and blood vessels, and the beginning of the formation of its lamellae. In 5-7.75
mm long embryos, a prominent rise appeared in the mass of cells and PB lamellae, along with
an increase in melanin deposition around the blood vessels. Moreover, a row of squamous
cells encircled the rise from the front and back. At this stage, the parallel arrangement o

The checklist of Iraqi Crabronid wasps has been updated due to this work. A total of 67
species are listed belonging to 29 genera, across 10 tribes within five subfamilies. The species
distribution is also provided, and an identification key was developed to differentiate the high
taxa.

Leeches are a group of segmented worms that play important roles in aquatic environment
based on diversity, and abundance feeding habits. A total of 144 specimens of the leech were
collected from two sites in Babylon Province on the Euphrates River including S1 in Al-
Musayyib city site and S2 in Shatt Al-Hillah site, during the period from March 2023 to May
2024. Specimens were examined morphologically and by molecular analysis of genomic
DNA, using to amplification of the conserved 18S rRNA encoding gene and universal primers
ITS1 and ITS4, some environmental variables were measured, including water and air
temperature (°C), pH, Electrical conductivity EC (μs ̸ cm), Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) and
Turbidity,

The study aimed to survey mushroom species from fields among herbs, palm trunks, and
trees in central Iraq and to identify them on the basis of morphological and molecular
characteristics. As a molecular identification result with polymerase chain reaction six
species were recorded (with eight isolates): Agaricus bitorquis (Quéllt) Saccardo. 1887
(SHA14); Candolleomyces candolleanus (Fr.) D. Wächter & Melzer, 2020 (SHA15);
Cyclocybe cylindracea (D.C.) Vizzini & Angelini, 2014 (SHA13); Leucoagaricus hesperius
Vellinga, 2010 (SHA16); Volvariella sp. (SHA17), and Volvopluteus gloiocephalus (D. C.)
Vizzini, Contu & Justo, 2011 (SHA10, SHA101 and SHA12), belonging to four families of
Basidiomycetes: Agari

We examined morphological variations in Carabus granulatus L., 1758 (Coleoptera,
Carabidae) populations across different habitats in the Kaluga Region. Discriminant analysis
revealed subtle but significant morphological differences between populations, with pronotum
length being the key discriminating trait. Morphological variability was primarily driven by
historical microevolutionary processes rather than direct phenotypic adaptation to specific
habitats. Local ecological factors, such as microclimate and resource availability, had a
greater influence on morphometric traits than the general habitat type. Populations in the
eastern part of the Kaluga Region exhibited smaller body sizes due to intensive forest use.

A survey and identification were made of edible mushrooms from Salah Al Din Province,
central of Iraq, were conducted. The species were identified according to macroscopic
characteristics, such as the size, shape, color, and surface texture of the cap; the color of the
gills and their attachment to the stipe, if any, the number of pores per millimeter; and the color,
size , and surface texture of the stipe. Other features noted included the presence or absence
of the annulus and volva; Microscopic characteristics were also examined, including the size
of the basidium and the number of its spores; the color, size, and shape of the spores; the size,
shape, and type of cystidia, and whether cystidia were present or abse

Birds are exposed to infection by various ectoparasites, including chewing lice (Order:
Phthiraptera), which affect nearly all avian species. The present study aimed to diagnose the
species of lice parasitizing poultry using morphological traits, and molecular analysis (PCR).
Additionally, the study included the construction of a phylogenetic tree of the among the
species sequenced on the basis of genetic sequencing by using 18S rRNA. The survey was
conducted during the period from November 2023 to October 2024. A total of 300 chickens
and pigeons were examined from different locations in Basrah Province. In the study, four
species were recorded, and registered in GenBank with the following accession numbers:
PQ63

    The environmental contamination by the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Ni, Cr, and Cd) concentrations in the leaves of plant Eucalyptus camaldulensis were determined at the city of Kirkuk in 15 selected locations using GPS. The pickings up of samples were carried out in two periods October 2010 and March 2011. Compared with results of other studies, the concentration levels of determined heavy metals show values within these studies results. The average total concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the leaves of Plant Eucalyptus camaldulensis indicated 37.1 ppb in October, while in March 165.2 ppb.

    The mode

    The aim of this work is to study the histological and histochemical structure of the Harderian gland in indigenous pigeons. Samples were obtained from 10 males and 10 females of adult healthy pigeons. Hematoxylin and eosin, Alcian blue (pH 2.5), periodic acid-Schiff and promo phenol blue, stains were used for paraffin section examination. The gland was teardrop like in shape, light brown to pink in color, capsulated with thin connective tissue. It was multilobular compound acinotubular in structure and lined by columnar epithelial cells. Lymphocyte, plasma cells and plasma cells with Russell bodies were present underneath the epithelia of central collecting duct and around the secretory unite. Histochemically; the

    The fauna of bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) from different regions of Iraq is surveyed in this study; there were 16 species, 13 genera that belong to four families which are collected in this investigation.

    Also, all the species that are recorded for Iraq in previous investigations are revised; totally there are 110 species, 32 genera belonging to  five families: Apidae, Andernidae, Colletidae, Halictidae and Megachilidae were listed.