This study investigates the stomach morphology and histochemistry of Clarias gariepinus. Grossly, the stomach is a J-shaped organ with three distinct regions: cardiac, fundic, and pyloric. Histologically, its wall comprises four layers: mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, and serosa. The mucosa exhibits broad longitudinal folds lined by high columnar cells with basal oval nuclei. These cells contain apical mucosubstances that react positively with Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) stain and negatively with Alcian Blue (AB). Gastric pits result from mucosal invaginations. Glands are present in the fundic and cardiac regions but absent in the pyloric. Oxynticopeptic cells exclusively line the fundic glands. Enteroendocrine cells are distr

This research reviews studies that identify the habitats of the redbelly tilapia, Coptodon zillii, in Iraq, the environmental conditions favorable to this species distribution and proliferation, as well as its economic and social significance as a food source. Additonally, the study examines its effects on biodiversity through competition with native fish species for resources, as well as its role as reservoirs of pathogens, its adverse effect on human health due to the tendency to retain oil crude inside the tissues, and its impact on environmental and water quality by increasing water turbidity. Finally, the review exhibits recommendations for strategies to mitigate its detrimental effects on biodiversity as well as environment.

New distinguishing genus, Oxybelochardus gen. nov., belonging to the tribe Oxybelini
(Hymenoptera: Crabronidae), with the type species Oxybelochardus iraqensis sp. nov. from Iraq, have been described and illustrated. The diagnostic characters and differences from the close genera that were distributed and listed in the Palearctic Region are presented.

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.

This study aimed to make an inventory of leguminous plants for the purpose of identifying the plants that were collected over long periods and stored in the herbarium of Iraq Natural History Museum. It was found that the herbarium contains a large and varied number of plants from different parts of Iraq and in different and varied environments. It was collected and arranged according to a specific system in the herbarium to remain an important source for all graduate students and researchers to take advantage of these plants. Also, the flowering and fruiting periods of these plants in Iraq were recorded for different regions. Most of these plants begin to flower in the spring and thrive in fields and farms.

In the current review, an updated list of dark beetle species (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) recorded in Iraq was given. The current paper is based on previous studies in the literature and contains all dark beetles referred to in Iraq, except for the species within the Pimelinae subfamily. The investigation of this review showed the presence of 89 species belonging to 34 genera within five subfamilies. This work included mentioning the basionyms and synonyms for genera and species with their global distribution, as well as, correcting the scientific names that were mentioned in the previous checklists.

This study presents an updated checklist of the dipteran-borne diseases in Iraq, together with their original name combinations and synonyms. According to this checklist, 152 species, 40 genera within 14 families. Furthermore, minor corrections were applied to some authors’ names and years of publication.

A total of 45 voucher specimens of falcons which are deposited in the bird's collection of the Iraq Natural History Research Center and Museum (INHM) were reviewed. Mummified falcons were preserved as voucher study specimens and tagged with museum collection labels. In the current study, morphometrics of six species of the genus Falco Linnaeus, 1758: Lanner falcon F. biarmicus Temminck, 1825; Sacker Falcon F. cherrug Gray, 1834; Lesser Kestrel F. naumanni Fleischer, 1818; Peregrine Falcon F. peregrines Tunstall, 1771; Eurasian Hobby F. subbuteo Linnaeus, 1758 and Common Kestrel F. tinnunculus Linnaeus, 1758 were documented. These species were recorded previously in the ornithological literatures by several authors and deposited in t

In the present investigation, 24 adult dipteran species with forensic importance belonging to 13 genera and 8 families that were collected from different localities of Iraq. The specimens were identified by different taxonomical keys; in addition the date and localities of collecting specimens were recorded.

The present study aims to isolate and identify ectoparasites, specifically hard ticks, that infest both domestic and wild rabbits. This research is motivated by the heightened sensitivity of rabbits to infestations by hard ticks, which are recognized as the primary vectors of certain blood-borne diseases, particularly Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF). The study areas were spread across five provinces in Iraq: Baghdad, Karbala, Wasit, Mosul, and Al-Anbar. A total of 85 hard ticks (42 male and 43 female) were infested by 57 rabbits (Leporidae Family), including 19 wild rabbits (hare) with an infestation rate of 100% and 38 domestic rabbits with an infestation rate of 18.42%. Total of infestation was 45.61%. The current results are the oc

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.

    This study provides a Key to the species of Cerceris Latreille, 1802 (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae, Philanthinae) that were collected from different areas in Iraq. This is followed by a distribution list, including total species which had been registered for Iraq. Also this study includes some observations about the species that were recorded in previous checklists.

    A revised checklist of the robber fly genera (Diptera, Asilidae) was given during this study in Iraq. The investigation showed (21) genera belonging to seven subfamilies, two genera new recorded to entomofauna of Iraq (Promachus Loew, 1848 and Genus: Dysmacus Loew, 1860). Eight genera showed in this investigation and eleven genera were recorded previously to Iraq.

This study evaluated the effect of spore suspension and fungal filtrate against different developmental stages of Tribolium castaneum third and fifth larval instars and adults. Two isolates of entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae were used (commercially (Met 52 EC), and domesticly). For the two isolates, the effectiveness of various conidial concentrations were (1 × 104 ; 1 × 106 ; 1 × 108  conidia/ ml) and various concentrations of fungal filtrate (100,75,50%) were evaluated. It is observed that the fungal filtrate at a concentration of 75% and the conidial concentration of 1 x 108 conidia /ml for both isolates were the most effective in causing the highest mortality rates to the third and fifth instar larva and adult

Two means used for saving fish samples, namely Freezing and Preservatives represented by Alcohol and Formalin. The Freezing was used in saving samples collected newly, in addition to use Alcohol and Formalin with different concentrations 70% of Alcohol and 10% of Formalin. The concentrations of some heavy metal elements were examined, such as Potassium, Phosphorus, Calcium, Manganese, Magnesium, Zinc, Iron, Copper and Boron in samples saved in Formalin and Alcohol and frozen at different durations. The concentration of some elements has been changed during the saving duration. The study was performed on the concentration of heavy elements in the Liza abu muscles of saved and frozen fish.

A total of 400 hard tick specimens (250 ♂♂, 150 ♀♀) were collected from 160 sheep Ovis aries Linnaeus, 1758 out of 200 samples examined in the different localities of Iraq, representing an infestation rate of 80% of the sheep. The results of the current research identified eight species of hard ticks belonging to two genera, Hyalomma C. L. Koch, 1844 and Rhipicephalus Koch,1844 and belonging to the Ixodidae family, as follows: Hyalomma anatolicum Koch, 1844, H. excavatum Koch, 1844, H. impeltatum Schulze & Schlottke, 1930, H. scupense Schulze, 1919, Rhipicephalus bursa Canastrini & Fanzago, 1878, R. camicasi Morel, Mouchet & Rodhain, 1976, R. sanguineus Latreille, 1806, and R. turanicus Pomerantsev, 1936. Molec

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

The current study showed that the plants were collected from 23 geographical locations in Brenaj, Wasit, Iraq. The region was characterized by a great diversity of wild plants spread densely in this region. The results were as follows: 32 families, 149 species. Asteraceae was the most widespread with 29 species from the group of dicotyledons, followed by the Fabaceae family (19) species, but there are 13 plant families, with one plant species recorded for each plant family. in Brenaj, Wasit included: Aizoaceae, Capparaceae, Convolvulaceae, Frankeniaceae, Molluginaceae, Papaveraceae, Phyllanthaceae, Primulaceae, Rutaceae, Rubiaceae, Verbenaceae, Zygophyllaceae, Urticaceae, while the plant family Poaceae was most widespread in genera and spec

In the current review, an updated list of dark beetle species (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) recorded in Iraq was given. The current paper is based on previous studies in the literature and contains all dark beetles referred to in Iraq, except for the species within the Pimelinae subfamily.
The investigation of this review showed the presence of 89 species belonging to 34 genera within five subfamilies. This work included mentioning the basionyms and synonyms for genera and species with their global distribution, as well as, correcting the scientific names that were mentioned in the previous checklists.

In the current review, an updated list of dark beetle species (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) recorded in Iraq was given. The current paper is based on previous studies in the literature and contains all dark beetles referred to in Iraq, except for the species within the Pimelinae subfamily. The investigation of this review showed the presence of 89 species belonging to 34 genera within five subfamilies. This work included mentioning the basionyms and synonyms for genera and species with their global distribution, as well as, correcting the scientific names that were mentioned in the previous checklists.

The conservation for biodiversity in Iraqi freshwater environments is important to protecting native species from the environmental impacts of alien species. Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) (Siluriformes, Clariidae) has been recognized as an alien species in Iraqi water bodies. This study aims to use molecular DNA to identify this catfish and trace its origins using. The DNA sequences of C. gariepinus were done using the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene, and a specific primer set. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification was used to align the COI gene as a barcoding marker. After analysis, the sequences were compared with sequences in the National Center for Biology Information (NCBI) database

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: Agaricaceae, Pluteaceae,

The present study dealt with the morphological, anatomical,trichomespollen grains,and ecological characteristics of Caroxylon jordanicola (EigAkhani & Roalson (Amaranthaceae) in Al-Tar Caves, Karbala, Iraq which belongs to the Amaranthaceae family. The results of the present study demonstrated that There are distinctive characteristics of the studied species distinguish it from other species and facilitate its diagnosis. The sample was diagnosed using the taxonomic keys of the Iraqi flora and the flora of neighboring countriesIn addition to some available research. The results of the morphological and anatomical features investigation provide really significant taxonomical value to distinguish the species. The results that showe

Fish are regarded as a crucial indicator of alterations in the aquatic environment due to their position at the apex of the food chain. Monitoring these alterations is crucial for identifying modifications in the aquatic ecosystem. The principal elements influencing fish health are temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, pesticide contamination, microplastics, and algal presence. These elements substantially influence fish health regarding development, reproduction, respiration, oxygen stress, and the internal enzymes associated with digesting and other metabolic functions. Alterations in global environmental conditions and anthropogenic pollutants result in modifications to fish populations, their lives, and their behavior and