New localities of the Eurasian otter Lutra lutra (Linnaeus, 1758) in the upper Euphrates river basin, a remarkable range extension in western Iraq

Records of the Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) have been confined to the waterbodies of southern, central, and northern Iraq (Kurdistan). Although its status in the Upper Euphrates River Basin in western Iraq is not fully explored, it seems to be rare. In August 2019, two adult Eurasian otters were reported from two new localities in Anbar Province after being strangled by fishing nets. These records represent the first photographic evidence for a remarkable range extension of the Eurasian Otter distribution range in western Iraq

The oscar, Astronotus ocellatus (Agassiz, 1831) (Cichlidae): a deliberate aquarium trade introduction in the Euphrates River, Iraq

The first record of a single specimen of oscar, Astronotus ocellatus, native to Amazon basin of Peru, Colombia and Brazil, is reported from the inland waters of Iraq. The specimen was caught from one of the branches of the Euphrates River to the east of the Barnun city, ca. 5 km to the NW of Hilla city in Babylon Province in central Iraq in December 2021 using rod and line. The capture of a sub-adult specimen, 186.7 mm in total length, indicates the first record of another aquarium fish species in the freshwater system of Iraq. The aquarium trade pathway is the suspected factor for the presence of this species in the Iraqi freshwater area

Recent Sighting of Smooth-Coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli in Hawizeh Marsh (Southern Iraq)

Since 1956, there were very few sightings of Iraq Smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli) especially after the Iraqi marshlands inundation. In April 2015, an adult male Iraq Smooth-coated Otter was trapped near Al-Edheam, in the northern part of Hawizeh Marsh (Southern Iraq). The recent sighting along with present photographic record represents very rare evidence documenting the occurrence of L. p. maxwelli otter in Iraq since the1950s

The oscar, Astronotus ocellatus (Agassiz, 1831) (Cichlidae): a deliberate aquarium trade introduction in the Euphrates River, Iraq

The first record of a single specimen of oscar, Astronotus ocellatus, native to Amazon basin of Peru, Colombia and Brazil, is reported from the inland waters of Iraq. The specimen was caught from one of the branches of the Euphrates River to the east of the Barnun city, ca. 5 km to the NW of Hilla city in Babylon Province in central Iraq in December 2021 using rod and line. The capture of a sub-adult specimen, 186.7 mm in total length, indicates the first record of another aquarium fish species in the freshwater system of Iraq. The aquarium trade pathway is the suspected factor for the presence of this species in the Iraqi freshwater area

Queens of the Night, the Owls of Iraq and Syria - Species, Current Distribution, and Conservation Status

The owls in the Arabian culture are a symbol of a bad omen and the embodiment of evil spirits that are roaming in deserts and abandoned places at night to impersonate the wandering nomads. In other stories, for centuries, the Bedouins in the deserts of Iraq and Syria are considered owls as the flying spirits of dead warriors who seek revenge when they hoot or as a sign of destruction. For decades, owls with their fierce and protruding eyes resembled satanic birds; therefore, they are persecuted to be used in sorcery whenever and wherever possible. The old beliefs and traditional knowledge of the Iraqi-Syrian local communities are still an “unsolved” critical issue that interferes with owls’ conservation efforts in the Middle East. There are 10 owl species occurring in Iraq and Syria; yet, their updated status and zoogeographical extent are still not fully explored. In this chapter, an annotated checklist of owls in Iraq and Syria, their historical and current distribution, and conservation status are provided

MORPHOMETRICAL CLUTCH UNIFORMITY IN THE LAPWING COMMUNITY VANELLUS BRISON, 1760 (AVES, CHARADRIIFORMES, CHARADRIIDAE) IN AL-MALIH WETLAND-BABYLON PROVINCE- MIDDLE OF 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, theresults indicate that there are considerable differences inthe 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

Checklist of the Mammals of Iraq (Chordata: Mammalia)

A checklist of the mammals of Iraq including their current status and geographical distribution is provided. Data were collected from literature and combined with field observations obtained during 2013–2014. The checklist comprises 93 species of wild mammals occurring in Iraq and belonging to eight orders, 28 families, and 65 genera. The status and distribution of three Erinaceomorphs, three Soricomorphs, 20 Bats, 23 Carnivores, eight Artiodactyls, two Lagomorphs, 28 Rodents, and six Cetaceans are reported. The checklist includes 24 species evaluated by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources: one was listed as Extinct, one as Critically Endangered, four as Endangered, eight as Vulnerable, seven as Near Threatened, and three as Data Deficient. One subspecies of carnivores (Smooth-coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli) and one rodent species (Long-tailed Nesokia Nesokia bunnii) endemic to Mesopotamian marshlands were highlighted as taxa with conservation priority to Iraq. We also focused on main threats to the most common wild mammals with special attention to impacts of illegal hunting and poaching

Impacts of biological globalization in the Mediterranean: Unveiling the deep history of human-mediated gamebird dispersal

Humans have a long history of moving wildlife that over time has resulted in unprecedented biotic homogenization. It is, as a result, often unclear whether certain taxa are native to a region or naturalized, and how the history of human involvement in species dispersal has shaped present-day biodiversity. Although currently an eastern Palaearctic galliform, the black francolin (Francolinus francolinus) was known to occur in the western Mediterranean from at least the time of Pliny the Elder, if not earlier. During Medieval times and the Renaissance, the black francolin was a courtly gamebird prized not only for its flavor, but also its curative, and even aphrodisiac qualities. There is uncertainty, however, whether this important gamebird was native or introduced to the region and, if the latter, what the source of introduction into the western Mediterranean was. Here we combine historical documentation with a DNA investigation of modern birds and archival (13th–20th century) specimens from across the species’ current and historically documented range. Our study proves the black francolin was nonnative to the western Mediterranean, and we document its introduction from the east via several trade routes, some reaching as far as South Asia. This finding provides insight into the reach and scope of long-distance trade routes that serviced the demand of European aristocracy for exotic species as symbols of wealth and prestige, and helps to demonstrate the lasting impact of human-mediated long-distance species dispersal on current day biodiversity