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

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 Protective Effect of Radish (Raphanus sativus) Seeds Against the Oxidative Stress Induced by Sodium Nitrite in Male Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effect of Radish (Raphanus sativus) seed alcoholic extract 70% against oxidative stress induced by sodium nitrite NaNO2 Twenty five adult male rabbits were devided into five groups of (five rabbits in each group) and treated daily for 30 days. Group T1: intubated orally 20 mg/kg NaNO2, Group T2: intubated orally 20 mg/kg NaNO2 + 50 mg/kg of alcoholic extract from Raphanus sativus seeds, Group T3: intubated orally 20 mg/kg NaNO2 + 100 mg/kg of alcoholic extract from Raphanus sativus seeds, Group T4: intubated orally 20 mg/kg NaNO2 + 200 mg/kg of alcoholic extract from Raphanus sativus seed as well as Group C: control intubated orally distilled water. In comparison with normal rabbits there were significantly increase in the level of Methemoglobin (MetHb%) , lipid peroxidation indicator malondialdehyde (MDA), and significantly decrease in the level of glutathione (GSH) in the rabbits intubated NaNO2. In rabbits intubated NaNO2 + 50,100,200 mg/kg of alcoholic extract it was found there were significant decreased in the level of MetHb%, MDA, and increase in the level of GSH. In conclusion according to results obtained from this study approved that alcoholic extract of Raphanus sativus seeds in dose (50,100,200 mg/kg) have protective effect against oxidative stress induced by sodium nitrite in male rabbits

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

Histological and Histochemical study of the Esophagus in Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis

The present study represent the histological and histochemical structure of the esophagus of laughing dove Streptopelia senegalensis, one of the wild birds, which feed on the seeds( grainvorous).The result showed that the esophagus long tubular quit wide and highly distensible organ situated at the right side of the nick , lie between pharynx and stomach it was divided into cervical and thoracic part , the cervical part longer than the thoracic part, and the crop was merely enlargement fusiform in shape which located at the entrance of the thorax. Esophagus parts showed that composed of four layer ;the mucosa, sub mucosa, muscular and adventitia or serosa, the mucosal layer was arranged in folds which was longer in the cervical part and constituted by nonkertenized stratified squamous epithelium ,the lamina propria had esophageal glands in the the thoracic part only .The submucosa composed of a thin layer of connective tissue , muscularis externa consists of two layers of smooth muscle fibers, which were an inner circular layer and an outer longitudinal layer which was surrounded by adventitia or serosa .The histochemical result showed the glands positive reaction with (PAS) dye and the mucous layer of the wall of the esophagus showed positive with Alcian blue -PAS dye as well as with Mercuric bromophenol blue dye, esophageal glands did not show a positive reaction with the last dye

Effect of vydate gill histology in female mosquito fish Gambusia affinis (Baird and Girard)

This study aimed to identify the histological changes of mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis) exposed to vydate pesticide. (48) female fishes were collected from local markets and also from the stream that surround Baghdad university campus at Al-jadyria, fishes divided into (4) groups and each group consist of 12 fish: T1(exposed to 0.0000001 mg/L),T2 (exposed to 0.0000002 mg/L ) and T3 (exposed to 0.000001 mg /L) of vydate pesticide for (8) weeks. As well as a control group. Fishes were dissected for histological preparations after each (2,4,6,8) weeks of exposure time. Gills were fixed by Bouin’s fluid and stained with Hematoxylin and eosin. Histological study showed that the structure of gill in a control group consists of primary and secondary gill lamellae appeared parallel and oblique. The secondary gill lamellae lined with squamous epithelial and pillar cells, and each secondary lamellae have capillary derived from blood vessel in primary lamellae, chlorid cells and few mucous cells found between secondary lamellae. The histological alterations in gills included hyperplasia of chloride cells, congestion of blood vessels, lamellar disarray, lifting of epithelial cells, Oedema, fusion of adjacent secondary lamella and Aneurysm. Results concluded that vydate had a vicious effect on gills and caused severe histological alterations such as hyperplasia of chloride cells and simple alterations such as lamellar disarray, and also these histological changes commensurate direct proportion with concentrations were used in this study

Histological and histochemical study of the intestine in invasive species Acridotheres tristis in Iraq

The current study was conducted to find out the most important histological and histochemistry differences in the bird A. trisris intestine. The bird samples were dissected; to remove and fixed in 10% formalin, preparing them for histological and histochemical study. The results showed there was a histological differences in the bird intestine. Histological sections showed that the mucosa of A. tristis small intestine was presented numerous long villi which lined by simple columnar epithelium. In the bird large intestine the mucosa was presented numerous villi which lined by simple columnar epithelium. The histochemical sections of A. tristis small and large intestine showed that with Alcian blue (pH2.5) stain the epithelium of villi and intestinal crypts showed that the goblet cells contained acidic mucopolysaccharide. While the enterocytes showed negative reaction. With PAS stain, the sections of villi showed strong neutral mucopolysaccharid within goblet cells

Comparative histological and Histochemical study of the esophagus in two invasive species Acridotheres tristis and Tilapia zillii in Iraq

The current study conducted on two invasive species, the common Myna Acridotheres tristis and Tilapia Tilapia zillii in Iraq. The study aims to identify the histological and histochemical aspects of the esophagus in both species. Histological sections showed that the esophagus composed of four tunica: mucosa, submucosa, muscularis and adventia. The lumen of these parts displayed numerous long folds, these folds were lined by non-keratinized stratifies squamous epithelium in A. tristis, while in Tilapia zillii these folds lined by pseudo stratified columnar epithelium. The tunica mucosa showed absence of muscularis mucosa in both species, so the lamina propria was continued with tunica submucosa. In both species, the histochemical sections showed that the submucosal glands with Alcian blue stain contained acidic mucopolysacharrids, meanwhile the sections with PAS stain showed strong neutral secretions within submucosal glands. The middle part of Tilapia esophagus with alcian blue (pH 2.5) stain appeared that the epithelial crypts contained acidic mucopolysacharrids but no reaction within the epithelium, meanwhile with PAS stain showed strong neutral mucopolysacharrids within crypts and weak neutral mucopolysacharrids within epithelium

Otter hunting and trapping, a traditional practice of marsh Arabs of Iraq

Two species of otter inhabit the marshes of southern Iraq: the European otter (Lutra lutra) and the smooth-coated otter (endemic subspecies: Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli). Marsh Arabs have targeted otters since at least the 1950s. Nowadays, local marsh inhabitants are still heavily hunting otters for their fur or trapping their cubs to be raised as pets. These practices, together with habitat destruction (i.e., marshland drainage), represent primary threats to the otters’ survival in Iraq, and have caused a dramatic decline in otter populations. We report on traditional hunting and trapping methods in Iraq on European and smooth-coated otter, and on the consequences on the conservation of these endangered species