Bogidiella indica, A New Species of Subterranean Amphipod Crustacean (Bogidiellidae) from Wells in Southeastern India, with Remarks on the Biogeographic Importance of Recently Discovered Bogidiellids on the Indian Subcontinent

Bogidiella indica, new species, is described from three water wells in southeastern India, including a bore-well on the campus of Acharya Nagarjuna University in Nagarjunanagar, a water well in Guntur town, and an agricultural well in the Godavari and Krishna Basin, all in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. The new species is assigned to the genus Bogidiella Hertzog and to a newly designated species group within the genus. Despite the near circum-global distribution of the family Bogidiellidae, only a single, partially intact specimen of a bogidiellid had been collected from the Indian subcontinent prior to the discovery of specimens from the well in Nagarjunanagar. Including the new taxon described in this paper, the family Bogidiellidae contains 35 genera and 106 species. Although B. indica is closely similar to other species presently assigned to the genus Bogidiella, it is easily distinguished by a proportionately shorter and relatively heavily spinose pereopod 5. The sexes are generally similar except that the male bears a large, distally modified apical spine on the inner ramus of uropod 1. The location of the well sites within 45 to 50 km of the eastern coast of India strongly suggest that they lie in an area that was submerged under shallow marine water within the last 1 million years

Development of an Integrated Model to Assess the Impact of Agricultural Practices and Land Use on Agricultural Production in Morocco under Climate Stress over the Next Twenty Years

peer reviewedClimate change is one of the major risks facing developing countries in Africa for which agriculture is a predominant part in the economy. Alterations in rainfall patterns and increasing temperatures projected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) could lead to a decline in agricultural production in many areas requiring significant changes in agricultural practices and land distribution. The study provided estimates of the economic impacts of climate change, compared these with historical impacts of drought spells, and estimated the extent to which the current Moroccan agricultural development and investment strategy, the Plan Maroc Vert, helps in agricultural adaptation to climate change and uncertainty. The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of climate change on the overall economy by using an integrated framework incorporating a computable general equilibrium model. A concomitant factor to climate change will be the increase in population and its distribution and level of consumption, which will also influence agricultural production strategies, the conversion of agricultural land, the type of irrigation, and technological development. We demonstrated how changes in cereal production and area, affluence, and climate (rainfall and temperature) can be acquired for 12 regions of Morocco and used to develop and validate an earth system model in relation to the environment and socio-economic level, which projects their impact on current and potential land use over the next 20 years. We used different mathematical equations based on cereal area and production, population, consumption (kg/person), and change in climate (temperature and rainfall) in bour and irrigated areas for the growing season of 2014 in 12 regions to project agricultural land use over the next 20 years. Therefore, several possible scenarios were investigated to explore how variations in climate change, socio-economic level, and technological development will affect the future of agricultural land use over the next 20 years, which in turn could have important implications for human well-being. Among the 12 Moroccan regions, only 4 had a surplus of cereal production compared to their local consumption. The increase in population will generate a cereal deficit in 2024 and 2034, thus lowering the average annual quantity available per capita of cereals from 204.75 to 160.61 kg/p in 2014 and 2034, respectively. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the amount of cereals per person by 5 kg/p and 25 kg/p so that the 2014 production could satisfy the population projected in 2024 and 2034. We found that cereal production will decrease with increasing temperature and decreasing precipitation according to the simulated scenarios, which might not satisfy the growing population in 2024 and 2034. This study provides a practical tool that can be used to provide policy makers with advice on food security assurance policy based on our current knowledge of the impending onset of climate change, including socio-economic statistics and the agricultural constraints of cereals in the 12 regions of Morocco

Analysis of the Vulnerability of Agriculture to Climate and Anthropogenic Impacts in the Beni Mellal-Khénifra Region, Morocco

peer reviewedClimate change (CC) is a significant concern for many climate-sensitive socio-economic sectors, such as agriculture and food production. The current study aimed at analyzing the current vulnerability of the Moroccan agricultural sector to CC and anthropogenic impact and identifying the relevant vulnerability factors in the Beni Mellal-Khénifra region. In this regard, a multidisciplinary approach was used to assess the vulnerability. To do this, an index based on five components was designed, including climate, plant production, animal production, geography, and anthropogenic aspects. The numerical model has benefited from data retrieved from three recognized indices such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), and Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), and from the reported data of the agricultural, environmental, and socio-economic governmental departments. The results showed that there was a significant vulnerability of all the five components to CC. Particularly, the province of Azilal was the most vulnerable, followed by Khénifra, Fquih Ben Salah, and Beni Mellal, while Khouribga was the least vulnerable. These components might help to determine the mechanisms and priority sectors, the most vulnerable to CC and anthropogenic effects, to take urgent measures. These may guide decision makers to carry out effective actions, namely, the amounts to be spent to mitigate this vulnerability. It will also make it possible to know where, when, and how the adaptation should take place

L'adaptation au changement climatique dans le bassin de Tensift au Maroc par une gestion améliorée du bassin versant et le paiement pour les services environnementaux - rapport final

Ce projet bénéficie d'une subvention du Centre de recherches pour le développement international (CRDI), Ottawa, Canada.Le défi que le présent projet de recherche a essayé de relever est de trouver des pistes pour repenser la GIRE dans un contexte du changement climatique, tout en prenant en considération le maintien de la production des biens et services environnementaux. Ceci ne pourra se réaliser qu’à travers des actions permettant de prendre en considération la donne climatique et les instruments basés sur le marché (e.g. le Paiement pour les Services Environnementaux (PSE)) dans les politiques de gestion de l’eau

Kotumsaria bastarensis Messouli, Holsinger & Reddy, 2007, new species

Kotumsaria bastarensis new species (Figs. 2 –7) Material examined. Jagadalpur, Bastar District, Chhattisgarh State, INDIA: Kotumsar cave, Kanger Valley National Park (see Type locality). HOLOTYPE: disarticulated (sex unknown), 2.23 mm, in 70 % ethanol [MHNM reg. no. Amph-061MHR]. PARATYPES: 3 specimens (2 of them disarticulated) in 70 % ethanol deposited in the collection of the MHN Marrakesh. Leg. Y. Ranga Reddy, 1 December 2004. In freshwater. Accompanying fauna: parabathynellid Chilibathynella kotumsarensis Ranga Reddy, 2006, and a new harpacticoid copepod of the genus Parastenocaris Kessler, 1913. Description. Sex unknown. Body length of 4 specimens: 2.23, 2.15, 2.12, and 2.05mm. Without eyes and pigment, of subterranean facies. Tergites of body somites with sparsely set, long setules (Figs. 2 A, B). Head lacking rostrum; lateral lobes (interantennal lobes) of head rounded, well developed, extending beyond anterior margin of head (Fig. 3 A). Antenna 1 relatively short, about 33 % length of body (Figs 2 A, 3 B); peduncular segments proportionately elongate, slender, first longer than combined length of following two, second about half length of preceding segment, third shorter than second. First segment with 2 short spines and longer pedicellate seta on ventral margin; other armature details on segments as shown in Fig. 3 B. Primary flagellum composed of 6 segments, each bearing 1 long aesthetasc except proximal segment. Accessory flagellum lacking. Antenna 2 (Figs 2 A, 3 C) rather short, 65 to 75 % length of antenna 1, first and second peduncular segments incompletely separated, short; gland cone not reaching beyond distal margin of third peduncle segment. Fourth and fifth peduncular segments much longer, fifth as long as combined length of 3 proximal segments of peduncle, fourth somewhat longer; flagellum (Fig. 3 D) 4 -segmented, shorter than combined length of 2 distal peduncular segments, each segment, except penultimate, bearing a characteristic thick “seta” which is probably a ribbon-shaped aesthetasc; each flagellar segment also bearing several rather long, slender setae. Upper lip (Fig. 4 A) globose, with defined epistome; 2 patches of sparsely set, short setules on posterodistal surface. Left mandible (Fig. 4 B): incisor 4 -cuspidate, lacinia mobilis 5 -cuspidate; cusps rounded; spine row composed of 3 multi-denticulate elements along medial surface spines; parallel row of 2 slender plumose setae lying lateral to spine row; molar triturative, bearing long seta; palp strong, 3 -segmented, segment 1 short, unarmed, segment 2 subtriangular, well developed, with ventral margin longer than dorsal and bearing single long seta, segment 3 narrow and slightly longer than segment 2, bearing 3 long E-setae; A–D setae absent. Right mandible (Fig. 4 C) similar to left counterpart except for multi-cuspidate lacinia and shape of proximal element of spine row. Lower lip (Fig. 4 D) asymmetrical, inner lobes absent, outer lobes covered distally with densely set, stout spinules directed inwards. Maxilla 1 (Fig. 4 E): inner plate tapered distally, with single, apical plumose seta; outer plate broader than inner plate, bearing 6 stout, distally serrate spines on apex; palp short, 1 -segmented, about as long as outer plate and bearing 2 rather long, distally plumose on apex. Maxilla 2 (Fig. 4 F): outer plate slightly longer than inner plate, with 3 distal setae, inner plate only about one-half size of outer plate, bearing 1 distal and 1 subdistal plumose setae. Maxilliped (Figs. 4 G, H, I) inserted on naked fused coxae, inner plate (Fig. 4 G) finger-shaped, with 2 small, bifid spines distally and 1 short seta subdistally; outer plate (Fig. 4 H) elongate, tip slightly overextending basis of second palp segment, armature feeble, consisting of 1 plumose seta distally and 2 naked setae subdistally; palp 4 -segmented (Fig. 4 I), segments 2 and 3 with row of rather long setae on inner margin; dactyl nail long and curved. Gnathopod 1 (Fig. 5 A): basis slightly expanded distally, about 1.8 times longer than wide, with single long seta on anterior margin, and 2 setae of unequal length near posterior margin; ischium subtrapezoidal, short, about as long as wide; merus rhomboid, about 1.3 times longer than wide, with 3 distal setae; carpus triangular, short, about as long as wide, lacking prominent posterior lobe; propodus sub-ovoid, more than 2 times longer than carpus, palm strongly oblique, convex, more than 2 times longer than posterior margin, defining angle bearing 2 similar, long bifid spines, palmar margin microspinulate, with submarginal row of 5 smooth setae, 2 of them long, with expanded tip, and distal part bearing 2 curved spines; dactylus when closed not extending beyond defining angle of palm, with one spine fused at base to segment, 1 tiny, smooth seta and 1 flattened seta with rounded tip near insertion of nail on posterior margin of segment; posterior margin of dactyl finely pectinate along distal half and bearing long seta on anterior margin; nail of dactyl long, stout, nearly one-half length of entire dactylus. Gnathopod 2 (Fig. 5 B) smaller than gnathopod 1, basis similar but less expanded distally and lacking long seta on anterior margin; propodus ovoid and smaller than that of gnathopod 1; palm strongly oblique, about twice length of convex posterior margin; defining angle with 2 long, similar bifid spines; dactylus not extending beyond defining angle of palm, with tooth-like spine and 2 tiny, smooth setae on posterior margin of segment near insertion of nail; dactyl nail long and slender, about onehalf length of entire dactylus. Pereopods 3 and 4 (Fig. 6) subequal, bases slender with parallel margins, about 3.3 times longer than wide; propodi elongate, longer than carpi; dactyls slender, with smooth seta on posterior margin of segment near insertion of nail; dactyl nail slightly curved, about half as long as dactylus. Pereopod 5 (Fig. 6 C) shorter than pereopods 6 and 7, bases slender with parallel margins, distoposterior lobes indistinct. Pereopods 6 and 7 (Figs. 6 D, E) subequal in length, about 35 percent as long as body; propodi of pereopods 5–7 longer than corresponding segments, nails rather long, slender, and not curved. Coxal plates very short, 2 to 3 times wider than deep, not contiguous ( Fig. 2 A). Coxal gills subovate and stalked, present on gnathopod 2 and pereopods 3–6. Median sternal processes present on pereonites 2–6 (Figs. 6 A, B, C). Oöstegites and genital papillae not observed and apparently absent in specimens examined. Pleonal (epimeral) plates 1–3 (Figs. 2 A, 7 A, B) subequal; posterior corners rounded and poorly marked by single seta; ventral margins unarmed except plate 3 with single submarginal spine. Pleopods 1–3 (Figs. 7 A, B) similar, consisting of subrectangular peduncles 2.3 times longer than wide and inserted on short pedestal; rami of equal length, greatly reduced, shorter than corresponding peduncles; pleopods 1 and 2 with 2 -segmented rami, ramus of 3 with single segment; peduncles with 2 club-shaped, denticulated retinacles (coupling spines) inserted subdistally on medial margin; terminal segments of each ramus bearing long plumose seta distally on both sides. Uropod 1 (Figs. 2 B; 7 C): inner ramus longer than outer ramus, subequal in length to peduncle, armed with single, implanted, apical spine; outer ramus with single, implanted apical spine and seta near apex; peduncle approximately equal in length to urosomite 2, with 3 dorsal spines and 1 long apical seta, without basofacial spine. Uropod 2 (Figs. 2 B, 7 D) subequal to uropod 1 but little shorter, peduncle little shorter than rami, approximately equal in length to urosomite 3. Uropod 3 (Figs. 2 B, 7 E, F) rather long, slender, tapered distally, with 1 -segmented rami; inner ramus (endopodite) subquadrate, about 2 / 3 width of peduncle, but only about 50 % as long, distal margin of inner ramus with three small lobes, the anterior lobe bearing minute spinule; outer ramus more than twice length of peduncle, tapering distally, bearing few slender spines on lateral and medial margins and 3 slender spines of unequal length near sharply pointed apex; peduncle subrectangular, slightly longer than broad, bearing set of two distal spine-like setae, and one smaller seta subdistally near base of inner ramus. Telson (Fig. 7 G) about 1.2 times longer than wide, narrowing slightly distally, apical margin weakly rounded and bearing 2 prominent flanker spines and accompanying penicellate setae, upper (dorsal) side with 2 pairs of relatively long penicellate setae inserted toward lateral margins. Etymology. The epithet bastarenis refers to the occurrence of this species in the Bastar District in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. Variability. Individuals did not vary significantly. The only variation discerned, in one specimen, was the absence of the pre-peduncular ecdysial spine on the third urosomite. Remarks. The absence of oöstegites, pene, and very small size of the specimens may indicate immaturity but this is not certain and cannot be determined without collection of additional material. However, despite the tiny size of the specimens, most of the structural characters appear to be adult, although some are modified. FIGURE 6. Kotumsaria bastarensis new species, sex (?), 2.23 mm, Kotumsar Cave (India). A, Pereopod 3 with attached coxal and median sternal gills, and detail of dactylus; B, sagital view of 4 th somite showing attached right pereopod and coxal and mediosternal gills; C, lateral view of right pereopod 5, with attached coxal and mediosternal gills; D, right pereopod 6 (coxal and mediosternal gills omitted); E, right pereopod 7, lateral. FIGURE 7. Kotumsaria bastarensis new species, sex (?), 2.23 mm, Kotumsar Cave (India). A, right 1 st epimeral plate with pleopod; B, right 3 rd epimeral plate with pleopod; C, uropod 1 with detail of distal part of outer ramus; D, uropod 2; E, uropod 3; F, detail of peduncle and inner ramus of uropod 3; G, telson. Type locality. Kotumsar Cave, the type-locality and only known locality, is situated on the bank of the River Kanger, which flows through the Kanger Valley National Park (KVNP) (18 º 52´09˝ N; 81 º 56´05˝ E) at an altitude of 560 m. (Fig. 1). It is one of the largest caves in India and one of several caves (both explored and unexplored) in KVNP. The entrance to the cave is a vertical fissure in the wall of a hill and is a narrow but twisted opening, measuring about 15 m in length. The cave has several irregular chambers similar to that of a honeycomb. The main tunnel of the cave is nearly 500 m long and has several lateral and perpendicular passages. The roofs and walls of the different chambers are lined with colorful dripstone formations, resulting from the precipitation of calcite-dissolved carbonate of lime. The chambers are floored with either rocks or pebbles of varying dimensions or surface-derived soil/clay deposits. According to Pati & Agrawal (2002), the general trends of some salient abiotic parameters of the Cave, as observed during six different months between May 1987 and March 1988, were as follows: the air and water temperatures remained relatively stable at an annual average of 28.25 ± 1.23 ºC and 26.33 ± 0.96 ºC, respectively (range = 25.0– 32.7 ºC for air; 22.9–29.3 ºC for water). The water pools were alkaline with pH hovering around 8. Conductivity peaked during December, with an annual average of 0.27 ± 0.03 m Mhos. The annual mean for dissolved oxygen and percentage saturation for oxygen in the cave water was 6.42 ± 0.52 ppm and 74.83 ± 5.91 %, respectively. The cave is subject to frequent flooding when monsoon season begins around the middle of June.Published as part of Messouli, Mohammed, Holsinger, John R. & Reddy, Ranga, 2007, Kotumsaridae, a new family of subterranean amphipod crustaceans from India, with description of Kotumsaria bastarensis, new genus, new species, pp. 33-46 in Zootaxa 1589 on pages 36-44, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17852

Kotumsaria Messouli, Holsinger & Reddy, 2007, new genus

Kotumsaria new genus Diagnosis. With the characters of the family described above. Without eyes and pigment, of troglomorphic (subterranean) facies. Interantennal (lateral) lobe of head well developed and evenly rounded. Antenna 1 longer than antenna 2, approximately 30 % as long as body. Antenna 2 without calceoli. Mandibles well developed, each with strong incisor, lacinia mobilis, spine row and triturative molar with long seta; palp 3 -segmented but bearing only E setae. Lower lip without inner lobes. Outer plate of maxilla 1 with 6 apical, serrate spines; inner plate with single, apical plumose seta, palp 1 -segmented and bearing 2 long, plumose setae. Inner and outer plates of maxilla 2 sparsely setose, inner plate without oblique row of facial setae. Inner and outer plates of maxilliped with few apical spines, outer plate without bladelike spines on inner margin, palp segment 3 longer and broader than segments 1 and 4, with single row of setae on inner margin. Gnathopods: strong; first larger than second, palmar margins of propodi armed with simple setae and defining angles with long, notched spines; dactyl of gnathopod 1 with one long narrow blade on the inner margin, nails of dactyls well developed and approaching length of corresponding dactyls. Coxal plates very short, wider than deep, not lobate or contiguous. Coxal gills and simple median sternal gills (processes) on pereonites 2–6. Basis of pereopods 5–7 narrow, with sub-parallel margins. Pleopods with 1 - or 2 - articulated rami. Urosomite 3 with small posteroventral spine at base of insertion of uropod 3, urosomite 2 with short dorsoposterior spine, urosomite 1 bearing 2 dorsal spine-like setae and 2 small ventral (ecdysial) spines. Uropods 1 and 2 short (shorter than uropod 3) and similar, first slightly longer than second, without basoventral/basofacial spine; peduncles with long distal seta, rami with single distal spine. Uropod 3 with 1 -segmented rami; inner ramus (endopodite) scale-like, outer ramus (exopodite) proportionately elongate, tapered distally, about 2.8 times longer than peduncle. Telson about one-half length of uropod 3, narrowing slightly distally, about 1.2 times longer than wide, apical margin weakly convex, bearing 2 prominent spines subapically. Type species. Kotumsaria bastarensis new species, by monotypy. Gender is feminine. Etymology. The name Kotumsaria refers to the occurrence of this genus in Kotumsar Cave.Published as part of Messouli, Mohammed, Holsinger, John R. & Reddy, Ranga, 2007, Kotumsaridae, a new family of subterranean amphipod crustaceans from India, with description of Kotumsaria bastarensis, new genus, new species, pp. 33-46 in Zootaxa 1589 on pages 35-36, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17852

Climate Change Impacts on Water Supply and Demand in Rheraya Watershed (Morocco), with Potential Adaptation Strategies

Rheraya watershed already suffers from the impacts of climate variability and will be further affected by climate change. Severe water shortages and extremely fragile ecological conditions necessitate careful attention to water resources management. The aim of this study is to analyze Rheraya’s future water situation under different scenarios of socio-economic development and climate change until 2100. The Water Evaluation and Planning System model (WEAP) has been applied to estimate the current water demands and the increased water demands resulting from climate change. WEAP was calibrated using meteorological and demand observations, then, updated with present-day and future climatic conditions using the Statistical Down-scaling Model with two projections (A2, B2) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Those projections show an increase in temperature of about 2–3 °C and a reduction in precipitation of 40–60% with respect to baseline. The results show that the pressure on Rheraya’s water resources will increase, leading to greater competition for surface water, and that domestic, tourist, livestock and agricultural demands will not be met by the year 2100. The Results also demonstrate that the assessments of adaptation strategies proposed by decision makers are effective but not sustainable for the watershed

Assessment of Future Water Demand and Supply under IPCC Climate Change and Socio-Economic Scenarios, Using a Combination of Models in Ourika Watershed, High Atlas, Morocco

Climate change will affect the water resources system, on global and regional levels. Over the past thirty years, the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco have experienced severe droughts, which causes a decrease in water supply that affects both agriculture and the urban water system. In this paper, we assess the impact of climate change and socio-economic activities on water supply and demand in the Ourika watershed (High Atlas of Morocco), then we evaluate the efficiency and sustainability of regional adaptation strategies for water supply management. For this, we simulate and analyze the future water situation using the statistical downscaling model (SDSM) and the water assessment and planning tool (WEAP). After the model’s calibration and validation, the precipitation, minimum (Tmin) and maximum (Tmax) temperatures, water demand and unmet water demand were projected for 2100 horizon, using different climate change scenarios. The results revealed that the model’s performance, calibration and validation were found to be satisfactory. The analysis shows that the mean precipitation will decrease by 49.25% and 34.61% by 2100, under A2 and B2 emission scenarios of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The projected mean Tmax and Tmin will be warmer than the baseline period, with Tmax increasing by 4.2 °C (A2) and 3.6 °C (B2), and Tmin by 3.5 °C (A2) and 2.9 °C (B2) by 2100. The results also show that water demand and the unmet water demand will increase in all scenarios, the pressure on water resources will increase, leading to water scarcity. The results reveal that, under the influence of climate change, future unmet water demand is expected to reach 64 million cubic meters (MCM) by 2100. The results demonstrate that the assessments of the proposed adaptation strategies are effective, but not sufficient to ensure water sustainability for the Ourika watershed