Some larval morphological characteristics of Camelostrongylus mentulatus and Nematodirus spathiger

Monitoring of gastrointestinal nematode parasites in ruminants (domestic and wild) is often based on fecal examination techniques, looking for excreted eggs and larval forms using morphological keys. These, are more available in domestic ruminants, in which helminths are widely studied, than in wild ruminants.  This study tried to provide certain morphological elements that will help to recognize the L3 larvae of Camelostrongylus mentulatus and Nematodirus spathiger that could parasite either domestic or wild ruminants. For that, we resorted first to the culture of L3 larvae from fecal samples taken from African antelopes, and second by the microscopic characterization of each isolated larval morphological pattern previously identified by sequencing of its internal transcribed spacer (ITS-2) regions of the ribosomal DNA. The results of different microscopic captured images showed that Camelostrongylus mentulatus larva is 16 intestinal cells that measuring approximately 820 µm length, ‎≈ 25 µm wide, and ‎≈ 47 µm for its sheath tail extension and by this be closer to Teladorsagia circumcincta characteristics.  For Nematodirus spathiger, it possesses 8 gut cells and measuring about 1020 µm long, ‎≈ 25 µm wide, and‎ ≈ 143 µm for its sheath tail extension with specific tail appendages. Have done this, we were able to get some clarifications on the morphology of the studied larvae, and we believe thus that this study will contribute to the establishment of morphological identification keys especially for parasitic nematodes of wild ruminants

Biologie de Phloetribus scarabeoides (Coleoptera, Scolytidae) dans la région de Taroudant

Obervations on Olive in Southern Morocco, trough periodical analyses of the demographic composition of populations and trap -monitoring of emergences and penetrations, indicate that Phloetribus scarabeoides BERN has at least four generations a year with a remarkable overlapping, because ofthe important coincidence between the emergences and attaks offemales mothers and those of adults issues. A particular attention was given to the hibernating generation whose some larvaes at the end ofthe last stage, nymphs, adults, are subject a facultative developpement - arrest due, probably to a simple quiescence.L'étude décrit les méthodes d'analyse de la composition démographique et les techniques d'observations sur l'activité imaginale (pénétrations et repénétrations, émergences, et réémergences) et sur l'hivernage de P. scarabeoides. L'espèce présente au moins 4 générations par an avec des chevauchements ne résultant en aucun cas d'un développement de générations soeurs. Ils sont dus essentiellement à une coincidence assez remarquable des pénétrations des femelles mères avec les émergences et pénétrations de leur descendance. Une fraction des populations de l'espèce hiverne au stade de larves âgées, nymphes et adultes est complètement mélanisé, l'autre peut continuer son développement

Ispitivanje infekcije gastrointestinalnim nematodama kod antilopa u Maroku

This study examined the gastrointestinal parasitological status of three endangered Sub-Saharan antelope species (Addax nasomaculatus, Oryx dammah, Gazella dorcas) hosted at Souss-Massa National Park in Morocco. A total of 254 faecal samples (80 samples from the addax population, 81 from the oryx population and 93 from the dorcas population) were analysed to determine the prevalence and the intensity of the parasites in host faeces (expressed as the mean EPG: egg per gram), using microscopic methods (Flotation and McMaster) and the molecular identification of parasites using PCR and sequencing of the second internal transcribed spacer region of the rDNA (ITS-2).The prevalence results in the addax, oryx and dorcas gazelle were 43.7%, 2.4%, and 61.3%, respectively, for Nematodirus spp.; 21.2%, 12.3%, and 16.13%, respectively, for Trichuris spp.; and 36.2%, 39.5%, and 53.7%, respectively, for other, undistinguished strongylids.The means of EPG values for parasites in addax, oryx and dorcas gazelle were 8.9, 2.4, and 61.3, respectively, for Nematodirus spp.; 4.3, 2.4, and 4.8, respectively, for Trichuris spp.; and 18.1, 16.6, and 50.1, respectively, for other undistinguished strongylids. Sequencing of the ITS-2 rDNA region of the isolated parasites allowed the identification of Camelostrongylus mentulatus and Nematodirus spathiger in these three antelope species. We canU studiji je sprovedeno ispitivanje parazitološkog statusa intestinalnog trakta kod tri ugrožene vrste subsaharske antilope (Addax nasomaculatus, Oryx dammah, Gazella dorcas) koje su se nalazile u Souss-Massa nacionalnom parku u Maroku. Da bi se ispitala prevalencija i intenzitet infestacije parazitima kod životinja, ukupno je ispitano 254 uzoraka fecesa (80 uzoraka iz addax populacije, 81 uzoraka iz orix populacije i 93 uzoraka iz dorcas populacije) pri čemu su rezultati prikazivani kao srednja vrednost EPG (jajašca parazita po gramu fecesa). Korišćene su mikroskopske metode (Flotacija i McMaster) kao i molekularna identifi kacija parazita upotrebom PCR testa i sekvencioniranjem rDNK (ITS-2). Rezultati prevalence Nematodirus spp kod addax, oryx i dorcas gazela bili su: 43,7%, 2,4% odnosno 61,3%; za Trichuris spp vrste 21,2%, 12,3% i 16,3%, a za strongilidne vrste koje nisu mogle da se determinišu: 36,2%, 39,5% i 53,7%. Srednje EPG vrednosti za parazite kod adax, oryx i dorcas gazele bili su za Nematodirus spp vrste 8,9, 2,4 i 61,3; za Trichuris 4,3, 2,4 i 4,8 a za na strongilidne vrste koje nisu mogle da se determinišu, 18,1, 16,6 odnosno 50,1. Rezultati sekvencioniranja ITS-2 regiona rDNK izolovanih parazita omogućio je identifi kaciju Camelostrongylus mentulatus i Nematodirus spathinger u navedene tri vrste antilopa. Može da se zaključi da su infestacije parazitima kod ove tri vrste antilopa na podnošljivom nivou pri čemu je po prvi put dijagnostikovana infestacija antilopa u Maroku sa Camelostrongylus mentulatus i Nematodirus spathinge

Impact du cordon sableux déposé à l'embouchure du site Ramsar de l'estuaire de l'Oued Massa (Maroc) sur l'hydrologie et l'avifaune.

Situé sur un des principaux axes de migration des oiseaux d’eau entre l’Europe et l’Afrique, l’estuaire de l’oued Massa, inscrit dans la liste Ramsar depuis 2005, a connu des modifications hydrologiques importantes, à la suite de l’installation en amont du barrage Youssef Ben Tachfine en 1972. En effet, l’installation de ce barrage a induit le dépôt d’un cordon de sable au niveau de l’embouchure, séparant les eaux de l’oued de celles de l’océan atlantique et transformant le site d’un écosystème estuarien en écosystème lagunaire. Le site est aussi le siège de changements irréguliers, enregistrés lors de disparitions temporaires du cordon de sable survenues à la suite des lâchés de barrages lors des précipitations abondantes comme c’était le cas en 1983, 1992, 1996 et 2010. Ce travail de recherche vise à étudier l’effet des modifications de l’écosystème à la suite de la disparition du cordon du sable de l’embouchure, sur l’évolution des paramètres physicochimiques du milieu et sur les oiseaux fréquentent le site. Pour ce faire plusieurs paramètres physicochimiques de l’eau (pH, oxygène dissous, température, salinité, azote ammoniacal, ortho-phosphate et nitrates) ont été mesurés avant (2009) et après (2010) la dernière disparition du cordon de sable survenue en février 2010. Concernant l’influence des changements de l’écosystème sur l’avifaune, elle a été évaluée grâce au suivi de 7 espèces d’oiseaux parmi les plus caractéristiques de ce site Ramsar. Les résultats obtenus montrent que le passage de l’embouchure d’un état lagunaire vers un état estuarien à la suite de la disparition du cordon sableux s’est traduit principalement par l’amélioration de la qualité des eaux par accroissement des valeurs de l’oxygène dissous. Le milieu a connu aussi une augmentation de la salinité. Concernant les oiseaux d’eau, les sept espèces étudiées ont enregistré une fréquentation du site trois ans avant et trois ans après la destruction des dépôts de sable. Toutefois, il apparait clairement que ces modifications ont eu un effet sur les effectifs de certaines espèces hivernantes à l’embouchure de l’oued Massa. Ce travail constituera une base importante permettant, avec d’autres études complémentaires, de mieux gérer le rythme des lâchés de barrage lors des précipitations abondantes

La pensée musulmane, entre le divin et l'humain

Oubrou Tareq. La pensée musulmane, entre le divin et l'humain. In: Autres Temps. Cahiers d'éthique sociale et politique. N°74, 2002. pp. 13-19

Gastrointestinal Nematode Infections in Antelopes from Morocco: A Coprological Survey

This study examined the gastrointestinal parasitological status of three endangered Sub-Saharan antelope species (Addax nasomaculatus, Oryx dammah, Gazella dorcas) hosted at Souss-Massa National Park in Morocco. A total of 254 faecal samples (80 samples from the addax population, 81 from the oryx population and 93 from the dorcas population) were analysed to determine the prevalence and the intensity of the parasites in host faeces (expressed as the mean EPG: egg per gram), using microscopic methods (Flotation and McMaster) and the molecular identification of parasites using PCR and sequencing of the second internal transcribed spacer region of the rDNA (ITS-2).The prevalence results in the addax, oryx and dorcas gazelle were 43.7%, 2.4%, and 61.3%, respectively, for Nematodirus spp.; 21.2%, 12.3%, and 16.13%, respectively, for Trichuris spp.; and 36.2%, 39.5%, and 53.7%, respectively, for other, undistinguished strongylids.The means of EPG values for parasites in addax, oryx and dorcas gazelle were 8.9, 2.4, and 61.3, respectively, for Nematodirus spp.; 4.3, 2.4, and 4.8, respectively, for Trichuris spp.; and 18.1, 16.6, and 50.1, respectively, for other undistinguished strongylids. Sequencing of the ITS-2 rDNA region of the isolated parasites allowed the identification of Camelostrongylus mentulatus and Nematodirus spathiger in these three antelope species. We canU studiji je sprovedeno ispitivanje parazitološkog statusa intestinalnog trakta kod tri ugrožene vrste subsaharske antilope (Addax nasomaculatus, Oryx dammah, Gazella dorcas) koje su se nalazile u Souss-Massa nacionalnom parku u Maroku. Da bi se ispitala prevalencija i intenzitet infestacije parazitima kod životinja, ukupno je ispitano 254 uzoraka fecesa (80 uzoraka iz addax populacije, 81 uzoraka iz orix populacije i 93 uzoraka iz dorcas populacije) pri čemu su rezultati prikazivani kao srednja vrednost EPG (jajašca parazita po gramu fecesa). Korišćene su mikroskopske metode (Flotacija i McMaster) kao i molekularna identifi kacija parazita upotrebom PCR testa i sekvencioniranjem rDNK (ITS-2). Rezultati prevalence Nematodirus spp kod addax, oryx i dorcas gazela bili su: 43,7%, 2,4% odnosno 61,3%; za Trichuris spp vrste 21,2%, 12,3% i 16,3%, a za strongilidne vrste koje nisu mogle da se determinišu: 36,2%, 39,5% i 53,7%. Srednje EPG vrednosti za parazite kod adax, oryx i dorcas gazele bili su za Nematodirus spp vrste 8,9, 2,4 i 61,3; za Trichuris 4,3, 2,4 i 4,8 a za na strongilidne vrste koje nisu mogle da se determinišu, 18,1, 16,6 odnosno 50,1. Rezultati sekvencioniranja ITS-2 regiona rDNK izolovanih parazita omogućio je identifi kaciju Camelostrongylus mentulatus i Nematodirus spathinger u navedene tri vrste antilopa. Može da se zaključi da su infestacije parazitima kod ove tri vrste antilopa na podnošljivom nivou pri čemu je po prvi put dijagnostikovana infestacija antilopa u Maroku sa Camelostrongylus mentulatus i Nematodirus spathinge

Reptile biodiversity in Souss-Massa National Park: an internationally important hotspot in the Mediterranean region

Souss-Massa National Park (SMNP) is Morocco’s first coastal national park, created to preserve the high diversity of its continental and marine environments. Reptiles play an essential role in balancing SMNP ecosystems, yet little work has been done to study this fauna. The present work aims at providing the first reptile inventory of SMNP since its establishment in 1991. During the period 2019 to 2020, several field surveys were carried out at 30 sites using time-constrained visual encounter surveys (TCVES), with a total sampling effort of 300 person-hours. An inventory of 23 reptile species (including four endemic species) was obtained by combining TCVES results with additional data recorded during random encounters or provided by SMNP researchers. Based on TCVES data, both sampling effort and inventory completeness were evaluated by constructing sample-based accumulation curves and calculating non-parametric estimators (Chao 1, Chao 2, Jackknife 1 and Jackknife 2). These species richness estimators suggest that the current inventory is likely to be complete. Despite its small surface area, SMNP contains nearly 20% of all known Moroccan reptile species and constitutes an important biodiversity hotspot for reptiles in the Mediterranean Region. In terms of reptile conservation concern, five species in SMNP are classified as “vulnerable”, while two species are classified as “near threatened” on the IUCN Red List, underscoring the importance of protected areas for those species

Assessment of reptile response to habitat degradation in arid and semi-arid regions

Reptiles are essential components of global biodiversity and dynamic ecosystems due to their ecological roles and functions. However, they face significant vulnerability to anthropogenic disturbances and habitat degradation, resulting in their classification as the third most threatened vertebrate group globally. The current study examines reptile response to anthropogenic habitat degradation in the highly biodiverse Souss-Massa National Park (SMNP), located on the North African Atlantic coast. During 2021 and 2022, linear transects were established within four habitat categories experiencing varying degrees of vegetation cover degradation (undegraded, slightly degraded, moderately degraded, and highly degraded), caused by livestock overgrazing and vegetation clearance. Based on the comparisons of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index means, the vegetation cover differed significantly among the selected habitat categories, with a noticeable reduction in the natural vegetation cover as the level of habitat degradation increased. The visual encounter survey technique was used to search a total of 96 transects, with each of the studied habitat categories being represented by 24 transects. Species richness, diversity, abundance, composition and similarities of reptile communities were determined and compared between habitat categories. During the study period, 11 species (438 individuals) were encountered, accounting for 48 % of SMNP reptile fauna. Species richness, diversity and abundance differed significantly among habitat categories, with the lowest means recorded in the highly degraded areas. Reptiles responded differently to habitat degradation based on their taxonomic levels, thus indicating a species-specific impact of degradation. Species composition varied considerably among habitat categories, with highly degraded areas displaying significant differences and the lowest degree of similarity when compared to all other categories (p = 0.0006). Anthropogenic alterations in reptile abundance distribution and species occurrence likely account for the observed differences in species composition within the different habitat categories. The reported reptile responses to habitat degradation might be attributed to factors associated with natural vegetation, such as food availability, microhabitat preferences, or interactions with other species. Exploring these factors in future research could provide further insights into the mechanisms driving reptile community responses to habitat degradation. Such data can provide valuable information for implementing effective conservation measures to prevent anthropogenic habitat degradation and protect threatened species in arid and semi-arid areas