Assessment of Brine Shrimp (Artemia sp.) Productivity at Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, Abu Dhabi (UAE)

Al Wathba Lake was created in 1982 by accidental discharge of over-capacity treated sewage water from Al Mafraq Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWT). The lake lies on the north side of the Abu Dhabi - Al Ain truck road, approximately 40 km Southeast of Abu Dhabi Island. In 1998, the lake and its surroundings were designated as protected area, the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, and placed under the management of the Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency (ERWDA). The reserve covers an area of approximately 5 km2, and the lake system covers an area of 1.5 km2. The continued inputs of water and high evaporation rates have resulted in fluctuating water salinity of the lake from fresh to hyper-saline. The reserve attracts large numbers of migrating waterfowl and waders including the greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) which is the only known currently breeding colony in the Arabian Peninsula. Brine shrimp (Artemia sp.), the only crustaceans inhabiting the lake, are the main food source for the flamingos. Brine shrimp can tolerate a wide range of water quality conditions, particularly water salinity variations. However, little information is available on the effects of water quality on Artemia populations inhabiting Al Wathba Lake. Considering the potential importance of brine shrimp as a food source for the flamingos population, and the government interest to conserve the established population, the present study was carried out to examine the dynamics of brine shrimp population in relation to the surrounding environment. The second goal of the study has also aimed to develop a management plan for the lake environment, in order to guarantee continuous reproduction of Artemia population and consequently the conservation of the established flamingos population. In the framework of the present study, a total of 14 sampling sites were investigated on a monthly basis form April 2002 to January 2003. At each site, water samples were collected from both surface and near-bottom levels and in case of sampling sites that are less than 50cm in depth, only surface sample was collected. Water temperature, salinity and pH were measured in situ using a multi meter hydrolab device. The collected water samples were analysed in the laboratory to determine the surface and near-bottom concentrations of nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, ammonia, magnesium and calcium for each sampling site. Moreover, the density of Artemia organisms and their cysts numbers were counted for each site. In order to evaluate the tolerance of Artemia organisms to the variations in the lake environment, Artemia specimens were collected from Al Wathba Lake and tested for the following variables: a- water temperature (150, 250, 300, 40oC), b- water pH (7.5, 8, 9.5, 10), c- water salinity (75, 100, 150, 200 ppt) and d- food types (Duluniella, Chiarella, Tetraselimus sp., yeast). These tests were run for three weeks until the last individual died, and the optimum survival rates were detected. In addition, Artemia specimens were sent to the Laboratory of Aquaculture and Artemia Reference Centre in Belgium for taxonomic identification. From the preliminary investigation, the centre has identified the given specimens as Artemia franciscana. Results from the collected field data revealed that the Artemia population inhabiting Al Wathba Lake is mostly affected by water temperature and water salinity. Artemia was absent during the summer months due to the high water temperature (maximum= 34.5 °C) and salinity (maximum= 237.5 ppt). In winter, Artemia was abundant in the lake when water temperature was 18.6 °C and water salinity was dropped off to 70.4 ppt. The statistical analysis of the studied parameters showed that the chemical composition of the lake water had no significant effect on the presence or absence of Artemia in the lake. The laboratory experiment showed that Artemia sp. was greatly influenced by water salinity and water pH. It was found that Artemia population inhabiting Al Wathba Lake maintains better performance at salinity of 75 ppt and a pH of 8, and the survival was longer than the other combinations. In addition, it was found that the optimum temperature at which the best performance and longest survival were recorded of all between 25-30 °C. According to the preliminary identification of the Artemia species, and in light of the field and laboratory results, it seems that the existing Artemia species at Al Wathba Lake may match the A. franciscana behavior. However, the response to other environmental parameters did not match that of A. franciscana features. Therefore, further genome analysis is suggested in order to identify the specific taxonomic rank of the Artemia population in Al Wathba Lake

Influence of Chemical Parameters on Artemia sp. (Crustacea: Anostraca) Population in Al Wathba Lake in the Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE

Long term monitoring programme on Brine shrimp (Artemia sp.) is being carried out by the Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (EAD) with the prime purpose of understanding the population dynamics, ecology and habitat requirements of Artemia at Al Wathba Lake, situated within Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, which is an artificial wetland near Abu Dhabi City. The present study, being a component of this programme, intends to understand the influence of chemical parameters such as dissolved oxygen, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, ammonia and total organic carbon on Artemia biomass and cyst production at different sites of the Al Wathba Lake. The study was carried out by sampling lake water quarterly for a period of 5 years from 2010 to 2014. The Artemia population was found to have direct impact of the above mentioned parameters on its abundance. The abundance was highest during the year 2010. Further, temperature, dissolved oxygen, nitrate and cadmium were found to be the most crucial parameters for production of Artemia. The study further aimed to determine the significant relationship between physico-chemical parameters and Artemia sp. population dynamics and cyst production

The alwathba wetland reserve lake in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and its ostracod (seed shrimp) fauna

Al Wathba Wetland Reserve (AWWR) lake, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is an artificially created water body in a natural wetland region that experienced seasonal flooding before the establishment of the lake. The lake is mostly fed by treated waste water, and became a protected wetland reserve after the Greater Flamingo started to successfully breed in the area in 1998. Detailed monitoring of several hydrochemical parameters and water depth at nine stations and two inlets of treated water in the lake was conducted over a period of seven years starting in January 2010. As a result, the seed-shrimps (Ostracoda: Podocopida) Heterocypris salina, previously reported from a late Miocene location in the UAE, and Cyprinotus cingalensis were recorded for the modern fauna of the UAE for the first time. The presence of the ostracods only at the station with the lowest salinity in the AWWR Lake shows that their distribution is predominantly controlled by the salinity of the water which covered an extremely large range of more than two orders of magnitude (1.45-457%) at the different sampling sites and inlets during the monitoring period. Thus, the lake represents an interesting and important ecological research laboratory under semi-natural conditions

Benefits and pitfalls of captive conservation genetic management: evaluating diversity in scimitar-horned oryx to support reintroduction planning

The reintroduction of the scimitar-horned oryx to Chad is a multi-disciplinary endeavour, planned and implemented over the past decade, utilizing a wide range of conservation science applications to maximise the chances of long-term population sustainability. The principle of incorporating genetic diversity information into founder selection for species reintroductions is widely recognized; however, in practice, a full assessment of available ex-situ genetic variation is rarely attempted prior to identifying individuals for release.In this study we present the results of over ten years of research analyzing and interpreting the genetic diversity present in the key source populations for the Chad scimitar-horned oryx reintroduction. Three empirical genetic datasets (mitochondrial DNA sequence, nuclear DNA microsatellite and SNP markers) comprising over 500 individuals sampled from public and private institutions were analysed, accompanied by simulation studies to address applied questions relating to management of the reintroduction.The results strongly demonstrate the importance of conservation genetic analysis in ensuring that founders represent the greatest breadth of evolutionary diversity available. The inclusion of both intensively and lightly managed collections allowed us to bridge the gap between studbook and group managed populations, enabling the inclusion of individuals from populations that lack historic data on their origins, but which may hold unique diversity of significant conservation value. Importantly, however, our study also reveals the potential risks of applying standard population genetic approaches to multiple captive populations, for which small founder sizes are likely to strongly bias results, with potentially serious consequences for the genetic management of conservation breeding programmes

The ecology and conservation of the Pearl bordered Fritillary Butterfly (Boloria euphrosyne) in Scotland

The Pearl Bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne) is known to be one of the most rapidly declining butterflies in the UK.  This study was carried out to investigate the ecology of the Pearl Bordered Fritillary (B. ephrosyne) in Scotland and to reveal important aspects relevant to its conservation. The population structure and mobility of B. euphrosyne found at Dinnet, Aberdeenshire were examined by a mark release recapture technique (MRR) in 2005 and 2006.  Three interconnected colonies were identified and the vegetation structure in occupied areas and adjacent unoccupied areas was surveyed.  A further 11 sites that have been identified to be used by B. euphrosyne along Deeside along an altitude range were surveyed to check any difference in habitat used in lowland and highland areas.  The B. euphrosyne populations at Dinnet were found to be generally small and did not exceed 200 individuals.  These were considered to be generally sedentary, but with some movement between colonies, which means that they form a metapopulation structure.  B. euphrosyne was found to be selective in choosing areas for oviposition and larval development and only preferred the warmest spots. It was revealed that at lowland sites B. euphrosyne occupies a grass/bracken mosaic habitat, generally facing south and south west along the edges and tracks of woodlands.  In highland areas B. euphrosyne were found to be occupying areas of generally open grass/heathland.  A conservation and management plan was produced for land managers on Deeside, to ensure the survival and continual presence of B. euphrosyne in the area.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation Full Length Research Paper Diversity and seasonality of some of the ground dwelling invertebrates in the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

A study was conducted to understand the diversity, distribution, abundance and seasonality of ground dwelling invertebrate species in the eastern region of Abu Dhabi Emirate, from March 2010 to February 2011. Pitfall traps were used for this study in two sites with distinct micro- habitats in the Eastern Region of the Emirate. The site includes a wadi habitat at Jebel Hafit, Al Ain and another one is a gravel plain habitat at Mezyad, Al Ain. Beetles (Coleoptera) of the family Tenebrionidae (darkling beetles) are a conspicuous element of these arid and semi-arid environments. Variable stalker beetle (Adesmia cancellata cothurnata) was the most abundant Tenebrionid among twenty species collected using pitfall traps in the wadi of Jebel Hafit whereas opossum beetle (Mesostena puncticollis) was the most abundant Tenebrionid among twenty in the sandy gravel plain habitat of Um Ghafa, Mezyad

Influence of Chemical Parameters on Artemia sp. (Crustacea: Anostraca) Population in Al Wathba Lake in the Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE

Long term monitoring programme on Brine shrimp (Artemia sp.) is being carried out by the Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (EAD) with the prime purpose of understanding the population dynamics, ecology and habitat requirements of Artemia at Al Wathba Lake, situated within Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, which is an artificial wetland near Abu Dhabi City. The present study, being a component of this programme, intends to understand the influence of chemical parameters such as dissolved oxygen, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, ammonia and total organic carbon on Artemia biomass and cyst production at different sites of the Al Wathba Lake. The study was carried out by sampling lake water quarterly for a period of 5 years from 2010 to 2014. The Artemia population was found to have direct impact of the above mentioned parameters on its abundance. The abundance was highest during the year 2010. Further, temperature, dissolved oxygen, nitrate and cadmium were found to be the most crucial parameters for production of Artemia. The study further aimed to determine the significant relationship between physico-chemical parameters and Artemia sp. population dynamics and cyst production

First record of Epipactis veratrifolia Boiss. & Hohen. (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae, Neottieae, Limodorinae) from an arid wadi in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Epipactis veratrifolia is recorded for the first time from Jebel Hafeet, a mountain in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). This species had been previously recorded from the northern part of the UAE and other areas on the Arabian Peninsula. The occurrence of E. veratrifolia in Jebel Hafeet expands the eastern distribution limits of the species and underlines the importance of biodiversity in the region. The new record fills a gap in the distribution of this species on the Arabian Peninsula