Diet of the Eagle Owl, Bubo bubo, in Syria

Abstract. Pellets regurgitated by the Eagle Owl, Bubo bubo, were collected from Al-Karyatien, Central Syria. The analysis yielded 206 food items representing seven mammalian species (five rodents, one insectivore and one lagomorph), unidentified snakes and lizards, three species of birds, five insects, three species of scorpions, and a solifugid. By frequency small mammals constituted 76.2% of the consumed prey items, of which the Long-eared Hedgehog, Hemiechinus auritus, constituted 25.3%. Additional distribution ranges for certain small mammals in Syria are discussed. Kurzfassun

First record of the Lesser Horseshoe bat, <em>Rhinolophus hipposideros</em> (Bechstein, 1800) (Rhinolophidae, Chiroptera) from Syria

<strong>Abstract</strong>
 The lesser horseshoe bat <em>Rhinolophus hipposideros</em> was recorded for the first time from Syria in 2005-06. Two solitary hibernating specimens (a male and a female) were collected from an underground cave in Basofan village, NW of Aleppo, and from Al Marqab Citadel, Banyas. External and cranial measurements are given for both specimens. The list of recorded species of bats of Syria includes 17 species.
 <strong>Riassunto</strong>
 <strong>Prima segnalazione di Rinolofo minore <em>Rhinolophus hipposideros</em> (Bechstein, 1800) (Rhinolophidae, Chiroptera) in Siria</strong>
 La specie è stata rinvenuta nel 2005-06 con il ritrovamento di due esemplari solitari ibernanti (un maschio e una femmina), rispettivamente in una grotta presso il paese di Basofan, NO di Aleppo e in Al Marqab, Banyas. Per entrambi gli esemplari sono riportate le misure craniali e esterne. Con il ritrovamento del Rinolofo minore la chirotterofauna della Siria è attualmente
 rappresentata da 17 specie

Karyotypes of seven rodents from Jordan (Mammalia : Rodentia)

WOS: 000258361100001We present here data on the karyotypes of seven species of rodents from Jordan. The karyotype of Acomys dimidiatus was found to be 2n= 38, NF =70; Acomys russatus russatus and A. r. lewisi 2n= 56, NF= 94; Apodemus flavicollis 2n= 48, NF=48; Apodemus mystacinus 2n= 48, NF= 52; Meriones tristrami 2n=72, NF= 76; Skeetamys calurus 2n= 38, NF= 70; Allactaga euphratica 2n= 48, NF= 96. Of these species, the karyotypes of A. flavicollis, A. mystacinus, S. calurus, and A. euphratica are here reported for the first time from Jordan

Karyotypes of Bats (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae, Vespertilionidae) from Jordan

WOS: 000268698500004The karyotypes of four bat species of two families (Rhinolophidae and Vespertilionidae) were examined from Jordan. Bat specimens were captured by use of mist-nets and hand-nets from three localities in Jordan in June 2006. Chromosomes were obtained from femoral bone marrow cells and about 20-30 metaphase cells of each animal were examined. The diploid number of chromosomes (2n) and the fundamental numbers of chromosomal arms (NFa) were determined to be 2n=58 and NFa=60 for Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Rh. euryale and Rh. blasii, and 2n=44, NFa=50 for Pipistrellus kuhlii. Karyology of Rh. euryale and P. kuhlii is investigated from Jordan for the first time. The karyotypes of Jordanian bats show similarity to other populations in other countries with respect to the diploid chromosome number, however, the fundamental chromosome number and the number of autosomal arms are quite different.Deanship of Academic Research; Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, Ma'an, JordanThis work was supported by a grant from the Deanship of Academic Research, Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, Ma'an, Jordan. The authors wish to thank Prof. Dr. Ratib Al-Oran, President of Al Hussein Bin Talal University for his continuous support. We also wish to thank Mr. Hazim Talfha for his help in laboratory and staffs from The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature for help in the field, especially Mr. Nashat Hamidan

The Distribution of Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in Syria

The present study consists of both new records and literary data for 23 species of bats reported from Syria. Sixteen species of bats belonging to 6 families have been collected either by mist nets or recovered from owl pellets during the present study. Families Pteropodidae, Emballonuridae, Hipposideridae, and Molossidae are represented by a single species for each family; Rousettus aegyptiacus, Taphozous nudiventris, Asellia tridens, and Tadarida teniotis respectively. Family Rhinolophidae is represented by three species; Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Rhinolophus hipposideros, and Rhinolophus euryale. Family Vespertilionidae is represented by fi ve genera (Eptesicus, Myotis, Pipistrellus, Otonycteris, and Miniopterus) and nine species; Eptesicus bottae, Eptesicus serotinus, Myotis myotis, Myotis blythii, Myotis emarginatus, Myotis capaccinii, Pipistrellus kuhlii, Otonycteris hemprichii, and Miniopterus schreibersii respectively. We also include distributional data for seven species which have been collected previously but have not during the present study (Rhinolophus blasii, Rhinolophus mehelyi, Myotis aurascens, Myotis nattereri, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Hypsugo savii, and Plecotus macrobullaris). Thus, the bat fauna of Syria consists of 23 species belonging to twelve genera and six families. External and cranial measurements are given for most species. Notes on biology and ecology as well as distribution maps and a complete listing for all previous and recent records are provided for each species. Tadarida teniotis is mentioned for the fi rst time for Syria in this review

Distribution, ecology and conservation of Ommatotriton vittatus and Salamandra infraimmaculata in Syria

The distribution, ecology and conservation status of the Syrian urodeles Salamandra infraimmaculata and Ommatotriton vittatus are poorly known. We present the results of a field study, conducted in February 2009. Salamandra infraimmaculata was found at six localities, ranging from 228 to 960 m a.s.l., and co-occurred with O. vittatus at three localities. All localities were near small, clear streams or springs. Temperatures ranged from 9.4 to 16.4 degrees C, pH 7.5-8.5, GH 3-18 and KH 3-18. The distribution model of S. infraimmaculata reveals that the distribution of this species is nearly entirely shaped by precipitation in the coldest quarter "92.9% contribution to the model". The rarity of suitable surface waters is probably the main reason for the supposed scarcity of this species in northwestern Syria. Tapping a water source for drinking water resulted in one case in extensive mortality of larvae. Ommatotriton vittatus was found at nine different localities, ranging from 172 to 960 m a.s.l. Habitat characteristics, water quality and morphological data were recorded. The average total length of adult O. vittatus was 116 mm (range 93-138 mm, n = 22) for males and 93 mm (range 86-108 mm, n = 34) for females. Mean weight was 6.7 g for males and 3.9 for females. The mean body condition index of females was comparable to that of males. Water temperatures ranged from 8.7 to 14.6 degrees C, pH 7.5-8.5, GH 3-18 and KH 3-18. The distribution model of O. vittatus reveals that the distribution of this species is mainly shaped by precipitation, both during the winter and summer periods. The collection of large numbers of adult O. vittatus for fish bait was observed

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population