The first record of the invasive Chinese pond mussel Sinanodonta woodiana (Lea, 1834) (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in the African continent

The Chinese pond mussel Sinanodonta woodiana s.l., is a successful global invader. We report its first finding in Morocco, which represents the first record of the species in the African continent. Measures are needed to increase monitoring and management of its invasion process

Tinodes atlasensis Ibrahimi, Mabrouki & Taybi, sp. nov. (Trichoptera: Psychomyiidae), a new species from Atlas Mountains, Morocco

The caddisfly fauna of North Africa and Morocco is still poorly known, with only a few historical and recent investigations, carried out sporadically. In this paper we describe a new species, Tinodes atlasensis Ibrahimi, Mabrouki & Taybi, sp. nov. from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. The new species is closest to Tinodes baenai Gonzales & Otero, 1984, known from the Iberian Peninsula and mainly differs by the shape of segment IX, coxopodites, harpago and the process of basal plate. Tinodes atlasensis Ibrahimi, Mabrouki & Taybi, sp. nov. is the seventh known species of the genus Tinodes Curtis, 1834 from Morocco. Future caddisfly investigations in this North African country will most certainly increase the number of the known species and reveal other new ones

Primera cita en África del caracol del cieno de Nueva Zelanda Potamopyrgus antipodarum (J.E. Gray, 1843) (Tateidae, Mollusca)

Listed recently in the top “hundred worst” alien species and the third “worst alien” mollusc in Europe, the New Zealand mudsnail has become cosmopolitan. We report its first finding in the African continent, in Morocco. Established populations of Potamopyrgus antipodarum were found in the Low Moulouya wetland, a Ramsar and Biological and Ecological Interest Site (SIBE), occupying natural and anthropogenic habitats (spring, river and artificial canal). The invasion process seems to be in its early stages, calling for drastic measures to control its invasion progress.Incluido recientemente entre las “cien peores” especies invasoras y siendo el tercero de los “peores moluscos invasores” en Europa, el caracol del cieno de Nueva Zelanda ha llegado a ser cosmopolita. Se comunica el primer hallazgo en el continente africano, en Marruecos. Se encontraron poblaciones establecidas de Potamopyrgus antipodarum en el humedal Low Moulouya, un Sitio Ramsar y un Sitio de Interés Biológico y Ecológico (SIBE), donde ocupa hábitats naturales y antropogénicos (manantial, río y canal artificial). El proceso de invasión parece estar en sus primeras etapas, lo que exige medidas drásticas para poder controlar su progreso

New data and records of the genus Theodoxus in Morocco (Gastropoda: Neritidae)

In this paper, we present new data on the distribution of Theodoxus spp. in Morocco, providing new records of three known species, in addition to a record of an unknown species resembling the extinct T. valentinus (Graells, 1846) recorded only from Spain, where it is endemic to the Valencia region. Identification key and photos of the species are also presented

Two new species of Mercuria Boeters, 1971 from Morocco (Gastropoda, Hydrobiidae)

Although Mercuria genus has received considerable attention in Morocco in terms of species discoveries, new species continue to be found in the country. The aim of this paper is to describe two new species of Mercuria found recently in northeastern Morocco

Primera cita del caracol exótico Helisoma duryi (Wetherby, 1879), (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) en Marruecos

El molusco exótico Helisoma duryi es un popular caracol ornamental de agua dulce que se utiliza para controlar las microalgas en los acuarios. Ahora se presenta como una especie introducida en hábitats acuáticos de Europa, África y América del Sur. Presentamos el primer hallazgo de una población aclimatada de H. duryi en Marruecos y el norte de África. A pesar de ubicarse en una única localidad de las más de 100 muestreadas por nosotros, las investigaciones en curso podrían revelar pronto más citas de la especie en el país y el resto del continente. Se deben establecer políticas y procedimientos estrictos de aplicación de la ley en el comercio de especies acuáticas como medida preventiva para preservar la biodiversidad nativa

A conceptual model for understanding the zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis transmission risk in the Moroccan pre-Saharan area

Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The AuthorsLeishmanioses are of public health concern in Morocco, mainly the Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ZCL) endemic in the Moroccan pre-Saharian area. Transmission of this disease depends on eco-epidemiological and socio-economic conditions. Therefore, a multivariable approach is required to delineate the risk and intensity of transmission. This will help outline main disease risk factors and understand interactions between all underlying factors acting on disease transmission at a local and regional scale. In this context, we propose a new conceptual model, the Biophysical-Drivers-Response-Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (BDRZCL), adapted to the Pre-Saharian area. The proposed model highlights how the physical and human drivers affect the environment and human health. The incidence of ZCL is linked to human activity and biophysical changes or by their interactions. The human response added to risk drivers are the main components that influence the biophysical part. This model improves our understanding of the cause-effect interactions and helps decision-makers and stakeholders react appropriately.publishersversionpublishe

Incidencia, distribución y biología de las especies invasivas de peces en masas de agua dulce y salobre del NE de Marruecos

[EN] Monitoring the presence and expansion of alien species and upgrading their biological and ecological knowledge seems crucial to mitigate their possible impact on native communities. Within inland superficial waters, alien fish represent an important threat to the biodiversity and studies on their impact on native communities have increased around the world in the last years. However, little is known about their occurrence, biology and influences in North Africa in general, and more specifically in Morocco. In the present work we aimed to: 1) investigate the presence of any native Aphanius species, especially the Mediterranean killifish Aphanius fasciatus recorded from the lower basin of the Moulouya River (NE Morocco); 2) monitor the presence and expansion of two invasive species, the eastern mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki and the mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus; and 3) contribute to the understanding of the ecological and abiotic affinities that govern the distribution of these alien fishes in North Africa. To achieve these goals, several field sampling campaigns were carried out between 2014 and 2018 across eastern Morocco, comprising the administrative Oriental Region and the Moulouya River Basin and covering an area of 119,268 km2. No native Aphanius species were found. The eastern mosquitofish has invaded the freshwater hydrosystems of the northern part of Morocco, including the study area, while the mummichog is currently limited to the brackish and salty wetlands of Lower Moulouya. Our results show that the known ranges of these two alien species have expanded.[ES] Monitorizar la presencia y expansión de especies exóticas y mejorar el conocimiento biológico y ecológico de las mismas parece clave para mitigar su posible impacto en las comunidades nativas. Las especies de peces exóticas constituyen una importante amenaza para la diversidad en las aguas superficiales continentales, por lo que los estudios sobre su impacto en las comunidades nativas se han incrementado en todo el mundo en los últimos años. No obstante, el conocimiento sobre la incidencia, biología e influencias de este fenómeno en el norte de África en general, y más específicamente en Marruecos, es escaso. En este trabajo nos propusimos: 1) investigar la presencia de alguna especie nativa de Aphanius, especialmente del fartet mediterráneo Aphanius fasciatus anteriormente registrado en la cuenca inferior del río Moulouya (NE de Marruecos); 2) monitorizar la presencia y expansión de dos especies invasoras, el pez mosquito Gambusia holbrooki y Fundulus heteroclitus; y 3) ayudar a comprender las afinidades ecológicas y abióticas que rigen la distribución de estos peces exóticos en el norte de África. Para alcanzar estos objetivos realizamos varias campañas de muestreo sobre el terreno en el este de Marruecos entre 2014 y 2018, incluidas la Región Oriental y la cuenca del río Moulouya, cubriendo una extensión de 119.268 km2. No encontramos especies nativas de Aphanius. El pez mosquito oriental ha invadido los sistemas hídricos de agua dulce de la parte norte de Marruecos, incluida el área estudiada, mientras que Fundulus heteroclitus está limitado en la actualidad a las aguas salobres y saladas de los humedales del curso bajo del Moulouya. Como resultado de este estudio, las áreas de distribución conocidas de ambas especies exóticas se han ampliado

First record of Phyllolabis savtshenkoi (Diptera, Limoniidae) in Morocco

In this paper, we provide the first record of Phyllolabis savtshenkoi in Morocco previously known only from Spain and the Canary Islands. In addition, Dicranomyia goritiensis and Geranomyia caloptera are recorded for the first time in the oriental region of Morocco

L’évolution spatiotemporelle de la qualité des eaux courantes de l’Oued Melloulou (Maroc)

Cette étude menée entre mars et août 2014 propose un suivi de neuf descripteurs abiotiques, dans 11 stations d’échantillonnage choisies le long de l’Oued Melloulou, principal affluent de la rive gauche de l’Oued Moulouya. L’utilisation de l’analyse triadique partielle facilite le suivi de la variabilité spatiotemporelle de ces descripteurs physicochimiques, et met en évidence l’évolution de leur structure spatiale. Les résultats obtenus montrent que l’Oued Melloulou bénéficie d’une eau de moyenne à très bonne qualité, et que ce cours d’eau est épargné, pour le moment, des grandes pollutions domestiques et industrielles.This study carried out between March and August 2014, offers a monitoring of nine abiotic descriptors in 11 sampling stations chosen along Oued Melloulou, main tributary on the left bank of Oued Moulouya. The use of partial triadic analysis facilitates the monitoring of spatio-temporal variability of these physico-chemical descriptors, and highlights the evolution of their spatial structure. The obtained results showed that Oued Melloulou enjoys an average to very good quality water, and that this watercourse is spared for the moment, from large domestic and industrial pollution