Recent Quaternary fossil mammals of Chrafate and Ez Zarka. The origin of modern fauna in the Northern Rif (NW Morocco, Northern Africa)

The Northern Rif (Northern Morocco, Northwestern Africa) was characterised in the late Pleistocene and the Holocene by mammal assemblages, which included species with different biogeographic origins. Saharian, Saharo-Mediterranean, Sahelian species as well as some forms adapted to the Mediterranean climatic regime have been recorded. The fossil mammal assemblages recovered from two new localities in karstic infills (Chrafate and Ez Zarka) correspond well with this palaeobiogeographic setting and suggest that this region was a crossroad of palaeoartic and palaeotropical species. The variety observed in the fossil mammal assemblages and in the present mammal fauna resulted from a long period of aridity, which coincided with the late Pleistocene post-glacial stage and was followed by a Holocene humid phase. This palaeoclimatic change resulted from the equator ward shift of the high-pressure cell belt, which allowed the southward shift of less arid Mediterranean climatic zones

Recent Quaternary fossil mammals of Chrafate and Ez Zarka. The origin of modern fauna in the Northern Rif (NW Morocco, Northern Africa)

The Northern Rif (Northern Morocco, Northwestern Africa) was characterised in the late Pleistocene and the Holocene by mammal assemblages, which included species with different biogeographic origins. Saharian, Saharo-Mediterranean, Sahelian species as well as some forms adapted to the Mediterranean climatic regime have been recorded. The fossil mammal assemblages recovered from two new localities in karstic infills (Chrafate and Ez Zarka) correspond well with this palaeobiogeographic setting and suggest that this region was a crossroad of palaeoartic and palaeotropical species. The variety observed in the fossil mammal assemblages and in the present mammal fauna resulted from a long period of aridity, which coincided with the late Pleistocene post-glacial stage and was followed by a Holocene humid phase. This palaeoclimatic change resulted from the equator ward shift of the high-pressure cell belt, which allowed the southward shift of less arid Mediterranean climatic zones

Recent Quaternary fossil mammals of Chrafate and Ez Zarka: the origin of modern fauna in the Northern Rif (Morocco, Northern Africa)

The Northern Rif (Northern Morocco, Northwestern Africa) was characterised in the late Pleistocene and the Holocene by mammal assemblages, which included species with different biogeographic origins. Saharian, Saharo-Mediterranean, Sahelian species as well as some forms adapted to the Mediterranean climatic regime have been recorded. The fossil mammal assemblages recovered from two new localities in karstic infills (Chrafate and Ez Zarka) correspond well with this palaeobiogeographic setting and suggest that this region was a crossroad of palaeoartic and palaeotropical species. The variety observed in the fossil mammal assemblages and in the present mammal fauna resulted from a long period of aridity, which coincided with the late Pleistocene post-glacial stage and was followed by a Holocene humid phase. This palaeoclimatic change resulted from the equator ward shift of the high-pressure cell belt, which allowed the southward shift of less arid Mediterranean climatic zones

Recent Quaternary fossil mammals of Chrafate and Ez Zarka: the origin of modern fauna in the Northern Rif (Morocco, Northern Africa)

The Northern Rif (Northern Morocco, Northwestern Africa) was characterised in the late Pleistocene and the Holocene by mammal assemblages, which included species with different biogeographic origins. Saharian, Saharo-Mediterranean, Sahelian species as well as some forms adapted to the Mediterranean climatic regime have been recorded. The fossil mammal assemblages recovered from two new localities in karstic infills (Chrafate and Ez Zarka) correspond well with this palaeobiogeographic setting and suggest that this region was a crossroad of palaeoartic and palaeotropical species. The variety observed in the fossil mammal assemblages and in the present mammal fauna resulted from a long period of aridity, which coincided with the late Pleistocene post-glacial stage and was followed by a Holocene humid phase. This palaeoclimatic change resulted from the equator ward shift of the high-pressure cell belt, which allowed the southward shift of less arid Mediterranean climatic zones

Epidemiology and treatment of paediatric burns in a large children’s hospital in Morocco: Analysis of 394 cases

Introduction: Injury from burns represents 2% of emergency admissions in university hospitals in Morocco. Burn injuries can lead to substantial morbidity in the paediatric population including an impact on later life. Methods: A retrospective study of 394 paediatric burn patients was performed. Subjects were identified by review of the emergency centre logs and data were extracted from patient records. Data included demographic information, mechanism of burn, treatment prior to arrival at the hospital, hospital management and follow up condition. Results: The majority (65.7%, n = 259) of patients were between 1 and 4 years old with an average age of 4.26 years and male predominance (male:female = 2:1). Scalding was the main mechanism of injury (83.5%, N = 329). The trunk and upper limbs were the most commonly affected areas of the body (59% and 50%, respectively) with the face affected in 9.6% of cases. The total body surface area burned ranged from 1% to 10% in 86% of patients. Seventy-five patients (19%) required hospitalisation, 57 patients (14%) required skin grafting and 27 (6.9%) had major sequelae. Discussion: This large case series highlights the current epidemiology, management and outcome of paediatric burn victims in Morocco. Current burn management in low resources settings can be challenging and several additional measures should be taken to reduce morbidity among paediatric burn victims