Vol. 20 Issue 2
A.M. Al-Shehri
Nine species of pteridophyte are listed and described in this survey of the Tanumah Mountains in Aseer region, southwestern Saudi Arabia. Three species of Asplenium (A. adiantum nigrum, A. ceterach, and A wiride) are new records for Saudi Arabia, while six species Adiantum capillus veneris, Cetrach officinarum. Asplenium aethiopicum, A filare, A trichomanes and Cheilanthes pleridioides) are reported as a new record for the Tanumah Mountains.
The frequency of some species collected from different areas of the Aseer region in previous studies and the present study are given in Table (1).
M. A. Hassan, H. W. Palm, M. A. Mahmoud and F. A. Jama
The present communication summarizes information on the occurrence of trypanorhynch cestodes in the flesh of marine fish that were imported to Saudi Arabia from different countries along the Arabian Gulf The fish were collected from the wholesale market of Qatef, Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. A total of 867 fish specimens belonging to 42 species and 27 families were examined between June 1998 and March 2000. Six fish species harboured trypanorhynch cestodes in the muscles, Johinus maculanus (48.2% prevalence of infestation), Psettodes erumei (31.8%), Epinephelus chlorostigma (15.2 %), Epinephelus tauvina (14.8%), Cephalopholis hemistiktos (87%), and Lethrinus nebulosus (3.5 %). The following 4 trypanorhyncha species were identified: Callitetrarhynchus speciosus, Daswhynchus thomasi, Pintneriella musculicola, and Poecilancistrum caryophyllum. The most abundant parasite species was Pintneriella musculicola, which was found in 3 different host fish species. Daswhynchus thoması and Poecilancistrum caryophyllum occurred in a single host fish species only. Psettodes erumei had the highest intensity (maximal 45 plerocercoids per fish) of infestation. Daswhynchus thomasi, Pinineriella muscudicola and Poecilancistrum caryophyllum represent first locality records for these trypanorhyncha in the studied area, which is now known to harbour 18 different trypanorhyncha species. It was observed that the infestation rate increased with fish length, since larger fish either might have a greater opportunity of getting infected or simply accumulate the worms. Histopathological alterations induced by these parasites in the fish flesh were also detected, demonstrating a negative impact of the parasites on the infested fish.
J. A. Abbas
Vegetation of the coastal lowlands of Bahrain Island has been surveyed on the basis of seven habitat types: mangrove, salt marsh, dunes, coastal sabkha, reclaimed areas, coastal plantations and agricultural wastelands. Most of the habitats are saline and plants are mostly halophytic. Dominant species vary from one habitat to another in the different saline areas. Habitats with low salinity are occupied by glycophytes. Key species in the vegetation of coastal lowlands of Bahrain are found in similar habitats in Arabia, particularly the eastern coasts of Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
H. M. Alwadie
Light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to study the morphology and ultrastructure of Withania somnifera (L.) DunaJ pollen grains. Light microscopic examination revealed that the pollen grains are tri- or tetrazona colpate grains, approximately as long as broad, measuring 29 micro m. Scanning electron microscopic observation showed that surface sculpturing of the pollen is scarbate-granulate. Ultra thin sections as examined by transmission electron microscope showed that the pollen contained numerous starch grains, lipid droplets, endoplasmic reticulum and vesicles of dictyosomes. Two layers of the pollen wall were also distinguished, the outer wall (exine) divided into ektexine and endexine as well as the inner layer (intine). The nutritive values of Withania pollen are discussed. The importance of studying the ultrastructure of pollen grains as a new tool in palynology is also discussed.
G. A. Alhadrami, B. H. and A. K. Bashir
The objective of this work was to qualitatively and quantitatively, determine and compare some chemical constituents of two salt-tolerant plants Avicennia marina and Atriplex canescens, and their nutritive value in the desert dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) using the nylon bag technique. The crude protein content in the leaves of the two plants was similar (10.6 - 10. 7%). However, the non-nitrogen content and ash in A marina represented 1.0% and 20.9%. compared to 4.3% and 28.2% respectively, in Atriplex canescens. The crude fat was 2.9% in the former plant and 1.2% in the latter. The rest of the values in the two plants were similar (crude fibre 18 - 18.9, cellulose 17.8 - 18.8. lignin 4.1-4.8%). The dry matter in A marina was significantly higher in the insoluble but fermented matter. The concentration of some essential elements (Cu, Zn and Mn) and macro-elements (Ca, Mg, K and Na) were (K) measured in the leaves of A. marina leaves, and they were found to be poor in some trace elements.
S.M. Al-Zahrani
In this research, the effect of different samples of female camel's urine (virgin and fertilized ) in the growth and formation of spores of Aspergillus niger fungus was carried out. The samples were collected from Abha and Al-Taif and were used with different concentrations. The results proved that all urine samples of the different concentrations had an effect on the formation of conidial spores, as they prevented their formation in the first few days. With old cultures, the fungus began with the formation of multiple spores. It was noticed that there was a change of the colour of spores from the original characteristic black of these spores of this fungus to a deep brown colour. The fungus used was more sensitive to urine of fertilized camels both the samples that were taken from Al-Taif or Abha. There was also a decrease in fungal growth with increased sample concentrations, following the experiment that lasted six days, as the concentration of 6% of fertilized camel's urine from Al-Taif inhibited the growth, while the concentration of 9% was inhibited the growth of the remainder of samples. In addition the concentration of 12% was cidal (fatal) to the fungus and its spores in all samples. No growth of any type of fungus was noted during all the preservation periods of the urine samples, which normally last between 14-18 months outside the refrigerator under normal circumstances. It was also noticed that there was no sign of turbidity of urine samples that normally indicates growth of bacteria and yeasts (contamination), only a change of camel's urine colour from yellow to deep brown colour.
K. Bubshait and D. Radwan
This study illustrates the importance of applied research and development in supporting and developing the petrochemical industry in Saudi Arabia. It highlights the areas in which applied research and development positively affects the direct return on investment, as well the long range objectives of the industrialization program. In addition, the study proposes a methodology for the development of an interactive relation between industrial institutions and research centers aiming at enhancing the capabilities and performance of each other. Emphasis is given to the development of local capabilities to utilize knowledge and benefit from the obtained experience.
A A Hafez and A H Bello
Adventitious bud formation was achieved from leaf segments of two important medicinal plants: Bellis perennis and Borago officinalis on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with a various concentrations of Auxins and Cytokinins. In the case of Bellis perennis: high regeneration rate of 7.5 bud/ segment was obtained from each leaf segment on medium containing 2 mg^-1 of BAP and 1 mg^-1 of IBA. Regenerated buds from leaf segments were multiplicated on new media. Proliferation rate of buds was 13.2 bud/sample in presence of 1 mg^-1 BAP and 0.1 mg^-1 IAA. Rooting of some regenerated buds were established on medium containing 0.5 mg^-1 of IAA. The rooted plantlets were successfully transferred to the soil. In the case of Borago officinalis: the regeneration rate of bud/segment was obtained on medium containing 2 mg^-1 of BAP and 0.5 mg^-1 of IAA. Low proliferation rate of buds was obtained (3 bud/sample).