Vol. 24 Issue 2

AbdulAziz M.A. Mohamed and David B. Hogg
Average time required for Microctonus aethiopoides development from egg to adult was 4.5+ 0.98 d (Mean + SE) at a temperature regime that fluctuated between 15 and 23.3 °C Average longevity of M. aethiopoides females was 15 4+ 1.20 (Mean + SE). Following emergence, mated female M. aethiopoides were provided with 25 laboratory reared adult weevils per day until parasitoid death. Oviposition commenced the day of adult emergence, and mean fecundity was 970 1 73 (Mean + SE) eggs per female Superparasitism was common but declined with parasitoid age Life table statistics assuming 50% female progeny were calculated. Using total eggs laid (m.), life table statistics (Mean+SE) were gross reproductive rate (GRR) = 51.4 + 3 7. net reproductive rate (R.) = 49.4 +3.8, intrinsic rate of increase (r.) = 0.153 +0.003, and mean generation time (T) = 26.3 + 02 Using only effective eggs laid (m.). (ie, excluding superparasitism), life table statistics were GRR-416 +3.5, R. = 39.4 +3.3, rm -0.142 +0.003, and T = 26.9 +0.3. The usefulness of these values as indices of relative effectiveness of M. aethiopoides against adult H postica are discussed

Hashim A. Al-Sayed and Maheen Dairi
The concentration of seven trace metals (Fe, Ni, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cu, Cd) in the soft tissue of Turbo coronatus (Gmelin) from five nearshore areas were studied. The mean concentration of each trace metal in the edible marine snail exhibited significant spatial variations. The highest concentration of Zn, Mn, Cu and Cd occurred at Jazirat Al-Shaikh (Askar), Al-Jadoom, Al-Qulayah, and Fasht Al-Jarim, respectively. However, maximum Fe level was recorded at Fasht Al-Jarim. In addition, the metal concentration showed significant seasonal variation. The highest concentration of Zn and Cd was in September and March, respectively, when algae was assumed to be abundant. The elevated values of Zn (47.77 ug g) and Cd (1.29 ugg') could be associated with spawning season.

Adel A. B. Shahin
The ultrastructure of spermatogenesis and spermatozoon of Alestes dentex is described by using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The testis is lobular in shape and spermatogenesis is of the unrestricted type. The germ cells are found in clusters within the seminiferous tubules and surrounded by a cytoplasmic processes of the Sertoli cells. Spermiogenesis is characterized by chromatin condensation, flagellum development, nuclear rotation, migration of the diplosome and mitochondria to the basal pole of the nucleus, nuclear indentation, nuclear fossa formation and loss of the excess cytoplasm. The mature spermatozoon is of the primitive type; type I aquasperm. The spermatozoon has no acrosome and has a rounded head with a heterogeneously electron-dense nucleus, which contains a deep axial nuclear fossa and a nuclear notch. The nuclear fossa contains the centriolar complex and part of the basal body of the axoneme. The short midpiece contains a mitochondrial ring, which consists of several unequal-sized and unevenly distributed mitochondria. The flagellum has the classical axoneme pattern of 9+2 and has no lateral fins or a membranous compartment. In addition, the spermatozoon has some peculiar features, which are not previously described in Characiformes and include the presence of two fibrous bodies anchoring the proximal centriole to the nucleus, a thick outer membrane of dense fibers separating the flagellum from the cytoplasmic canal and a basal foot and alar sheets attaching the basal body to the nucleus and plasma membrane. These findings suggest that the ultrastructural features of spermiogenesis and spermatozoa of A. dentex are synapomorphy of Ostariophysi, Perciformes, and Salmoniformes

Zakaria A. M. Baka and Hussien M. Alwadie
One hundred and twenty feed samples collected from different poultry farms located in Aseer region of Saudi Arabia were screened from January to December 2003. Twelve fungal genera and 27 species were identified. Aspergillus (85%) and Penicillium (47%) were the genera most commonly isolated from the feeds. Aflatoxins B1, B2, and G2 were produced by twelve fungal species. Aspergillus flavus and 4. parasiticus produced the largest amount of aflatoxin B1 (700 and 500 g/l, respectively). A. parasiticus produced the largest amount of aflatoxins B2 and G2 (400 and 300 Ig/l, respectively). Penicillium notatum produced the highest amount of aflatoxin B2 (140 Ig/l). Scopulariopsis brevicaulis produced the largest amount of aflatoxin G1 (280 Ig/l). Propionic and oxalic acids completely inhibited the growth and aflatoxin production of A flavus and A. parasiticus between pH 2.5 and 5.0. Citric and tartaric acids, on the other hand, completely inhibited the growth and aflatoxin production of the same species at pH values between 2.5 and 4.0

M. Al-Garni, H. Hassanein and M. Gobashy
Schlumberger sounding and ground magnetic surveys were conducted in Wadi Lusab, Hadat El-Sham area, to examine the possible existence of groundwater and structures that may control water flow. Schlumberger soundings were made along and across the Wadi Lusab. The Schlumberger sounding curves were generally of good quality, however, a few sounding curves were affected by lateral geologic inhomogeneities and man-made objects which may have distorted others. The interpreted resistivity sounding curves, cross-sections show a clear picture of the probable location of the water table, the water quality, and possible structure of the studied area. Materials with resistivities (150 to > 300 ohm-m) may represent dry alluvial deposits of sand and gravel and pebbles. Materials with resistivities (70 to 150 ohm.m) may represent sedimentary deposits of course sand and gravel saturated with good quality water. Materials with resistivities (30 to 70 ohm-m) may represent deposits composed of sand and gravel mixed with clay and probably saturated with good quality water. Materials with resistivities (10 to 30 ohm-m) may represent sedimentary deposits with a medium percentage of clay mixed with sand and gravel saturated with good quality water. Three interpreted resistivity cross sections illustrate the above findings. The ground magnetic survey, on the other hand was conducted along Wadi Lusab. It delineates the major faults and estimates the thickness of sedimentary cover. Possible existence of faults across the Wadi was confirmed by magnetic sources obtained from the application of Euler homogeneity equation to the observed profile. The magnetic interpretation shows that the thickness of the sedimentary cover in the western part of the studied area is greater than the eastern part. The western part of Wadi lusab shows a system of potential faults that may affect the water flow A profile of interpreted magnetic data illustrates the above findings

S. Baby, M. Ahmed, M. A. Al- Sarawit, and L. Al-Awadhi
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the occurrence, mechanisms and ranking of aeolian sand particle movement through particle size analysis of recently deposited wind-blown soil materials in the sensitive and selected desert areas of Kuwait -Wafra and Al-Jahra-Subiya). These areas fall in the two major sand corridors of Kuwait. The acolian movement mechanisms were evaluated through particle size analysis of recently deposited sand sediment. Soil samples were collected from two areas Al Wafra area in the southern part of Kuwait and Al-Jahra-Subiya area in the northern eastern part of the state. The particle size analysis of the soil samples revealed the dominance of acolian particles. Saltation of sand particles movement was concluded to be dominant, followed by creep and then in the Al-Wafra area, the percentage of particles distribution in the saltation was calculated to be 41.0 to 90.0% with average of 72.4%. This was followed by creep which ranged between 8.0 and 57.0%, with an average of 25.1%, and a suspension of 0.5 to 5.0%, with an average of 2.36%. In Jahra-Subiya area, the percentage of particle distribution in the saltation ranged between 65.0 to 940%, with an average of 85.8%. Creep ranged between 4.0-33.0%, with an average of 11.6%, and the suspension ranged between 0.2-40% with an average of 1.8%. The results suggest that the control of the sallation movement in the desert of Kuwait could lead to reducing the mass movement of sand particles. This could be achieved by using soil stabilization processes or windbreaks

Sheta A. S., A. M. Falatah, A. Sh.Sallam and M. Al-Sewailem
Imgated torripsamment have several constraints that could be alleviated using natural or artificial soil amendments. A field experiment was carried out in sandy soils to investigate the effect of natural amendments applied as a subsurface thin layer on water use efficiency (WUE) of squash and the distribution of moisture, salts and roots in the root zone. Treatments consisted of two rates (0.5% and 1%) of bentonite (B), rawdat deposits R, organic matter (OM) and 1:1 mixture of B+OM and R+OM. Squash fruit yield (ton/ha) was generally higher in the sub-surface drip irrigation treatments and the increase was 121.8% to 187.3% more than the surface drip in the different treatments. The highest squash yield was found in the mixed treatment (B+OM, 0.5%) followed by (R+OM, 1%), whereas the lowest yield was obtained in the B (1%) treatment alone. WUE was increased in the subsurface drip irrigation treatments over the surface drip and the increase varied from 119.4 to 183.5 %. Results showed that salts were concentrated close to the surface layer in the subsurface drip treatments while it concentrated mostly in the wetting front and around the dripper in the surface drip treatments. Soil moisture and root distributions in the root zone were closely related to the rate and the location of the applied amendments. They increased in the treated layer particularly under subsurface drip irrigation. The study concluded that management practices which include subsurface drip irrigation and the subsurface applications of natural deposits have high potential for improving WUE and the distribution of soil moisture, salts and roots in the root zone area of the irrigated torripsamment