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El Mouden MA, Chandler PJ, Driauach O, Banamar O, Saidoun I, Akarid A, Aattouch K, Belqat B. New species and other new records of the family Mycetophilidae (Insecta, Diptera) from Morocco. Zookeys 2024; 1197:215-236. [PMID: 38666073 PMCID: PMC11043652 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1197.118503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Twelve species in nine genera of Mycetophilidae are newly recorded from Morocco and from North Africa. Five species are described as new to science: Rymosiaebejerisp. nov., Leiaarcanasp. nov., Megophthalmidiaamsemlilisp. nov., Mycomyamirasp. nov., and Phthiniasnibbypinsaesp. nov. Three species are newly recorded from Gibraltar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Amin El Mouden
- LESCB URL/CNRST N°18, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Tétouan, MoroccoAbdelmalek Essaâdi UniversityTétouanMorocco
| | - Peter J. Chandler
- 606B Berryfield Lane, Melksham, Wilts SN12 6EL, UKUnaffiliatedWiltsUnited Kingdom
| | - Ouafaa Driauach
- Biotechnology, Environmental Technology and Valorization of Bio-Resources Team, Department of Biology, Laboratory of Research and Development in Engineering Sciences Faculty of Sciences and Techniques Al-Hoceima, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tétouan, MoroccoAbdelmalek Essaadi UniversityTétouanMorocco
| | - Ouarda Banamar
- LESCB URL/CNRST N°18, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Tétouan, MoroccoAbdelmalek Essaâdi UniversityTétouanMorocco
| | - Imane Saidoun
- LESCB URL/CNRST N°18, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Tétouan, MoroccoAbdelmalek Essaâdi UniversityTétouanMorocco
| | - Abdellatif Akarid
- LESCB URL/CNRST N°18, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Tétouan, MoroccoAbdelmalek Essaâdi UniversityTétouanMorocco
| | - Khalid Aattouch
- LESCB URL/CNRST N°18, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Tétouan, MoroccoAbdelmalek Essaâdi UniversityTétouanMorocco
| | - Boutaïna Belqat
- LESCB URL/CNRST N°18, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Tétouan, MoroccoAbdelmalek Essaâdi UniversityTétouanMorocco
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Daif S, El Berbri I, Fassi Fihri O. First molecular evidence of potential Culicoides vectors implicated in bluetongue virus transmission in Morocco. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:71. [PMID: 38374115 PMCID: PMC10877861 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06167-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bluetongue is a non-contagious viral disease that affects both domestic and wild ruminants. It is transmitted primarily by small hematophagous Diptera belonging to the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). The current study represents the first molecular investigation into the potential role of Culicoides imicola, Culicoides paolae, Culicoides newsteadi, Culicoides spp., and Culicoides circumscriptus as bluetongue virus (BTV) vectors in Morocco. Additionally, the study aimed to evaluate the vectorial activity of midges during the survey seasons. METHODS Parous females of these species were captured from several regions of Morocco (6 out of 12) from 2018 to 2021 using Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (OVI) traps. A total of 2003 parous female specimens were grouped into 55 batches. The midge body of each batch was dissected into three regions (head, thorax, and abdomen), and these regions were analyzed separately using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). RESULTS BTV RNA was detected in 45 out of the 55 batches tested, indicating a positivity rate of 81.8%. The RT-qPCR-positive pools of the studied Culicoides species exhibited high levels of BTV positivity in each body part (head, thorax, and abdomen), confirming the successful replication of the virus within midge bodies. The BTV circulation was substantial across all three survey seasons (spring, summer, and autumn). High infection rates, calculated using the minimum infection rate (MIR) and maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), were observed during the collection seasons, particularly in autumn and spring, and for all investigated Culicoides species, most notably for C. imicola and C. newsteadi. These increased infection rates underscore the significant risk of Culicoides transmitting the BTV in Morocco. CONCLUSIONS The detection of BTV positivity in Culicoides spp. (lacking wing spots that allow their differentiation according to morphological identification keys) suggested that other Culicoides species are competent for BTV transmission in Morocco. The study results indicated, for the first time at the molecular level, that C. imicola and C. newsteadi are the primary potential vectors of BTV in Morocco and that C. paolae and C. circumscriptus are strongly implicated in the propagation of bluetongue at the national level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soukaina Daif
- Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pathology and Veterinary Public Health, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco.
| | - Ikhlass El Berbri
- Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pathology and Veterinary Public Health, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Ouafaa Fassi Fihri
- Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pathology and Veterinary Public Health, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco
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Suárez D, Lugo D, Pérez-Gil M, Peña G, Ruiz C. First report of Aphrialatifrons (Diptera, Tachinidae, Leskiini) in the Canary Islands. Biodivers Data J 2023; 11:e109690. [PMID: 37779554 PMCID: PMC10539912 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.11.e109690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Canary Islands are an archipelago of volcanic origin, located off north-west Africa comprising eight islands. Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are the oldest (20 and 15 millon years old, respectively) and the easternmost islands. The order Diptera is one of the most relevant taxa in the Canary Islands as they constitute the second highest species richness. Within this order, the family Tachinidae is especially interesting as all species are endoparasitoids of arthropods and most species play a key role as pollinators. In the Canary Islands, the family comprises 52 species, with Fuerteventura and Lanzarote harbouring up to 20 species each. New information Aphrialatifrons, a Palaearctic tachinid fly, is reported for the first time from the Canary Islands, where it was found on Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. Morphological examination was carried out and the first known barcode of the species is presented. Its potential distribution and source of origin are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Suárez
- Island Ecology and Evolution Research Group, Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA-CSIC), La Laguna (Tenerife), SpainIsland Ecology and Evolution Research Group, Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA-CSIC)La Laguna (Tenerife)Spain
| | - David Lugo
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna (Tenerife), SpainDepartamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La LagunaLa Laguna (Tenerife)Spain
| | - Mónica Pérez-Gil
- Cetaceans and Marine Research Institute of the Canary Islands, San Bartolomé (Lanzarote), SpainCetaceans and Marine Research Institute of the Canary IslandsSan Bartolomé (Lanzarote)Spain
| | - Gustavo Peña
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna (Tenerife), SpainDepartamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La LagunaLa Laguna (Tenerife)Spain
| | - Carlos Ruiz
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna (Tenerife), SpainDepartamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La LagunaLa Laguna (Tenerife)Spain
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Mabrouki Y, Terec AB, Taybi FA, Dénes A, Keresztes L. Taxonomic notes and key to the West Palearctic Antocha ( Antocha) Osten Sacken, 1860 (Diptera, Limoniidae) with description of a new species from Morocco. Biodivers Data J 2023; 11:e103849. [PMID: 38327379 PMCID: PMC10848600 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.11.e103849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The Mediterranean Region of the West Palearctic is one of the most species-rich biomes in the world, hosting a high level of endemism and relict species with important conservation value. The North Africa Atlas Mountains (spanning Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia) belong to a poorly-investigated region of the Mediterranean area, with overlooked aquatic biodiversity; hence, a number of species still remain to be discovered. New information The subgenus Antocha (Antocha) Osten Sacken, 1860 is recorded for the first time from Africa, with a description of A. (A.) staryi Keresztes & Mabrouki sp. nov. from hilly regions of the Middle Atlas region, Morocco. The unique design of the male terminalia differentiates well the newly-discovered species from its closely-related and range-restricted A. (A.) phoenicia Thomas and Dia, 1982. This is in contrast with the high intraspecific and geographically poorly-defined variability of the widespread A. (A.) vitripennis (Meigen, 1830), for which morphological variability of male genital structures is discussed.Illustrations of male genital parts, distribution data and key to the species from the West Palearctic area are also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youness Mabrouki
- Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mehraz, Biotechnology, Conservation and Valorisation of Natural Resources Laboratory, Fez. B.P. 1796, 30003, Fez, MoroccoSidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mehraz, Biotechnology, Conservation and Valorisation of Natural Resources Laboratory, Fez. B.P. 1796, 30003FezMorocco
| | - Andrei Bogdan Terec
- Doctoral School of Integrative Biology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Republicii 44, 400015, Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDoctoral School of Integrative Biology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Republicii 44, 400015Cluj-NapocaRomania
- Centre 3B, Laboratory of Advance Hydrobiology and Biomonitoring, Babeș-Bolyai University, Clinicilor 5-7, 400006, Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaCentre 3B, Laboratory of Advance Hydrobiology and Biomonitoring, Babeș-Bolyai University, Clinicilor 5-7, 400006Cluj-NapocaRomania
| | - Fouzi A. Taybi
- Université Mohammed Premier, Faculté Pluridisciplinaire de Nador, Équipe de Recherche en Biologie et Biotechnologie Appliquées, B.P 300, 62700 Selouane, Morocco, Oujda, MoroccoUniversité Mohammed Premier, Faculté Pluridisciplinaire de Nador, Équipe de Recherche en Biologie et Biotechnologie Appliquées, B.P 300, 62700 Selouane, MoroccoOujdaMorocco
| | - Anna Dénes
- Doctoral School of Integrative Biology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Republicii 44, 400015, Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDoctoral School of Integrative Biology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Republicii 44, 400015Cluj-NapocaRomania
- Centre 3B, Laboratory of Advance Hydrobiology and Biomonitoring, Babeș-Bolyai University, Clinicilor 5-7, 400006, Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaCentre 3B, Laboratory of Advance Hydrobiology and Biomonitoring, Babeș-Bolyai University, Clinicilor 5-7, 400006Cluj-NapocaRomania
| | - Lujza Keresztes
- Centre 3B, Laboratory of Advance Hydrobiology and Biomonitoring, Babeș-Bolyai University, Clinicilor 5-7, 400006, Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaCentre 3B, Laboratory of Advance Hydrobiology and Biomonitoring, Babeș-Bolyai University, Clinicilor 5-7, 400006Cluj-NapocaRomania
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Driauach O, Chandler PJ, Amin El Mouden M, Belqat B. New faunistic records of the families Bolitophilidae and Keroplatidae (Diptera, Sciaroidea) from Morocco. Zookeys 2022; 1128:47-52. [PMID: 36762241 PMCID: PMC9836719 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1128.85536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The family Bolitophilidae is recorded for the first time from Morocco with one species Bolitophila (Bolitophila) saundersii (Curtis, 1836). Ten new species are added to the Moroccan fauna of Keroplatidae, known until now by only two species, raising the number of species currently known in Morocco to 12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ouafaa Driauach
- LESCB URL/CNRST N°18, FS, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Peter J. Chandler
- Biotechnology, Environmental Technology and Valorization of Bio-Resources Team, FSTH, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
| | | | - Boutaïna Belqat
- LESCB URL/CNRST N°18, FS, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
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Zouhair L, Grootaert P, Kettani K. First records of Trichina Meigen, Euthyneura Macquart and Oedalea Meigen (Diptera, Hybotidae) from North Africa, with descriptions of two new species. Zookeys 2022; 1124:43-58. [PMID: 36762358 PMCID: PMC9836733 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1124.90077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichina Meigen, 1830, Euthyneura Macquart, 1836 and Oedalea Meigen, 1820 are reported for the first time in North Africa from northern Morocco, with seven species including two ones new to science, based on material collected at nine sites located in the Moroccan sector of the Mediterranean Intercontinental Biosphere reserve (MIBR). These new records represent also the first evidence of the occurrence of Trichininae and Oedaleinae subfamilies throughout North Africa and bring the total of Moroccan hybotid fauna to 51 species. The new species are described and illustrated. A key to MoroccanTrichina species is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila Zouhair
- Laboratory Ecology, Systematics, and Conservation of Biodiversity (LESCB), URL-CNRST N°18, FS, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, MoroccoAbdelmalek Essaadi UniversityTetouanMorocco
| | - Patrick Grootaert
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, O.D. Phylogeny and Taxonomy, Entomology, Vautier street 29, B1000 Brussels, BelgiumRoyal Belgian Institute of Natural SciencesBrusselsBelgium
| | - Kawtar Kettani
- Laboratory Ecology, Systematics, and Conservation of Biodiversity (LESCB), URL-CNRST N°18, FS, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, MoroccoAbdelmalek Essaadi UniversityTetouanMorocco
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