Abu Rawash Research Articles

Basement Depth Map Estimation and Linear Features Detection Depending on Interpretation of Magnetic Data at Qarun Oil Field and Surrounding Areas, North Western Desert, Egypt

This investigation primarily targets a specific area situated in the northeastern Western Desert and northwest Beni-Suef, covering Wadi Al Rayan area, Gindi basin, Kattaniya inversion, and El-Fayum depression. It extends to the east of the river Nile. This study aims to Evaluate the depth of the basement complex in the area under investigation. The total aeromagnetic intensity data was reduced to the north pole (RTP) for clarity. 2D modeling of this RTP data was then used to evaluate the basement depth. The analysis of basement depth maps revealed significant variations in the subsurface structure of the study area, showing both elevated features (horsts) and depressed areas (grabens). The elevated basement (horsts) was found to be at a depth of approximately 813 meters, while the deepest depression (grabens) reached down to 7600 meters. Based on magnetic data combined with eight wells drilled into the basement complex, a basement lineament map of the area is delineated as a result of the investigation. This map shows a series of large alternating highs and valleys in ENE-WSW, NE-SW and E-W trending bands. Together with other minor trends, these major trends have shaped the basement surface into several tilted fault blocks, creating anticlinal and syncline zones of different depths and directions to form the Qattrani-El Gindi low trends. Whereas the high trend is located in El Fayum, El-Sagha, and Abu Rawash areas. The study helped to re-evaluate the subsurface structures affecting the Qarun oil field's hydrocarbon accumulation.

RADIOCARBON-BASED MODELING OF THE REIGN OF KING DEN (1ST DYNASTY, EGYPT) AND THE START OF THE OLD KINGDOM

ABSTRACTThis study focuses on the chronology of King Den’s reign, the fifth ruler of the 1st Egyptian dynasty. A series of radiocarbon (14C) dates were established on archaeological material from several tombs at the Abu Rawash site, near Cairo, which comprises a complex of 12 monumental mud-brick mastabas. Modeling the14C results enables us to estimate the date of King’s accession and to link this to the beginning of the 3rd Dynasty, i.e., to Egyptian state’s structuration. Through the application of OxCal software, sets of14C results obtained from the same archaeological context have been summarized and compared with the precise state of our knowledge on the historical duration of this reign. These results place King Den’s accession between 3104 and 2913 BCE (2σ), with the more likely date being 3011–2921 BCE (1σ). The modeled temporal density thus obtained is based both on new contextualized14C dates and on an updated reading of the historical information on his reign. This is a dynamic result, which can be refined as soon as we have more data to integrate into the model. Above all, this resulting model becomes a crucial chronological point to better determine the beginning of the Egyptian Old Kingdom.

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment of Groundwater Quality in Abu Rawash Electric Generation Plant, Egypt

Groundwater in Abu Rawash area has particular importance where it is the source of water used for agricultural, domestic and industrial purposes. Nine groundwater samples from shallow wells were available during summer 2019 and were analyzed for physicochemical characteristics. The physicochemical parameters indicated that the water type is dominance of Na- K- Cl-SO4. These data has been used for preliminary evaluation of suitability of groundwater for irrigation purposes using groundwater quality indices which are irrigation water quality index IWQI, Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC), and Permeability Index (PI). The average obtained values of IWQI, SAR, RSC, PI respectively were 32.91, 25.35, -31.17, and 76.55 mg/l. According to the IWQI classification, approximately 67% of the groundwater samples were served restriction with no toxicity risk for most plants, while about 33% of samples were high restriction on their use for irrigation. According to the SAR classification, approximately 44% of the groundwater samples were fairly poor, while about 56% of samples were Unsuitable on their use for irrigation. Based on the RSC and PI classification all ground water samples were more suitable for irrigation.

The Efficiency of Sclerophrys regularis as a Bioindicator

Many populations of amphibians are facing remarkable decline throughout the world. The reason for the decline is a direct response to habitat destruction and pollution including heavy metals. The blood of the toad is vascular and very plastic tissue. In fact, a variation of several hematological parameters in response to natural changes in the environment has been widely described previously. Since hematological parameters are influenced by a variety of environmental stressors, they have the potential to be used as biomarkers of aquatic pollution. Heavy metals are difficult to remove from the environment and cannot be degraded biologically. The current study assessed the impact of some heavy metals on hematological and serological parameters in the Egyptian toad (Sclerophrys regularis) from two different localities (North Giza and El Wahat regions). The current results have revealed a reduction in the means of RBCs, hemoglobin, and hematocrit values in addition to a remarkable increase in WBCs. In addition, the major serological parameters including protein, albumin, AST, and ALT were also altered in parallel with the deterioration that occurred between the two investigated regions. The present findings have revealed and confirmed that the Abu Rawash area is more impacted compared to El Bawiti.

Technical choices and processes of stone vessel manufacture under the reign of king Den : evidence from the Cemetery M at Abu Rawash

Stone vessels were produced on a large scale during the Early Dynastic Period. The pro-duction of stone vessels in this period is a typ-ical example of the development of attached specialists that occurred parallel to the emer-gence of the central government and admin-istration. However, we are not thoroughly familiar with the specifics of the manufac-turing techniques and system that supported this large-scale production in Early Dynastic society. This paper reconstructs the detailed manufacturing techniques and processes of the cylindrical jars and the open forms through the observation and analysis of the unpublished materials from the Cemetery M (excavated by Montet) at Abu Rawash. This research has found that travertine bowls were probably shaped by irregular and less precise polishing than mudstone. Addition-ally, the deeper bowls were found to have a intensive use of “figure-of-eight” shaped reamers. Craftsmen also selected techniques, processes, and tools according to vessel shape and size in addition to the hardness and nature of the stone. The detailed manufacturing process of the cylindrical jars is also reconstructed. These cylindrical jars can be classified into two categories : high-quality and low-quality jars. The low-quality and small-sized jars were manufactured by a more intensive use of “figure-of-eight” shaped reamer. A comparison with quantitative data from other cemeteries at Abu Rawash and other Early Dynastic sites indicates that the low-quality and the small jars were probably supplied to Abu Rawash as “commoditized products” during the 2 nd Dynasty. Finally, the article discusses the increased use of rota-tional reaming techniques with a “figure-of-eight” shaped reamer in the manufacture of both cylindrical jars and bowls during the 2 nd Dynasty.

Early Bronze Age exchange patterns between Egypt and the Levant: a view from First Dynasty Abu Rawash

Early Bronze Age exchange patterns between Egypt and the Levant: a view from First Dynasty Abu Rawash

Acroeimeria lineri (McAllister, Upton, Freed, 1988) Paperna and Landsberg, 1989 in Mediterranean Geckos (Hemidactylus turcicus): Oocyst Morphometrics, Endogenous Developmental Stages, and Molecular Sequencing Support its Placement into Acroeimeria.

Between June 2016 and June 2019, we surveyed 62 Mediterranean geckos, Hemidactylus turcicus, from Abu Rawash, Giza, Egypt, for the presence of endoparasites. In June 2016, we found 3 individuals to be infected with Eimeria lineri. We studied the morphology and inner structures of its sporulated oocysts, and the locations of its intestinal endogenous stages. We also extracted genomic DNA from these sporulated oocysts and successfully sequenced a 632-bp fragment of the 18S rRNA gene. Phylogenetic analyses using this partial sequence allowed us to support previous studies that assigned E. lineri to the genus Acroeimeria. Our consensus sequence was used to query similar 18S rDNA sequences from GenBank, and 14 sequences were selected. The phylogenetic analysis inferred by maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods gave similar results, as both separated the sequences into 2 clades: (1) a monophyletic group of Goussia species (from fish); and (2) a strongly supported clade that separated 4 Choleoeimeria species from a polyphyletic group of species that clustered A. lineri with 3 other Acroeimeria species and 3 Eimeria species from lizards, including Eimeria tiliquae from Tiliqua rugosa (Gray, 1825), Eimeria tokayae from Gecko gecko (L., 1758), and Eimeria eutropidis from Eutropis macularia (Blyth, 1853). Our study supports the placement of E. lineri into the Acroeimeria and contributes additional life history information toward understanding the evolutionary origin of the Eimeria-like species that have sporocysts without Stieda bodies in their oocysts and that infect saurian reptiles. We also support the concept that several traits (morphological, endogenous, and gene sequences) are both necessary and important for authors to include when making generic reassignments within the eimeriid coccidia.

Little egret (Egretta garzetta) as a bioindicator of heavy metal contamination from three different localities in Egypt.

This work aimed at using Little Egrets (Egretta garzetta), for the first time in Egypt, as a bioindicator of heavy metal contamination from three different Egyptian land use types (Qillin within Kafr El-Sheikh (S1, agricultural), Toukh within Qalyubia (S2, semi-rural area), and Abu Rawash within Giza (S3, urban)). Concentrations of aluminum (Al), barium (Ba), cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were analyzed in liver and kidney samples of twenty-six adult Little Egrets collected from the three localities during winter 2018. Moreover, the study calculated the Metal Pollution Index (MPI) to highlight the health of the surrounding environment using birds' internal organs as a mirror. Results revealed that, throughout the three sampling sites, the total metal concentrations in liver samples exceeded that of the kidney, indicating that the liver is the target organ of metal accumulation. The Little Egret's liver was found to be the best-recommended organ to use in future biomonitoring of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Ni, whereas Al, Co, Cr, Ba, Pb, and Cd can be monitored in the kidney. Cu and Pb were higher in the Little Egret's tissues collected from the agricultural site (S1), whereas Ba, Ni, and Fe were higher in the semi-rural site (S2), followed finally by Cd in the urbanized site (S3). The concentrations of trace elements reported in Little Egrets were within the known background level for water birds. However, alarming concentrations were found for Ni levels in liver (from Qillin and Toukh), as well as Pb and Cr levels in kidney samples (from the three localities). MPI of the eleven studied metals in both liver and kidney of the studied species decreased in the order Qillin (24.36) > Abu Rawash (17.98) > Toukh (3.90). In the three investigated localities, the overall calculated MPI values were higher than one, indicating that the ecosystem is polluted. The study suggested using Little Egrets as a bioindicator of metal contamination.

The Grand Egyptian Museum and its Role in Achieving Sustainable Tourism in the Memphite Necropolis

Egypt is considered as one of the weighty touristic countries in the world. It possesses a cultural and natural heritage that attracts millions of tourists every year. The Egyptian government decided to create a new cultural and heritage attraction which is the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) that will house more than 100,000 artifacts from the Pharaonic, Greek and Roman eras and will give a major boost to the tourism sector in Egypt. Announced in 2002, the GEM is believed to be the national Egyptian project of the century as it is one the largest museums in the World displaying the heritage of a single civilization. The Memphite necropolis is a historical place near the GEM and has many archaeological and environmental tourism attractions as well as many traditional handicrafts that form a diversified tourism product. However, there are clearly still shortcomings in this area to be put on the map of sustainable tourism. The existence of the GEM could be a strong motivator for achieving tourism development and finding solutions for the tourism sustainability in the region. The objectives of the study are to indicate the role of the GEM as a global museum on the Egyptian tourism sector. The paper would find effective tools, with the GEM facilities, for revival and touristic development of important heritage sites in the Memphite Necropolis (specifically the strip from Abu Rawash to Dahshur). It shows the historical relationship between the artifacts of GEM that were discovered at the Memphite necropolis and their places of discovery. In displaying these artifacts and in demonstrating the story behind them, a connection would be created to attract the tourists for visiting their places of discovery (mostly including important pyramids). This would be a tool of upgrading and enhancing the archaeological map of the site for increasing the number of tourists by using the Tourism Routes and Trails starting by the GEM. Besides, the study sheds the light on the other factors of tourist attraction and identifies the problems facing the marketing and the tourism sustainability of the region to develop solution and proposals for it. It also indicates the main principles of tourism sustainability and proposes some means for creating a sustainable tourism in the region that serve the local community without damaging the region’s cultural heritage as well as its natural and environmental wealth. The study relied on a descriptive analytical methodology based on a field study analysis. It describes and analyse the significance of GEM and the historical and archaeological importance of the Memphite Necropolis. It also sheds light on the problems facing the Sustainable Development and the needed Projects: A survey was made by distributing a random sample for tour guides, academic members in faculties and institutes of tourism and hotels, tourist experts, workers in ministry of tourism and antiquities as well as secondary data. The study concluded the necessity of sustaining these world heritage sites, completing and improving its services, making a good marketing plan for it, and including it in the tourist itineraries as main places for visits. Finally, it recommends some additional cultural, educational, entertaining, touristic, building, and economic projects for creating new motivations for the tourist attraction and more chances for a sustainable tourism.

Life Cycle Assessment of Upgrading Primary Wastewater Treatment Plants to Secondary Treatment Including a Circular Economy Approach

Although significant progress has been achieved in the field of environmental impact assessment in many engineering disciplines, the impact of wastewater treatment plants has not yet been well integrated. In light of this remarkable scientific progress, the outputs of the plants as treated water and clean sludge have become potential sources of irrigation and energy, not a waste. The aim of this study is to assess the environmental impacts of upgrading the wastewater treatment plants from primary to secondary treatment. The Lifecycle Assessment Framework (ISO 14040 and 14044) was applied using GaBi Software. Abu Rawash wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) has been taken as a case study. Two scenarios were studied, Scenario 1 is the current situation of the WWTP using the primary treatment units and Scenario 2 is upgrading the WWTP by adding secondary treatment units. The study highlighted the influence and cumulative impact of upgrading all the primary WWTPs in Egypt to secondary treatment. With the high amount of energy consumed in the aeration process, energy recovery methods were proposed to boost the circular economy concept in Abu Rawash WWTP in order to achieve optimal results from environmental and economic perspectives.

Hydrogeochemical approach to evaluate groundwater quality in the area between Abu Rawash and El Khatatba, Northwest Cairo, Egypt

Hydrogeochemical approach to evaluate groundwater quality in the area between Abu Rawash and El Khatatba, Northwest Cairo, Egypt

Effect of Polyethylene Strips Surface Roughness on Its Efficiency for Enhancement of Wastewater Treatment

This study aimed to determine the effect of roughness surface for polyethylene strips on its quality for enhancement the characteristics of wastewater treatment plant effluent as a very cheap method. The study was applied at Abu Rawash WWTP effluent channel using the smooth and rough polyethylene strips where a biofilm layer forms above its surface. The removal ratio for smooth polyethylene strips for BOD and TSS was 4.45 and 4.33% respectively, while for the rough polyethylene strips was 14.10 and 13.37 respectively. This shows the success of the polyethylene strips even smooth or rough to remove both the BOD and TSS from treated wastewater. The results show that the material roughness affected the treatment efficiency with proportional effect. And the rough surface has a good removal efficiency that makes it more applicable for such purpose of enhancing the treated wastewater with very low cost technique.

EFFECT OF SOME ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLYTREATMENTS ON WHEATSPECIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL QUALITY

This work aimed to achieve effective use of some environmental friendly treatments of bio agents (Streptomyces lydicus- Trichodermaharziunum- Trichodermaviride) on specific and technological quality of wheat. This study was carried out in the Abu Rawash province area, Giza Governorate during two successive seasons of 2014/2015 and 2015/2016.Two cultivars grain (Wheat Egypt 1, Wheat Egypt2) were used in this study. The maximum of 1000 grain fresh weight obtained in Streptomyces lydicus followed Trichodermaharziunum and Trichodermaviride in both seasons. While, the lowest value of 1000grain fresh weight were recorded in case of control application. Also, CV. Egypt 1 gave higher fresh weight/ 1000 grain weight, starch and wet- gluten high than CV. Egypt 2 in most cases in both seasons. Streptomyces lydicus treatment in wheat Egypt I recorded highest significant increased wet -gluten (33.33 and 33.60) followed by other treatments. While recorded treatment Streptomyces lydicus with Egypt 2 as compared with the control produced the lowest value with wheat Egypt 2 (27.36 and 27.13) in both seasons. Data showed that there is non-significant difference between Egypt 1 and Egypt 2 cultivars in water absorption in treatments Streptomyces lydicus, methyljasmonate and Trichodermaharziunum, while there is a significant increase in Egypt 2 compared with Egypt 1 cultivars in treatments with Trichodermaviride and control plants. Also, there is non-significant difference between Egypt 1 and Egypt 2 cultivars in arrival time and dough development time in treatments of Streptomyces lydicus, methyljasmonate, Trichodermaharziunum and control except treatment Trichodermaviride for rheological quality.

PHYTOMINING OF GOLD FROM ELSUKARI MINE SOIL

The present study aims at using phytomining technology to extract gold from ElSukari soil by Helianthus annuus L plant. This is achieved by adding three solubilizing: ammonium thiocyanate, ammonium thiosulphate and thiourea. 300 kg soil was divided into four treatments(three of these gold solubilizing agents) by 3 kg per pot and 25 pots for each treatment Harvest intervals were 15, 30 and 60 days. Then, the plant parts were subjected to analysis of the concentration of gold using AAS (Flame + graphite furnace spectrometry). The results showed that there is an increase in the absorption of gold by some plants when phytomining is applied to induce gold absorption using Helianthus annuus L. at temperatures conditions ranging from 13.6 - 29.2 ° C, Abu Rawash in Giza government, and pH 7.7of ElSukari soil and containing 1.42 mg kg -1 (ppm) of gold element. At age of 30 days, gold content in root reached up to 8.02, 4.14 and 2.8 ppm for ammonium thiosulphate, thiourea and ammonium thiocyanate treatment respectively. Leaf gold recorded 4.48, 5.65 and 0.3 ppm upon treatment with for ammonium thiosulphate, thiourea and ammonium thiocyanate treatment respectively.

Lingual structural pattern of juvenile Chameleon, Chameleo chameleon

It is belong to the order Squamata, family, Chamaeleonidae. They have characteristic features of tongue protrusion during capturing prey attracts many research works and assay its velocity during protrusion. Yet little studies touched the anatomical and histological feature of the juvenile tongue and especially the middle tongue region involved in the tongue elongation, the present study aimed to focus on the histological structure of the mid-tongue and clarify its role in projection of the tongue as well as the glandular structure, keratinization of lingual epithelium and proliferation capacity of the fore-tongue region in relation with their feeding habits during the juvenile age. Juvenile Chameleo chameleon are collected from Abu Rawash, north of Giza Governorate, Egypt during summer 2015. Three juvenile developmental stages are used in the present study and categorized according to the gross morphological criteria of head, abdomen and limb lengths. The tongue and hyoid apparatus were removed and photographed. Histological, immunohistochemistry of cytokeratin and stem cell factor and scanning electronic microscopic investigations were carried out on the fore-tongue region, meanwhile only histological studies were done for the median tongue region. Morphometric assessments of number and length of lingual papillae and grades of cytokeratin and stem cell expression were done. Histologically, the dorsal lingual mucosa of the fore-tongue possessed different pattern of lingual papillae including finger-like, club, cubical, biforked and multi-branched papillae. The finger-like papillae are more abundant compared to the other types. The lamina propria of anterior median tongue pad are more glandular and exhibited abundant distribution of PAS-positive tubular glands and moderate alcian blue staining affinity of both alveolar and branched alveolar glands. There is no detected keratinization of the lingual epithelium. Stem cell factor appeared denser on the lingual mucosa and cell boundaries of glandular tissues. The mid-tongue region possessed a central cartilaginous core outlined by double layers of connective tissue coat and longitudinal and circular muscle fibers which give the power of protrusion of tongue. It is the first time to record the presence of cartilaginous elements in the mid-tongue region of chameleon. Finally the authors concluded that the juvenile stages of common chameleon exhibited striking cartilaginous inner compartment of the med-tongue and glandular fore-tongue adapted for capturing prey coincides with high proliferated activities and presence of different kinds of non-keratinized lingual papillae.

Skin pattern structure and function of juvenile ages of Chameleo chameleon

Little is known about the skin structure of juvenile chameleon especially its sensory function of their integumentary structure. Fifteen juvenile Chameleo chameleon are collected from Abu Rawash, Northern area of Giza, Egypt during Summer of 2015. It is belong to the order Squamata, family, Chamaeleonidae. Three ages are used in the present study and categorized according to the morphological criteria of head, abdomen and limb lengths. Dorsal abdominal surfaces are covered with abdominal scales of varying sizes either conical or elliptical-structures, regularly arranged in rows and imbricated with each other. Each scale possessed one cylindrical lenticular epidermal sense organ containing heavy sensillia. Histologically, the scales are characterized by wider conical surfaces and intermingled with another one by hinge region. The epidermal layer of outer scale surface is composed of five-layered stratified squamous epithelium including the stratum germinativum, intermediate zone of stratum spinosum and granulosum, α-keratin layer, β-keratin layer and outer superficial Oberhaütchen. Melanosomes are abundant in the intermediate zone as well as in the peripheral dermal layer underneath stratum germinativum layer. The melanosomes possessed long cellular processes with their content of melanin granules underneath the epidermis. The dermis is composed of upper collagenous and inner compact layer. Semithin sections revealed the presence of fibroblast cells, collagenous fibrils, nerve axons, melanosomes and mast cells in the connective tissue core. Increased immunoreaction of cytokeratin is observed in the epidermal layers of G3; meanwhile, an increased proliferation of epidermal and dermal cells was detected in G1. Transmission electron microscopy exhibited striking formation of dermal sense organs containing neuronal cells of both oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells with myelinated and unmyelinated nerve axons ensheathed externally by thin collagenous fibers. Finally, the author concluded that the juvenile chameleon skin is keratinized with obvious external and internal sensation and abundant mast cells within dermis giving characteristic immunity. The melanosomes are dispersed within epidermis and dermis allowing the animal to maintain its color alterations according to the surrounding environment.

Optimal design of RC snubber circuit for mitigating transient overvoltage on VCB via hybrid FFT/Wavelet Genetic approach

This paper presents a new approach to the analysis of the transient overvoltage (TOV) generated during switching of vacuum circuit breaker (VCB). The new technique overlaps the merits of both Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and Wavelet Transform (WT). The new approach was applied on a real case study of a pumping station of a wastewater treatment plant located at Abu Rawash, Egypt. The pumping station is driven by induction motors. Alternative transients program (ATP) is used to simulate the selected case study. The Referential Integrity between FFT and WT analyses (RI-FFT/WT) is employed to choose the RC snubber circuit parameters (R and C). The optimal snubber circuit parameters design was determined from the hybridization between genetic algorithm (GA) and RI-FFT/WT. It is evident from the simulation results that the new hybrid GA-FFT/WT approach succeeded in the selection of the most optimal RC-snubber circuits required for the mitigation of the TOV.

NEMATODES COMMUNITY INFECTING CHALCIDES OCELLATUS LIZARD AND THEIR RELATION TO SOME ENVIRONMENTAL AND BIOLOGICAL FACTORS

Sixty-eight species from Chalicides ocellatus lizard were captured from Abu Rawash, Giza, Egypt and surveyed for gastrointestinal nematodes. 50% of the lizards were infected. Five species of nematodes were recovered; the nematodes species were Pharyngodon mamillatus, Cosmocerca vrcibradici, Spauligodon petersi, Thelandros schusteri, and Parapharyngodon bulbosus. Prevalence of the infection was varied according to season. The highest prevalence, total intensity, and total abundance were recorded during winter. The prevalence of nematodes species also varied according to the lizard weight. The variation was different from one species to another. Infection with P. mamillatus, P. bulbosus, and C. vrcibradici was higher in females than males. Nematodes abundance and intensity were not related to host sex, except for C. vrcibradici and T. schusteri. In conclusion, the main effect in the nematodes intensity was the season and the lizard weight.

Nematodes Community Infecting Chalcides Ocellatus Lizard and Their Relation to Some Environmental and Biological Factors

Sixty-eight species from Chalicides ocellatus lizard were captured from Abu Rawash, Giza, Egypt and surveyed for gastrointestinal nematodes. 50% of the lizards were infected. Five species of nematodes were recovered; the nematodes species were Pharyngodon mamillatus, Cosmocerca vrcibradici, Spauligodon petersi, Thelandros schusteri, and Parapharyngodon bulbosus. Prevalence of the infection was varied according to season. The highest prevalence, total intensity, and total abundance were recorded during winter. The prevalence of nematodes species also varied according to the lizard weight. The variation was different from one species to another. Infection with P. mamillatus, P. bulbosus, and C. vrcibradici was higher in females than males. Nematodes abundance and intensity were not related to host sex, except for C. vrcibradici and T. schusteri. In conclusion, the main effect in the nematodes intensity was the season and the lizard weight.

A new species of Choleoeimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) parasitic in the rough-tailed gecko Cyrtopodion scabrum (Sauria: Gekkonidae) in Egypt.

Coprological examination of 15 samples of the rough-tailed gecko Cyrtopodion scabrum collected from Abu Rawash, Giza, Egypt, revealed that 20 % (3/15) were passing oocysts of a new Choleoeimeria species. Oocysts of Choleoeimeria scabrumi n. sp. are ellipsoidal with a smooth, yellow to orange, bilayered smooth wall, measure 26 × 13 μm, and have a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.8. Polar granule, micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal and 8 × 5 μm and the sporocyst wall has two plates joined by a longitudinal suture. Stieda, substieda and parastieda bodies are absent. The endogenous development is confined to the gallbladder epithelium. Mature meronts are subspheroidal and 11-13 × 8-10 μm. Macrogamonts are mostly spheroidal and 12-14 μm wide, with a prominent nucleus in the centre. Microgamonts are irregular in shape, 9-11 × 5-7 μm. Based on the morphological features of the oocysts and the endogenous development in the gallbladder epithelium, we identified this biliary coccidium to be a new species in the genus Choleoeimeria.