Arabia Research Articles

The legal politics of Islamic bioethics: drunk driving and the reconfiguration of privacy in the modern Gulf

ABSTRACT Science and technology have been long-standing dimensions of the political legitimation of monarchic, shaikhly and imperial rule in the modern Gulf. Scientific development has been supported by attendant sociotechnical imaginaries, but these imaginaries have not been without fissures or contradictions. In the modern Gulf sheikhdoms, sociotechnical imaginaries were fashioned at the intersection of local, regional, and imperial processes. A range of actors participated in these contestations, drawing on shifting cultural ideas about human frailty and progress, continuing social and economic exchanges across the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian Ocean, and varying experiences of imperial constraint and possibility. This article examines how Islamic legal actors in Qatar shaped sociotechnical contestations in the course of the twentieth century. Focusing on medical technology and the problem of drunk driving in the 1960s, I show how Islamic procedural law became connected to new regimes of expertise and modern forms of power inextricably tied to the Qatari nation-state. I suggest that the Islamic legal concepts mobilized by the ulama, which initially served to protect a space of Muslim privacy against technological anonymity and the regulatory ambitions of the modern state, became increasingly unintelligible as the expansive logics of state bureaucracy were adopted and naturalized.

A comprehensive map of copy number variations in dromedary camels based on whole genome sequence data

Copy number variants (CNVs) are structural variants within the eukaryotic genome that vary among individuals of a species. These variants have been associated with different phenotypic traits, making them a valuable consideration as markers for designing breeding programmes. In this study, whole genome sequence data of 60 dromedary camel samples originating from the Arabian Peninsula were analyzed to construct a comprehensive dromedary CNV map. Utilizing four CNV callers employing read-depth, split-read and paired-end mapping approaches, a total of 37,519 CNV events (17,847 deletions and 19,672 duplications) were called on the dromedary autosomes. These CNV events were merged into 2,557 regions, categorized as 1,322 losses, 122 gains, and 1,113 “mixed regions” comprising both types. The cumulative size of the CNV regions amounted to 22.5 Mb, covering roughly 1.16% of the dromedary autosomes. Approximately 32% of the defined CNV regions (comprising 60% losses, 18% gains, and 0.27% mixed regions) were found in ≥ 90% of the dromedary samples, classifying them as prevalent regions. Genes with biological functions related to the different adaptive physiologies of dromedary camels, such as fertility, heat stress, musculoskeletal development, and fat metabolism, were overlapping with or in close proximity to ~ 68% of the defined CNV regions, demonstrating their potential role in dromedaries’ physiology. This study presents the first comprehensive CNV map of dromedary camels and builds on the present knowledge in understanding the genetic structure of this species.

Mapping illegal trade routes of live cheetahs from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula.

Less than 7000 cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) persist in Africa. Although human-wildlife conflict, habitat degradation, and loss of prey are major threats to cheetah populations, illegal trade in live cubs for pets may have the most significant impact on populations in the Horn of Africa. We developed a novel, stepwise decision support tool to predict probable trafficking routes by leveraging the power of distinct modeling approaches. First, we created a cheetah habitat suitability index (HSI) to determine where source cheetah populations may occur. We then created a trafficking network model linking known and predicted cheetah populations with documented destinations in the Arabian Peninsula. A significant area in Eastern Ethiopia and Northern Somalia was estimated to harbor undocumented cheetahs. When these predicted populations were used as a supply source, the trafficking network model showed multiple routes passing through Somaliland and across the Gulf of Aden to Yemen, supporting the notion that undocumented cheetahs may be supplying pet market demands. Though we demonstrate how our decision support tool can inform law enforcement, conservation strategies, and community engagement, we caution that our results are not fully validated due to limited accessibility, alternative trafficking routes, and the cryptic nature of illegal wildlife trade.

Challenges Face Exegetists in Rendering Quranic Euphemistic Expressions into English

The Arab Nomads were infamous for their brutal acts against humanity in the Pre-Islamic Era, also known as the age of ignorance. The introduction of Islam and its teachings by the Prophet Muhammad, who received the Holy Qur'an in Arabic, played a significant role in the transformation of the nomads into a more civilized society during the period of Islamic dominance in the Arabian Peninsula. Arabic is considered one of the most magnificent languages due to the elegance of its words, the sophistication of its grammar, the precision of its structures, and the versatility in expressing various concepts. Despite the fact that the ancestors of the Arabs were ancient people, the Arabs themselves were driven by a strong sense of compassion that extended to all their tribes. The ideas presented were indeed remarkable. In Arabic, euphemisms are used to soften sensitive topics, a linguistic feature shared with other languages. Euphemisms allow individuals to refer to a situation indirectly through the use of figurative language. Arabic encompasses the overarching term بلاغـــة (metonymy), with تـلطيـف (softness) being the most relevant co-hyponym. This study critically analyzes the differences and similarities in the use of euphemistic expressions between Arabic and English, shedding light on the linguistic and cultural aspects of both languages.

Russian diplomacy and the struggle around transportation corridors through the Middle East: plans and realities

The article is devoted to the issues of Russia's participation in the struggle for the passage of transport corridors from Europe to Asia through the Middle East. Recently, as part of the geopolitical struggle to move away from a unipolar to a multipolar world, we are increasingly talking about rapidly growing competition for access to goods, raw materials, energy resources and transport logistics, which affect the current global rivalry for the redistribution of the world. It is already becoming increasingly clear that whoever controls international routes controls international security in many ways. Corridors are not only world trade, but also the movement of fl eets, the transfer of troops and military equipment, and communication between different regions of the world. Passages through straits such as Bab el-Mandeb, Hormuz, and Malacca are a matter of international security. Blocking them can lead to armed conflicts on a global scale. For the Middle East, these are primarily confl icts over the routes of oil and gas delivery to Europe from the Persian Gulf and the Caucasus and around the creation of short transport corridors from Europe to Asia bypassing the Suez Canal and Africa. If the issue of laying a gas pipeline from Qatar to the EU through the Arabian Peninsula and the Middle East and from the Caucasus and Central Asia through Turkey to the EU was one of the reasons for the war in Syria, then the issue of creating a transport corridor from India to Europe through Arabia and Israel largely provoked the conflict in the Gaza Strip. And Russia is among the most active participants in this struggle for control of international transport corridors from Europe to Asia, trying to do so so as not to stay away from them.

Unraveling the therapeutic potential of Satureja nabateorum extract: inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest through p53, Bax/Bcl-2, and caspase-3 pathways in human malignant cell lines, with in silico insights

Satureja nabateorum, known as Nabatean savory is a Lamiaceae plant native to the Arabian Peninsula, specifically in the mountainous regions of Saudi Arabia. The study aims to investigate the phytochemical components of the S. nabateorum leaves (SNL) and stems (SNS) extract and to assess their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative properties. Methanol extracts from leaves and stems were analyzed for chemical constituents using the GC-MS technique. Antioxidant capacities were measured using hydrogen peroxide and ABTS radical-scavenging methods, and antimicrobial activity was tested against various microorganisms. Cytotoxic activity on four human malignant cell lines was assessed using MTT and flow cytometry. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies were conducted to understand the interactions and binding modes of the extracted compounds at a molecular level. GC-MS analysis of SNL extract revealed thymol, carvacrol, and p-cymen-8-ol as major constituents. SNS extract contained β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, lupeol, and lup-20(29)-ene-3β,28-diol. SNS extract exhibited more potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects than SNL extract. The extract, SNS, exhibited potential toxicity in A549 cells with an IC50 value of 3.62 µg/mL and induced marked apoptotic effects with S phase-cell cycle arrest. SNS extract also showed higher levels of Caspase 3, Bax, p53, and the Bax/Bcl2 ratio and lower levels of Bcl-2. Molecular docking and dynamic simulation supported these findings, targeting the EGFR TK domain. The study suggests that the S. nabateorum stem extract holds promise as a potent antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer agent. It provides valuable insights for considering the extract as a substitute for chemotherapy and/or protective agents.

Review of Neoleptastacus Nicholls, 1945 (Harpacticoida, Arenopontiidae), including an updated key to species and proposal of Phreatipontia gen. nov.

A revision of the genus Neoleptastacus Nicholls, 1945 (Harpacticoida, Arenopontiidae) is presented, resulting in the recognition of 24 valid species. The genus is divided in five species groups based on shared morphological character states, i.e. the acanthus-, australis-, speluncae-, trisetosus- and spinicaudatus-groups with the acanthus-group being further fragmented in three subgroups (acanthus, gussoae, ornamentus). The two members of the speluncae-group, Neoleptastacus phreatica (Cottarelli, Bruno & Venanzetti, 1994) and N. speluncae (Cottarelli, Bruno & Venanzetti, 1994), are redescribed and transferred to a new genus, Phreatipontia gen. nov., that appears to have a preference for low salinity habitats. The Mediterranean N. acanthus (Chappuis, 1954) is redescribed based on material from Türkiye and considered potentially conspecific with N. huysi (Karanovic, 2000). The male specimen illustrated in the original description of N. longiremis (Chappuis, 1955) is designated as the lectotype to define the nominal taxon objectively in the likely event that females and males assigned to this inadequately described species turn out to be non-conspecific. Detailed morphological comparison of species currently allocated to the gussoae-complex revealed three new cryptic taxa from Central and South America which are accorded specific rank (N. abbreviatus sp. nov., N. chilensis sp. nov., and N. rectus sp. nov.). The taxonomic status of Arenopontia (Neoleptastacus) acantha accraensis Lang, 1965 sensu Kunz (1971) is reassessed based on material from Angola and described as N. emendatus sp. nov. The Panamanian material previously identified as N. trisetosus (Mielke, 1982) is considered to represent a distinct species, N. panamensis sp. nov. while N. pseudishikarianus sp. nov. is proposed for the Chilean “population” of N. ishikarianus (Itô, 1968). Neoleptastacus supersetosus sp. nov. is described from Kuwait, representing the first arenopontiid record from the Arabian Peninsula. Neoleptastacus secundus Krishnaswamy, 1957 and N. accraensis (Lang, 1965) are treated as species inquirendae while Arenopontia breviarticulata Mielke, 1975 is removed from its provisional position in Neoleptastacus and placed as species incertae sedis in the Arenopontiidae. Distribution data are summarized for each species and the previously assumed amphi-Panamanian and amphi-Pacific distribution patterns of N. gussoae (Cottarelli, 1973) and N. ishikarianus, respectively, are rejected. Updated keys to the 24 valid species of Neoleptastacus and the six genera currently recognized in the family are provided.

A quantitative and systematic analysis of Anopheles stephensi bionomics and control approaches

Anopheles stephensi is a mosquito endemic to South Asia and the Arabian Peninsula that has recently been detected in eight African countries, posing a significant threat to global malaria control efforts. A challenge with An. stephensi is that it requires unique surveillance and control tools when compared to other malaria vectors. Through a systematic literature review, we investigated the efficacy of trapping methods and controls for An. stephensi mosquitoes, with a focus on studies of its behavior and biology. Data from 83 articles (native range: Afghanistan, India, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and Qatar; invasive range: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan) met our study inclusion criteria. Data from these studies revealed that using host-seeking animal baited traps increased the number of mosquitoes collected per trap per day in the native range when compared to host-seeking human baited traps. However, these differences were not present in data collection rate assessments from the invasive range. We also found that An. stephensi equally used a large variety of breeding habitats in the native range, but that it tended to prefer water reservoirs and wastewater in the invasive range. Finally, we found that temephos, fenthion, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, and Beauveri bassiana were more effective at reducing larvae in their native range compared to the approaches found in our systematic literature search, but the relative effectiveness of these approaches in the invasive range was less clear. Understanding proven historical surveillance and control approaches is essential to the advancement of invasive An. stephensi mitigation efforts, but continued investigations in the invasive range are critical to reducing the impacts of malaria morbidity and mortality.

Intraspecific venom variation in the medically important puff adder (Bitis arietans): Comparative venom gland transcriptomics, in vitro venom activity and immunological recognition by antivenom.

Variation in snake venoms is well documented, both between and within species, with intraspecific venom variation often correlated with geographically distinct populations. The puff adder, Bitis arietans, is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa and into the Arabian Peninsula where it is considered a leading cause of the ~310,000 annual snakebites across the region, with its venom capable of causing substantial morbidity and mortality. Despite its medical importance and wide geographic distribution, there is little known about venom variation between different B. arietans populations and the potential implications of this variation on antivenom efficacy. We applied a range of analyses, including venom gland transcriptomics, in vitro enzymatic assays and reverse phase chromatography to comparatively analyse B. arietans venoms originating from Nigeria, Tanzania, and South Africa. Immunological assays and in vitro enzymatic neutralisation assays were then applied to investigate the impact of venom variation on the potential efficacy of three antivenom products; SAIMR Polyvalent, EchiTAb-Plus and Fav-Afrique. Through the first comparison of venom gland transcriptomes of B. arietans from three geographically distinct regions (Nigeria, Tanzania, and South Africa), we identified substantial variation in toxin expression. Findings of venom variation were further supported by chromatographic venom profiling, and the application of enzymatic assays to quantify the activity of three pathologically relevant toxin families. However, the use of western blotting, ELISA, and in vitro enzymatic inhibition assays revealed that variation within B. arietans venom does not appear to substantially impact upon the efficacy of three African polyvalent antivenoms. The large distribution and medical importance of B. arietans makes this species ideal for understanding venom variation and the impact this has on therapeutic efficacy. The findings in this study highlight the likelihood for considerable venom toxin variation across the range of B. arietans, but that this may not dramatically impact upon the utility of treatment available in the region.

From Paris to Ṭā’if: Sovereignty, Borders, and the Question of Minorities in the Arabian Peninsula

From Paris to Ṭā’if: Sovereignty, Borders, and the Question of Minorities in the Arabian Peninsula

A new 3D S-velocity model for the lithosphere-asthenosphere system of the Arabian Peninsula and the Iranian plateau

A new 3D S-velocity model for the lithosphere-asthenosphere system of the Arabian Peninsula and the Iranian plateau

The Potential Health Risks of Catha edulis Forsk (Khat) Consumption on Some Vital Organs

Abstract Introduction/Objective Introduction: Catha edulis Forsk (Khat) leaves are widely chewed by adults in the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa for their mild stimulating properties. Objectives To investigate the impact of an aqueous extract of Catha edulis Forsk leaves on the proper functioning of vital organs. Methods/Case Report Methods: Materials and methods: Twenty-five female albino rats were divided into two groups: a control group and a treated group which received a daily gavage of 1 ml of aqueous Khat extract with a concentration of 700 mg/kg body weight for four weeks. The effects of this treatment on selected organs, including the brain, hippocampus, heart, and ovaries, were assessed using various measurements and analyses. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) Results: Results: The antioxidant evaluation showed a significant increase in MDA levels in the khat group and a significant decrease in GSH, SOD, and CAT levels compared to the control group. There was a significant decrease in IL-4 and a significant increase in TNF-α and TGF-β1 compared to the control group. In contrast, the cardiac enzymes; Troponin, CK, CPK, and GOT showed a significant increase compared to the control group. The results of the hormonal assay indicated a significant increase in LH, FSH, and testosterone levels, along with a significant decrease in estrogen in the khat group compared to the control group. Furthermore, the histological investigations revealed significant changes in tissue architecture in the studied organs. In the heart, the treated group exhibited an intact, thick pericardium, along with markedly apoptotic cardiac muscle fibers and others with pyknotic nuclei and mildly congested blood vessels and capillaries. The examination of brain tissues in the treated group showed thick meninges with mild inflammatory infiltrate, marked astrogliosis with degenerated neurons in the cerebral cortex, inflammatory infiltrate with abscess formation and mildly congested blood vessels and eosinophilic plaque-like area in the deep cortex, and scattered degenerated neurons and some neurons with nuclear vacuoles and average glial cells in the white matter. In the ovaries, sections showed primary, secondary, and antral follicles, scattered cystically dilated follicles with atrophied lining, and multiple corpora lutea in the edematous stroma with scattered apoptotic stromal cells. Conclusion Based on these findings, long-term use of khat as a chewing material may harm vital organs.

Species of Wadicosa (Araneae, Lycosidae): a new species from the southeastern Arabian Peninsula

Wadicosa arabica sp. nov. is described from material of both sexes collected in Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The species belongs to the W. fidelis group and differs from its congroupers, inter alia, by the shape of the tegular apophysis and the embolus in the male. The occurrence of W. arabica sp. nov. is restricted to the gravel, pebble and cobble beds of ephemeral and intermittent streams (wadis) in the mountains of the eastern United Arab Emirates and northern Oman (the Hajar Mountains sensu lato). There it is often common and conspicuous alongside areas of surface waters. Notes on its courtship behaviour are given.

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Helminth Infections in the Digestive Tract of Camels in Xinjiang, China.

Camels, vital to economies in Asia, Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula, have been domesticated for over 4000 years. They thrive in arid regions like Xinjiang, China, but face challenges from internal and external parasites, particularly gastrointestinal parasites, which impact health, meat and milk quality, and production efficiency. This study investigates the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth infections in camels from five major regions in Xinjiang. We collected 435 fresh fecal samples and used the saturated saline flotation method and McMaster's method for detection. Molecular examination followed. The overall prevalence was 18.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 14.7-22.2%), with Urumqi showing the highest prevalence (29%, 95% CI: 23.4-35.1%) compared to other regions (odds ratio [OR]: 4.62, 95% CI: 2.63-8.41%). Younger camels (≤3 years old) were more likely infected by the parasites after adjusting for the region differences (OR: 10.53, 5.12-24.65%). However, we found no evidence that the prevalence was different between male and female camels. PCR analysis identified Trichostrongylus spp., Chabertia ovina, and Haemonchus contortus as predominant parasites, with observed co-infections indicating a complex parasitic landscape. The findings provide essential epidemiological data for effective parasite control strategies.

Evening humid-heat maxima near the southern Persian/Arabian Gulf

Extreme humid heat is a major climate hazard for the coastal Arabian Peninsula. However, many of its characteristics, including diurnal and spatial variations, remain incompletely explored. Here we present evidence from multiple reanalysis and in situ datasets that evening or nighttime daily maxima in extreme wet-bulb temperature and heat index are widespread along the southern Persian/Arabian Gulf coastline and adjacent inland desert, driven principally by sea-breeze-related movements of moist maritime air. This timing runs counter to the general expectation of more intense heat and greater heat-stress risk during daytime hours. While wet-bulb temperature is one of many metrics relevant for understanding heat hazards, it has featured prominently in recent literature and its values are closer to uncompensable-heat limits in coastal Arabia than anywhere else. Deviations from an afternoon-peak assumption about heat risks are thus of critical importance and heighten the value of improved understanding of extreme-humid-heat meteorology, in this region and in others subject to similar physical processes.

HLA-B allele frequencies and implications for pharmacogenetics in the Kuwaiti population.

We utilized the HLA-HD tool to extract, annotate, and analyse HLA-B alleles from the exome data of 561 Kuwaiti individuals, sequenced on the Illumina HiSeq platform. HLA typing was conducted using the HLA-HD tool with a reference panel from the IPD-IMGT/HLA database. The major HLA-B pharmacogenetic markers were obtained from the HLA Adverse Drug Reaction Database, focusing on alleles with significant ADR associations in published literature. The distribution of HLA-B alleles in the Kuwaiti population revealed that the most frequent alleles were HLA-B*50:01 (10.52%), HLA-B*51:01 (9.89%), HLA-B*08:01 (6.06%), HLA-B*52:01 (4.55%), HLA-B*18:01 (3.92%), and HLA-B*41:01 (3.65%). Notably, alleles HLA-B*13:01, HLA-B*13:02, HLA-B*15:02, HLA-B*15:13, HLA-B*35:02, HLA-B*35:05, HLA-B*38:01, HLA-B*40:02, HLA-B*44:03, HLA-B*51:01, HLA-B*57:01 and HLA-B*58:01 were identified with known associations to various ADRs. For example, HLA-B*51:01 was associated with clindamycin, phenobarbital, and phenytoin, and was found in 18% of individuals. Our study enriches the regional genetic landscape by delineating HLA-B allele variations within Kuwait and across the Arabian Peninsula. This genetic insight, along with the identification of markers previously linked to drug hypersensitivity, provides a foundation for future pharmacogenetic research and potential personalized medicine strategies in the region.

Geographical Variation in the Sand Cat, Felis margarita (Carnivora: Felidae)

Sand cats, Felis margarita, range from northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula to Central Asia. Their apparently discontinuous distribution is recognized as comprising four subspecies. Recent genetic research found little differentiation between subspecies except for the North African form. In this study, 90 skins and 88 skulls were analyzed from the four subspecies. A discriminant function analysis of the scores, ranging from 1 to 4, of four pelage characteristics revealed differentiation between putative subspecies, except between Turkmenian and Pakistani sand cats. Northern African and Arabian sand cats tend to be spotted and striped, while Turkmenian and Pakistani sand cats are less spotted and have a dorsal crest of fur. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) models generated from 21 skull measurements revealed an overlap in morphospace between all subspecies, except for larger Turkmenian sand cats; northern African sand cats were smallest. Therefore, both pelage characteristics and skull morphometrics support up to three subspecies. However, considering recent genetic research, it is likely that two subspecies should be recognized, F. m. margarita from northern Africa and F. m. thinobia from the Arabian Peninsula, and Southwest and Central Asia. Widening of the dataset and nuclear DNA evidence are required to increase our understanding of geographical variation in this little studied species.

The comparative morphology of the oral cavity glands in captive South African painted dogs (Lycaon pictus pictus) and captive fennec foxes (Vulpes zerda) (Carnivora: Canidae)

BackgroundThe African painted dog is classified as a relic canid lineage, inhabiting areas south of the Sahara. The fennec fox is the smallest member of the Canidae family, found in the Arabian Peninsula and northern Sahara.MethodsThe gross anatomy and light microscopic examination of the oral cavity glands were studied in five adult captive South African painted dogs and five adult captive fennec foxes from the Wroclaw Zoological Garden, Poland. In this research, the zygomatic gland, monostomatic sublingual gland, polystomatic sublingual gland, mandibular gland, and parotid gland were examined for their topography, morphometry, histology, and histochemistry using hematoxylin and eosin, azan trichrome, mucicarmine, PAS, AB pH 1.0, AB pH 2.5, AB pH 2.5 PAS, and HID.ResultsWe found that the parotid glands were consistently the largest, followed by the mandibular and sublingual glands (both monostomatic and polystomatic). The zygomatic gland was the smallest in both South African painted dogs and fennec foxes. Interestingly, there were noticeable differences in the size, shape, and even composition of the secretory products between the two species. The zygomatic and polystomatic sublingual glands in the South African painted dog and the fennec fox were complex branched tubular. In the South African painted dog, the monostomatic gland was a branched tubular compound gland, while in the fennec fox, it was a branched tubuloalveolar compound gland. The mandibular gland in hunting dogs was a branched tubular compound gland, while in the fennec fox a branched tubuloalveolar compound gland. The parotid gland in the fennec fox was a branched acinar compound gland, whereas in the painted dog was a branched tubuloacinar.ConclusionsThe basic structure of their glands is similar to that of other terrestrial carnivores, indicating a shared evolutionary origin and function. However, differences in the composition of their secretory products can reflect adaptations to their specific diets. This research provides valuable insights for veterinary medicine and underscores the importance of further studies. By analyzing wild canid populations and including a broader range of species with diverse diets, we could gain a deeper understanding of how diet influences salivary gland morphology within the Canidae.

Not all male bees posses thirteen antennal segments: New megachilid species from the Afro-Arabian and Afrotropical regions (Apoidea: Anthidiini: Pseudoanthidium) with deviant numbers of segments

Male bees (Apoidea) typically possess antennae with 13 articles, with only a few exceptions reported, none of which are from the Megachilidae family. In this study, we describe two new species of the megachilid tribe Anthidiini that display an unusual characteristic – their males have only 12 antennal segments. We attributed these species, Pseudoanthidium omanicum sp. nov. from the Arabian Peninsula, and P. ethiopicum sp. nov. from Ethiopia, to the subgenus Pseudoanthidium (Mesanthidiellum), previously known only from Sub-Saharan Africa. Notably, the male of a third species in this subgenus, P. (Mesanthidiellum) sakaniense (Cockerell, 1936) was also found to have only 12 antennal segments. Further investigation revealed that males with antennae with 12 articles are also present in the closely related subgenus Pseudoanthidium (Branthidium), suggesting that this phenomenon may be more widespread yet often overlooked. A broader review indicates that deviations from the typical 13 antennal articles are known in 10 genera of bees and account for less than 0.5% of all bee species. We conclude that this trait has evolved independently across different bee lineages. However, the specific function of a reduced number of antennal articles remains elusive. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:56B808FB-E4F2-46A9-9B54-850AF83263D0

Attribution of Excess Methane Emissions Over Marine Environments of the Mediterranean and Arabian Peninsula

AbstractTo accurately assess the current atmospheric methane budget and its future trends, it is essential to apportion and quantify the anthropogenic methane emissions to specific sources. This poses a significant challenge in the under‐sampled Middle East, where estimates predominantly depend on remote sensing observations and bottom‐up reporting of national emissions. Here, we present in situ shipborne observations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and non‐methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) collected along a >10,000‐km route from Vigo, Spain, to Abu Dhabi, UAE. By comparing our observations with Lagrangian dispersion model simulations, coupled with two methane emission inventories, we identify periods of considerable mismatch and apportion the responsible sources. Employing interspecies relationships with NMHCs has enabled the characterization of methane emissions from oil and gas (O&G) operations, urban centers, Red Sea deep water, enteric fermentation, and agriculture across diverse atmospheric environments. Our analysis reveals that the Suez area is a regional emission hotspot, where simulations consistently underestimate the methane emission sources. Importantly, the Middle Eastern O&G sector has been identified as an additional source of considerable uncertainty. Here, methane emissions were alternately underestimated and overestimated by the two inventories, exposing significant gaps in our understanding of fuel exploitation‐related emissions in the Middle East. This underscores the need for further targeted field campaigns and long‐term observations to improve the accuracy of emission data in the inventories.