Camel Research Articles

Antiarthritic and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Different Types of Milk in Complete Freund’s Adjuvant-induced Arthritis in Male Adult Rats

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, immune-inflammatory disease that could be managed by an attenuation in dietary habits. With the increase in research that links the effect of nutrition linked to RA. Purpose: Our study aimed to determine the possible therapeutic effect of different types of milk in rat models experimentally induced with RA using 40 ml milk (camel (CM), goat (GM), sheep (SHM), cow (CWM), almond (AM), and soy milk (SM)). Methods: Forty adult male Wistar Albino rats were divided into eight groups (five rats each) as follows: (Control group): nonarthritic, (RA): rheumatoid arthritis, (RA+CM): RA having CM, (RA+GM): RA having GM, (RA+SHM): RA having SHM, (RA+CWM): RA having CWM, (RA+AM): RA is having AM, and (RA+SM): RA has SM. Results: It has been observed that in the RA group and milk-treated groups, but not in the RA+CM group, the arthritis score changed significantly ( p ≤ 0.05) in comparison with the control group. CM and GM showed promising effects in downregulating various arthritis effector players including anticitrullinated peptide antibodies, C-reactive protein, prostaglandin E2, and other inflammatory mediators, which may be attributed to their lowest ω-6/ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratios. Conclusion: A possible benefit of this research is the potential development of new functional foods that promote health, prevent disease, and potentially enable the milk to be used as a therapeutic agent for RA.

Review on camel genetic diversity: ecological and economic perspectives.

Camels, known as the "Ship of the Desert," play a vital role in the ecosystems and economies of arid and semi-arid regions. They provide meat, milk, transportation, and other essential services, and their resilience to harsh environments makes them invaluable. Despite their similarities, camel breeds exhibit notable differences in size, color, and structure, with over 40million camels worldwide. This number is projected to increase, underscoring their growing significance. Economically, camels are crucial for food production, tourism, and trade, with camel racing being particularly significant in Arab countries. Their unique physiological traits, such as low disease susceptibility and efficient water conservation, further enhance their value. Camel products, especially meat and milk, offer substantial nutritional and therapeutic benefits, contributing to their high demand. Genetic diversity studies have advanced our understanding of camels' adaptation to extreme environments. Functional genomics and whole-genome sequencing have identified genes responsible for these adaptations, aiding breeding programs and conservation efforts. High-throughput sequencing has revealed genetic markers linked to traits like milk production and disease resistance. The development of SNP chips has revolutionized genetic studies by providing a cost-effective alternative to whole-genome sequencing. These tools facilitate large-scale genotyping, essential for conserving genetic diversity and improving breeding strategies. To prevent the depletion of camel genetic diversity, it is crucial to streamline in situ and ex situ conservation efforts to maintain their ecological and economic value. A comprehensive approach to camel conservation and genetic preservation, involving advanced genomic technologies, reproductive biotechniques, and sustainable management practices, will ensure their continued contribution to human societies.

Anti-obesity effects of potential probiotic Lactobacillus strains isolated from Mongolian fermented dairy products in high-fat diet-induced obese rodent model.

This study aims to investigate the anti-obesity properties of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from fermented dairy products such as "Airag" and "Khoormog" in Mongolia. These traditional dairy products are widely used in Mongolia and believe in having potential probiotic, anti-diabetes, anti-cancer, and anti-tuberculosis properties and are made from unheated two-humped camel milk and mare milk, respectively. We chose three LAB strains based on their probiotic characteristics, including tolerance of gastric and bile acids. Then we checked the anti-obesity activity of probiotic strains in vivo. An animal model was evaluated in twenty male C57BL/6J mice by inducing obesity with a high-fat diet (HFD), which was divided into five groups: regular diet group (Negative control), HFD group (Positive control), HFD with Lacticaseibacillus paracasei X-1 (X-1), Lacticaseibacillus paracasei X-17 (X-17), and Limosilactobacillus fermentum BM-325 (BM-325). For six weeks, 5 × 109 colony-forming units (CFU) of bacteria were given orally to the LAB-fed groups. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profiles, organ index, and organ morphology were all measured. The probiotic strains suppressed growth in adipose cell volume, stabilized FBG, reduced liver cell degeneration, and slowed HFD-induced body weight gain. The results suggest that some strains increase general metabolism while lowering body weight.

Camelus knoblochi genome reveals the complex evolutionary history of Old World camels

Extant Old World camels (genus Camelus) contributed to the economic and cultural exchanges between the East and West for thousands of years.1,2 Although many remains have been unearthed,3,4,5 we know neither whether the prevalent hybridization observed between extant Camelus species2,6,7 also occurred between extinct lineages and the ancestors of extant Camelus species nor why some populations became extinct while others survived. To investigate these questions, we generated paleogenomic and stable isotope data from an extinct two-humped camel species, Camelus knoblochi. We find that in the mitochondrial phylogeny, all C.knoblochi form a paraphyletic group that nests within the diversity of modern, wild two-humped camels (Camelus ferus). In contrast, they are clearly distinguished from both wild and domesticated (Camelus bactrianus) two-humped camels on the nuclear level. Moreover, the divergence pattern of the three camel species approximates a trifurcation, because the most common topology is only slightly more frequent than the two other possible topologies. This mito-nuclear phylogenetic discordance likely arose due to interspecific gene flow between all three species, suggesting that interspecific hybridization is not exclusive to modern camels but a recurrent phenomenon throughout the evolutionary history of the genus Camelus. These results suggest that the genomic complexity of Old World camels' evolutionary history is underestimated when considering data from only modern species. Finally, we find that C.knoblochi populations began declining prior to the last glacial maximum and, by integrating palaeoecological evidence and stable isotope data, suggest that this was likely due to failure to adapt to a changing environment.

Camel milk or silymarin could improve the negative effects that experimentally produced by aflatoxin B1 on rat’s male reproductive system

BackgroundCamel milk and silymarin have many different beneficial effects on several animal species. Meanwhile, Aflatoxins are mycotoxins with extraordinary potency that pose major health risks to several animal species. Additionally, it has been documented that aflatoxins harm the reproductive systems of a variety of domestic animals. The present design aimed to investigate the impact of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on rat body weight and reproductive organs and the ameliorative effects of camel milk and silymarin through measured serum testosterone, testes pathology, and gene expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) in the testes. A total of sixty mature male Wister white rats, each weighing an average of 83.67 ± 0.21 g, were used. There were six groups created from the rats. Each division had ten rats. The groups were the control (without any treatment), CM (1 ml of camel milk/kg body weight orally), S (20 mg silymarin/kg b. wt. suspension, orally), A (1.4 mg aflatoxin/kg diet), ACM (aflatoxin plus camel milk), and AS (aflatoxin plus silymarin).ResultsThe results indicated the positive effects of camel milk and silymarin on growth, reproductive organs, and gene expression of TNF-α, LHR, and StAR with normal testicular architecture. Also, the negative effect of AFB1 on the rat’s body weight and reproductive organs, as indicated by low body weight and testosterone concentration, was confirmed by the results of histopathology and gene expression. However, these negative effects were ameliorated by the ingestion of camel milk and silymarin.ConclusionIn conclusion, camel milk and silymarin could mitigate the negative effect of AFB1 on rat body weight and reproductive organs.

Beyond the desert sands: Decoding the relationship between camels, gut microbiota, and antibiotic resistance through metagenomics

BackgroundCamels, known as the enduring “ships of the desert,” host a complex gut microbiota that plays a crucial role in their survival in extreme environments. However, amidst the fascinating discoveries about the camel gut microbiota, concerns about antibiotic resistance have emerged as a significant global challenge affecting both human and animal populations. Indeed, the continued use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine has led to the widespread emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which has worsened through gene transfer. MethodologyThis study offers a deeper examination of this pressing issue by harnessing the potent tools of metagenomics to explore the intricate interplay between the camel (Camelus ferus) gut microbiota and antibiotic resistance. ResultsSamples from wild camels yielded varying amounts of raw and clean data, generating scaftigs and open reading frames. The camel fecal microbiome was dominated by bacteria (mainly Bacillota and Bacteriodota), followed by viruses, archaea, and eukaryota. The most abundant genera were the Bacteroides, Ruminococcus, and Clostridium. Functional annotation revealed enriched pathways in metabolism, genetic information processing, and cellular processes, with key pathways involving carbohydrate transport and metabolism, replication, and amino acid transport. CAZy database analysis showed high abundances of glycoside hydrolases and glycosyl transferases. Antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) analysis identified Bacillota and Bacteroidota as the main reservoirs, with vancomycin resistance genes being the most prevalent. This study identified three major resistance mechanisms: antibiotic target alteration, antibiotic target protection, and antibiotic efflux. ConclusionThese findings contribute to a broader understanding of antibiotic resistance within animal microbiomes and provide a foundation for further investigations of strategies to manage and mitigate antibiotic resistance.

A Study of the Genetic Structure of Hybrid Camels in Kazakhstan.

Camel farming is gaining scientific interest due to its unique agricultural characteristics. Camels are versatile for milk and meat production, wool, racing, transport, and tourism. To use their full potential, it is essential to improve our understanding of the genetic structure of these animals. One-humped and two-humped camels have received detailed genetic descriptions, while there is no such information for their hybrids, which outperform their parent species in several agricultural characteristics. Thus, in this study, for the first time, the whole genome sequencing data (WGS) of five hybrid camels bred in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan are presented in comparison with the WGS data of one-humped, two-humped, and wild camels. A total of 43,552,164 single-nucleotide polymorphisms were found across the studied groups. Further comparison of these SNPs showed the following number of private SNPs among the populations: hybrid camels (3,271,083), wild camels (2,515,591), Bactrians (1,244,694), and dromedaries (531,224). The genetic structure of the studied animals was described, and a phylogenetic tree was built to assess their genetic distance. It was found that the studied hybrids are genetically closer to dromedaries since they were on the close branch of the phylogenetic tree.

INTRODUCTION TO CAMEL ORIGIN, HISTORY, RAISING, CHARACTERISCTICS, AND WOOL, HAIR AND SKIN, A REVIEW

In this review, we discussed about camel origin, history, population, characteristics, raising and wool, hair and skin from camel. The camelides belong to order Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates) and sub-order Tylopoda. The family Camelidae is divided into 3 genera, The old world camels (genus Camelus, one-humped camel, Camelus dromedarius and The Bactrian or two-humped camel, Camelus bactrianus) and the new world camels (genus Lama with the species L. glama, L. guanicoe, L. pacos and genus Vicugna with the species V. vicugna). The Camelini had reached Eurasia via the Bering Isthmus about 5-3 million years ago, whereas Lamini dispersed to South America via Panam’s Isthmus about 3 million years ago. Scientists have been reconstructed an evolutionary life tree of the camelidae based on its genome sequences analysis. The camel can tolerate severe condition more than other animals and will continue to produce during severe drought in comparison to others. Breeding, feeding, housing, disease control and care all affect the growth and production of camels. In all the arguments against camel raising, the most important fact has been overlooked by the planners and the owners of the camels. The wool and hair of the old world camels is of lesser quality and value than that of the new-world camels. The Bactrian gives more wool than the dromedary and its wool is also of a higher quality. The wool is used for making padded cloth, quilts and mattresses, the hair used for making rope, clothes, tents, carpets, robes, saddlegirths and blankets.

Camel Milk Production System in Türkiye

Camels are known as "ship of the desert" and "beast of burden" and resistant to harsh climatic conditions. Their function has changed in the modern world and they have become a food source like other farm animal species. In the last 60 years, the number of camels, their meat and milk production in the world have increased 3.0, 4.95 and 5.0 times, respectively. In Türkiye, both Bactrian and dromedary camels are reared since F1 hybrid ♂ Tülü (Bactrian ♂ x dromedary ♀) perform better in camel wrestling, which is a unique culture of Anatolia. There are also a few farms aiming to produce camel milk and rearing young camels intensively in Türkiye. However, many practices such as calf rearing, insemination of cows, milking stimulation, milk preservation, milk quality control, milk collection and marketing and milk processing into the products are not as modern as in dairy cattle production. Although dairy camel farms in Türkiye have a higher milk production potential, since high milk prices lead to low demand for camel milk and there is only one camel milk processing facility to turn camel milk into products, farms produce far below their capacity. Processing camel milk into the products such as cheese, whey, yoghurt, pasteurized milk, kefir and ayran is still in its infancy. In conclusion, although the basis of camel rearing in Türkiye today is based on wrestling camel breeding, understanding of the benefits of camel milk on human health and the increase in demand for camel milk products suggest that this situation will change in favour of dairy camel breeding in the near future.

Low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese made from blends of camel and bovine milk: Gross composition, proteolysis, functionality, microstructure, and rheological properties.

Camel (CM) milk is used in variety of ways; however, it has inferior gelling properties compared with bovine milk (BM). In this study, we aimed to investigate the physicochemical, functional, microstructural, and rheological properties of low-moisture part-skim (LMPS) mozzarella cheese, made from BM, or BM mixed with 15% CM (CM15%) or 30% CM (CM30%), at various time points (up to 60 d) of storage at 4°C after manufacture. Low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheeses using CM15% and CM30% had high moisture and total Ca contents, but lower soluble Ca content. Compared with BM cheese, CM15% and CM30% LMPS mozzarella cheese exhibited higher proteolysis rates during storage. Adding CM affected the color properties of LMPS mozzarella cheese manufactured from mixed milk. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the microstructure of CM15% and CM30% cheeses had smooth surfaces, whereas the BM cheese microstructures were rough with granulated surfaces. Low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheeses using CM15% and CM30% showed significantly lower hardness and chewiness, but higher stringiness than BM cheese. Compared with BM cheese, CM15% and CM30% cheeses showed lower tan δ levels during temperature surges, suggesting that the addition of CM increased the meltability of LMPS mozzarella cheese during temperature increases. Camel milk addition affected the physicochemical, microstructural, and rheological properties of LMPS mozzarella cheese.

Relationship of Polymorphisms of the Mutation (225131) of the pou1f1 Gene with some Productive Traits in Iraqi Camel Females (Camelus bactrianus).

Camels are semi-ruminant placental mammals, classified as two-toed, padded-footed mammals, and belong to the family Camelidae, which includes the one-humped camels (Camelus dromedaries), and the two-humped camels (Camelus bactrianus), llama, Alpaca, Vicuna, and Guanaco. The study used 50 Iraqi single-humped camel females who belonged to private fields in the AL-Furat AL-Awsat region, which involved three Iraqi cities (Babylon, Diwaniyah, and Muthanna). All the Biotechnological and Molecular Genetics analyses were performed in the Altakadum Laboratory, Baghdad, in order to determine the genotypes and their distribution ratios for the POU1F1 gene and the relationship of the Polymorphism of the gene with some productive traits, growth characteristics (weight and body dimensions) and blood biochemical parameters of animals. The mutation 225131 was in the second exon region, in which there was a change in the amino acid C.49 CAA>CAC Gln>His. Three genotypes were discovered in this mutation in the second studied piece, which included the region of the first intron and the second exon, with a length of 777 base pairs using DNA sequencing technology. The results indicated that there were highly significant differences (P≤0.01) in the distribution ratios of the genotypes resulting from the mutation. The results also showed a significant relationship between these genotypes with somebody dimensions, as there was a significant superiority (P≤0.05) for individuals with mutant CC genotype over the wild AA and hetero AC genotypes in each of the traits, body height from the front (220.66±1.76, 215.12±0.92, 212.80 ±2.33) cm and body length (186.66±1.20, 179.47±1.10, 170.00±4.96) cm and head length (55.00±2.08, 50.78±0.46, 51.20 ±1.31) cm for the mutant, wild and hetero, genotypes respectively. Concerning the characteristics of the length of the milking season, daily and total milk production, and its chemical components, there was no significant relationship between the genotypes resulting from the studied mutation.

Refining the Camelus dromedarius Myostatin Gene Polymorphism through Worldwide Whole-Genome Sequencing.

Simple SummaryThe dromedary is a multipurpose livestock species. Growing interest in dromedary meat production, increasing intensification of meat production systems and rising business turnover for the dromedary athletic competition sector point to the need for a more effective genetic selection. To this aim, the identification of genetic markers, to be implemented in phenotype–genotype association studies, represents a pre-requisite. The myostatin gene is known to affect, to a various extent, muscularity in several animal species. In this study, we investigated the dromedary myostatin gene sequence variation through the analysis of data from 183 worldwide animals. A total of 99 variants were detected in the target region. Through a bioinformatic approach, we explored the possible functional effects of the detected variants. Several hints emerged, suggesting that natural variants at the dromedary myostatin locus may determine quali-quantitative changes in the myostatin expression, thus likely impacting on dromedary muscularity. Further efforts are needed to collect reliable phenotypic data on dromedary muscularity and racing performances, thus allowing for the unveiling of those genetic markers that are associated with the phenotypic variability in muscularity-related traits. Under intensive rearing systems, large-scale screening of genotypes at those markers in dromedary populations will effectively orient selection decisions and positively impact on rates of genetic gain.Myostatin (MSTN) is a highly conserved negative regulator of skeletal muscle in mammals. Inactivating mutations results in a hyper-muscularity phenotype known as “double muscling” in several livestock and model species. In Camelus dromedarius, the gene structure organization and the sequence polymorphisms have been previously investigated, using Sanger and Next-Generation Sequencing technologies on a limited number of animals. Here, we carried out a follow-up study with the aim to further expand our knowledge about the sequence polymorphisms at the myostatin locus, through the whole-genome sequencing data of 183 samples representative of the geographical distribution range for this species. We focused our polymorphism analysis on the ±5 kb upstream and downstream region of the MSTN gene. A total of 99 variants (77 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and 22 indels) were observed. These were mainly located in intergenic and intronic regions, with only six synonymous Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in exons. A sequence comparative analysis among the three species within the Camelus genus confirmed the expected higher genetic distance of C. dromedarius from the wild and domestic two-humped camels compared to the genetic distance between C. bactrianus and C. ferus. In silico functional prediction highlighted: (i) 213 differential putative transcription factor-binding sites, out of which 41 relative to transcription factors, with known literature evidence supporting their involvement in muscle metabolism and/or muscle development; and (ii) a number of variants potentially disrupting the canonical MSTN splicing elements, out of which two are discussed here for their potential ability to generate a prematurely truncated (inactive) form of the protein. The distribution of the considered variants in the studied cohort is discussed in light of the peculiar evolutionary history of this species and the hypothesis that extremely high muscularity, associated with a homozygous condition for mutated (inactivating) alleles at the myostatin locus, may represent, in arid desert conditions, a clear metabolic disadvantage, emphasizing the thermoregulatory and water availability challenges typical of these habitats.

Acer pseudoplatanus: A Potential Risk of Poisoning for Several Herbivore Species

Acer pseudoplatanus is a worldwide-distributed tree which contains toxins, among them hypoglycin A (HGA). This toxin is known to be responsible for poisoning in various species, including humans, equids, Père David’s deer and two-humped camels. We hypothesized that any herbivore pasturing with A. pseudoplatanus in their vicinity may be at risk for HGA poisoning. To test this hypothesis, we surveyed the HGA exposure from A. pseudoplatanus in species not yet described as being at risk. Animals in zoological parks were the major focus, as they are at high probability to be exposed to A. pseudoplatanus in enclosures. We also searched for a toxic metabolite of HGA (i.e., methylenecyclopropylacetyl-carnitine; MCPA-carnitine) in blood and an alteration of the acylcarnitines profile in HGA-positive animals to document the potential risk of declaring clinical signs. We describe for the first instance cases of HGA poisoning in Bovidae. Two gnus (Connochaetes taurinus taurinus) exposed to A. pseudoplatanus in their enclosure presented severe clinical signs, serum HGA and MCPA-carnitine and a marked modification of the acylcarnitines profile. In this study, even though all herbivores were exposed to A. pseudoplatanus, proximal fermenters species seemed less susceptible to HGA poisoning. Therefore, a ruminal transformation of HGA is hypothesized. Additionally, we suggest a gradual alteration of the fatty acid metabolism in case of HGA poisoning and thus the existence of subclinical cases.

Heamatological parameters of one hump camels (camelusdromedarius) in North Western Nigeria

Camels are regarded as the ship of the desert, being used for transporting humans and their goods. They are also raised for milk, meat, hides and wool. Normal haematological values are important as disease diagnostic aid as they are vital indicator of the animals’ health status. Haematological parameters of one- humped camels (Camelusdromedarius) were determined in this study. 60 one- humped camels (Camelusdromedarius) were selected in sokoto and their blood samples were analyze using standard procedures for haematological parameters. [Packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb),white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils, eosinophils, Basophils, monocyte, lymphocyte, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC)].For all the parameters, only neutrophils and MCV values showed significant variation between sexes with male camels having higher values than females. There is variation in the range values for all the parameters between sexes except Basophils, Monocyte and Lymphocyte. Based on the results of this study, the values were similar in both sex except in neutrophils and mean corpuscular volume indicating insignificant effect of sex on most of the haematological parameters.

Evaluation of the practice and contribution of sheep breeding and camel milk to the income of camel drivers in the peri-urban area of N'Djamena (Tchad)

Camel drivers living in the peri-urban area of Sahelian cities carry out several economic activities. These activities can have an impact on techno-economic practice of livestock. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2018 to assess the practice and contribution of sheep breeding and camel milk to the income of camel drivers in the peri-urban area of N'Djamena. It affected 42 sedentary camel drivers (27.6%). Young camel drivers (31.52 ± 9.3 years old) raise a mixed herd. Arab sheep is exploited for the subsistence. Its productivity is improved by monitoring reproduction, breeding selection (format) and supplementation. A family workforce and salaried shepherds ensure manage and sell. Camels walk during the day under the control of a young camel driver. Camel is milked manually by a woman and/or a man. The demand for sheep on the market is higher than that of goats and camels. The contribution rate of the average annual income of sheep sold (ScoreAISSm) is 51.2 ± 23.6% of the total average annual income from breeding (ScoreTAIBm) (1960187 ± 1028966 CFA francs). This rate is high in Group A households not selling camel milk compared to Group 2 (p<0.01). Average annual income from the sale of camel milk (ScoreCMm) provides the daily expenses of the household in Group B. The correlations between the number of women–ScoreTAIB and the number of women–ScoreCMm are positive (p<0.01). Depending on opportunities offered by the place of sedentarisation, camel drivers develop strategies to better meet the urban market demand while maintaining a pastoral way of life.

Evaluation of the practice and contribution of sheep breeding and camel milk to the income of camel drivers in the peri-urban area of N'Djamena (Tchad)

Evaluation of the practice and contribution of sheep breeding and camel milk to the income of camel drivers in the peri-urban area of N'Djamena (Tchad)

COX1 gene and ITS-2 region: A comparative study of molecular diagnosis of Parabronema skrjabini in camels (Camelus dromedaries), Al-Najaf Province, Iraq

The current study was contributed to the analysis of the nucleotide sequence pattern of the nucleotide sequence of the tissue DNA isolates based on the Internal Transcribed Spacer ribosomal DNA (ITS2rDNA) gene and Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 mitochondrial DNA (COX1 mtDNA) using the traditional polymerase chain reaction (150 samples of abomasum collected directly from camel carcasses after working in Al-Najaf slaughterhouse from 1/10/2019 to 1/2/2020). ITS2rDNA were well suited for the prepared primer with size783 bp and identical ratio ranged 81.17-99.73% of the same species, as indicated a high similarity of the isolates taken from two-humped camels in China or less related to Parabronema skrjabini in sheep and goat. In addition, the study identified the number of the mutations within the four COX1 gene and ITS-2 region, which were the most conservative region of the host's species, supporting the concept of host specificity with Parabronema skrjabini. The COX1 gene and ITS-2 region applied to confirm the diagnosis using a universal primer, as it included eight isolates with a size of 689 bp, identical values were ranged from 84.99-98.02% depending on the multiple sequence alignment and showed an increase in the substitution level among isolates at an upper taxonomic level. Studying of the COX1 gene and ITS-2 region in Parabronema skrjabini demonstrated a significant relation in the cluster and an early common ancestor with isolates of the two-humped camel (China). As for the COX1 gene and ITS-2 region, the phylogenetic relationship supported the ribosomal gene results, especially with Habronema muscae or related species such as Habronema majus, Dirofilaria repens, Dipetalonema evansi, Setaria tundra, Cercopithifilaria sp towards the root node. Therefore, considering COX1 gene and ITS-2 region as an ideal tool in determining the phylogenetic history of the sequence maps, but less conservative mode than the ITS2 ribosome gene based to a taxonomic species level.

Microscopic and molecular detection of Deraiophoronema evansi (Lewis, 1882) in domestic Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) of Mongolia.

Cameline filarosis is an important parasitic disease having an economic impact on the camel industry around the world. However, there has been no study on filarosis in Bactrian camels of Mongolia. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to detect and identify microfilariae of Deraiophoronema evansi (D. evansi) in Bactrian camels from three provinces, located in southern and southwestern Mongolia. Blood samples were obtained from 400 healthy two-humped camels of different ages and both sexes. All blood samples were analysed using a variety of diagnostic techniques. Microfilariae were detected in 30 Bactrian camels (7.5%) by the Knott technique, while 13 Bactrian camels (3.3%) tested positive in a direct smear test. D. evansi was detected in 18 Bactrian camels (4.5%) by PCR assay. Prevalence was shown to be high among Bactrian camels in the age group up to 5years, while the lowest positive results were obtained for Bactrian camels in the 5-10-year age group and the over 10-year age group. To confirm the morphological identification, D. evansi-COI gene sequences were subjected to phylogenetic analyses. The D. evansi-COI gene sequences from Mongolian two-humped camels were identical to sequences from Iranian one-humped camels and were clustered together with these sequences in the phylogeny. This is the first report of molecular detection and identification of microfilariae of D. evansi in Bactrian camels of Mongolia.

The Battle of the Camel: Revolution, transition and tourism in Cairo

This article asks how the 25 January 2011 revolution in Egypt led to the entrenchment of existing forms of privilege and marginality. To answer this question, critical scholars have taken for granted the revolution's linear temporality and focused largely on institutional processes at the state level following the fall of President Hosni Mubarak. In contrast, I provide an original take on this question through extensive ethnographic engagement, focusing on moments of rupture and urban spaces of contestation at the time of the revolution and beyond. More specifically, I trace the significance of an understudied moment during the revolution: the ‘Battle of the Camel’, when horse/camel drivers who sell rides to tourists at the Pyramids charged at protestors in Tahrir Square. An ethnography of this moment allows me to draw out the complex temporalities of the revolution by recognizing diverse moments of contestation by marginalized subjects at its different ‘stages’. This article traces how these alternative temporalities were driven but also obscured by longer-term patterns of tourism and urban development. It finds that relations of power and marginality were reproduced through tourism and elite Egyptian visions of temporality and authenticity in the key urban spaces relevant to this battle – the Pyramids of Giza and Tahrir Square. These sites were positioned as spaces of Egypt's ‘authentic’ past and future respectively, reinforcing a colonial and neoliberal narrative of development that made possible the protection of tourism and elite priorities and the remarginalization of ‘underdeveloped’ camel drivers and street vendors in these sites.

Helminthological monitoring of introduced animals in the Steppe Research Station “Orenburg Tarpania”

At the Steppe Research Station “Orenburg Tarpania” of the Institute of Steppe of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Orenburg region, Russia), we carried out work to study acclimatization of large ungulates of inhabiting arid ecosystems to the natural conditions of the South Ural steppe sub-region. The “Orenburg Tarpania” contains introduced animal species: Przewalski’s horse, kiangs, two-humped camels, domestic yaks and an indigenous breed of downy goats. The goal of the project is to return large phytophages to their natural steppe habitat. To prevent an increase in the infection of new populations with helminths to a clinically significant level and to study the adaptation to the existing territorial helminth-faunal complex, we monitor helminth infections of animals kept in the station and in the adjacent areas. Our survey revealed parasitism of nematodes of the suborder Strongylata (families Strongylidae and Trichonematidae) and the suborder Asagidata (Ragassagis equorum) was revealed in ungulates. Parasitism of nematodes of the suborder Strongylata (genera Chabertia and Nematodirus), and protozoa of the genus Eimegia, was detected in ruminants in the Steppe Research Station. The invasion intensity in all cases ranged from low to medium, with no clinical signs. Further studies are planned to determine the degree of biological equilibrium formation in the helminth-host system of the model plot.