Saint Katherine Protectorate Research Articles

In vitro propagation and DNA barcoding of the rare near endemic Plantago sinaica (Barnéoud) plant in Saint Katherine, Sinai

Plantago sinaica is a rare perennial shrub near-endemic to Egypt and found in Saint Katherine Protectorate in Sinai. The first successful in vitro propagation protocol was conducted to protect the plant outside its natural reserves. Shoot tip, stem node section, cotyledonary node, and root explants separated from in vitro germinated seedlings were cultured in vitro on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium enriched with different concentrations and types of cytokinins. It was found that 6-benzyl adenine (BA) is the most efficient cytokinin. MS medium containing 3.33 µM BA and 0.54 µM α-naphthalene acetic acids (NAA) produced 10.25 and 11.30 shoots/explant using shoot tip and stem node section, respectively. Conversely, MS medium + 2.22 µM BA + 0.54 µM NAA produced 13.25 shoots from root explants. Surprisingly, the cotyledonary node explants favored MS medium free from plant growth regulators (PGRs), which produced only 4.25 shoots/explant. The multiplied shoots were rooted successfully with a 100% rooting percentage on half MS medium containing 1.23 or 2.46 µM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). In vitro, rooted plantlets were efficiently transferred to the greenhouse with a 90% survivability. Finally, the plant was identified using three DNA barcodes; 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit (rbcL), plastid photosystem II protein D1 intergenic spacer region (psbA–trnH), and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) barcodes. Additionally, psbA–trnH and ITS were novel and submitted to the GenBank databases for the first time for Plantago sinaica. Our study supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number 15, which is to preserve, restore and reinstate sustainable usage of terrestrial ecosystems and to stop biodiversity loss.

English

Salinity and drought are among the major abiotic stresses, leading to decreased crop productivity. Fungi are notorious for their detrimental effects on crop growth and development. In light of these circumstances, the primary objective of this project is to assemble a collection of endophytic fungi to develop new organic bio-stimulants that can effectively combat salinity and drought. To achieve this goal, diverse soil types, including cultivated, desert, and salt marshes, were sampled (five samples each) from different habitats and locations in the southern part of Sinai, the Saint Katherine Protectorate (SKP) is part of the upper Sinai massif, spanning specific coordinates (33°550 to 34°300 E and 28°300 to 28°350 N). Additionally, 80 samples of the predominant medicinal plant species from ten localities in the SKP were collected. The results of survey showed that the highest abundance of endophytic fungi was observed in Artemisia judaica L. and Alkanna orientalis (L.) Boiss., with both species exhibiting 61.1 % endophytic fungi. Five isolates of fungi labeled as SAF41, SAF46, SAF51, SAF57, and SAF63, were assessed for their tolerance to salinity stress by exposing them to different NaCl concentrations. Isolate SAF63 had the most substantial negative and significant correlation with salinity stress (R2=0.9565; p<0.001), followed by SAF51 (R2=0.9432; p<0.001) and SAF41 (R2=0.9351; p<0.001). The results indicate that different fungi isolates exhibited distinct responses to varying salinity levels and drought stress, as measured by their growth in different NaCl concentrations. Isolate SAF63 demonstrated the most significant negative correlation with salinity stress, followed by SAF51 and SAF41. These findings suggest that specific endophytic fungi isolates exhibit enhanced tolerance to both salinity and drought stress, underscoring their promising potential in mitigating metabolic and physiological damage in date palm plants, ultimately leading to increased growth and yields

Vegetation characteristics and environmental gradients of Musa Mountain in Saint Katherine Protectorate, South Sinai, Egypt

Vegetation characteristics and environmental gradients of Musa Mountain in Saint Katherine Protectorate, South Sinai, Egypt

English

The endemic taxa were restricted to a specific geographic region and they are essential for setting conservation priorities. This study aimed to update the endemic taxa list in Saint Katherine Protectorate (SKP) depending on literature reviews, field trips and herbaria consultation. Other characters also recorded viz, sex forms, dispersal types and flowering time. Also, the morphological characters of the pollen grains and seeds were examined and photographed using light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). In addition, the mineral composition of pollens and seeds was detected using energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The updated list included 13 taxa belonging to 11 genera and 8 families. All the recorded taxa were bisexual; ballochores were the most represented dispersal type. There was a gradual increase in the endemic taxa from March to August while decreasing from October to February. Pollens were isopolar and medium in size. They possessed colpate, colporate, or porate aperatus, as well as reticulate exine sculpture. Furthermore, operculum and margo were absent in most of the pollens. The seed colour ranged from light brown to black; elliptic; basal hilum; polygonal and irregular-shaped seeds were the most represented. All previous characters were diagnosed at generic and specific levels, which helped in the construction of artificial keys to facilitate the differentiation between the studied taxa. The present study has the priority in describing pollens and seeds of Astragalus fresenii and Micromeria serbaliana, in addition to the description of the seeds of Ballota kaiseri. The presence and percentage of twelve elements detected by EDX differed significantly within the investigated pollen grains and seeds. The present data indicated that pollen grains and seeds of studied taxa had high percentages of carbon, oxygen, phosphorous, magnesium, nitrogen and calcium. This study is the first attempt using EDX technique with these taxa. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers

Invasion risk assessment using trait-environment and species distribution modelling techniques in an arid protected area: Towards conservation prioritization

Invasive species are considered as one of the key threats to biodiversity and human livelihoods globally. The most effective strategy for handling invasion would be based on profiling invasive species and identifying areas at risk of invasion before they occur. The current study used a trait-environment modelling approach to identify alien species with high probability of invasiveness and combined this with the species distribution models (SDMs) to predict areas in the arid Saint Katherine Protectorate (SKP) in Egypt that were at highest risk of invasion by these species. The specific leaf area, number of leaves, soil nitrogen, and prevalence of disturbances were the most important biotic and abiotic indicators for predicting invasiveness in SKP. Of the investigated 33 alien plant species, three species were identified to have the highest probability of invasiveness, including Salvia rosmarinus, Eucalyptus globulus, and Acacia saligna. The outcome of the SDMs revealed that precipitation seasonality and temperature-related variables were the most important bioclimatic predictors determining the potential invasion risk of the studied alien species. Potential invasion is more likely in the eastern and northern parts of SKP, where biodiversity-rich common microhabitats are found and where there is a prevalence of disturbances such as tourism activities. The Etalaa, Shaq Mosa, and El-Mesirdi wadis microhabitats, in particular, were identified in the current study to be potentially highly suitable microhabitats for alien invasiveness and should be prioritized for monitoring and conservation actions. Moreover, the three identified species could be used as early indicators for microhabitats at risk of invasion along the environmental gradients of temperature and precipitation in arid ecosystems. This approach can be applied to other taxa and other ecosystems and can provide opportunities for formulating proactive management strategies against biological invasions.

Floristic study of Saint Katherine protectorate, Sinai: with one new record to flora of Egypt

Saint Katherine protectorate is one of the most floristically diverse spots in the Middle East. A field surveys, as well as critical revision of herbarium specimens, were carried out during 2013-2020 revealed that 430 taxa belonging to 283 genera and 62 families. The life-forms are classified into seven life forms with dominance of Therophytes (39%) followed by Chamaephyte (24.7%). Chorological study indicated that 52% of recorded taxa were mono-regional native to Saharo – Arabian (29%), Irano- Turanian (10.39%), Mediterranean (7.4%), Sudanin (4%) while tropical and sub- tropical represented by (0.2%) only. 223 taxa were mono-regional, 127 taxa were bi-regional, while 16 taxa were endemic and Steno-endemic. Investigated taxa distributed in four microhabitats; terraces, slopes, gorges, and wadi bed the last two were the most diversity. The present study investigated that presence of Papaver somniferum is a new record to flora of Egypt, eight new records to Sinai and thirty four new records to the study area.

Phylogenetic relationships and DNA barcoding of nine endangered medicinal plant species endemic to Saint Katherine protectorate.

A high degree of endemism has been recorded for several plant groups collectively in Saint Katherine Protectorate (SKP) in the Sinai Peninsula. Nine endangered endemic plant species in SKP were selected to test the variable abilities of three different DNA barcodes; Riboluse-1,5- Biphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase Large subunit (rbcL), Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS), and the two regions of the plastid gene (ycf1) as well as Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) Polymorphism to find the phylogenetic relationships among them. The three barcodes were generally more capable of finding the genetic relationships among the plant species under study, new barcodes were introduced to the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) for the first time through our work. The barcode sequences were efficient in finding the genetic relationships between the nine species. However, SCoT polymorphism could only cluster plant species belonging to the same genus together in one group, but it could not cluster plant species belonging to the same families except for some primers solely. RbcL was the most easily amplified and identified barcode in eight out of the nine species at the species level and the ninth barcode to the genus level. ITS identified all the species to the genus level. Finally, ycf1 identified six out of the eight species, but it could not identify two of the eight species to the genus level.

Niche differentiation of two congeneric Phlomis species in Egypt

Phlomis aurea Decne. and Phlomis floccosa D. Don. exhibit different ecological and geographical distribution range in Egypt. Phlomis aurea is endemic to Saint Katherine Protectorate (SKP), South Sinai with narrow geographic distribution, but wide ecological range. Phlomis floccosa has wide geographical and ecological range within the coastal western Mediterranean coast of Egypt. Unlike P. floccosa, P. aurea has wide altitudinal range which increases its resistance to climate changes. Here, we assessed the effect of microhabitats on growth parameters and plant vigor of P. aurea and P. floccosa. The maximum EC of the soil in the various microhabitats supporting P. floccosa (950 µS/cm) is substantially higher than that of P. aurea (110 µS/cm). Both Phlomis species had low number of associated species which may be related to habitat aridity. The results indicate that the microhabitats supporting both species are the best environments for future conservation of these species under the impact of climate change.

Effect of Genetic Diversity on the Distribution of Endemic Species of the Genus Silene (Caryophyllaceae) in Saint Katherine Protectorate, Sinai, Egypt

Saint Katherine Protectorate (SKP) hosts 24% of Egyptian Silene species including the endemic ones. This study investigated five Silene species representing 17% of all Egyptian Silene; three of them are endemic to Egypt (S. oreosinaica, S. leucophylla, and S. schimperiana). S. schimperiana was widely distributed in different areas in SKP, whereas S. oreosinaica was very rare and was spotted as two or three populations restricted to one habitat. Moreover, S. oreosinaica has not been recorded before this study since 1983. Phylogenies based on pollen micromorphology as well as on molecular data were constructed in order to describe the evolutionary relationship among these species leading to their distribution. Although phylogeny based on the pollen grain characteristics was resulted in the separation of Silene species into two groups, the first one included S. odontopetala subsp. congesta Boiss and S. oreosinaica with sub-clade included S. schimperiana and the second group included S. linearis and S. leucophylla, there was no obvious relationship among these species in the light of their distribution. Neighbor-joining (NJ) and unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) phylogenies showed that Silene species were divided into three clades; the first one included S. oreosinaica and S. odontopetala, which were closely related; the second one included S. schimperiana and S. linearis; and the last clade had S. leucophylla. According to NJ phylogeny and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), S. schimperiana has recent, evolutionary characters that could make it distantly related to the other species, suggesting that its wide distribution could be attributed to the adaptation of its genetic constitute to different conditions.

Impact of hiking trails on the diversity of flower-visiting insects in Wadi Telah, St. Katherine protectorate, Egypt

BackgroundA hiking trail is one of the major recreational activities that have critical impacts on wildlife. Wadi Telah in Saint Katherine Protectorate (South Sinai, Egypt) (N 28.568539 and E 33.932816) is an important spot for biodiversity. It was surveyed for spatial variation in the diversity of flower-visiting insects at different distances from the hiking trail. The current study aimed at assessing the impact of some anthropogenic activities along the main hiking trail passing through W. Telah on the diversity of flower-visiting insects. Field monitoring of flower visitors across the hiking trail passing through W. Telah was carried out at different distances (~ 0, 20, 40, and 60 m) along both sides of the hiking trail. As a control, monitoring was performed at 120 m from the hiking trail.ResultsA total of 542 individuals belonging to 34 species of flower visitors, 16 families, from three orders were recorded within the study localities in W. Telah. Floral resources in Wadi Telah can be a limiting factor for the populations of flower visitors. There was a significant difference in the distribution of the flower visitors’ species richness among different distances from the hiking trail in W. Telah. Species richness and abundance of flower visitors and their associated floral resources were significantly positively correlated to the distance from the hiking trail. There were no significant differences in the diversity of flower-visiting insects among different distances from the trail, perhaps due to their mobility.ConclusionsThe present study showed that the hiking trail had a negative impact on flower visitors and their associated floral resources in Wadi Telah. The investigation on how different biodiversity elements respond to hiking trails allows greater insight for protectorate managers. The study can contribute to effective management decisions for current and future protectorates.

Oxidative Stress Responses of Some Endemic Plants to High Altitudes by Intensifying Antioxidants and Secondary Metabolites Content.

Most endemic plant species have limited altitudinal ranges. At higher altitudes, they are subjected to various environmental stresses. However, these plants use unique defense mechanisms at high altitudes as a convenient survival strategy. The changes in antioxidant defense system and accumulation of different secondary metabolites (SMs) were investigated as depending on altitude in five endemic endangered species (Nepeta septemcrenata, Origanum syriacum subsp. Sinaicum, Phlomis aurea, Rosa arabica, and Silene schimperiana) naturally growing in Saint Katherine protectorate (SKP). Leaves were collected from different sites between 1600 and 2200 m above sea level to assess the biochemical and physiological variations in response to high altitudes. At higher altitudes, the soil pH and micronutrient soil content decreased, which can be attributed to lower mineralization processes at lower pH. Total phenols, ascorbic acid, proline, flavonoids, and tannins increased in response to different altitudes. SMs progressively increased in the studied species, associated with a significant decrease in the levels of antioxidant enzyme activity. R. arabica, as the most threatened plant, showed the maximum response compared with other species. There was an increase in photosynthetic pigments, which was attained via the increase in chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents. There was a significant increase in total soluble sugars and total soluble protein content in response to different altitudes. SDS-PAGE of leaf proteins showed alteration in the protein profile between different species and the same species grown at a different altitude. These five species can adapt to high-altitude habitats by various physiological mechanisms, which can provide a theoretical basis for the future conservation of these endangered endemic species in SKP.

The essential oil and its main constituents of Origanum syriacum ssp. sinaicum grown wild in Saint Katherine Protectorate, South Sinai, Egypt

This work aims to study the essential oil and its main constituents of O. syriacum grown wild in 22 locations in Saint Katherine Protectorate. Origanum syriacum ssp. sinaicum plants collected during the summer season of 2014 from 22 locations in Saint Katherine Protectorate (SPK), South Sinai Egypt. Depending on location length, each location was divided into 2 stands to reach a total of 44 stands. Twenty compounds were identified as the main constituents of the essential oil which accounted for ca 97% from the total compounds of the essential oil. Carvacrol was the major constituent in all collected plants and ranged from 74.2% to 92.68% from the total compounds of the essential oil. Where, P-cymene was identified in the essential oil of all studied stands and ranged for 0.98% to 6.23%. The same was observed for γ-terpinene that was identified in the essential oil of all plants in the 44 stands and accounted for 1.37% as minimum percent up to 7.4% as maximum percent from the total compounds. The oxygenated compounds in the essential oilof O. syriacum were identified as carvacrol, terpienol-4, linalool, borneol, thymol, eugenol, and long pineneepoxid with relative percentage from 76.6%to 94.2%. The non-oxygenated compounds hydrocarbons ranged from 3.7% to18.4% in which P–cymene and ɣ-terpinene were the main non-oxygenated compounds. The relations between the essential oil%, as well as between carvacrol% in the essential oil in the different stands and calcium content, Cl and Na in the soil of the different stands were studied. In conclusion, the essential oil % of O. syriacum ssp. sinaicum and its main constituents changed according to the altitude and soil contents.

Bedouin farms in the Saint Katherine mountainous area (South Sinai, Egypt)

This study aims to assess the natural and cultivated plant species in 26 Bedouin farms in Saint Katherine Protectorate (SKP), identify their soil and water characteristics, and assess the suitability of these farms for the cultivation of some wild medicinal plants. The farms were selected to represent wide wadis with deep sand and clay deposits, gorge-like wadis covered with rock fragments of different sizes, spot-like oases, and the Al Q’aa Plain. Using TWINSPAN (two-way indicator species analysis) and DCA (detrended correspondence analysis) techniques, the 26 farms were classified into 5 groups (I-V) based on their floristic composition of wild plants. These groups reflect an elevation gradient among the farms above sea level from a mean of 119 m to a mean of 1,865 m. A total of 73 wild species were recorded, with 47 in group II (500-1,000 m) and 25 in group V (>1,700 m). The common target species were Artemisia judaica, Acacia tortilis subsp. raddiana, Origanum syriacum subsp. sinaicum and Varthemia montana (34.6%–26.9%). The cultivated species numbered 25, with 17 in group II (500–1,000 m) and 11 in group IV (1,500–1,700 m). The common fruit trees were olive, grape, fig, apple, palm, almond, apricot and pomegranate (73.0%–42.3%). Based on the soil characteristics, 13 farms belong to soil class 2 that describes good soils with moderate limitations, and 12 belong to soil class 3 that describes moderately good soils, which can be used regularly for crops after proper treatment.

Endophytic fungi: A gold mine of antioxidants

Endophytic fungi residing in medicinal plants have the ability to produce the same pharmacologic bioactive secondary metabolites as their host medicinal plants, which have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine and still are used for their health benefits. Nowadays, medicinal plants are quarrying for isolation of plant-derived drugs as they are very effective and have reasonably less or no side effects. However, the natural resources of ethanomedicinal plants are gradually exhausted and access to plant bioactive compounds is challenged by the low levels at which these products accumulate in native medicinal plants. For example, to meet the market demands of 3 Kg per year of Vinca alkaloids, powerful plant-derived anticancer drugs, 1.5x106 Kg dry leaves are required. In this regard, this review articles aims to highlight the fact that endophytic fungi residing in medicinal plants are capable to biosynthesize pharmacologically active secondary metabolites as antioxidant identical to those produced by their host medicinal plant. Furthermore, the evolutionary origin of the genes involved in these metabolic pathways as well as the approaches designed to enhance the production of these secondary metabolites by the isolated endophytic fungi medicinal plant have a lot of type of antioxidant mostly polyphenols, flavonoids which exhibit high antioxidants bioactivity. In addition to aforementioned reasons, this article also will shed the light on the efforts of Abdel-Azeem and his co-workers at Botany department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University and their continuing search for biologically active natural products from Egyptian endophytic fungi hosted medicinal plants in Saint Katherine Protectorate, Arid Sinai, Egypt.

IMPACT OF HIKING TRAIL DISTURBANCE ON ANTS` DIVERSITY AT MOUNT SINAI, ST. KATHERINE PROTECTORATE, EGYPT

Saint Katherine Protectorate (SKP) is one of the most important regions for biodiversity in Egypt. Tourism and its associated activities has become the main economic driver in SKP which might have negative impacts on biodiversity. Ants are effective biological indicators, since ant species diversity correlates with the assembly of other invertebrate fauna of particular habitats. The current study aimed at assessing the impact of some anthropogenic activities along the touristic hiking trail passing through Mount Sinai area on ants` diversity. A total of 583 individuals belonging to nine ant species, three subfamilies, from (Family: Formicidae; Order: Hymenoptera) were recorded within the study localities in Mount Sinai. Our study showed that the hiking trail disturbance had a negative environmental impact on the species richness and abundance of ants within the study localities in Mount Sinai. Based on our results it is advisable to move the hiking trails to slopes of Mount Sinai away from its current location within the basins (farshs). More studies are needed to assess the impact of hiking trails and associated human activities on other biodiversity elements in SKP

Antiviral and Antioxidant Potential of Fungal Endophytes of Egyptian Medicinal Plants

This study aimed to explore the antioxidant potential and antiviral activity of endophytic fungi which were isolated from healthy living tissues of medicinal plants. Endophytic strains (29 different taxa) were isolated from 18 Egyptian medicinal plants collected from Saint Katherine Protectorate, Egypt. The fungal endophytes were identified based on morphological characters. All isolates were identified as ascomycetes, except two Zygomycetes strains (Absidia corymbifera and Mucor fuscus). Isolated endophytes were cultivated on potato dextrose media. The fungal metabolites were extracted by ethyl acetate and examined for their biological activities. Among 99 total extracts, only Chaetomium globosum, which was isolated from Adiantum capillus, showed a promising DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activity (99% at 100 µg/mL). Fifteen extracts prohibited the reproduction of HSV-2 virus. On the other hand, the reproduction of VSV-virus was inhibited by sixteen endophytic extracts. The promising anti-(HSV-2 and VSV) extract of endophytic Pleospora tarda strain; that was originally isolated from the medicinal plant Ephedra aphylla, showed viral inhibitory activity of 40.7% and 15.2%, respectively. Two compounds, for which antiviral activates could be attributed, were isolated and identified as alternariol and alternariol-(9)-methyl ether using different NMR techniques from P. tarda extract. For the first time, we report here the ability of the endophytic fungus P. tarda to produce alternariol and alternariol-(9)-methyl ether. The results indicate that the endophytic fungi from medicinal plants are promising sources of bioactive compounds.

Genetic Diversity of the Endemic Species Phlomis aurea Decne. in Southern Sinai, Egypt

PHLOMIS AUREA Decne. (Lamiaceae), which have future antidiabetic drug yielding potentials, is an endemic species, restricted to the high altitudes in five main habitats in southern Sinai. The genetic characterization of individuals from different populations is necessary to construct proper conservation programs. Thus, the present study was conducted to achieve two main goals; 1) Finding the genetic diversity among Phlomis aurea populations through variation in seed storage proteins electrophoretic pattern and Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) finger printing as a dominant DNA molecular marker. 2) Perceive the relationship among these biochemical and molecular parameters with the different habitats in Saint Katherine Protectorate (SKP) are in South Sinai. Mature dry seeds from 30 individuals representing different populations were used for protein analysis using SDS-PAGE technique, 12 individuals of them were chosen for ISSR analysis. The former test produced 20 protein bands, three of them were common to all plants (species specific) and could be used as finger prints for Phlomis aurea. It was suggested that seed storage protein patterns are affected by aspect direction, altitude and slightly affected by habitats. ISSR analysis showed that decreasing genetic variation of Phlomis aurea individuals from different habitats in the following order: Wadibed> Slope> Gorge>Basin. This open area habitat contributes to high percent of hybridization and consequently results in high genetic polymorphism.

Long Term Monitoring of Rosa arabica Populations as a Threatened Species in South Sinai, Egypt

Rosa arabica is a threatened species of the family Rosaceae, endemic to Mount Catherine region in the South Sinai, Egypt. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of the R. arabica populations after a conservation program that has been started eighteen years ago. Fencing of the target species was applied in three main locations in Saint Katherine protectorate; Kahf El-Ghola, Wadi El-Arbaen and Shaq Mussa. Soil analysis and seed bank content were assessed for the three localities. Evaluation of the obtained results showed that R. arabica has negatively reacted to the fencing in enclosures of Kahf El-Ghola and Shaq Mussa, while the enclosure in Wadi El-Arbaen showed a significant increase in plant growth and cover. The soil seed bank of Rosa arabica reflected a reluctant of seed germination and no emergence of Rosa seedlings were observed, however, other important species (including endemic sp.) which was not in the standing vegetation were recorded. Thymus decussatus, Capparis sinaica, Mentha longifolia, Peganum harmala, Pulicaria crispa, Teucrium polium, and Verbascum sinaiticum, are examples of the emerged species out of the soil seed bank.

Anti-rheumatoid Activity of Secondary Metabolites Produced by Endophytic Chaetomium globosum.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-rheumatoid activity of secondary metabolites produced by endophytic mycobiota in Egypt. A total of 27 endophytic fungi were isolated from 10 dominant medicinal plant host species in Wadi Tala, Saint Katherine Protectorate, arid Sinai, Egypt. Of those taxa, seven isolates of Chaetomium globosum (CG1–CG7), being the most frequent taxon, were recovered from seven different host plants and screened for production of active anti-inflammatory metabolites. Isolates were cultivated on half – strength potato dextrose broth for 21 days at 28°C on a rotatory shaker at 180 rpm, and extracted in ethyl acetate and methanol, respectively. The probable inhibitory effects of both extracts against an adjuvant induced arthritis (AIA) rat model were examined and compared with the effects of methotrexate (MTX) as a standard disease-modifying anti-rheumatoid drug. Disease activity and mobility scoring of AIA, histopathology and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to evaluate probable inhibitory roles. A significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the severity of arthritis was observed in both the methanolic extract of CG6 (MCG6) and MTX treatment groups 6 days after treatment commenced. The average arthritis score of the MCG6 treatment group was (10.7 ± 0.82) compared to (13.8 ± 0.98) in the positive control group. The mobility score of the MCG6 treatment group (1.50 ± 0.55) was significantly lower than that of the positive control group (3.33 ± 0.82). In contrast, the ethyl acetate extract of CG6 (EACG6) treatment group showed no improvements in arthritis and mobility scores in AIA model rats. Histopathology and TEM findings confirmed the observation. Isolate CG6 was subjected to sequencing for confirmation of phenotypic identification. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1–5.8 s – ITS2 rDNA sequences obtained were compared with those deposited in the GenBank Database and registered with accession number KC811080 in the NCBI Database. The present study revealed that the methanol extract of endophytic fungus C. globosum (KC811080) recovered from maidenhair fern has an inhibitory effect on inflammation, histopathology and morphological features of rheumatoid arthritis in an AIA rat model.

Fungi fimicola Aegyptiaci: I. Recent investigations and conservation in arid South Sinai

Sixty one species of coprophilous fungi distributed in 39 genera were recorded from dung of goat, feral donkey and one-humped camel collected from the arid desert areas of the Saint Katherine Protectorate, South Sinai, Egypt. The samples were collected on a monthly basis from October 2012 to March 2013, dried, taken to the laboratory and incubated in moist chambers for 6 to 20 weeks. Morphological features of sporulating ascomycetes were used to characterize and identify the species. Higher number of taxa was observed in feral donkey dung, followed by camel and goat dung. On the generic level, Chaetomium came first, accommodating the highest number of species (7), followed by Fusarium, Pilobolus and Thielavia. Coprinopsis stercorea is apparently a new record for Egypt. Collections are described and the occurrence and distribution of species is discussed, supplemented with a dichotomous key to all reported taxa.