The CERS activities:
Nomination of the Centre for a scientific prize:
During the 27th meeting of the Saudi Biological Society meeting which was held in Jazan from 6 to 8 March 2012, Prof. Dawah's article was nominated for first prize as the best scientific article amongst 450 communication submitted for the meeting. Prof. Dawah's article was entitled "Long term studies to investigate pollinator status, dynamics and population decline in south-western Saudi Arabia".
(photo Prof Hassan)
Also during the same meeting another article entitled " Cold hardiness and chilling zone map for Saudi Arabia" by Mr. Moussa Alaqsum and Prof. Habib Khemira of the CERS was nominated as one of the best of 20 communications at the meeting.
The news has been widely covered by the national newspapers: http://www.jazantoday.org/news.php?action=show&id=2283
http://www.alsharq.net.sa/2012/04/14/219710#comment-72247
http://www.albiladdaily.com/news.php?action=show&id=97611
http://www.alazd.net/news.php?action=show&id=18738
http://www.alnadwah.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=20120415130401&display=1
http://www.jazanu.edu.sa/News/Pages/news0122041433.aspx
Discoveries:
The CERS recently identified the species Coptops aedificator (Fab.) which belongs to the family Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) for the first time. This species causes the death of mango branches. The CERS is performing a study on the biology of this economic pest and the best method to control it. Dr Brain Levy from the National Museum of Wales, U.K. has confirmed the identification of this species.
Collaboration:
Prof. Hugh Loxdale who specializes in molecular techniques visited the CERS for 3 weeks from 15th November to 4 December 2011. He discussed future collaboration with the Centre and suggested a foundation plan for a molecular biology unit to be set up at the CERS. He also gave 11 lectures to staff and undergraduate students on the topics:
- Insect migration, with special reference to aphids,
- Molecular markers and their application in pure and applied entomology,
- How can rare animals and plants survive?
- Insect-host plant relationships: a very old arms race indeed,
- Generalism and specialism in nature: what insects can teach us about ourselves,
- Ecological strategies in sexual and asexual animals,
- Competition as an ecological driver in nature,
- Insect mimicry: seeing is believing…or is it?
- Why study insects?: The joys of being an entomologist,
- Desert life: a case of adapt or perish.
(photo)
Prof. John Deeming of the National Museum of Wales, UK visited the CERS for 3 weeks from 27th January to 15th February 2012. He collected insects from Abu Aresh, Aseer and Farasan Island. He is going to take part in the development of a specialized insect collection for the Centre. Prof. Deeming also supervised a workshop on "the identification of Arabian insects of medical importance with particular reference to mosquitoes" which was held on 7 and 8 February 2012 at the CERS. The aims of the workshop were: :..........
- to learn the diagnostic importance of male genitalia examination of mosquitoes,
- to be able to recognize different genera of mosquitoes from adults and to recognize a few species that are medically important,
- to recognize diagnostic characters of mosquito larvae, pupae and adults of both sexes,
- to learn mounting techniques of mosquitoes, including those of pupal exuviae,
- to recognize screw worm (Chrysomya bezziana), tumbu fly (Cordylobia anthropophaga) and medically important house flies (Musca spp.).
(photo)
New Species to Science
During the study of biodiversity of insect in Jazan eighteen new species to science were discovered which are in their final stages of description. Fourteen of these species belong to the family Chloropidae (Diptera) and were collected from Abu Aresh while other three species belong to the families Eurytomidae and Eupelmidae (Hymenoptera) and were reared from insect galls on Tamarix aphylla and Suaeda monoica. The families of Eurytomidae and Eupelmidae had not been recorded in Saudi Arabia before.
