A new distribution locality for the Forest Dormouse, Dryomys nitedula, is reported from Ashrafiat Al Wade in the Barada River valley, northwest of Damascus. The specimens are morphologically similar to the Arabian and Turkish populations. Some ecological and biological aspects are discussed.

Dromedary camels are the natural reservoirs of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Camels are mostly bred in East African countries then exported into Africa and Middle East for consumption. To understand the distribution of MERS-CoV among camels in North Africa and the Middle East, we conducted surveillance in Egypt, Senegal, Tunisia, Uganda, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. We also performed longitudinal studies of three camel herds in Egypt and Jordan to elucidate MERS-CoV infection and transmission. Between 2016 and 2018, a total of 4027 nasal swabs and 3267 serum samples were collected from all countries. Real- time PCR revealed that MERS-CoV RNA was detected in nasal swab samples from Egypt, Senegal, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia. Microneutralization assay showed that antibodies were detected in all countries. Positive PCR samples were partially sequenced, and a phylogenetic tree was built. The tree suggested that all sequences are of clade C and sequences from camels in Egypt formed a separate group from previously published sequences. Longitudinal studies showed high seroprevalence in adult camels. These results indicate the widespread distribution of the virus in camels. A systematic active surveillance and longitudinal studies for MERS-CoV are needed to understand the epidemiology of the disease and dynamics of viral infection.

The genetic structure of four populations of Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) from different ecogeographical regions of Saudi Arabia was studied. To detect genetic differences among populations, the sequences of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene of 21 individuals of A. crassicauda from Saudi Arabia, and 11 sequences from Iran were utilised. The nucleotide and haplotype diversity were constructed. The results revealed a high level of haplotype and nucleotide diversity within all populations. A total of eighteen haplotypes were identified, 17 of which were unique. Molecular variance analysis (AMOVA) indicated a high genetic diversity reflecting differences between the populations. Fixation indices revealed significant genetic structure among all populations from Saudi Arabia and Iran. Also, the phylogenetic tree and the haplotype network analyses show the existence of three distinct clusters of A. crassicauda in Saudi Arabia and Iran.