Scientific Reports in Life Sciences

Review of fossil records of prehistoric reptiles, their distribution, and paleobiogeographic evolution in Pakistan

Hans-Volker Karl — 2024-09-16

Recent paleontological and geological research in Pakistan has found numerous fossils belonging to different groups of prehistoric organisms, including reptiles. Pakistan is rich in paleontological evidence of vertebrates, especially tracks/footprints of Mesozoic reptiles. These reptilian fossils are significant for paleo biogeographical studies because the region is connected to Asia in the north and east and Eurasia and Africa in the north and west. It was attached to Gondwana in the past (Jurassic and Pre-Jurassic), so Mesozoic vertebrates show distinct affinities with Gondwana, Cenozoic vertebrates show affinities with Eurasia and migrated from the Indo-Pak subcontinent via the ancient Indus system of the West Indus River (and vice versa). Neogene (Siwalik Age) deposits in India and Pakistan have produced prehistoric reptiles containing numerous fossils, many of which were named in the 19th century. Recent geological and paleontological research conducted in Pakistan at the beginning of the new millennium/third millennium (2000-2019) found more than 3,000 fossils divided into 45 biological groups (taxa).

Hematological effects of lead exposure and Moringa intervention in rats

Idoko Sunday Idoko — 2024-09-17

In this study, the hematological effects of lead acetate and defatted Moringa oleifera seed meal (DMOSM) were investigated in male Wistar rats. Eighty Wistar rats were assigned into 5 groups (16 rats each) as follows: Group I (negative control), II (lead acetate solution at 480 mg/kg), III (lead acetate solution and DMOSM at 480 mg/kg each, simultaneously), IV (lead acetate solution at 480 mg/kg for the first 14 days, followed by DMOSM at 480 mg/kg for the next 14 days, and V (DMOSM at 480mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally and daily for 28 days. Blood was collected on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 and processed for hematological examination. Results revealed non-significant (p > 0.05) increases in red blood cell parameters (PCV, Hb, RBC) at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days in groups II, III, IV, and V compared to the negative control (Group I). Group III exhibited the highest values, suggesting a potential compensatory mechanism against lead-induced anemia. White blood cell indices showed non-significant (p > 0.05) fluctuations, with Group III displaying a persistent immunomodulatory effect. Neutrophil counts were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in all treatment groups at 7 days, indicating a potential early inflammatory response. In conclusion, the results suggest a potential ameliorative effect of DMOSM on lead-induced haematological alterations. The study, therefore, highlights the intricate interplay between lead toxicity and the protective effects of M. oleifera, underscoring the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and validate these findings in diverse populations.

Evaluation of the effects of oak forest changes on Persian Squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) habitat selection

Khatoon Yousefiard — 2024-09-18

The Zagros region, with almost 5 million hectares of forest, accounts for about 40% of the total forests in Iran. The overexploitation of Zagros forests over many years has turned these valuable forests into sensitive and fragile ecosystems. Therefore, it is essential to plan for the future of forests based on their expansion trends over the past decades. The Persian Squirrel holds paramount significance among mammals in Zagros oak forests. Acquiring comprehensive knowledge of the habitat needs of this species is imperative to formulate effective management policies aimed at its preservation. This study examined quantitative (surface and density) changes in the forests of Lorestan province using Landsat satellite images (1993–2022). The maximum disorder software (Maxent) was used to prepare habitat desirability maps of the Persian Squirrel. The classification was carried out using a supervised method, classifying educational samples, and using the normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI). The classification accuracy was 94% for TM imagery and 98% for OLI imagery, with Kappa coefficients of 86% and 98%, respectively. Forest and Non- Forest areas covered 560,955.072 and 2,268,422.076 hectares of the study area in 1993, respectively. For 2022, these amounts were 409,148.81 and 2,420,249.49, respectively. In total, a staggering 5.6% of the forest area in the study area has been destroyed in recent decades. The forest density change was estimated using the FCD model, with the highest values being 0–10% in the two periods. The results showed that the most suitable habitats for the Persian Squirrel were located in the south and southwest of the province (93% = AUC). The main variables affecting this species' habitat desirability included distance from rivers and precipitation during the driest three months of the year.

Urinary Schistosomiasis in pupils of Almajiri Schools in Zangon-Shanu, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Folashade Sarah Ojeleye — 2024-09-18

Schistosomiasis is a significant public health concern due to its widespread prevalence and the associated risks to the well-being of affected populations. This study investigates the prevalence and determinants of urinary schistosomiasis among pupils in Zangon-Shanu Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Two hundred pupils between the ages of 8-17 years in four Almajiri schools were selected randomly in four Almajiri schools, from June 2021 to January 2022, in the study area. A urine sample was collected from each pupil and analyzed for Schistosoma using the sedimentation technique. A questionnaire was also administered to obtain demographic data. Results revealed that out of the 200 pupils examined, 26 (13.0%) were positive for schistosomiasis, with the highest prevalence in Malam Aminu school (18.3%) and the lowest in Malam Jafar school (5.0%). There was a higher prevalence of schistosomiasis among pupils using well water (54.0%) and borehole water (31.0%) compared to those using tap water (10.0%) or pond water (0.0%). Furthermore, 90% of pupils who swim were infected, 53.0% of the infected pupils used open field toilet facilities, while 47% used pit latrines. The study provides valuable insights into the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis and its associated risk factors among pupils in the area. It, therefore, underscores the importance of water sources and contact activities in transmitting the disease. Hence, there is a need for targeted interventions, such as health education and improved access to safe water and adequate sanitation facilities, to reduce the burden of schistosomiasis among school-going children in the area.

Habitat selection of Greater Hoopoe Lark Alaemon alaudipes (Passeriformes: Alaudidae), in Bushehr Province, Bushehr and Tangestan counties

Zahra Ramezani — 2024-09-18

In this study, which was carried out in the spring of 2022, a total of 20 points including 10 presence (nest) points and 10 absence points of Hoopoe Lark (Alaemon alaudipes) were investigated in an area of approximately 2000 hectares, in the vicinity of the Persian Gulf in Bushehr and Tangestan townships, Bushehr province, southern Iran. The characteristics of each nest as well as the environmental characteristics were investigated. The large and small internal nest diameters are 8.1±1.19 and 6.55±1.01 cm, respectively. The average large and small external diameter of the nests is 13.60±1.71 and 11.8±1.47 cm, respectively. The average depth of nests is 4.40±1.07 cm. The average distance from the bottom edge of the nest to the ground surface is 17.3±7.04 centimeters. The volume of the nests was 181±68.08 cubic centimeters. The average distance between nests is 1244.88±665.71 meters. Seven out of 10 nest directions are toward north, two is slightly towards the east and one slightly towards the west. Three environmental variables, including the distance to the asphalt road, the number of short shrubs and the percentage of bare land have significant relationship with the nest points. The nest points have a positive significant relationship with the number of short shrubs and the percentage of bare ground and had an inverse relationship with the distance to the asphalt road. The average height of the bushes on which the nests are built is 48.9±9.31 cm.

Hotspot and distribution pattern of estimated population of Markhor in Pakistan

Muhammad Idrees Khan — 2024-09-18

Pakistan host exceptional biodiversity and remarkable diversity of mammals with over 190 species. Markhor is recognized as wild goat and categorized under the order Artiodactyla, a family of Bovidae. Anyhow, It holds the status of Flagship specie as the National Mammal of Pakistan. Moreover, it is also declared as a threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Hence, the aim of the study is estimate the population distribution with identification of hotspot areas for the existence of this species within distribution range in the country. The population of this specie was estimated through the line transects or strip census method. It is estimated that 2024 individuals are found in Gilgit Baltistan with population density of 0.875 per Km². 214.65 individuals with population density of 1.1 animals per Km²are found in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The highest population is estimated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). It is 6343.2 animals with population density of 2.4 animals per Km². Meanwhile, 3922.5 heads are estimated in Baluchistan n with population density of 0.75 animals per Km². Furthermore, hotspot analysis in GIS identified the areas of both high and low occurrence for the under investigation specie within the distribution range in Pakistan. Systematically collected geographical distribution data set and analysis revealed that Chitral in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is highly populated with flared horned markhor and Torgarh and Suleiman range is highly populated with strait horned Markhor. These are the hotspot areas for this magnificent wild species. However, the anthropogenic pressure like human wildlife conflict and competition for resources contribute to the complex challenges faced by this specie in this country. The cumulative impacts of these factors underscore the urgent need for comprehensive conservation efforts to safeguard the threatened specie in Pakistan.