Publications by authors named "Mourad Khaldi"
The mechanisms shaping island biotas are not yet well understood mostly because of a lack of studies comparing eco-evolutionary fingerprints over entire taxonomic groups. Here, we linked community structure (richness, frequency and nestedness) and genetic differentiation (based on mitochondrial DNA) in order to compare insular butterfly communities occurring over a key intercontinental area in the Mediterranean (Italy-Sicily-Maghreb). We found that community characteristics and genetic structure were influenced by a combination of contemporary and historical factors, and among the latter, connection during the Pleistocene had an important impact.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Researchers discovered the first natural infections of hedgehogs with Leishmania major in Algeria, where cutaneous leishmaniasis is a significant health concern.
- The study involved 24 hedgehogs, identifying them as two species: Atelerix algirus and Paraechinus aethiopicus, using various serological and molecular methods to test for the presence of the parasite.
- The findings indicated that these hedgehogs may play a role as reservoir hosts for Leishmania major, with specific antibodies and DNA detected in a percentage of the tested individuals.
Hedgehogs have become a popular pet despite their potential role in zoonotic disease transmission. We conducted an entomological study in a mountainous region of northeast Algeria in which we collected 387 fleas (Archeopsylla erinacei) and 342 ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Haemaphysalis erinacei) from Paraechinus aethiopicus and Atelerix algirus hedgehogs. Of the hedgehogs sampled, 77.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF