Salman D. Salman’s research while affiliated with University of Basrah and other places

The present study makes use of both morphometric and molecular biological data to identify the bisexual population of Artemia in Basrah, as there was confusion about the nomenclature regarding the identity of the species as currently used in Iraq. Thus, Artemia franciscana is now confirmed to occur in Basrah. A parthenogenetic species of Artemia was also encountered in this region. A comparison of morphometric characters and DNA sequencing data was made for strains of the same species from various localities, and with populations or strains of different Artemia species from all over the world. French La présente étude utilise les données morphométriques et de biologie moléculaire pour identifier la population bisexuelle d'Artemia de Basrah, à cause de la confusion observée au niveau nomenclatural concernant l'identité de l'espèce, et utilisée actuellement en Iraq. Ainsi, la présence d'Artemia franciscana est maintenant confirmée à Basrah. Une espèce parthénogénétique d'Artemia a été rencontrée également dans cette région. Une comparaison des caractères morphométriques et des données de séquençage de l'ADN a été menée entre des lignées de la même espèce provenant de diverses localités, et aussi entre des populations ou lignées de différentes espèces d'Artemia de différentes parties du monde.

Some biological aspects of the copepods, Apocyclops dengizicus and Mesocyclops isabellae were studied at a pool in Garmet-Ali during the period between August 1998 and July 1999. The laboratory sex ratio was in favour of the females: 3.6:1 and 2.06:1 in the two species respectively. The females of the two species showed faster growth during the copepodites IV, V and the adult. The males reached the adult stage at a shorter time than the females. All stages of life of A. dengizicus appeared in August 1998 and then disappeared. In February 1999, a few copepodites and adults were present, peaked in March and disappeared during April. M. isabellae appeared between August 1998 - December 1998, then disappeared and reappeared in April 1999. It is suggested that predation and cannibalism may be the causes of diapause in the two species. © Central Fisheries Research Institute (CFRI) Trabzon, Turkey and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The production of the hymenosomatid crab Elamenopsis kempi was calculated for a period of 18 months from a subtidal area of the Garmat-Ali river, southern Iraq. The highest average individual somatic energy was attained in spring. Maximum population biomass and production were attained by the summer cohort and the minimum values were exhibited by the overwintering cohort. The fluctuations of the average population biomass were followed throughout the sampling period. Average total annual population production was 13.2 g DW · m-2· a-1 and the P/B ratio was 5.9. These values were compared with those of the most common crustaceans in the region.

The complete series of larval development of the caridean shrimp Exopalaemon styliferus (H. Milne Edwards, 1840) was determined from the laboratory hatching or ovigerous females. There were 6 zoeal stages followed by a megalopa. The distinctive features of zoea 1 are as follows: total length 2.72 mm, rostrum shorter than peduncle of antennules, scaphognathite of maxilla with 5 setose marginal setae and there are 3 rudiments of peraeopods. These stages were described in detail. A comparison was made with lavae of closely related species.

Peak release of zoea I larvae of the warmwater shrimp, Caridina babaulti basrensis (Al-Adhub AHY 19871. Al-Adhub , AHY . 1987. On a new subspecies of a freshwater shrimp (Decapoda, Atyidae) from the Shatt Al-Arab River, Iraq. Crustaceana, 53: 1–4. View all references) in the field coincided with the highest summer water temperature (33°C). Zoea I abundances did not correlate significantly with the phase of the lunar cycle (p = 0.256) and only slightly with time of day (day : night regimes, p = 0.079). Temperature correlated significantly with zoeae I larval release in the field (p < 0.0001). Development and respiration were measured at constant water temperatures ranging from 20 to 35°C in coordination with the temporal distribution of larvae in the field. Cumulative duration for the development of the larval phase of C. babaulti basrensis was 11.4, 7.7, and 6.1 days at 25, 30, and 35°C, respectively. Larvae were unable to complete development at 20°C. Respiration rate for larval C. babaulti basrensis increased in direct proportion to temperature, and revealed metabolic stress at high temperatures. Laboratory rearing supported field data, which indicated a constraint on the presence of stage I zoeae in the plankton at lower temperatures (20°C). Although some larval stages may be metabolically stressed at higher temperatures, rapid development rates accomplished at higher temperatures may be a likely mechanism for retention within the habitat and recruitment to the adult population.

The rate of oxygen consumption of the subtidal hymenosomatid crab Elamenopsis kempi, was studied from February 1988-December of the same year. The experiments were conducted by a Gilson respirometer over a wide temperature range (15-35°C), with the aim of estimating the individual oxygen consumption. Individual rate of oxygen consumption increased with increasing body mass at all temperatures for males, females and ovigerous females. The mean rate of oxygen consumption over the temperature range studied for the males varied from 1.20-22.38 μ1 02 ind-1 h-1, for the females from 2.05-20.73 and for the ovigerous females from 5.07-27.31 μ1 02 ind-1 h-1. The metabolic rate of the males ranged from 0.130-0.63, of the females from 0.35-1.034 and of the ovigerous females from 0.309 -1.096 μ1 02 mg-1 h-1. The overall Q10 value was 1.92. The males were thermally sensitive at 15-25°C and compensate at 20-30°C, whereas the females, both non-ovigerous and ovigerous were compensating at all temperatures.

A population of the intertidal, ovoviviparous, cirolanid isopod Annina mesopotamica was studied at the Al-Chibassy tributary of the Shatt Al-Arab river from 14 May 1973 to 29 April 1974, and at the Garmat-Ali river of the Shatt Al-Arab, Basrah, Iraq from 5 November 1984 to 30 June 1986. Population density varied between 128 to 5760 individuals m–2 with a mean of 1218 m–2. Highest numbers occurred between June and September. Breeding extended for most of the year except November/January to February/March, although ovigerous females were present throughout the year. The incubation period varied with season, and was ca. 2 weeks during the warmest period, and about a month at lower temperatures. Egg numbers varied between 4 to 66 with mean 24. Brood size was linearly proportional to female size. The size frequency distribution of the population was polymodal with a predominance of females over males. Four different types of growth curves were found: exponential, concave, convex, and intermediate between concave and convex. Growth rate varied between 0.63 and 2.19 mm month–1. Mortality was higher among summer cohorts. Life span varied between 5 and 11 months.

Migration of Metapenaeus affinis (H. Milne-Edwards) from the Arabian Gulf to nursery grounds in the inland waters of Iraq extends from May/June to January/February. Shrimp ranging in size from 3–125 mm total length were found in inland waters. In the shallow waters of the Al-Assaflya small-sized shrimp only were caught, while in the Marshes large-sized shrimp were abundant. Maximum numbers of recruits were recorded when temperatures reached 23–25 °C. However, the discharge of the Shatt Al-Arab may also be an important factor regulating recruitment. The growth rates of small shrimp were higher than those of large ones. There mostly was, a preponderance of females over males. Spawning at sea appears to occur immediately after emigration. Gonad development was not observed. Commercial landings, at the two main fish markets at Basrah, during September–November 1985 averaged 1000 kg day−1.

Les larves de Caridina babaulti basrensis Al-Adhub & Hamzah provenant d'une femelle ovigère ont été élevées en laboratoire. Elles ont effectué sept mues avant que l'expérience ne s'achève. Le mode de développement de cette espèce a été comparé avec des descriptions disponibles de larves d'espèces du même genre ou de certains autres genres.