Four large foraminiferal species have been newly recorded from the Darb Gaga area. The Darb Gaga area is represented by the Upper Paleocene-Lower Eocene succession, which is composed of the Esna Formation (Fm.) at the base followed upward by the lowermost part of the Thebes Fm. The present work concentrates on Abu Had Member (Mb.), the upper part of the Esna Fm., and the Thebes Fm. A new genus (Solimanina) is introduced for the first time in Egypt. Two species (Solimanina canaliferus and Solimanina conf. subgranulosa) belong to this genus. These species are recorded from the Abu Had Mb. Moreover, Nummulites pernotus and Nummulites partschi have been documented from the Thebes Fm. Morphometric, biometric, taxonomic and systematic study of the large benthonic foraminifera (LBF) in integration with field, litho- and bio-stratigraphical studies of the study area have been done. The recorded LBF species assigned the Abu Had Mb. and the lowermost part of the Thebes to be Early Eocene in age (Ypresian), within SBZ10 (the beginning of Late Ypresian). The shift from the outer shelf environment prevailed during the deposition of the Darb Gaga Mb. to the inner shelf environment of the Abu Had Mb. and the lowermost part of the Thebes Fm. may be due to sea-level changes and/or tectonism that occurred in Early Eocene (Ypresian) age.

The aim of the current study was to examine and document the diverse scale characteristics of three species of gerreid fish, namely Gerres longirostris (standard length [SL] 166–212 mm, Gerres oyena (SL 120–135 mm) and Gerres oblongus (SL 217–268 mm) from the Red Sea, Hurghada, Egypt. Variations in inter-specific geomorphometrics and in meristics of radii of the scales of these gerreid species were clearly evident in terms of size and shape. Light and scanning electron microscopic techniques were used to identify and describe the detailed scale structure and surface ornamentation of these Gerres species. These studies revealed a wide range of variations in surface morphology, interradial tongues and circuli, outer and inner lateral circuli, denticles, interradial and intercircular grooves, caudal field segmentation and granulation pattern, position of scales on fish, annuli and radii as well as lateral line canal. These findings have unequivocally demonstrated the potential use of scale size and shape variation as a means of identifying the Gerres species studied. Scale characteristics are a taxonomy tool that can be used for the identification of stocks and fisheries management.

The present investigation aimed to document and analyze the diversity of scale characteristics in three Nemipterus species; N. zysron (12.2–18.5 cm SL), N. randalli (13–18 cm SL), and N. japonicus (8.5–17.2 cm SL) collected from the Egyptian Red Sea near Hurghada. Assessing interspecific differences in scale morphology, geometry, and morphometry provides valuable insights for taxonomy and stock identification. The results revealed pronounced interspecific variations in scale geometry, morphometrics, and radii meristics, particularly with respect to overall shape and size. Detailed structural features and surface ornamentation were examined using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Notable differences were observed in surface morphology, interradial and intercircular grooves, interradial tongues and circuli, denticles, inner and outer lateral circuli and caudal field segmentation and granulation pattern. The observed variation in scale form among the three species underscores the potential utility of scale morphology in stock discrimination. Collectively, these findings contribute to improved species differentiation and offer a valuable tool for fisheries management and taxonomic assessment.

Background

Synanthropic filth flies thrive in human and animal habitats, posing health risks through the transmission of infectious agents. They breed on organic waste, including animal feces, making them carriers of various pathogens. In Egypt, where livestock farming is common and poor sanitation, these flies may contribute to zoonotic disease transmission. The current study investigates parasitic infections in filth flies from three livestock farms in Assiut Governorate, Upper Egypt, highlighting their role as vectors for zoonotic infections, particularly Cryptosporidium, via morphological and molecular tools.

Methods

A total of 12,749 flies were collected from the study sites via sweep nets. After taxonomic identification, the flies were examined microscopically for parasites using various concentration and staining techniques. Positive samples were further confirmed for infections, particularly for Cryptosporidium parasites, via nested PCR and sequence analysis targeting the COWP and SSU rRNA genes.

Results

This study revealed the presence of several fly species from seven dipteran families, particularly the family Muscidae, primarily Musca domestica, which presented a high parasite infestation rate of 96.6%. This study revealed a high prevalence of various protozoans and helminths in the collected flies. Cryptosporidium was the most prevalent parasite (64.4–100%), infecting all fly species. Entamoeba and Balantidium were also significant, especially in M. domestica (22.6–90.1%, 8.9–100%), Fannia canicularis (10.5–74.4%, 44.2–88.2%), and Borborillus vitripennis (11.1–50%, 37.2–91.4%). Giardia, Trichuris, and Trichostrongylidae had low to moderate prevalence in multiple fly species. Mites are commonly detected on fly exoskeletons, with high infestation rates observed in Musca domestica (77–100%) and Physiphora alceae (66.7–100%). The present study also reported sporadic infections with Trichomonas, Toxocara vitulorum, and pseudoscorpions, along with notable midge larval infestations (52.1%), mainly at site B. Parasitic infections were highest in autumn and spring, with the lowest rates in winter. Molecular identification confirmed the presence of the zoonotic species Cryptosporidium parvum and Cladotanytarsus gedanicus.

Conclusion

This study revealed that zoonotic parasites exist in flies and pose potential risks when they are found near humans. Cryptosporidium parvum is the prevalent parasite causing diarrhea outbreaks in animals. This is the first genetic evidence of Cladotanytarsus gedanicus midge from Upper Egypt.

Despite its high toxicity and corrosivity, hydrogen fluoride (HF) is widely used in industrial processes such as fluorine compound synthesis, aluminum production, and gasoline refining. As the only weak hydrohalic acid, HF may exist in its molecular, undissociated form in some aqueous and biological environments. HF has similar polarity to H₂O, and both liquids exhibit hydrogen bond-driven molecular associations. However, their electrostatic potential surfaces differ: the oxygen atom in H₂O carries a more negative potential than the fluorine atom in HF, while the hydrogen atom in HF carries a more positive potential than in H₂O.