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Freshwater mussels of the genus Sinanodonta , native to East Asia, are among the most successful invasive bivalves globally, known for their rapid reproduction and growth, broad environmental tolerances, and ability to disrupt aquatic ecosystems. Their arrival and subsequent spread in parts of the Middle East remains poorly documented. Here, we present new DNA-based evidence that confirms the invasion of Iraq’s freshwater ecosystems by two genetically distinct Sinanodonta lineages: Sinanodonta woodiana and Sinanodonta pacifica . Using COI DNA sequences, we confirm the co-occurrence of these lineages in southern Iraq, a pattern not previously reported in any Middle Eastern country. The two invasions appear to result from independent introduction pathways, both through their obligatory parasitic larvae on fish: aquaculture of East Asian carp ( S. woodiana ), and the ornamental fish trade or tilapia farming ( S. pacifica ). This discovery raises significant ecological concerns, as the dual invasion may further threaten Iraq’s already declining native mussel fauna, particularly the endemic and potentially extirpated Anodonta vescoiana . Our findings highlight Iraq as an emerging hotspot for freshwater biological invasions, likely driven by its growing and largely unregulated fish farming industry. This underscores the urgent need for targeted genetic monitoring, risk assessments, and biosecurity measures to prevent further spread and ecological impact.

This study assesses the diversity, distribution, and ecological interactions of freshwater gastropod communities across eight sites in southern Iraq, spanning marshes, rivers, and canal systems within the Tigris-Euphrates basin. Diversity indices (Shannon–Wiener H′ and Pielou’s evenness J) were calculated to evaluate community structure, and a revised stacked bar chart of relative abundances revealed widespread dominance by species such as Melanoides tuberculata and Physella acuta, which frequently exceeded 50% of local assemblages. While P. acuta is an established invasive species, M. tuberculata is now considered native or long-established in the region. Species interactions were examined using Pianka’s niche overlap index, and null model testing (999 permutations) revealed only a few statistically significant overlaps (p < 0.05), suggesting that species co-occurrence is shaped more by environmental filtering than direct competition. To directly examine the influence of environmental drivers on species composition, Multiple Factor Analysis (MFA) was performed. MFA revealed patterns of association between dissolved oxygen, salinity, and species assemblages, suggesting these abiotic factors may influence community structure. To our knowledge, this study is the first in Iraq to use null models, constrained ordination, and MFA to investigate community assembly of freshwater gastropods, ultimately producing novel insights regarding the interactions between environmental stressors and aquatic biodiversity patterns. The results of this study highlight the need for long-term ecological monitoring and conservation in marshland habitats important for the resiliency of native species.

The Konya Closed Basin (KCB) in Türkiye plays a key role in agricultural production and freshwater supply. However, the basin is impacted by humanly derived nitrogenous compounds and toxic metals. Keeping the water quality at a potable level in the basin is compulsory. This study was part of a project yielding monitoring of water quality in KCB in accordance with the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC). Eleven stations, except Beyşehir Lake and Mamasın Dam, were sampled for the first time for freshwater molluscs. Community structure indexes and multivariate statistical analyses were applied to determine the microhabitats of gastropods and their responses to environmental changes. The structure and distribution of gastropod assemblages differed depending on total phosphate, total nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, and pH. This study revealed that most of the gastropods in KCB are relatively tolerant to biodegradable pollution. However, there is a strong observed decline in population size requiring intensive future monitoring; measures have to be taken to preserve the remaining populations. Two endemic species need an urgent action plan to protect their habitats: Theodoxus anatolicus of Çeltik Canal and Bithynia pseudemmericia of Beyşehir Lake; a re-assessment of their extinction risk according to the IUCN rules is needed (2022). The results of this study will be useful for comparison with future studies to document potential improvements or continued ecological regression in the quality of aquatic ecosystems in the watershed.

Purpose: In contemporary implant dentistry, bone mineral density (BMD) of the jaws is a patient‐associated prognostic factor. The aim of this study was to compare the mandibular body BMD of dentate and edentulous patients using the dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) technique. Materials and Methods: A total of 39 patients, 20 dentate and 19 edentulous, were included in this cross‐sectional study. Mandibular body BMD was measured using the DXA technique. The variables were normally distributed; thus, the independent samples t‐test was used for the determination of statistical significance between the dentate and edentulous groups (age, body mass index [BMI], DXA). Chi‐square test was performed for identification of the gender differences between the groups. The Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between age, BMI, and mandibular body BMD. Note that p < 0.01 was accepted as the significance level. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the dentate and edentulous groups in matching variables (age, BMI, and gender) (p > 0.01). There was a statistically significant difference regarding the mandibular body BMD in the dentate and edentulous group (p < 0.01) controlling for age, gender, and BMI. The edentulous group patients had higher mandibular body BMD values (1.27 ± 0.31 g/cm²) than those in the dentate group (0.94 ± 0.22 g/cm²). Conclusion: Comparison of the mandibular body BMD revealed that dentate patients had less dense bone than the edentulous patients. Further investigations are needed to determine the BMD of the jaws in different regions and for different systemic conditions.

Although several studies have addressed the relationship between systemic bone mineral status and the severity of periodontitis, there is little knowledge of the relationship between periodontal disease and locally detected bone mineral density. The aim of this study was to compare the mandibular bone mineral density of patients with chronic periodontitis with that of periodontally healthy subjects. 48 systemically healthy subjects were included in the study and underwent a periodontal examination to determine their status. 24 subjects were periodontally healthy and the other 24 had moderate or severe chronic periodontitis. The mandibular bone mineral density of the subjects was determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The region of interest on the body of the mandible was independently determined on the dual energy absorptiometry radiographs, and a computer calculated the bone mineral density of these regions. The mandibular bone mineral density of the subjects with periodontitis was significantly lower than that of the periodontally healthy subjects (p < 0.01). There were significant negative correlations between the mandibular bone mineral density values and parameters related to the amount of periodontal destruction. Low bone mineral density in the jaw may be associated with chronic periodontitis.

This paper reports on results of several collecting trips of the authors in Turkey. In the course of this research, a long-lasting question was addressed. It co

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2012.00625.xComparison of mandibular bone mineral density in osteoporotic, osteopenic and normal elderly edentulous subjects measured by the dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry techniqueObjective:  The aim of this study was to compare the mandibular body bone mineral density according to bone mineral density status of spine and femur measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) technique in elderly edentulous individuals.Background:  One of the factors that affect the survival rate of implants is bone mineral density (BMD) of the jaws.Materials and methods:  Fifty edentulous elderly patients’ (27 women and 23 men) spine, femur and the mandibular body BMDs were measured using DXA technique. BMD scans of the AP lumbar spine (L2–L3) and femur were classified using World Health Organisation criteria for bone mass.Results:  There was a statistically significant difference between the normal femur group’s–osteoporosis group’s mandibular body BMD (p = 0.001) and femoral osteopaenia group’s–osteoporosis group’s mandibular body BMD (p < 0.001). The femoral osteoporosis group’s mandibular body BMDs were lower than those of both the normal femoral and the femoral osteopaenia group subjects’.Conclusion:  Classification of edentulous mandibles according to low and high bone mineral densities is a problem in implant dentistry. The results of this study demonstrated that femoral bone mineral density status may be used to provide preliminary information about the bone mineral density of the mandibular body region in elderly edentulous subjects.