El-Mustapha Laghzaoui

Identifying phylogeographic breaks and deciphering the relative contributions of environmental extrinsic (e.g., geological barriers, ecological gradients) and organismal intrinsic (e.g., limited dispersal, reproductive incompatibilities) factors to their persistence remain challenging, especially in the absence of genomic data. Here, we address this issue using parapatric lineages of the lizard Acanthodactylus erythrurus in south‐western Morocco. A previous study based on nine nuclear loci identified two phylogeographic units (coastal vs. inland) whose separation did not align with landscape features preventing migration. The coastal lineage was inferred to evolve under isolation by distance (IBD, the regular increase of genetic differentiation with geographic distance), despite the presence of large rivers across its range. This suggests either that phylogeographic breaks do not align with landscape features, or that the restricted marker set prevented an accurate inference of phylogeographic breaks. We tested these hypotheses using RADseq data and recovered three lineages, each separated by phylogeographic breaks and narrow contact zones with restricted admixture. Coastal populations that had been previously identified to evolve under IBD actually included two lineages separated by a major, permanent river, reducing migration. The inland phylogeographic break, correctly identified by the previous study, is located in a continuously distributed habitat. Neither of the breaks aligned with steep changes in bioclimatic variables, suggesting a negligible contribution of local adaptation. We conclude that intrinsic reproductive barriers, as evidenced by narrow clines in allele frequencies at multiple loci spread over the genome, play a major role in maintaining these phylogeographic breaks. Our results also highlight the difficulty of identifying phylogeographic breaks from pre‐genomic molecular data.

Scorpion venom is known for its richness in bioactive molecules, particularly peptides, which confer a wide range of remarkable biological activities. Notably, it exhibits antimicrobial, antitumor, and immunomodulatory effects. However, its clinical translation remains limited due to its poor stability, dose-dependent toxicity, and potential immunogenicity. In this context, biodegradable biomaterials have emerged as promising platforms to overcome these limitations. They enable precise, targeted, and sustained delivery of scorpion venom peptides. This chapter highlights an innovative approach based on the integration of scorpion venom into biodegradable biopolymer matrices for applications in modern medicine. By leveraging the unique properties of biodegradable biomaterials, this work outlines a roadmap for the development of next-generation clinical applications.

This study examined the intestinal parasites of four species of wild‐living amphibians in Southern Morocco, detailing the prevalence and intensity of infections. A total of 64 of 158 (41%) of individual amphibians were infected with helminths, with prevalence and intensity of infection significantly varying between species of host and locality of collection. All individuals were identified as Cosmocerca ornata (Nematoda: Cosmocercidae). The prevalence of infection differed significantly between age groups (adults vs. juveniles), sexes, and localities. The intensity of infection differed significantly between adults and juveniles (ANOVA, F = 3.271, p ≤ 0.001). Our study revealed new localities for C. ornata infecting Pelophylax saharicus . In addition, the present study is the first report on the occurrence of cosmocercid species from the endemic Moroccan painted frog ( Discoglossus scovazzi ).

Following the report of neonate mortality in the Kaf El Ghar cave, Taza province, Morocco, we conducted two diurnal visits over two years (2023 and 2024) to assess diversity and breeding of bats in the cave and surrounding habitat. In the Garden house (foraging habitat), we used an automated bat detector SM4, positioned at 4 m of height from midnight to sunset. The following day, we made a diurnal visit to Kaf El Ghar cave, combining echolocation calls detection, hand netting of nearby bats, and counts of deceased neonates and other bats found on the ground. In the foraging area, we identified six bat species: Pipistrellus pipistrellus (517 acoustic detection), Miniopterus schreibersii (12), Eptesicus isabellinus (4), Rhinolophus hipposideros (4), and Myotis punicus (1). Inside Kaf El Ghar cave, we recorded M. schreibersii (720 individuals in the first year, 640 in the second) and M. punicus (500 and 460, respectively), alongside smaller numbers of E. isabellinus (5 and 7 detections), and Rhinolophus euryale (3 detections). Both M. schreibersii and M. punicus occupied the ceiling of the maternity room, bearing their young. In total, 286 cadavers (127 in the first year, 159 in the second year) were counted from the ground of the maternity gallery, consisting primarily of juveniles of M. schreibersii and M. punicus, with a single adult female R. euryale. This study highlights the critical role of Kaf El Ghar cave as a maternity site and underscores significant juvenile mortality during the breeding period, emphasizing the need for focused conservation efforts.

Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and various neurodegenerative diseases are generally characterized by neuronal loss, which directly induces cognitive and motor dysfunctions. Secondary metabolites, as natural products of aromatic and medicinal plants and other origins, could present a promising alternative source to combat neurodegenerative diseases. With their important phytochemical composition, especially in alkaloids, terpenes, flavonoids, and polyphenols, these secondary metabolites pave the way for the development of new therapies. Their neuroprotective properties and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities constitute a solid basis for their use in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases. This chapter aims to explore the therapeutic effects of secondary metabolites in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases while discussing the responsible mechanisms, challenges, perspectives, as well as the limits of this application.

Haematophagous ectoparasites draw resources from their hosts, reducing host body condition and altering haematology and immune physiology. The tick Ixodes ricinus is a hard tick whose immature stages can infest the lizard host Psammodromus algirus along its geographic distribution. However, few studies have examined the associations between tick infestation and lizard immune physiology and susceptibility to other infections. In this study, we analysed the geographic variation in tick ectoparasitism in P. algirus across 17 sites in the Iberian Peninsula and North-western Africa. We also examined the relationship between tick pressure, immune physiology, and haemoglobin concentration in these lizards. In addition, we tested whether P. algirus hosts infested by ticks were more often infected with blood parasites. All ticks found on P. algirus from the Iberian Peninsula belonged to the I. ricinus species, while the genera Hyalomma and Haemaphysalis were found only on P. algirus from Morocco. Tick prevalence and infestation intensity varied widely among geographic locations. All lizards from a single sampling site in central Spain were infested and harboured the highest tick loads, but no lizards from southern Spain were infested. Intermediate values of infestation were found in Portugal and Morocco. Infested adults harboured more ticks than infested juveniles. The presence and number of ticks were not correlated with the lizards’ leucocyte counts nor with the heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, but infested males had a lower H/L ratio than infested females. No significant relationship was found between tick infestation and the presence of blood parasites. We also tested the inter-individual variation in haemoglobin concentration of lizards in a single site, and it was not explained by tick load. Our results show that tick ectoparasitism in P. algirus hosts drastically varies across geography, but it did not correlate with the lizards’ immune histology, haematic physiology, or status of infection by blood parasites.

Ecosistemas 34(2) 2931-Dataset

The objective of this study is to assess the occurrence of intestinal parasites in Mediterranean pond turtle Mauremys leprosa leprosa collected from three contrasting environments in Morocco. Stool samples from 92 turtles were examined for parasite detection and enumeration. The identified intestinal parasites belong to helminths (oxyurids and ascarid) and protozoa (Entamoebidae). A total of 25 turtles (27.17%) were found to be infected by helminths and/or protozoan parasites. No adult form of these parasites was detected. Eggs of oxyurid and ascarid were detected in individuals of populations studied from Oued Ksob (23.07% and 30.76% of n = 13 turtles) and Oued Zat (34.14% and 24.39% of n = 41 turtles), respectively. For protozoa, Entamoeba cysts were present in turtles in Oued Ksob (15.38% of n = 13 turtles), Oued Zat (12.19% of n = 41 turtles), and Oued Tensift (5.26% of n = 38 turtles) localities. Oxyurid eggs showed the highest intensity at Oued Zat reaching 29.30 ± 59.59 eggs per gram (EPG), versus 12 ± 0.38 EPG for ascaris eggs in Oued Ksob. Entamoeba cysts were detected in lower levels with a maximum of 1.66 ± 1.50 cysts per gram (CPG), in Oued Zat. The prevalence of turtles eliminating eggs was statistically significant between localities for different parasite groups. This study reports for the first time a parasitological characterization of gastrointestinal parasites in wild populations of M. leprosa leprosa from contrasting environments, suggesting a relationship between turtles’ infestation and the quality of their habitat.

Purpose Understanding the factors influencing parasite diversification, their distribution and infection patterns among hosts provides valuable information on the impact of parasitism on natural populations and the dynamics and evolution of disease outbreaks. In this study, we investigated prevalence and intensity of infection by blood parasites, the diversity, distribution, host specificity and infection patterns of apicomplexan parasites in lizards of Morocco. Methods Samples from lizard specimens were collected between 2019 and 2021 from different prospected localities in Morocco. In total, 1500 lizards were collected, and their blood and tail tips were screened for blood parasites. Results Using a PCR approach, we detected two distinct apicomplexan parasite groups (haemogregarines and haemococcidians) and also Stramenopiles (Proteromonas). A significant difference was identified between hosts families, with no agamids or skinks infected and with particularly high infection rates in lacertids. Twenty-four samples were sequenced and included in a phylogenetic assessment. Two samples of Atlantolacerta andreanskyi were infected with unidentified species of Proteromonas. Three samples were infected with haemococcidians, including two samples with Schellackia and another sample with Lankesterella, more closely related to others isolated from bird hosts. These are the first reports of Lankesterella and Proteromonas in these lizards from Morocco. Nineteen different isolates of the complex of Hepatozoon/Karyolysus were identical or very similar to previously sequenced parasites from North Africa and Iberian Peninsula and included new host species. Conclusion Our results highlight the need for future research on the vectors involved in transmission that may influence the ecology and distribution patterns of these parasites. Given that Morocco is a hot spot of endemicity and reptile richness, our results are relevant not only in the context of their taxonomy, but can also have implications for conservation.