The geological history of the Arabian Peninsula has played a crucial role in shaping current diversity and distribution patterns of many Arabian and African faunal elements. The gecko genus Hemidactylus is not an exception. In this study, we provide an insight into the phylogeny and systematics of 45 recognized species of the so-called Arid clade of the genus Hemidactylus from Arabia, the Horn of Africa, the Levant and Iran. The material comprises 358 specimens sequenced for up to two mitochondrial (12S rRNA, cytochrome b) and four nuclear (mc1r, cmos, rag1, rag2) genes with 4766 bp of the concatenated alignment length. A robust calibrated phylogeny and reconstruction of historical biogeography are inferred. We link the history of this genus with major geological events that occurred in the region within the last 30 million years. Two basal divergences correspond with the break-ups of the Arabian and African landmasses and subsequent separation of Socotra from the Arabian mainland, respectively, segregating the genus by means of vicariance. Formation of the Red Sea led to isolation and subsequent radiation in the Arabian Peninsula, which was followed by multiple independent expansions: 13.1 Ma to Iran; 9.8 Ma to NE Africa; 8.2 to Socotra Archipelago; 7–7.3 Ma two colonizations to the Near East; 5.9 Ma to NE Africa; and 4.1 to Socotra. Moreover, using multiple genetic markers we detected cryptic diversity within the genus, particularly in south-western Arabia and the Ethiopian highlands, and confirmed the existence of at least seven new species in the area. These findings highlight the role of Arabia and the Horn of Africa as an important Hemidactylus diversity hotspot.

Two species of pharyngodonid (Oxyuroidea; Nematoda) parasites were collected from Agama adramitana in Saudi Arabia: Thelandros popovi Markov and Bogdanov, 1963 is redescribed and Parapharyngodon adramitana n. sp. is described for the first time. The new species resembles P. almoriensis and P. kasauli from Agama tuberculata and Uromastix hardwickii, respectively; the genital cone is relatively well-developed, broad lateral alae terminate abruptly 50 to 90 μm anterior to the anus in males, and the caudal extremity of females is abruptly truncate and bears a short spinelike caudal appendage. In P. adramitana the genital cone is less developed and the caudal appendage of the female is more robust than in P. almoriensis and P. kasauli. Parapharyngodon echinatus and P. micipsae are briefly redescribed and differentiated on the basis of material from Tarentola mauritanica (Gekkonidae) from France. Parapharyngodon acanthura (Linstow, 1904) is considered a valid name; it is not a synonym of P. micipsae as Seurat (1917) suggested. In addition, phylogenetic implications of larval morphology and the systematic position of Parapharyngodon are discussed.

SUMMARY. Evidence of zoonotic parasite infection was recorded in the faeces of the Arabian Sacred Baboon in human populated residential and non-residential areas in Asir, Southwestern Saudi Arabia. Cysts of Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba histolytica, and ova of Hymenolepis nana, Enterobius vermicularis, Ascaris sp., Trichuris sp., and a hookworm were encountered in 45 (about 39 %) of 115 faecal samples examined. A higher rate of infection was observed in the residential areas. Most of the parasites recovered in the baboons were also found to infect humans in these areas.Since this primate has previously been reported to be of zoonotic potential, it is suggested that serious measures should be brought into effect to prevent human-baboon contact in the areas investigated.

The experimental infection of rodents as potential, definitive hosts with Hymenolepis straminea indicated that hamsters and field mice were susceptible to infection. By comparison, laboratory mice exhibited a significantly lowered susceptibility. Artificially induced depression of the immune response enabled the parasite to be cultured in several strains of laboratory mice, and suggested that the thymus played a major role in rejection of the parasite.

The present work evaluates the effect of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Dendrosicyos socotrana and Jatropha unicostata on the viability of Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces in vitro, and on the development of secondary hydatid cysts, in vivo. Three different concentrations of each leaf extract were used. Concentrations of 5000 and 1000 μg/mL, for D. socotrana and J. unicostata, respectively, exhibited the highest protoscolicidal activity, significantly reducing and/or stopping protoscolex viability. Oral and intraperitoneal administration of the extracts in white mice invoked noticeable inhibitory effects on the in vivo development of secondary hydatid cysts. These effects were compared with those of albendazole sulfoxide, a commonly used treatment for hydatidosis.