Papers by Salman Al-Shami
The present study was aimed to investigate the floristic diversity and phytogeographical distribu... more The present study was aimed to investigate the floristic diversity and phytogeographical distribution of plant species along four sites i.e. Sharma, Alqan, Al-Lwaz Mountains and Alzetah from Tabuk region, Saudi Arabia. A total of 96 species belonging to 75 genera and 38 families (34 dicots and 4 monocots) were recorded. Asteraceae had the highest contribution (12.5% of the total species) followed by Fabaceae (10.42%), Zygophyllaceae (6.25%) and Lamiaceae (5.21%). The life form spectrum of the recorded species showed the prevalence of theorphytes (37%) followed by chamaephytes (32%), geeophytes (13%), hemicryptophytes (10%) and Phanerophytes (8%). The chorological analysis of the recorded species indicated the predominance of monoregional taxa over the other elements. In the same context, the flora of Tabuk region, as reflected by the present study findings, showed that most species belonged to Saharo-Arabian (37.21%), Irano-Turanian (11.63%) and Sudanean (10.47%) elements, and that ...
We examined the fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in larvae of two Odonata genera; Pseudagrion sp. (Zygo... more We examined the fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in larvae of two Odonata genera; Pseudagrion sp. (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae) and Onychothemis sp. (Anisoptera: Libelulidae) living in a relatively polluted river as a tool for water quality assessment. Larval and water samples were collected monthly from January to June 2008. Various water parameters including pH, temperature, velocity, nitrate, phosphate, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solid (TSS), and ammonium-N content were recorded. Composite effect of selected water parameters expressed as Water Quality Index (WQI) was also calculated. FA indices [(FA), absolute asymmetry (AbsFA), composite fluctuating asymmetry (CFA)] of the first and second antennal segments of Onychothemis sp. and and last tarsal segment of Pseudagrion sp. hind legs were calculated. We found that high FA levels in the selected traits for the two Odonata species were associated with deterioration in the water quality (W...
Chironomus javanus (Kieffer) and Chironomus kiiensis Tokunaga were redescribed from materials col... more Chironomus javanus (Kieffer) and Chironomus kiiensis Tokunaga were redescribed from materials collected from a rice field in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. The larvae can only be distinguished after careful preparation and examination using a compound microscope, but the pupae were not useful to differentiate C. javanus from C. kiiensis. The adult specimens showed clear body and wing characteristics for rapid and accurate identification.
The present study aimed at investigating the effects of spatial and environmental factors on plan... more The present study aimed at investigating the effects of spatial and environmental factors on plant species richness in Farasan Archipelago, Saudi Aarbia. The principal coordinates of neighbor matrices (PCNM) technique was used to identify the spatial variables (PCNM vectors). The PCNM produced 9 eigenvectors and only two vectors were positive and significant based on the forward selection procedures. Similar forward selection technique, based on the two stopping criteria, was also employed to determine the most important environmental variables controlling the plant species richness. Among the 13 environmental variables investigated, only 6 variables were retained after forward selection that controlling species richness in Farasan Archipelago. These selected parameters, arranged according to their importance, were altitude, electrical conductivity (EC), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and organic matter (OM). The variation partitioning technique was employed to...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021
The invasive weed Asystasia gangetica was investigated for its potential as a biomonitor and as a... more The invasive weed Asystasia gangetica was investigated for its potential as a biomonitor and as a phytoremediator of potentially toxic metals (PTMs) (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in Peninsular Malaysia owing to its ecological resistance towards unfavourable environments. The biomonitoring potential of PTMs was determined based on the correlation analysis of the metals in the different parts of the plant (leaves, stems, and roots) and its habitat topsoils. In the roots, the concentrations (mg/kg dry weight) of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn ranged from 0.03 to 2.18, 9.22 to 139, 0.63 to 5.47, 2.43 to 10.5, and 50.7 to 300, respectively. In the leaves, the concentrations (mg/kg dry weight) of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn ranged from 0.03 to 1.16, 7.94 to 20.2, 0.03 to 6.13, 2.10 to 21.8, and 18.8 to 160, respectively. In the stems, the concentrations (mg/kg dry weight) of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn ranged from 0.03 to 1.25, 5.57 to 11.8, 0.23 to 3.69, 0.01 to 7.79, and 26.4 to 246, respectively. On the othe...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
The objective of this commentary is to promote the use of bivalves as biomonitors, which is a par... more The objective of this commentary is to promote the use of bivalves as biomonitors, which is a part of the continual efforts of the International Mussel Watch. This commentary is an additional discussion on “Bivalve mollusks in metal pollution studies: From bioaccumulation to biomonitoring” by Zuykov et al., published in Chemosphere 93, 201–208. The present discussion can serve as a platform for further insights to provide new thoughts and novel ideas on how to make better use of bivalves in biomonitoring studies. The certainty of better and more extensive applications of mollusks in environmental monitoring in the future is almost confirmed but more studies are urgently needed. With all the reported studies using bivalves as biomonitors of heavy metal pollution, the effectiveness of using Mussel Watch is beyond any reasonable doubts. The challenge is the development of more accurate methodologies for of heavy metal data interpretation, and the precision of the biomonitoring studies ...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
This study aimed to analyse ten trace metal concentrations in the edible part of the freshwater c... more This study aimed to analyse ten trace metal concentrations in the edible part of the freshwater clam Corbicula javanica and to provide a critical assessment of the potential risks to human health through consumption of this clam as food based on well-established indices and food safety guidelines. The clams were captured from a pristine original site and transplanted to other sites with different environmental qualities. The trace metal levels in the edible total soft tissue (TST) of the clam were below those of the food safety guidelines referred to except for Pb, which exceeded the permissible limit set by the European Commission (2006) and the US Food and Drug Administration/ Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition); Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference. (USFDA/CFSAN; ISSC) (2007). The estimated daily intake (EDI) values of the clam were found to be lower than the oral reference dose and the calculated target hazard quotient (THQ) and total THQ were found to be less th...
Applied Ecology and Environmental Research
Haqal is a small city located in northwestern part of Arabian Peninsula. The anthropogenic activi... more Haqal is a small city located in northwestern part of Arabian Peninsula. The anthropogenic activities in this region are evident. This region is targeted for future development by Saudi government. In this study, the surface sediment of Haqal coastal waters were analysed for heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn). The total concentration (mg/kg dry weight) ranged from 0.012-0.186 for Cd, 0.582-1.13 for Cu, 0.51-2.18 for Ni, 0.68-2.64 for Pb, 1.97-4.52 for Zn while for Fe, it ranges from 0.155 to 0.254%. Based on ecological risk assessment results, the values of PERI were categorised as 'low ecological risk', thus all sampling sites were unpolluted with heavy metals. Despite that, this monitoring study had a positive result for non-heavy metal pollution, future mitigation of the heavy metal pollution in coastal areas of Tabuk should be given priority by the authorities. The present study can be considered as the first effort to monitor the pollution of heavy metals in Haqal. This provides baseline information for future ecotoxicological studies which can involve application of bioindicators to assess the quality of the marine environment in this region.
Ekológia (Bratislava)
Odonata larvae have been intensively used as bioindicators for freshwater pollution as their comm... more Odonata larvae have been intensively used as bioindicators for freshwater pollution as their community structure closely follow changes in the environment and habitat settings. In this study, 28 taxa of Odonata larvae were collected from three stations (upper, middle and lower) of a polluted river in Malaysia. The upper river basin receives effluents from an oil palm plantation. However, the middle station is presumably contaminated with anthropogenic wastes. The lower station is found to receive polluted discharges from aquaculture outlet. Several environmental parameters of water and sediment were continuously measured during the study. The water parameters showed no significant differences amongst the three stations. The species richness of Odonata was 22, 24 and 20 in the upper, middle and lower stations, respectively. The abundance of Odonata was significantly different among the studied sites. The tolerant damselfly, Pseudagrion sp. (41.22%), and facultative dragonflies, Onych...
Performance of biotic indices in comparison to chemical-based Water Quality Index (WQI) in evaluating the water quality of urban river
Environmental monitoring and assessment, Jan 19, 2018
In order to evaluate the water quality of one of the most polluted urban river in Malaysia, the P... more In order to evaluate the water quality of one of the most polluted urban river in Malaysia, the Penchala River, performance of eight biotic indices, Biomonitoring Working Party (BMWP), BMWP, BMWP, Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT), ASPT, BMWP, Family Biotic Index (FBI), and Singapore Biotic Index (SingScore), was compared. The water quality categorization based on these biotic indices was then compared with the categorization of Malaysian Water Quality Index (WQI) derived from measurements of six water physicochemical parameters (pH, BOD, COD, NH-N, DO, and TSS). The river was divided into four sections: upstream section (recreational area), middle stream 1 (residential area), middle stream 2 (commercial area), and downstream. Abundance and diversity of the macroinvertebrates were the highest in the upstream section (407 individual and H' = 1.56, respectively), followed by the middle stream 1 (356 individual and H' = 0.82). The least abundance was recorded in the downstream sec...
Determination of food sources and trophic position in Malaysian tropical highland streams using carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes
Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2017
Stable isotope analysis has been extensively used as an effective tool in determination of trophi... more Stable isotope analysis has been extensively used as an effective tool in determination of trophic relationship in ecosystems. In freshwater ecosystem, aquatic invertebrates represent main component of a river food web. This study was carried out to determine potential food sources of freshwater organism together with pattern of trophic position along the river food web. In this study, rivers of Belum-Temengor Forest Complex (BTFC) has been selected as sampling site as it is a pristine area that contains high diversity and abundance of organisms and can be a benchmark for other rivers in Malaysia. Stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) were applied to estimate trophic position and food web paradigm. Analysis of stable isotopes based on organic material collected from the study area revealed that the highest δ13C value was reported from filamentous algae (− 22.68 ± 0.1260/00) and the lowest δ13C was in allocthonous leaf packs (− 31.58 ± 0.1870/00). Meanwhile the highest δ15N value was in fish (8.45 ± 0.1770/00) and the lowest value of δ15N was in autochthonous aquatic macrophyte (2.00 ± 1.2340/00). Based on the δ15N results, there are three trophic levels in the study river and it is suggested that the trophic chain begins with organic matter followed by group of insects and ends with fish (organic matter < insects < fish).
Aceh Journal of Animal Science
The present study aims to investigate the distribution and diversity of dipterous flies in Tayma ... more The present study aims to investigate the distribution and diversity of dipterous flies in Tayma (Saudi Arabia) during the spring of 2018. A total of 12 dipterous species were collected from three different sites located in Tayma (Tabuk, Saudi Arabia) located in the Northern part of Saudi Arabia. The taxa of flies were dominated by Musca domestica and Musca sorbens. No significant difference were observed between the total number of flies collected using different traps (t-test, P>0.05) and among the studied sites (ANOVA, P>0.05). The highest number of flies was recorded from Site 3 (a cattle farm). However, lower number of flies was reported from the dates palm farms. In conlusion, the species Musca domestica were found to be the most abundant species in all locations with remarkable high abundance in animal facilities (slaughter house and animal farm). The pheromone traps were found to be the most effective trap catching high number of individuls and high number of fly speci...
Stresses
The present study investigated the antioxidant enzyme activities (AEA) of ascorbate peroxidase (A... more The present study investigated the antioxidant enzyme activities (AEA) of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as biomarkers of Cu and Pb stress by using Centella asiatica grown in an experimental hydroponic condition. The results showed (i) higher accumulations of Cu and Pb in the roots of C. asiatica than those in the leaves, (ii) synergistic effects of Cu and Pb stress at higher metal-level exposures, and (iii) Cu and Pb stress triggered the increment of APX, CAT, GPX, and SOD levels in both the leaves and roots of C. asiatica. The increment of four AEA indicated that C. asiatica underwent oxidative stress caused by the production of reactive oxygen species when the plant was exposed to Cu and Pb. In order to prevent damages caused by Cu and Pb stress, the AEA system was heightened in C. asiatica, in which APX, CAT, GPX, and SOD can be used as biomarkers of Pb and Cu stress in the plant.
The biodiversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates in virgin (VJR) and logged over forest (LO) stream... more The biodiversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates in virgin (VJR) and logged over forest (LO) streams in Perak Integrated Timber Concession (PITC), Temenggor Forest Reserve, Perak, Malaysia was investigated. A total of 2048 individuals from VJR streams were collected (40.2 individual/m 2 ) compared to 1392 individuals (19.9/m 2 ) recorded from streams in the logged forests (LO). Alpha and gamma diversity measures of the VJR streams were higher compared to LO streams. The beta diversity index value in the VJR (2.21) streams was higher compared to the LO streams (1.17). The correlation between similarity matrices (Sorensen' distance coefficient) of macroinvertebrates data sets from VJR and LO streams was significant (r = 0.836, P b 0.05). The species indicator analysis identified few significant indicator species for the VJR streams such as Ctenipocoris sp. (Naucoridae), Cryptoperla sp. (Peltoperlidae) and Diplectrona sp. (Hydropsychidae). In conclusion, the VJR streams of Temenggor Forest Reserve supported relatively diverse aquatic macroinvertebrates. The logging activities and deforestation in the investigated areas were determinant factors justifying the reduction in macroinvertebrates abundance and loss of biodiversity in the forest streams.
The present study aimed to assess the effects of anthropogenic activities on the heavy metal leve... more The present study aimed to assess the effects of anthropogenic activities on the heavy metal levels in the Langat River by transplantation of Corbicula javanica. In addition, potential ecological risk indexes (PERI) of heavy metals in the surface sediments of the river were also investigated. The correlation analysis revealed that eight metals (As, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in total soft tissue (TST) while five metals (As, Cd, Cr, Fe and Mn) in shell have positively and significantly correlation with respective metal concentration in sediment, indicating the clams is a good bio-monitor of the metal levels. Based on clustering patterns, the discharge of dam impoundment, agricultural activities and urban domestic waste were identified as three major contributors of the metals in Pangsun, Semenyih and Dusun Tua, and Kajang, respectively. Various geochemical indexes for a single metal pollutant (geoaccumulation index (I geo), enrichment factors (EF), contamination factor (C f) and ecological risk (Er)) all agreed that Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn are not likely to cause adverse effect to the river ecosystem, but As and Pb could pose a potential ecological risk to the river ecosystem. All indexes (degree of contamination (C d), combined pollution index (CPI) and PERI) showed that overall metal concentrations in the tropical river are still within safe limit. River metal pollution was investigated. Anthropogenic activities were contributors of the metal pollution. Geochemical indexes showed that metals are within the safe limit.
The biodiversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates in virgin (VJR) and logged over forest (LO) stream... more The biodiversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates in virgin (VJR) and logged over forest (LO) streams in Perak Integrated Timber Concession (PITC), Temenggor Forest Reserve, Perak, Malaysia was investigated. A total of 2048 individuals from VJR streams were collected (40.2 individual/m 2 ) compared to 1392 individuals (19.9/m 2 ) recorded from streams in the logged forests (LO). Alpha and gamma diversity measures of the VJR streams were higher compared to LO streams. The beta diversity index value in the VJR (2.21) streams was higher compared to the LO streams (1.17). The correlation between similarity matrices (Sorensen' distance coefficient) of macroinvertebrates data sets from VJR and LO streams was significant (r = 0.836, P < 0.05). The species indicator analysis identified few significant indicator species for the VJR streams such as Ctenipocoris sp. (Naucoridae), Cryptoperla sp. (Peltoperlidae) and Diplectrona sp. (Hydropsychidae). In conclusion, the VJR streams of Temenggor Forest Reserve supported relatively diverse aquatic macroinvertebrates. The logging activities and deforestation in the investigated areas were determinant factors justifying the reduction in macroinvertebrates abundance and loss of biodiversity in the forest streams.
Abstrak: Kajian ini menganalisa pencapaian tiga alat penyampelan bentik yang selalu digunakan unt... more Abstrak: Kajian ini menganalisa pencapaian tiga alat penyampelan bentik yang selalu digunakan untuk memungut makroinvertebrata air tawar. Kecekapan jaring kualitatif rangka-D dan jaring akuatik segi empat dibandingkan dengan penyampel kuantitatif Surber di sungai tropika di Malaysia. Kepelbagiaan dan kepelbagaian makroinvertebrata yang dipungut menggunakan setiap alat dinilai bersama variasi relatifnya (RV). Setiap alat digunakan untuk menyampel makroinvertebrata dari tiga anak sungai yang mengairi kawasan yang berbeza: satu kebun sayur, sebuah ladang teh dan satu hutan simpan. Kepelbagaian makroinvertebrata yang tinggi direkod pada kaedah pungutan jaring segi empat dan penyampel Surber di sungai berhutan; sungguh pun begitu kelimpahan spesies yang sangat rendah direkod pada penyampel Surber. RV yang agak besar pada pungutan penyampel Surber (RV 36% dan 28%) diperhatikan masing-masing pada anak sungai di kebun sayur dan di ladang teh. Di antara tiga kaedah penyampelan, jaring segi empat adalah paling cekap, memungut kepelbagaian taksa dan bilangan (kelimpahan) makroinvertebrata yang tinggi secara keseluruhan, terutamanya dari anak sungai di kebun sayur dan di ladang teh (RV<25%). Hanya sedikit tangkapan jaring segi empat (<8 sampel) sudah mencukupi untuk menjalankan penilaian biologi kualiti air, tetapi setiap sampel memerlukan masa memproses yang lebih panjang (±20 min) dibanding dengan alat penyampel yang lain. Sebagai kesimpulan, semua alat penyampel adalah sesuai untuk pungutan makroinvetebrata di anak sungai di Malaysia dan mengumpul himpunan yang menghasilkan keputusan kelas kualiti air biologi Family Biotic Index (FBI) dan Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) yang serupa. Namun di sebalik masa pemprosesan yang lebih panjang, jaring segi empat adalah lebih cekap (RV paling rendah) untuk memungut sampel dan lebih sesuai untuk pungutan makroinvertebrata dari anak sungai yang boleh diharung yang dalam, berarus deras dengan substrata yang kasar. Abstract: This study analyses the sampling performance of three benthic sampling tools commonly used to collect freshwater macroinvertebrates. Efficiency of qualitative D-frame and square aquatic nets were compared to a quantitative Surber sampler in tropical Malaysian streams. The abundance and diversity of macroinvertebrates collected using each tool evaluated along with their relative variations (RVs). Each tool was used to sample macroinvertebrates from three streams draining different areas: a vegetable farm, a tea plantation and a forest reserve. High macroinvertebrate diversities were recorded
Effects of variations in stream environmental conditions on a nymphal ephemeropteran community we... more Effects of variations in stream environmental conditions on a nymphal ephemeropteran community were investigated in two forested catchments in Peninsular Malaysia; Gunung Jerai (GJ) and Royal Belum State Park (RBSP). Ephemeropteran nymphs were collected monthly from both catchments using an aquatic net over a period of a year (2008-2009). Ecological indices were calculated to compare community features and diversity of the ephemeropterans in the two catchments. Ephemeropteran taxa interactions with environmental parameters and their community structures were investigated using multivariate analysis (detrended canonical analysis and canonical correspondence analysis) and Bray Curtis similarity measure, respectively. From the two catchments, 22 ephemeropteran taxa were recorded and taxonomic richness was higher in undisturbed RBSP (20 taxa) than in slightly impacted GJ (12 taxa) streams. Environmental parameters were more important than geographical location in separating ephemeropteran communities in both catchments but similarities among communities in streams in the same catchment were detectable. Water temperature and pH were strong descriptors of ephemeropteran community structure in GJ. High water temperature was favourable to Isonychia sp., Crinitella sp., Habrophlebiodes sp. and Tricorythus sp. In RBSP, pH, water velocity, and canopy cover were important in shaping ephemeropteran communities. Heptagenia sp., Campsoneuria sp., and Habrophlebiodes sp. were negatively associated with elevating pH and fast running water. This study provides useful information for preservations of suitable habitats for the ephemeropterans in undisturbed and potentially disturbed forest streams in Malaysia.
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Papers by Salman Al-Shami