Systematic study, ecology and geographic distribution of land snails (Mollusca)‎ from the occupied Palestinian territories (West Bank)‎

Other Title(s)

دراسة تصنيفه، بيئية، و دراسة التوزيع الجغرافي للحلزونات الأرضية في الضفة الغربية من فلسطين

Dissertant

Hanzal, Ilyas Nabil Antun

Thesis advisor

Qumsiyah, Mazin
Ezzughayyar, Ademar

University

Birzeit University

Faculty

Faculty of Science

Department

Department Nutrition and Dietetics

University Country

Palestine (West Bank)

Degree

Master

Degree Date

2018

English Abstract

A survey was done of land snails from the occupied Palestinian territories (West Bank), which covers more than 140 locations from different areas in the West Bank and represent four phytogeografical zones (Mediterranean zone, Saharo Arabia, Irano-Turanian, and Sudanian penetration).

A total of 41 species of land snail belongs to 13 families and 24 genera were found in the West Bank.

Data were also gathered for habitat relation and other ecological observation for each species with distribution map showing the relation of each species with elevation and rainfall precipitation.

The distribution of land snails was addressed both locally and in relation to phytogeographical zones.

83% of the species were found in the Mediterranean zone, five of them (Granopupa granum, Sphinctreochila fimbriata, Xerocrassa langloisiana, Xerocrassa simulate and Helix engaddensis) were found in all four phytogeographic zones.

46% if the species were noted in theIrano-Turanian zone Bulimunus diminutus was only found in this zone.

34% of the species were noted in the Saharo Arabian zone and 39 % of the species in the Sudanian zone.

The factors that impact distribution included soil type, humidity, altitude/elevation, radiation, vegetation, rainfall, closeness to Mediterranean Sea, and anthropogenic factors.

The report also highlights threats that could affect the land snails population including urbanization, overgrazing, fire, insecticides and pesticides, over collecting, waste water and climate change.

The richest locality noted was Wadi Zarqa Al-Ulwi protected area with 19 species of land snails including endemic forms

Main Subjects

Biology

Topics

• Palestine
• Geographical distribution
• Snails

No. of Pages

137

Table of Contents

• APA
• MLA
• AMA

Language

English

Data Type

Arab Theses

Record ID

BIM-837434