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Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 104 – August 2013

Freshwater Fishes in Palestine

أسماك المياه العذبة في فلسطين

By: Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher

Khalaf-von Jaffa

The Origin of Palestinian Freshwater Fishes

The Ichthyofauna of Palestine’s inland waters includes 32 indigenous fish species belonging to eight families and another 14-16 species introduced by man. Palestine is a meeting point between Africa and Asia and is close to southeastern Europe. As a result, its inland water bodies are populated by fish of diverse origins: Africa, Asia Minor (Anatolia, Iraq, greater Syria), the Arabian Peninsula (and possibly the African Horn) and from the sea (probably relicts from the Tethys Sea period).

The inland water system in our area has changed greatly during the faunal history of the Middle East. Rivers altered their flow direction and water links between various systems were formed and once again severed. Fish species of different origins expanded their distribution areas or were driven out by new invaders. These events shaped the fish fauna in our country (Goren, 1975).

Fish have penetrated Palestine via diverse routes. African species arrived in several waves – most via the Pelusiac (or Pelusian) branch of the Nile River and some possibly via the Mediterranean (Cichlidae). Fish from the Tigris-Euphrates river system reached Mediterranean aquatic networks, such as the Orontes, at a time when these systems were linked. From there they spread to the Litani-Jordan river system when these were connected, which explains how fish from Asia Minor and the Levant penetrated into Palestine. Aquatic systems in the western Arabian Peninsula were once much more plentiful than today and were inter-connected during certain periods. These links reached as far as the southern Dead Sea and were used as a passage route by fish (Goren, 1975).

In addition there are a number of freshwater fish of marine origin (species from

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the families: Blenniidae, Mugilidae and Anguillidae). Some consider Salaria fluviatilis, a freshwater blenny species par excellence throughout the entire Mediterranean region, to be a relic from the Tethys Sea period (Goren, 1975).

The newly discovered Palestine Doctor Fish subspecies Garra rufa wadiqana Khalaf,

2013 at Ain Al Basa Spring, Wadi Qana Nature Reserve, Salfit Governorate, State of

Palestine. Photo by: Ola Mostafa Khalaf. 08.07.2013. http://www.flickr.com/photos/50022881@N00/9500749723/

The damage to inland water body habitats

Wetlands are considered extremely sensitive to development processes and are in danger of extinction throughout the world, particularly in arid or semiarid countries such as Palestine. Threats to these habitats result from a number of factors:

1. Increasing exploitation of water sources for human needs. 2. Drainage of wetlands for agriculture or urban development. 3. Accelerated exploitation of groundwater reservoirs that leads to the drying of surface water bodies. 4. Processes of fragmentation and barrier creation between neighboring water

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bodies or water bodies that were previously linked by continuous flow. 5. Discharge of effluents and wastewater into stream and riverbeds. 6. Pisciculture in natural habitats and deliberate and accidental stocking of natural habitats with exotic fish species. The effect of these factors on the populations of aquatic organisms is also amplified, among other reasons, by the following habitat characteristics: a. the dimensions of most terrestrial water bodies are small, with corresponding small fish populations; b. many water bodies are regularly or temporarily isolated from neighboring water bodies; c. poisons and fertilizers are discharged into water bodies from agricultural and industrial areas and aquatic animals are affected instantly by pollution. This combination of sensitivity to detrimental factors and to other side effects of anthropogenic activity has probably brought wetlands throughout the world closer to extinction than any other habitat (Goren, 1975).

Al Auja or Yarkon Bleak (Acanthobrama telavivensis). Photo by: Dr. Menachem Goren.

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/61249/0

Necessary conservation steps

Conservation steps for freshwater fish can only be taken by preserving their habitats from pollution, drainage and structural modifications. Establishing survival (or breeding) nuclei for some of the threatened species should be considered in cases where there is a chance of habitat improvement in the future. In addition, as a result of objective problems in assessing the dangers to or the status of the fish population in a changing environment, a regular fish monitoring system should be established in the entire Palestinian aquatic system (Goren, 1975).

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Status of the class species in Palestine

DD Data Deficient

LC Least Concern

NT Near Threatened

VU Vulnerable

EN Endangered

CR Critically Endangered

RE Regionally Extinct

Extinct

Total

2 18 0 0 0 6 1 5 32

Five fish species have become extinct from freshwater bodies during the 20th century (Goren, 1975).

List of the Freshwater Fishes in Palestine

Order Family Species Status Name

Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Acanthobrama hulensis native Hula Bleak

Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Acanthobrama lissneri native Lissner’s Bleak

Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Acanthobrama telavivensis native Al Auja or Yarkon Bleak

Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Acanthobrama terraesanctae

endemic Tiberias or Kinneret bleak

Acipenseriformes Acipenseridae Acipenser sturio native Common Sturgeon

Anguilliformes Anguillidae Anguilla anguilla introduced European Eel

Cyprinodontiformes Cyprinodontidae Aphanius dispar richardsoni native Dead Sea Killifish

Cyprinodontiformes Cyprinodontidae Aphanius fasciatus native Mediterranean Killifish

Cyprinodontiformes Cyprinodontidae Aphanius mento native Persian or Orient Killifish

Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Aristichthys nobilis introduced Bighead Carp

Perciformes Cichlidae Astatotilapia flaviijosephi native Palestine Cichlid

Atheriniformes Atherinidae Atherina boyeri native Big-Scale Sand Smelt

Cypriniformes Balitoridae Barbatula panthera native Panther Loach

Cypriniformes Balitoridae Barbatula tigris native Tiger Loach

Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Barbus longiceps native Long-Headed Barbel

Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Capoeta damascina native Damascus Barbel

Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Carasobarbus canis native Jordan Himri

Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Carassius auratus auratus not established

Goldfish

Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Carassius carassius introduced Crucian Carp

Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Catla catla not established

Catla

Mugiliformes Mugilidae Chelon labrosus native Thicklip Grey Mullet

Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias gariepinus native North African Catfish

Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Ctenopharyngodon idella introduced Grass Carp

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Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Cyprinus carpio carpio introduced Common Carp

Cyprinodontiformes Poeciliidae Gambusia affinis introduced Mosquitofish

Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Garra ghorensis native Jordanian Log Sucker

Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Garra rufa native Doctor Fish

Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Garra rufa wadiqana native Palestine or Wadi Qana Doctor Fish

Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Hemigrammocapoeta nana native Tiberias or Jordanian Barbel

Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Hypophthalmichthys molitrix not established

Silver Carp

Cypriniformes Catostomidae Ictiobus cyprinellus not established

Bigmouth Buffalo

Perciformes Cichlidae Labeotropheus fuelleborni introduced Blue Mbuna

Perciformes Latidae Lates calcarifer introduced Barramundi

Mugiliformes Mugilidae Liza aurata native Golden Grey Mullet

Mugiliformes Mugilidae Liza ramado native Thinlip Mullet

Mugiliformes Mugilidae Liza saliens native Leaping Mullet

Perciformes Cichlidae Melanochromis auratus introduced Golden Mbuna

Perciformes Moronidae Morone saxatilis not established

Striped Bass

Mugiliformes Mugilidae Mugil cephalus native Flathead Mullet

Cypriniformes Balitoridae Nemacheilus angorae native Angora Loach

Cypriniformes Balitoridae Nemacheilus insignis misidentification

Palestine Loach

Cypriniformes Balitoridae Nemacheilus leontinae native Lebanese Loach

Cypriniformes Balitoridae Nun galilaeus native Galilean Loach

Atheriniformes Atherinopsidae Odontesthes bonariensis introduced Pejerrey

Salmoniformes Salmonidae Oncorhynchus kisutch introduced Coho Salmon

Salmoniformes Salmonidae Oncorhynchus mykiss introduced Rainbow Trout

Perciformes Cichlidae Oreochromis aureus native Blue Tilapia

Perciformes Cichlidae Oreochromis macrochir introduced Longfin Tilapia

Perciformes Cichlidae Oreochromis mossambicus not established

Mozambique Tilapia

Perciformes Cichlidae Oreochromis niloticus niloticus

questionable Nile Tilapia

Perciformes Cichlidae Oreochromis niloticus vulcani

introduced Turkana Tilapia

Cyprinodontiformes Poeciliidae Poecilia velifera introduced Sail-fin Molly

Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Pseudophoxinus drusensis native Jebel Druze or Golan Minnow

Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Pseudophoxinus kervillei native Jordanian Minnow

Perciformes Cichlidae Pseudotropheus lombardoi introduced Kenyi Cichlid

Perciformes Cichlidae Pseudotropheus tropheops tropheops

introduced Golden Tropheops

Perciformes Blenniidae Salaria fluviatilis native Freshwater Blenny

Salmoniformes Salmonidae Salmo salar not established

Atlantic Salmon

Salmoniformes Salmonidae Salmo trutta trutta not established

Sea Trout

Perciformes Cichlidae Sarotherodon galilaeus galilaeus

native Mango Tilapia

Perciformes Sillaginidae Sillago sihama native Silver Sillago

Perciformes Cichlidae Tilapia zillii native Redbelly Tilapia

Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Tinca tinca not established

Tench

Perciformes Cichlidae Tristramella sacra native Long Jaw Tristramella

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Perciformes Cichlidae Tristramella simonis intermedia

native Hula Tristramella

Perciformes Cichlidae Tristramella simonis simonis native Short Jaw Tristramella

Cyprinodontiformes Poeciliidae Xiphophorus hellerii introduced Green Swordtail

After Eli Agbayani (2007) and Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Khalaf-von Jaffa (2013).

Jordanian Log Sucker (Garra ghorensis). Photo by: Nashat A. Hamidan.

http://www.israquarium.co.il/Fish/IsraelFish/

References and Internet Websites:

Agbayani, Eli (2007). List of Freshwater Fishes for Israel. http://fish.mongabay.com/data/Israel.htm Aronov A. and Goren M. (2008(. Ecology of the Mottled Grouper (Mycteroperca rubra) in the Eastern Mediterranean. Electronic Journal of Ichthylogy. 2:1-13. Elron, E., A. Gasith & M. Goren (2005). Reproductive strategy of a small endemic cyprinid, Acanthobrama telavivensis, in a mediterranean-type stream. Environmental Biology of Fishes. 77:141–155. Elron, E., M. Goren, D. Milstein & A. Gasith (2004). Ammonia toxicity to juvenile Acanthobrama telavivensis (Cyprinidae), a critically endangered endemic fish in the coastal plain of Israel. Israel Jour. Zool. 50:321-331. Fishelson, L., O. Gon, R., M. Goren & Ben-David-Zaslow (2005). The oral cavity and bioluminescent organs of the cardinal fish species Siphamia permutata and S. cephalotes (Perciformes, Apogonidae). Marine Biology 147:

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603–609. Frenkel, V. & M. Goren (1997). Some environmental factors affecting the reproduction of Aphanius dispar (Rüppell, 1828). Hydrobiologia. 347: 197-207. Galil, B.S. and M. Goren (1994). The bathyal fauna of the Levant - new records and rare occurrences. Senckenbergiana Maritima 25, (1/3): 41-52. Galil, B., M. Goren, R. Ortal (2001). Shiqmona – between Carmel and Sea. Printed in Tel Aviv University. 70 pp. Gasith, A. and Goren, M. (2009). Habitat availability, reproduction and population dynamics of the fresh water blenny Salaria fluviatilis (asso, 1801) in Lake Kinneret, Israel. Electronic Journal of Ichthyology. 2: 34 – 46. Gasith, A., M Goren and S. Gafny (1996). Ecological consequences of lowering lake Kinneret water level: effect on breeding success of the Kinneret sardine. In: Preservation of our world in the wake of change, Vol. VI A/B ISEEQS Pub., Jerusalem, Israel, Ed: Y. Steiuberger: pp. 569-573. Goren, M. (1972). The populations of Pseudophoxinus zeregi (Heckel) in Israel and Syria and the status of Pseudophoxinus (Pararhodeus) drusensis (Pellegrin) (Pisces: Cyprinidae). Zool. J. Linn. Soc. 51, 141-145. Goren, Menachem (1975). Freshwater Fishes in Israel. http://www.teva.org.il/?CategoryID=943 Goren, M. (1975). The freshwater fishes of Israel. Isr. J. Zool. 23,67-118. Goren, M. (1980). Development of benthic community on artificial substratum at Ashdod (Eastern Mediterranean). Oceanol. Acta 3,275-283. Goren, M. (1983). The Freshwater Fishes of Israel. Kibbutz Ha'Muhad Publishing House, Tel Aviv, pp. 102. (in Hebrew). Goren, M. (1992). Lake Hula, reconstruction of the fauna and hydrobiology of the lost lake. Isr. J. Zool. 38,147. Goren, M. (1993). Statistical aspects of the Red Sea ichthyofauna. Isr. J. Zool. 39,293-298. Goren, M. (2007). De Situauie van Aphanius Soorten in Israël (The status of Aphanius species in Israel). Belgische Killifish Vereniging. 35: 21-30. (translation by H. Meeus). Goren, M. (2008). The fishes of the Red Sea: History of research, biogeography and biodiversity. In: Aqaba-Eilat, the Improbable Gulf. Environment, Biodiversity and Preservation (Ed. F.D. Por): 243-254. Magnes Press, Jerusalem. 470 pp. Goren, M. (2009). Saving critically endangered fish species – utopia or practical idea? The story of the Yarqon bleak- Acanthobrama telavivensis (Cyprinidae) as a test case. Aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology.15 (1) 1-12. Goren, M. (2011). Re-introduction of the "Extinct in the Wild" Yarqon bleak- Acanthobrama telavivensis (Cyprinidae). In: Soorae, P.P., ed. Global re-introduction perspectives: Re-introduction case studies from around the globe.

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IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group. Goren, M. and A. Baranes (1995). Priolepis goldshmidti (Gobiidae) a new species from the deep water of the northern Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea. Cybium. 19(4): 343-347. Goren, M. and M. Dor (l986). Checklist of the Fishes of the Red Sea. Copeia, 267-268. Goren, M. and M. Dor (1994). An updated checklist of the fishes of the Red Sea - CLOFRES II. Israel Academy for Sciences and Humanities. The Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities. Jerusalem, 120 pp. Goren, M., L. Fishelson and E. Trewavas (1973). The Cyprinid fishes of Acanthobrama Heckel and related genera. Bull. Br. Mus. Nat. Hist. (Zool.) 24,291-315. Goren, M. and B.S. Galil (1997). New records of deep sea fishes from the Levant Basin and a note on the deep sea fishes of the Mediterranean. Israel Jour. Zool. 43:197-203. Goren, M. and B.S. Galil (2001). Fish biodiversity in the vermetid reef of Shiqmona (Israel) Marine Ecology, 22(4):369-378. Goren, M., and I. Karplus (1980). Fowleria abocellata, a new cardinal fish from the Gulf of Elat-Red Sea (Pisces, Apogonidae). Zoologische Mededelingen 55,231-234. Goren, M., and W. Klausewitz (1978). Two Mediterranean gobiid fishes new in the Red Sea. Senckenbergiana Biol. 59,19-24. Goren, M., H. K. Mienis, B. S. Galil (2006). Not so poor – more deep sea records from the Levant Sea, Eastern Mediterranean. Marine Biodiversity Records. 1 (e43): 1-4. Goren, M., and E.M. Rychwalski (1978). Hybrids of Aphanius dispar and Aphanius mento (Cyprinodontidae: Pisces). Zool. J. Linn. Soc. 63, 259- 264. Goren, M., Yokeş, M.B., Galil, B.S., & Diamant, A. (2008). Indo-Pacific cardinal fishes in the Mediterranean Sea - new records of Apogon smithi from Turkey and A. queketti from Israel. Marine Biodiversity Records. 2 (e95): 1-4. Homski, D., M. Goren and A. Gasith (1994). Comparative evaluation of the larvivorous fish Gambusio affinis and Aphanius dispar as mosquito control agents. Hydrobiologia 284,1337-146. Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (1980). Tabie’t Al-Talawon fi Al-Haywanat (The Colouration of Animals). Al-Biology Bulletin. Number 1. January 1980, Safar 1401. Biological Society, Kuwait University, State of Kuwait. pp. 4-5. (In Arabic). Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (1981). Fawa'ed Alasmak. (The Benefits of Fishes). Al-Biology Magazine, Biological Society, Kuwait University, State of Kuwait. Number 1. Sunday 7.6.1981, 5. Sha'ban 1401. pp. 54-55. (In Arabic).

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Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (1982). Samak Al-Coelacanth (The Coelacanth Fish). Al-Biology Magazine. Number 2. February 1982. Biological Society, Kuwait University, State of Kuwait. pp. 14-15. (In Arabic). Khalaf, Norman (Translator) (1982). Al-Miah Al-Mulawatha Tohaded Al-Asmak Bi’ilinqiraad (Water Pollution threatens the Fish Fauna with Extinction). Al-Biology Bulletin. Number 18, Third Year, First Semester, Saturday 6.11.1982. Biological Society, Kuwait University, State of Kuwait. pp. 7. (Translation from German into Arabic). Khalaf, Norman Ali (1983). Al-Samaka Al-‘Auljumiyah Al-Naqaqa fi Al-Khaleej Al-Arabi [The Toad Fish (Batrachus grunniens) in the Arabian Gulf]. Bulletin of the Biological Studies Club, Kuwait University, State of Kuwait. First Year, Number 3, 23 November 1983. pp. 10-11. (In Arabic). Khalaf, Norman Ali (Translator) (1983). Al-Tasjeel Al-Hay Al-Awal li-Samaket Kozat Al-Snobar (Monocentris japonicus, Houttuyn) min Al-Bahr Al-Ahmar [The Pinecone Fish (Monocentris japonicus, Houttuyn), A First Live Record from the Red Sea] by: Chaim Kropach. Bulletin of the Biological Studies Club, Kuwait University, State of Kuwait. First Year, Number 4, 7.12.1983. pp. 6-8. (In Arabic). Khalaf, Norman Ali B. (1986). The Schooling of Fishes. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 9. Fourth Year. Ramadan 1406. May 1986. Department of Zoology, University of Durham, Durham, United Kingdom. pp. 1-13. Khalaf, Norman Ali B. (1986). The Fish Fauna in Van Mildert Pond, Durham City, North East England. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 9. Fourth Year. Ramadan 1406. May 1986. Department of Zoology, University of Durham, Durham, United Kingdom. pp. 14-20. Khalaf, N.A.B. (1986). The Schooling of Sumatra Barbs (Barbus tetrazona tetrazona) and Minnows (Phoxinus phoxinus). Dissertation, Master of Science in Ecology, Departments of Zoology and Botany, University of Durham, England. September 1986. pps. 59 + iv. Khalaf, Norman Ali B. (1987). The Coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae) in the Science and Natural History Museum, State of Kuwait. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 15. Fifth Year. July 1987. Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Germany. pp. 1-8. Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (1987). On a Collection of Devon Period Animal Fossils from the Saarland, in the Geologische Museum Saarberg in Saarbrücken, Germany. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 15, Fifth Year, Thul Qi’dah 1407 AH, July 1987 AD. pp. 9-10. Khalaf, Norman Ali B. (1987). The Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) from the State of Kuwait, Arabian Gulf. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological

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Bulletin. Number 16. Fifth Year. Safar 1408 AH. September 1987 AD. Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Federal Republic of Germany. pp. 1-7. Khalaf, Norman Ali (1989). Qa’ema li-ba’d Asmak Al-Kuwait fi Al-Mathaf Al-‘Ilmi Bi-Dawlat Al-Kuwait (A List of some Kuwaiti Fishes from the Science & Natural History Museum, State of Kuwait). Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 19. Seventh Year. December 1989. Bonn 2-Bad Godesberg, Federal Republic of Germany. pp. 3. (In Arabic and English). Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam (1991). A Trip to Zoo Budapest, Hungary. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 21, Ninth Year, January 1991. pp. 1-4. Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam (1991). The Gulf War and its effect on the Arabian Ecosystem (Part One). Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 23, Ninth Year, July 1991. pp. 1-12. Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam (1991). The Gulf War and its effect on the Arabian Ecosystem (Part Two). Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 24, Ninth Year, August 1991. pp. 1-10. Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam (1991). The Gulf War and its effect on the Arabian Ecosystem (Part Three). Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 25, Ninth Year, September 1991. pp. 1-7. Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (1992). Notes on the Biological Ecology of the Marshes in Southern Iraq. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 29, Tenth Year, September 1992. pp. 1-9. (In Arabic). Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (1992). The United Nations Ecological Report confirms: The Regime of Saddam is destroying the Marshes (Al-Ahwar) Ecosystem. Sawt Al-Kuwait International Newspaper. Saturday 17 October 1992, 21 Rabi’e Al-Thani 1412. pp. 15. (In Arabic). Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam (1992). An Introduction to the Animal Life in Palestine. Gazelle. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 30, Tenth Year, October 1992. pp. 1-7. (In Arabic). Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali B. (1993). Al-Mushkilatan Al-Ma’eyah wa Al-Bi’eyah fi Al-Dafah Al-Gharbiyah wa Qita’ Ghaza Al-Muhtalain (Ka-Juzu’ min Al-Sharq Al-Awsat) [The Water and the Ecological Problems in the Occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip (As Part of the Middle East)]. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 31. Eleventh Year. December 1993. Bonn, Federal Republic of Germany. pp. 1- 29. (In Arabic). Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam (1994). An Introduction to the Animal

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Life in Palestine. Shqae’q Al-Nouma’n (Anemone coronaria). A Quarterly Magazine Issued by the Program EAI (Education for Awareness and for Involvement). Environmental Education / Children for Nature Protection. In Cooperation with Dept. of General and Higher Education. P.L.O., Palestine. Number 4. Huzairan (June) 1994. pp. 16-21. (In Arabic). Acquaintance Card: Majallet Al-Ghazzal (Gazelle Magazine): The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Bonn, Germany. Shqae’q Al-Nouma’n (Anemone coronaria). A Quarterly Magazine Issued by the Program EAI (Education for Awareness and for Involvement). Environmental Education / Children for Nature Protection. In Cooperation with Dept. of General and Higher Education. P.L.O., Palestine. Number 4. Huzairan (June) 1994. pp. 51-52. (In Arabic). Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali B.(1995). Alasmak fi Filistin (Die Fische von Palästina / The Fishes of Palestine). Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 33. Thirteenth Year. December 1995. Bonn, Germany. pp.1-35. (In Arabic). Khalaf, Ali Bassam (1997). Amir Al-Bahar Al-Arabi (The Arabian Sea Prince) Shihab Al-Deen Ahmad Bin Majed. Magazin der Akademie. Nummer 1. Zu Elke’da 1417 H, Maerz 1997. Koenig Fahad Akademie – Bonn, Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Deutschland. pp. 23-24. (in Arabic). Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (2001). The Extinct and Endangered Animals in Palestine. In: Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin Home Page. Extinct and Endangered Animals and Reintroduction. http://gazelle.8m.net/photo3.html Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (Gründer) (seit Juni 2001). Yahoo! Deutschland Group: Wale und Delphine. http://de.groups.yahoo.com/group/Wale_und_Delphine/ Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2004). Gazelle: Das Palästinensische Biologische Bulletin. Eine Wissenschaftliche Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1983 – 2004. / Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. A Scientific Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1983 – 2004. Erste Auflage / First Edition, Juli 2004: 452 Seiten / Pages. Zweite erweiterte Auflage (Second Extended Edition), August 2004: 460 Seiten / Pages. Norman Ali Khalaf, Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Germany. http://dr-norman-ali-khalaf-books.webs.com/

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). Der Komoren-Quastenflosser (Latimeria chalumnae) und der Manado-Quastenflosser (Latimeria menadoensis). Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 38. Twenty Third Year. February 2005. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. pp. 1-8.

http://quastenflosser.webs.com/ Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). The Story of Prophet Musa (Moses) and the Fish. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Sharjah, United Arab

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Emirates. Number 38, Twenty-third Year, February 2005. pp. 14-15. Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). Moses Perch (Lutjanus russelli, Bleeker 1849). Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Number 38, Twenty-third Year, February 2005. pp. 15. Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). The Fish of Musa (Samak Musa). Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Number 38, Twenty-third Year, February 2005. pp. 16. Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). Samak Al-Luchs (Al-Hamoor) or the Orange-Spotted Grouper (Epinephelus coioides) in Palestine (Mediterranean Sea) and the United Arab Emirates (Arabian Gulf). Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Number 39, Twenty-third Year, March 2005. pp. 1-6. Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). Jaffa (Yaffa): The History of an Old Palestinian Arab City on the Mediterranean Sea. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Number 39, Twenty-third Year, March 2005. pp. 7-8. Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). The Andromeda Sea Monster of Jaffa. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Number 39, Twenty-third Year, March 2005. pp. 8. Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). The Jewfish (Epinephelus itajara) / Der Riesenzackenbarsch oder Judenfisch (Epinephelus itajara). Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Number 39, Twenty-third Year, March 2005. pp. 9-12. Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). The Arabian Freshwater Fishes in the Arabia’s Wildlife Centre, Sharjah Desert Park, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 40, Twenty-third Year, April 2005. pp. 1-9. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://www.geocities.com/jaffacity/Arabian_Freshwater_Fish.html Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (Gründer) (seit Juni 2005). Der Quastenflosser: Coelacanth Latimeria Yahoo! Deutschland Group. http://de.groups.yahoo.com/group/Quastenflosser/ Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). The Koran Angelfish (Pomacanthus semicirculatus, Cuvier, 1831). Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 44. Twenty-third Year. August 2005. Jamada Alakhira 1426. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. pp. 1-8. http://koran-angelfish.webs.com/ Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). Aquatica Arabica. An Aquatic Scientific Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1980 - 2005 / Aquatica Arabica. Eine Aquatische Wissenschaftliche Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1980 - 2005. Erste Auflage / First Edition, August 2005: 376 Seiten / Pages. Norman Ali Khalaf, Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Bundesrepublik Deutschland & Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://dr-norman-ali-khalaf-

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books.webs.com/aquaticaarabica.htm Khalaf, N.A.B. (2005). The Schooling of Sumatra Barbs (Barbus tetrazona tetrazona) and Minnows (Phoxinus phoxinus). [M.Sc. Dissertation in Ecology, Departments of Zoology and Botany, University of Durham, England. September 1986. pps. 59 + iv]. In: Aquatica Arabica. An Aquatic Scientific Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1980 - 2005. Erste Auflage, August 2005. Norman Ali Khalaf, Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Bundesrepublik Deutschland & Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. pp. 28-93. Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). The Rafah Zoo in the Rafah Refugee Camp, Gaza Strip, Palestine : A Story of Destruction by the Israeli Occupation Army. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 46, Twenty-third Year, October 2005, Ramadan 1426. pp. 1-11. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (In Arabic). Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam (2005). The Qalqilia Zoo and the Natural History Museum in the City of Qalqilia, West Bank, Occupied Palestine. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 47, Twenty-third Year, November 2005, Shawal 1426. pp. 1-10. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (In Arabic). Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam (Member of PALESTA) (2005). Palestinian Scientists and Technologists Abroad (PALESTA). Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 47, Twenty-third Year, November 2005, Shawal 1426. pp. 11-12. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (In Arabic). Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2006). Eine Persönlichkeit aus Jaffa, Palästina / A Personality from Jaffa, Palestine: Bassam Ali Taher Khalaf (Abu Ali) (1938-2006). Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 56, Twenty-fourth Year, August 2006. pp. 8-19. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://bassam-ali-taher-khalaf.webs.com/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2006). Ein Besuch im Neunkircher Zoo, Neunkirchen, Saarland, Deutschland / A Visit to Neunkirchen Zoo, Neunkirchen, Saarland, Germany. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 59, November 2006. pp. 1-25. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (in Arabisch / Arabic). http://khalaf.homepage24.de/text_88839638_85658724_59480041_deutsch.html Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2007). Zum 1. Todestag : Eine Persönlichkeit aus Jaffa, Palästina / The First Death Anniversary : A Personality from Jaffa, Palestine : Bassam Ali Taher Khalaf (Abu Ali) (1938-2006). Gazelle: Das Palaestinensische Biologische Bulletin. Nummer 62, Februar 2007, Muharram 1428 AH. Seite 11. Sharjah, Vereinigte Arabische Emirate. http://bassam-ali-taher-khalaf.webs.com/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (Gründer) (seit Juni

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2007). Yahoo! Deutschland Group: Fauna Palaestina. http://de.groups.yahoo.com/group/Fauna_Palaestina/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (Gründer) (seit August 2007). Haie – Sharks Yahoo! Deutschland Group. http://de.groups.yahoo.com/group/Haie_Sharks/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (Gründer) (seit September 2007). Yahoo! Deutschland Group: Fauna Arabica. http://de.groups.yahoo.com/group/Fauna_Arabica/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2007). Haywanat Filistin (Fauna of Palestine). Wikipedia, Al-Mawsu'a Al-Hurra (The Free Encyclopedia). Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 69, Twenty-fifth Year, September 2007 CE, Sha’ban 1428 AH. pp. 1-4. (in Arabic). http://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AA_%D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%86 Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2007). A Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus, Smith 1828) caught off the Kuwaiti Coast: The Second Record from the State of Kuwait, Arabian / Persian Gulf. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 71, November 2007. pp. 1-20. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (Abstracts in English and Arabic). http://whale-shark.webs.com/whalesharkinkuwait.htm Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2007). Rhiniodon typus Smith, 1828 or Rhincodon typus Smith, 1829: The Story of a Scientific Name. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 71, November 2007. pp. 21. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://whale-shark.webs.com/rhiniodontypus.htm Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2007). Whale Sharks in Palestinian Waters: A Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus, Smith 1828) rescued near the Tantura Beach, Carmel Coast, North Palestine: The First Record from the Palestinian Mediterranean Coast. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 71, November 2007. pp. 22-23. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (Abstracts in English and Arabic). http://whale-shark.webs.com/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2007). Whale Sharks in Palestinian Waters: Whale Sharks (Rhincodon typus, Smith 1828) near Um Al-Rashrash (Eilat) Beach, Gulf of Aqaba, South Palestine: First Records from the Palestinian Red Sea Coast. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 71, November 2007. pp. 23-26. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (Abstract in English and Arabic). http://whale-shark.webs.com/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2007). An Ocean Sunfish or Common Mola (Mola mola, Linnaeus 1758) caught off the coast of Gaza: The First Record from Palestine, East Mediterranean Sea.

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Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 72, December 2007, pp. 1-16. (Abstracts in English and Arabic). http://www.geocities.com/jaffacity/Gaza_Ocean_Sunfish.html Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2008). Cetacea Palaestina: The Whales and Dolphins in Palestinian Waters. Cetacean Species Guide for Palestine. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 83, November 2008, Thu Al-Qi’ada 1429 AH. pp. 1-14. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://cetacea-palaestina.webs.com/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2009). A Longcomb Sawfish (Pristis zijsron Bleeker, 1851) caught off the coast of Dibba, United Arab Emirates, Gulf of Oman. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 88, April 2009, Rabi’e Al Thani 1430 AH. pp. 1-14. http://dibba-sawfish.webs.com/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr.Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2009). Garra barreimiae wurayahi Khalaf, 2009 : A New Blind Cave Fish Subspecies from Wadi Al Wurayah Pools, Emirate of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 90, June 2009, Jumada Al-Akhera 1430 AH. pp. 1-15. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://emirati-blind-cave-fish.webs.com/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2009). Flora and Fauna in Palestine. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 91, July 2009, Rajab 1430 AH. pp. 1-31. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://flora-fauna-palestine.webs.com/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2009). Oreochromis mossambicus bassamkhalafi Khalaf, 2009 : A New Mozambique Tilapia Subspecies from Wadi Al Wurayah Pools, Emirate of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 92, August 2009, Sha’ban 1430 AH. pp. 1-25. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://emirati-tilapia.webs.com/ Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2009). Fauna Palaestina – Part One. A Zoological Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1983 – 2006 / Fauna Palaestina – Teil Eins. Eine Zoologische Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1983 – 2006. ISBN 978-9948-03-865-8. Erste Auflage/First Edition, September 2009: 412 Seiten/Pages. Self Publisher: Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf-von Jaffa, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates & Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Bundesrepublik Deutschland. http://dr-norman-ali-khalaf-books.webs.com/faunapalaestinapart1.htm Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2009). Bowmouth Guitarfish (Rhina ancylostoma Bloch & Schneider, 1801) at Sharjah Aquarium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Twenty-seventh Year, Number 93, September 2009,

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Ramadan 1430 AH. pp. 1-18. http://bowmouth-guitarfish-emirates.webs.com/bowmouthguitarfishuae.htm Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2009). Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus, Smith 1828) Records from the United Arab Emirates between 1989 - 2009. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Twenty-seventh Year, Number 94, October 2009, Shawal 1430 AH. pp. 1-28. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://whale-shark.webs.com/whalesharkinemirates.htm Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Zoologist, Ecologist and Geologist : The Scientific References (1980-2009). http://dr-norman-ali-khalaf-references.webs.com/ Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2010). Fauna Emiratus - Part One. Zoological Studies in the United Arab Emirates between 2004 - 2009. / Fauna Emiratus – Teil Eins. Zoologische Studien in die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate zwischen 2004 - 2009. ISBN 978-9948-15-462-4. Erste Auflage/First Edition, November 2010: 350 Seiten / Pages. Self Publisher: Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates & Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Bundesrepublik Deutschland. http://dr-norman-ali-khalaf-books.webs.com/faunaemiratuspart1.htm

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2012). Fauna Palaestina – Part Two. Zoological Studies in Palestine between 1983 – 2009 / Fauna Palaestina - Teil Zwei. Zoologische Studien in Palästina zwischen 1983 – 2009. ISBN 978-9948-16-667-2. 1. Auflage / First Edition : July 2012, Shaaban 1433 H. 208 Seiten / Pages (Arabic Part 120 Pages and the English Part 88 Pages). Publisher: Dar Al Jundi Publishing House, Jerusalem, Palestine. http://dr-norman-ali-khalaf-books.webs.com/faunapalaestinapart2.htm Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2013). Fauna Palaestina – Part Three. Zoological Studies in Palestine between 2005 – 2012 / Fauna Palaestina - Teil Drei. Zoologische Studien in Palästina zwischen 2005 – 2012. ISBN 978-9950-383-35-7. Erste Auflage / First Edition : July 2013, Shaaban 1434 H. 364 pages (English Part 350 Pages and the Arabic Part 14 Pages). Publisher: Dar Al Jundi Publishing House, Jerusalem, State of Palestine. http://dr-norman-ali-khalaf-books.webs.com/faunapalaestinapart3.htm Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2013). Garra rufa wadiqana Khalaf, 2013: A New Freshwater Doctor Fish Subspecies from Wadi Qana Nature Reserve, Salfit Governorate, State of Palestine. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 103, July 2013, Ramadan 1434 AH. pp. 1-25. Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://palestine-fishes.webs.com/palestine-doctor-fish

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam (2013). Taxon Profile: Subspecies Garra rufa wadiqana Khalaf, 2013. BioLib.cz. Biological Library.

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http://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id1059609/

Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2013). Palestine Doctor Fish (Garra rufa wadiqana Khalaf, 2013). EOL. Encyclopedia of Life. http://eol.org/collections/80813

Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2013). Freshwater Fishes in Palestine. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 104, August 2013, Shawal 1434 AH. pp. 1-17. Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://palestine-fishes.webs.com/ Manheim, O., A. Freidberg, D. Graur, M. Goren, Y. Bhnayahu, Y. Yom-Tov and T. Dayan (Editors) (1998). The national collections of natural history at Tel Aviv university - a National Museum of Natural History in the making: The first 60 years. Israel Jour. Zool.44: 1-79. Roll U., T. Dayan, D. Simberloff and M. Goren (2007). Characteristics of the introduced fish fauna of Israel. Biological Invasions. 9: 813–824. The Jordan Times. Rare fish face extinction as water pumping, pollution degrade habitats. http://jordantimes.com/article/rare-fish-face-extinction-as-water-pumping-pollution-degrade-habitats The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel. http://natureisrael.org/

Lissner’s Bleak (Acanthobrama lissneri). Photo by: Y. Oksman.

http://www.israquarium.co.il/Fish/IsraelFish/