University of Khartoum
Faculty of science
Department of zoology
A field work report: Musswrat Al-sufra
From: 22 march 2015
To: 28 march 2015
Prepared by:
Hafsa Emad Eldein Musa Mohammed.
with supervisors :
Dr. Dawi Musa Hamad
Dr. Altayeb Mohammed Khidir
T. Mazin Mohammed Othman
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Content:
Page numberBody
31-Introduction
62-purpose
63-Materials, equipments
84-method
125-results
346-discussion
7-references
2
Introduction:
Al-musswarat:
Musswrat es sufra or Al-musswrat: The name of the site Kochi (archeological name) located in northern Sudan, is about 20 miles from the city of Meroe and 20 km from the site of Naqaa and 190 kilometers north-east of the Sudanese capital, and about 29 km east direction of the course of the Nile and is a site with quenched city and Naqaa Merowe Island was
deposited on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.
Al-awatib:
Located in Al- Bot’ana, 150 kilometers north-east of Khartoum and has there also Alawatib which flows into the great Nile River which is one of the richest valleys in the region in terms of biodiversity.
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Al-nagaa :
Naqaa is an old Sudanese city, was one of the cities of the Kingdom of Kush in Merowe, about 170 kilometers north-east of Khartoum and 50
kilometers to the east of the Nile River, and to the north of the region and wd Banaga and the site is specifically at the confluence of the Valley of the main Alawatib coming from the Al-botana small valleys flowing to River
Nile.
This region is considered as a commercial station and a strategic location
and this is evident from the enormous amounts effects, if any. Site
remarkable effects such as Apadamak Temple (God of War is when the ancient Nubians), and the Temple of Amun (Roman temple).
Al-gafal valley:
Just 5 km from the camp to the north, with some kind of biodiversity attributed to the presence of semi-permanent source of water which is presented in Al-hafeer( located in the valley) and is divided into two zones
according to the presence of vegetation .
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Al-sabaloka:
Sabaloka waterfall or sixth waterfall located at Almsictab in the area south of Khartoum North and it is about 90 km away from the road of challenge or Khartoum, 12 km west from Port Sudan.
And it is one of Sudan's ancient villages where authenticity extends in the history of the region and its inhabitants from the tribe Al-gaalia.
Sabaloka is one of the most important tourist areas in the state of the Nile
River region, and has a very picturesque landscapes, also it represents a popular destination for Arab tourists and foreigners and others and that the nature of the mountainous region and a narrow stream and the water
flow thus, It provides the ski tourism, swimming, Nile cruises..
Its climate is semi-desert,. The region includes many species of wildlife
such as birds and a lot of different animals and frequented by tourists and
visitors, charming nature and climate. In addition to the humans of that region, all that made Sabaloka waterfall a tourist area with all specifications.
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Topography:
Al-musswrat:
Relatively high area for the existence of sedimentary mountains formed in ancient times, and by reference to the composition we find that the area was an ancient river basin or lake where water comes forth from the south and south-east, carrying with them an amount of sediment and rock crumbs,this sediment settled in the basin built up over time and increased thickness so completely filled the basin sediments and constantly burial process and the heat and the pressure turned the sediment and rock crumbs to sedimentary rocks.
Climate:
Wind northeast, and the temperature in this region is high because of the dry desert environment and so the humidity is low through the period of drought in this region and rains every 3 or 4 years.
plant cover:
Most plants in this region are small in size and with many thorns branching and with small leaves, so as to reduce the process of evaporation of plants. some of them pennants to thorns as it pales and surrounded by a layer waxy filaments and found as far apart from each other and, we found that ketr (alktr), cosine (altmam), the hills (sumur), and acacia are examples of plants
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prevailing in the region and the plant cosine is the first Ngele(poaceae) plant grows in the area occurred by erosion.
Animal cover:
We find that the area is rich in biodiversity and is considered appropriate for insects and reptiles and wild animals, that's due to the harsh nature of where most of the animals of the region adapted itself to live in this difficult desert environment .we find them democracy nocturnal activity live between stones and within and between the trees and with small volumes, some are diurnal.
The few existing issues of cows and goats are the property of the shepherds who live in the area, but not on a permanent basis where they come in the autumn.
Purpose: A full survey of the area and studying it in details, including animals and
plants and the study of the environment, biodiversity and the application of practical methods to collect samples and classify and study animals in terms of behaviors and the outer and inner structure and procedure, which enabled it to adapt Al-musswrat environment, as well as the study of plants, its structure and modification.
Materials and equipments:
-Trap
Guides-
Thermometer-
Papers-
Digging Tools-
Gloves-
Container،Bottles-
Soap-
Hydrometer-
Forceps-
Nets-
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Binocular-
Electron Microscope-
Dissection Microscope-
Searchlight-
Chemicals:
-Chloroform
-Phormalin
-Alcohol
Methods of sample collection:
Quadrates:
here the work area identifies randomly as square-shaped and then area is measured, work has to be within this box. Quadrates is used so as to see biodiversity and the numbers of organisms and species prevailing and method of distribution. but this method has defects also that it should be done in a specific area and therefore there is an exception for the objects that are outside this area in addition to repeating objects inside the box especially
reptiles and birds, either for plants their number shall be known .
Transects:
Is specifying random space with longitudinal stripes on the form of points, including fixed distances and at each point we study the bio-diversity, as well as spaces that exist between them. It is also used to count and study living species. It's characterized by containing large areas and thus it limits the large number of bio-diversity that exists in the environment.
Pit fall traps:
a Technology which is used in the environmental survey to catch and study insects, it also helps in the prediction of animal diversity in a certain area, allowing control pests. It is used by putting a cup of water in a hole equal to the surface completely and put the oil or soap which alters the surface
tension of water which prevents the animal running out of the trap .
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Oil traps:
Also used in the collection of insects, using white paper painted with castor oil so as to adhere them in.
Method:
Monday : 23-3-2015
Wadi Al-sufra:
In morning 8:10 AM: moving
Temperature:28 degree centigrade
work started at 8:20 AM and the temperature measured using the device thermometer and was 28 ° C, pictures of samples have been taken also by the group .(see 1: 1), and number of plants and animals was restricted in the region. the height of nests have also been measured, in addition to take some samples and preserved using alcohol and chloroform then recorded the resulted.
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2 :1
Tuesday 24-3-2015
Al-gafal valley:
daytime period:
movement at 7:27 AM
1st:outside the fence:
the temperature has been measured by thermometer ,different type of animal collected using nets, forceps ,the animal & plant were detected & classified.
2nd: inside the fence:
the work started at 8:45 am the animal and plants were detected inside the area ,the samples collected using nets,forceps,then the samples were classified.
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1 :1
Wednesday 25 – 3 – 2015
Al-awatib and Al-nagaa valleys:
the work started at 8:10 AM, the temperature was measured by thermometer ,the samples detected by quadrate in area of 20x20m and also transect method was applied in 100m area. then the samples collected by nets ,forceps ,and the samples were classified.
the night period in Al-safra valley:
the work started at 7:10 pm , the student were devided into five groups at certain area, to cover the whole valley, the samples collected using forceps ,the samples were classified.
Thursday 26 – 3 -2015:
mountain region:
the work started at 7:40 am ,the temperature measured at the both top & bottom of the mountain by thermometer ,the samples collected using forceps ,the plants were classified ant the artifacts stored.
animal faeces rocks changed due to environmental factors
the camp area:
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The oil traps ,light traps & pit fall traps were set in different areas ,the samples were collected from the traps using forceps, the samples were classified.
Results:
1-Al-safra valley:
time: 8:00 am temperature:28°c
1 -diversity of insects:
OrderFamilyCommon nameSeen
ColeopteranTenbrionidaeLong-leggedDrklingbeetle
Isoptera
CarabidaeGroundbeetleHymenoptera
(beesandwasps )
HydrophilidaescavengerbeetieOdanta
ScarabaeidaeYellow-beetlefruitchafer
Phasmidae
rose chafer- Large water
Chafer
Neuroptera
BuprestidaeJewel beetle
CurculionidaeEledant-weevik
OrthopteraGryllidaeCricket
AcrididaeBurrowing grass hopper
TetrigidaeGrouse locusts
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2-Diversity in birds:
OrderSpeciesCommon nameScientific comment
ColumbiformesColumbidaeLaughing DoveR/local migration (LM) very
common / Br ,dry bush
land . open woods land
and cultivation
ApodiformesApodidaePalm Swift
PasseriformesPycnonotidaeWhite vented common Bulbul
PasseriformesPasseridaeHouse SparrowCommon /BP/ R
PasseriformesPasseridaeSudan golden sparrow
3 -diversity in reptiles:
large number of lizards were detected.
4-diversity in mammals:
the mediate of holes is 10-15 cm, mice, rats and squirrel, were observed:
the holes of about (20-30) cm indicates the presence of skunk.
ClassFamilysubfamilyCommon name
MammaliaMuridaegerbillinaeGerbille
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5 -diversity of plants:
Local nameLatin nameType of plants
Maeruacrassifoliaforsskshrubالسرحا
Rhamnusshrubالسدر
Phoenix dactyliferatreeالنخيل
هندي Pethocellopiumdulcetreeتمر
Sengalia Senegaltreeالصمغ
Salvadorapersicatreeاالراك
BalanitesAegytiatreeالهجليج
CalotroisProserashrubالعشر
-distribution of plants in Al-safra valley is random.
2 -Al-safra valley( night period) :
1 -diversity in insects:
OrderFamilyCommonnameSeen
hymenopteraFormacidiaeAntsحورية نبي فرس
neuropteraMyrmeleoatidaeAnt lionدبور
عشر جراد
2 -diversity in birds(aves):
OrderFamilyCommon name
Columbiformes
ColumbidaeLong – tailed
Dove
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ApodiformesApodidaeLittle Swift
PasseriformesTimaliidaeFulvous Chatterer
PasseriformesTimaliidaeWhite headed Babbler
PasseriformesPycnonotidaeWhite vented common Bulbul
3 -diversity in reptiles(reptila):
lizards & small pits were observed.
4 -diversity in mammals (mammalian):
rabbits and number of pits were observed
Al-safra valley:
time7:00 am c ° temperature:37
1 -diversity of insects:
OrderFamilyCommon name
ColeopteranCarapideaSolder beetle
2 -diversity of reptiles( reptalia):
a number of reptiles such as: snakes, lizards were observed
Common nameClassOrderScientific name
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Curiers Blind legless skink
ReptaliaLizartieaTyphlosauruscaecus
3 -diversity of mammals(mammalian):
wild rabbits , dogs, hedgehogs and rats observed
ClassFamilySubfamilyCommonname
MammaliaMuridaeGerbillinaeGerbille
-a table shows numbers of insects al-safra valley:
OrderNumber
Nuroptera30
Isoptera20
Coleoptera19
Orthoptera5
Diptera4
Hemiptera2
Odanata1
Mantidae1
Lepideptera1
Phasmidae1
a diagram shows comparison between insects of al-safra valley:
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4 -Al-gafal valley:
temperature:34 time:7:30
1 -diversity of insects:
OrderFamilyCommon nameSeen
HomopteraCicadidaeCicadaOrthoptera
CoreidaeOdanata (damsel fly and dragon fly )
coleopteraPepehenidaeJewel beetleDiptera
Tenebrionidaedarkling beetleHymenoptera
Silvanidae
hymenopteraEumenidae
FormicidaeRed driver ant
SphecidaeDigger wasp
DipteraAsilidae
2 -diversity in birds (aves):
OrderSpeciescommon name
FamilyScientific NameScientific
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Comment
ColumbiformesChestnut – bellied Sandgrouse
PteroclidaePteroclesexustusR , NR
semi-arid bush country comes to drink in morning and evening
ColumbiformesFour – banded Sandgrouse
PteroclidaePteroclesquadricinctusR , BR
fairly common
any kind of tree and bushland come to drink in evening
ColumbiformesAfrican mourning Dove
ColumbidaeStreptopeliadecipiensR , BR
locally very common
cultivations , acacia , open dry woodland near water
PasseriformesChestnut – backed Sparrow Lark
AlaudidaeEremopterix
Leucotis
R ,LM , BR
common bushed
PasseriformesWhite vented common Bulbul
PycnonotidaePycnonotusbarbatus R , BR
very common
any type of habitat
PasseriformesWarblerSylviidae _____________ Simple perching feet (3 toes forward / 1 toe back )
a flock of sparrows observed.
3 -diversity of reptiles (reptila):
a large number of lizards, & fish at (alhafeer) bserved.
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Common name
ClassOrderScientific name
Ground agama
ReptilializartieaAgama aculeate
Carpet viperReptiliaserpentEchisCariantusPyramidum
4 -diversity of mammals( mammalia):
OrderFamilySpeices
OphicephalifopmisCichilidaeOreochromismiloticus
5 -diversity of plants:
Local nameLatin nameType of plants
التاج Ficusbengalensisلبخ كبيرات شجرة
CalotroisProcerashrubالعشر
Commiphonagileadensisshrubالقفل
Rosmarinusofficinalistreeسيسبان
Citrus limontreeليمون
Azadirachtaindicatreeالنيم
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a table shows Al-gafal insects number:
0rderNumber
Hymenoptera11
Diptera10
Coleoptera9
Odanata5
Nuroptera4
Hemiptera3
Orthoptera3
Lepideptera2
Homoptera1
a diagram shows insects diversity:
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5-Al-awatib valley:
temperature: 28 time:7:15
1 -diversity in insects:
Common name or speciesFamilyOrder
Ground beetlesTenebrionidaeColeopteran
Tortoise darkling beetlesTenebrionidae
Large copper dung beetleScaraberidae
CicadaCicadidaeHomoptera
LocustAcridideaOrthoptra
2 -diversity of birds (aves):
Species common nameScientific commentFamily nameOrder name
Golden night jarPlm ,Br,finally local civel and semi /civel short grass
land with bushes
Capvimulgiformes
WarblerSylviidaePasseriformes
House sparrow
Chestnut –backed sparrow lark
Ssp:E.I.Leucotis
Alaudidae
Common bulbelPycnonotidaePasseriformes
WarblerSylyiidaePasseriformes
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3 -diversity of plants:
Local nameLatin nameThe plant type
Panicumherbsتمام
Acaciaسلمehrenbergiana
shrub
Cassia sennashrubسنمكة
Colycynthus sp.shrubحنظل
the density of trees increase as we head near the mid of valley.
observed:
camels ,lizard pits , and rats pits.
diagram shows the insects numbers:
OrderNumber
Coleopteran55
iaHymenoptera30
Phasmidea3
Blatidae2
Odanata2
Mantidae1
Homoptera1
diagram shows the insects diversity :
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6-The camp
1 -diversity of Insects :
Common name or species
FamilyOrder
HypopholissommeriCarabidaeColeoptera
Selader-snouted weevil
Brentidae
Ant beetleAnthicidae
Striped toktokkieTenbrionidae
Thermophilum-homoplatum
Carabidae
Sad goatCoryphodematristisLepidoptera
GregariouantlionFlymeleontidaeNeuropteran
Pit buldingantlionMyrmeleontidae
GaintmantidsMantidaeMantodea
WaspColletidaeHymenoptera
Grass stick insectBacilidaePhasmedae
CockroachPeriplantaAmericana
Blattodea
AnthomiidaeDiptra
House flyMuscidae
CricketGryllideaOrthoptera
Garden locustAcrididae
Common garden cricket
Gryllidae
Green vegetable PentatomidaeHemiptera
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bug
observed:
spider of order Solpugida and its common name is sun spider.
reptiles of the camp:
ClassOrderFamilySpeices
ReptileSauriaAgamidae
2-diversity of amphibians:
ClassOrderFamilySpeices
AmphibiaAnuraBufonidaeBuforegularis
table shows the number of camp insects:
OrderNumber
Coleoptera28
Hymenoptera22
Orthoptera15
A diagram show insect diversity
al- sabaloga: diversity of birds:
Species Scientific Scientific NameFamilyOrder
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15Hemiptera
12Phasmidae
10Neuropteran
9Odanata
9Mantidae
3Lepidaptera
common name
CommentNameName
Marabou Stork
LM , BR
common
any habitat
LeptoptioscrumeniferusCiconiidaeCiconiiformes
African Jacana
LM , BR
very common swamps and open water with floating vegetation
Actophilornis
africanus
JacandaeCharadiiformes
Egyptian Plover
LM , BR
common
river and lakes with sandy bank
LuvianusaegyptiusGlareolidaeCharadiiformes
Spur – winged Plover
R , BR
common
open water ,swamps , irrigated farms
VanellusarmatusCharariidaeCharadiiformes
African mourning Dove
R , BR
locally very common
StreptopeliadecipiensColumbidaeColumbiformes
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cultivations , acacia
, open dry woodland near water
Laughing Dove
R , LM , BR
very common
cultivations , open savanna and woodlands
SterptopeliasenegalensisColumbidaeColumbiformes
Pied Kingfisher
R , BR
common
lakes and rivers
CerylrudisAlcedinidaeCoraciiformes
African pied Wagtail
R , BR
Locally common
along rivers , streams and swamps at low al –titude
MotacillaaguimpMotacillidaePasseriformes
White R , BRPycnonotusbarbatusPycnonotidaePasseriformes
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vented common Bulbul
very common
any type of habitat
House Sparrow
R , BR common
towns with solid building
Passer domesticusPasseridaePasseriformes
Village Weaver
R , BR in filed
PloceuscucullatusPloceidaePasseriformes
table show types & numbers of collected samples
SUMMoaskerAwatipAlsafraAlgafalInsect / site
179215Odonata
2015023Hemiptera
2000200Isoptera
119110Mantidae
20101Homoptera
44100304Neuroptera
1400410Diptera
632230011Hymenoptera
63012Lepidoptera
1112855199Coleoptera
20200Blattidae
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2315053Orthoptera
1612310Phasmidae
atanodO
aretpim
eHare
tposI
eaditn
aM
aretpomoH
aretporueN are
tpiD
aretponemyH
aretpodipeL
aretpoeloC
eadittalB
aretpohtrO
eadim
sahP
0
02
04
06
08
001
021
aera deiduts a ni detcelloc stcesni fo srebmun eht wohs margaid a
lafaglA arfaslA pitawA reksaoM MUS
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Discussion:
→The environment is semi-desert or desert, the temperature is high during the day but low at night, humidity is decreased, rains fall very rarely.
.→ Al-sufra is characterized by less diversity of mammals, and some species adapted itself with the desert environment by hiding in their holes during day, for example.
→the western side of al-safra valley had the same environment as the eastern side, which found by experience that they contain the same species of reptiles & mammals.
→most of the plants adapted to the dry environment and to grazing animals so that they are not able to be reached easily by the grazer animals , also they contain spines to reduce water loss, in addition to the high length of the roots which are over extended under floor surface.
→ the distribution of plants is random in the whole valley except in algafal which is clumped due the presence of water.
→Al-gafal valley has the most biological diversity represented in the green plants, because there is a continuous water source used in photosynthesis.
→Some of the plants are found in specific valley because of being planted by humans.
→The area inside al-gafal valley has a large biological diversity(e.g: Baltic fish) due the protection from the grazers by the fence present.
→Al-awtib valley is considered as one of the most biotic varied valleys ,that because the water seasonally flows from Ethiopian nostrum which bring plant seeds and, shells, and some insects , it also helps in plants growth and renew the soil .the results hasn't show several samples such as dead beetles because of the high temperature.
→Al-sufra valley has no much biotic diversity because it depends only on rains.
→the top of the mountain is lowered temperature than the bottom, because the sun ray scatter at the top of the mountain which is not flattened. humidity there is high, that because air currents do cool the water vapor.
→the plants leaves have waxy layer to reflect the sun rays and also to reduce water loss, the stigmas are found at the lower layer of the leaf.
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→most of the animals are with small size in order to reduce surface area, they also have a large auricle to remove the heat with blood stream.
→Most of the insects have a thick layer of cuticle to reduce the water loss, and some of them have an outer color which looks similar to their environment acts a camouflage
→animals waste, bones, footprint ,nests and pits were detected
→The chloroform is used to preserve samples that doesn't contain pigmentary colors such as butterflies, but it's useful with other samples.
→Alcohol is used to preserve colored samples , but the sample should be a non-soft body, that because alcohol will act as a resolver.
→The soap which is used in the pit fall trap so as to change surface tension , and the oil used at the oil trap because of its high viscosity which helps stick the small insects
→most of the reptiles and mammals are nocturnal, so as to avoid the sun heat which cause water loss of their bodies, these search and get their food at night time.
→a skeleton of rabbit, gazelle faeces, birds nets are found at the mountain which indicates that they can live on the mountains or they had.
→transects, quadrates, and pitfall traps have been used so as to detect numbers and species of plants and animals.
→some people tell that Al-musswrat was a huge desert contained a large number of animals such as: lions, elephants, but through millions of years environment had changed and as a result all animals disappeared.
→most of the birds live socially, that distances between nests are very small.. also each tree or some of them contain a number of nests.
→Old nests are found empty with some beetles inside them, and mammal's holes.
→a large diversity of birds, some of them are migrants and the others are dominion.
→presence of cows and sheeps is explained definitely by : that they had come with grazer, but this is not its origin environment.
→trees are very short and animals like sheeps depend on them in feeding as seen.
→density of trees increase in the valley, the closer we get to the bottom of the valley, the trees gets more flocked.
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