ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Ecological distribution patterns of Eremina desertorum in relation to Zygophyllum album, Thymelaea hirsuta, and climatic factors in its habitat in Egypt
1
Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
2
Department of Agricultural Zoology and Nematology, Faculty of Agriculture, Al Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut, Egypt
3
Department of Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
4
Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman
5
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
A - Research concept and design; B - Collection and/or assembly of data; C - Data analysis and interpretation; D - Writing the article; E - Critical revision of the article; F - Final approval of article
Submission date: 2025-05-21
Acceptance date: 2025-08-27
Online publication date: 2026-06-15
Corresponding author
Esraa El Saaed Ibrahim Ammar
Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Tanta, Egypt
Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Tanta, Egypt
Journal of Plant Protection Research 2026;2(66):222-233
HIGHLIGHTS
- E. desertorum favors T. hirsuta and Z. album in arid Egyptian habitats
- Snail density peaks in Nile regions with abundant Z. album cover
- Snail presence aligns with higher rainfall and moderate temperatures
- Preference for moist plants aids survival in desert conditions
- Plant and climate data help predict E. desertorum distribution
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
This study examined the distribution of the desert snail Eremina desertorum (Forskål,
1775), a mollusk of economic importance, in arid desert environments. By exploring its
ecological relationship with the plant species Thymelaea hirsuta (L.) Endl. and Zygophyllum
album L.f. in Egypt, the research highlighted the correlation between these plants and the
snail’s habitat preferences. Over the course of a year (from March 2021 to March 2022),
40 field visits were conducted across various locations along Egypt’s Mediterranean coast,
encompassing all seasons. It was observed that E. desertorum tended to aggregate on T. hirsuta
and Z. album, rather than on other wild plant species. Thus, the study aimed to predict
the spatial distribution of E. desertorum by analyzing its relationship with these associated
plants in Egypt, and the effect of prevailing climatic factors on its distribution, particularly
seasonal precipitation and relative temperature. Spatial analyses over a decade (2012–2021)
indicated that most E. desertorum populations were concentrated around the Nile and Upper
Nile Deltaic regions, where Z. album was more prevalent than T. hirsuta. In contrast,
T. hirsuta was predominantly recorded in the upper parts of Egypt, near the Mediterranean
coast. Findings demonstrated a strong link between regions with higher precipitation and
the presence of E. desertorum and its associated plants from the Zygophyllaceae (Z. album)
and Thymelaeaceae (T. hirsuta) families. Furthermore, the snail showed a preference for
plants known for higher water retention, which likely aids its survival in arid, water-scarce
environments. These findings offer a useful framework for predicting the distribution of
E. desertorum in relation to key plant associations and climatic conditions in arid environments.
While the spatial data were based on previously recorded location coordinates, further
studies focusing on population dynamics and broader plant comparisons could enrich
the understanding of habitat preferences under shifting climate patterns.
RESPONSIBLE EDITOR
Franciszek Kornobis
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors have declared that no conflict of interests exist.
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