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Tharthar Dam
Lake Tharthar (also Therthar), and known in Iraq as Buhayrat ath-Tharthar (), is an artificial lake created in 1956, situated 100 kilometers (62 mi) northwest of Baghdad between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers. History In 1956, the southern part of the Tharthar depression was turned into an artificial reservoir to collect floodwaters of the Tigris River. The water flows via an artificial inlet canal, named Tharthar Canal. The canal diverts the excess water, by means of a regulator, Samarra Barrage. It merges with the lake in its southeastern bank. The lake has an artificial outlet called Taksim Tharthar Canal, which drains to the Euphrates River directly. The canal, after 28 km (17.4 mi) from its outlet, bifurcates to another canal called "Dhira'a Dijla" (Arm of Tigris) that returns water back to the Tigris River. Lake Tharthar was the site of an Lake Tharthar raid, Iraqi raid in 2005 against an insurgent training base in the region. Description The Tharthar depression wa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Stilgar
''Dune (franchise), Dune'' is a science fiction media franchise that originated with the 1965 Dune (novel), novel of the same name by American author Frank Herbert. ''Dune'' is frequently cited as the best-selling science fiction novel in history, and won the 1966 Hugo Award as well as the inaugural Nebula Award for Best Novel. Herbert wrote five sequels before his death in 1986: ''Dune Messiah'' (1969), ''Children of Dune'' (1976), ''God Emperor of Dune'' (1981), ''Heretics of Dune'' (1984) and ''Chapterhouse: Dune'' (1985). ''Dune'' follows Paul Atreides, Paul, the scion of House Atreides, as his family is thrown into the dangerous political intrigues centered on the desert planet Arrakis, only known source of the oracular spice melange (fictional drug), melange, the most important and valuable substance in the universe. The series spans 5,000 years, focusing on Paul and then his various descendants. ''Dune'' was adapted as a Dune (1984 film), 1984 film, and again in two parts ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sociable Lapwing
The sociable lapwing (''Vanellus gregarius''), referred to as the sociable plover in the UK, is a wader in the plover family. It is a fully migratory bird, breeding in Kazakhstan and wintering in the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, and Sudan. Historical literature referred to this bird as the black-bellied lapwing. Taxonomy Along with other lapwings, it is placed in the genus ''Vanellus''. The genus name is Medieval Latin for a lapwing and derives from ''vannus'' a winnowing fan. The specific ''gregarius'' is Latin for "sociable" from ''grex, gregis'', "flock" referring to its tendency to be present alongside conspecifics and other closely related birds. The sociable lapwing is one of many birds described by Pallas during his trip through the Russian landscape. It is a monotypic species - no subspecies are recognised. Description This medium-sized lapwing has longish black legs and a short black bill. Non breeding individuals in winter have light brown wings with a strikin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Goldfish
The goldfish (''Carassius auratus'') is a freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae of the order Cypriniformes. It is commonly kept as a pet in indoor aquariums, and is one of the most popular aquarium fish. Goldfish released into the wild have become an invasive pest in parts of North America and Australia. Native to China, the goldfish is a relatively small member of the carp family (which also includes the Prussian carp and the crucian carp). It was first selectively bred for color in imperial China more than 1,000 years ago, where several distinct breeds were developed. Goldfish breeds vary greatly in size, body shape, fin configuration, and coloration (various combinations of white, yellow, orange, red, brown, and black are known). History Various species of carp (collectively known as Asian carp) have been bred and reared as food fish for thousands of years in East Asia. Some of these normally gray or silver species have a tendency to produce red, oran ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yellowfin Barbel
The yellowfin barbel (''Luciobarbus xanthopterus'') is a species of cyprinid fish endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found only in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also foun ... to the Tigris-Euphrates River System. References * Luciobarbus Fish of Asia Fish described in 1843 Taxa named by Johann Jakob Heckel {{Cyprininae-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Aspius
''Leuciscus'' is a genus of freshwater and brackish water ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Leuciscidae, which includes the daces, Eurasian minnows and related species. They are inland water fishes commonly called Eurasian daces. The genus is widespread from Europe to Siberia. Species broadly distributed in Europe include the common dace ''Leuciscus leuciscus'' and the ide ''L. idus''. The European chubs were formerly also included in ''Leuciscus'', but they are now usually separated in another genus, ''Squalius'' (e.g. the chub, ''Squalius cephalus''). The delimitation of ''Leuciscus'' and ''Squalius'' is not completely resolved; some species have been moved from one genus to the other only in recent years. The genera '' Petroleuciscus'' and ''Telestes'' have also been split off from ''Leuciscus'' recently; for the latter the same holds true as for ''Squalius'' regarding the unclear delimitations. Species ''Leuciscus'' contains the following species: * '' Leucisc ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Uromastyx Aegyptia
''Uromastyx aegyptia'' is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is native to North Africa and the Middle East. Common names Common names for ''U. aegyptia'' include Egyptian mastigure, Egyptian spiny-tailed lizard, and, when referring to the subspecies ''Uromastyx aegyptia leptieni'' (see below), Leptien's mastigure. Description ''U. aegyptia'' is one of the largest members of its genus, with an average total length (including tail) of for males. Geographic range and conservation status ''U. aegyptia'' can be found in Egypt east of the Nile, Israel, Syria, Jordan, the Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, and Iran. It has a patchy distribution and is rare in most parts of its range. It is believed to be in decline because of habitat loss and over-harvesting. Subspecies Three subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies. *''Uromastyx aegyptia aegyptia'' *''Uromastyx aegyptia leptieni'' *''Uromastyx aegyptia microlepis'' Etymology T ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Turkish Gecko
The Mediterranean house gecko (''Hemidactylus turcicus'') is a species of house gecko native to the Mediterranean region, from which it has spread to many parts of the world including parts of East Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and the Southern and Southeastern United States. It is commonly referred to as the Turkish gecko as represented in its Latin name and also as the moon lizard because it tends to emerge in the evening. A study in Portugal found ''H. turcicus'' to be totally nocturnal, with its highest activity around 02:00. It is insectivorous, rarely exceeds in length, has large, lidless eyes with elliptical pupils, and purple or tan-colored skin with black spots, often with stripes on the tail. Its belly or undersides are somewhat translucent. What impact this gecko has on native wildlife in the regions to which it has been introduced is unknown. In many parts of the world, the range of ''H. turcicus'' is increasing, and unlike many other reptiles, it appears ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Caracal
The caracal (''Caracal caracal'') () is a medium-sized Felidae, wild cat native to Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and arid areas of Pakistan and northwestern India. It is characterised by a robust build, long legs, a short face, long tufted ears, relatively short tail, and long canine teeth. Its coat is uniformly reddish tan or sandy, while the ventral parts are lighter with small reddish markings. It reaches at the shoulder and weighs . It was first scientific description, scientifically described by German naturalist Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber in 1776. Three subspecies are recognised. Typically nocturnality, nocturnal, the caracal is highly secretive and difficult to observe. It is territory (animal), territorial, and lives mainly alone or in pairs. The caracal is a carnivore that typically preys upon birds, rodents, and other small mammals. It can leap higher than and catch birds in midair. It stalks its prey until it is within of it, after which it ru ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Striped Hyena
The striped hyena (''Hyaena hyaena'') is a species of hyena native to North and East Africa, the Middle East, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. It is the only extant species in the genus ''Hyaena''. It is listed by the IUCN as near-threatened, as the global population is estimated to be under 10,000 mature individuals which continues to experience deliberate and incidental persecution along with a decrease in its prey base such that it may come close to meeting a continuing decline of 10% over the next three generations. It is the smallest of the bone-cracking hyenas and retains many primitive viverrid-like characteristics lost in larger species, having a smaller and less specialised skull. Though primarily a scavenger, large specimens have been known to kill their own prey, and attacks on humans have occurred in rare instances. The striped hyena is a monogamous animal, with both males and females assisting one another in raising their cubs. A nocturnal ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Golden Jackal
The golden jackal (''Canis aureus''), also called the common jackal, is a wolf-like canid that is native to Eurasia. The golden jackal's coat varies in color from a pale creamy yellow in summer to a dark tawny beige in winter. It is smaller and has shorter legs, a shorter tail, a more elongated torso, a less-prominent forehead, and a narrower and more pointed muzzle than the Arabian wolf. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to its widespread distribution and high density in areas with plenty of available food and optimum shelter. Despite its name, the golden jackal is not closely related to the African black-backed jackal or side-striped jackal, which are part of the genus '' Lupulella''. It is instead closer to wolves and coyotes. The ancestor of the golden jackal is believed to be the extinct Arno river dog that lived in southern Europe . It is described as having been a small, jackal-like canine. Genetic studies indicate that the golden jackal expande ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Corvus Cornix Capellanus
The hooded crow (''Corvus cornix''), also colloquially called just hoodie, is a Eurasian bird species in the genus ''Corvus''. Widely distributed, it is found across Northern, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, as well as parts of the Middle East. It is an ashy grey bird with black head, throat, wings, tail, and thigh feathers, as well as a black bill, eyes, and feet. Like other corvids, it is an omnivorous and opportunistic forager and feeder. The hooded crow is so similar in morphology and habits to the carrion crow (''Corvus corone'') that for many years they were considered by most authorities to be geographical subcategories of one species. Extensive but geographically restricted hybridisation observed where their ranges met added weight to this view. However, since 2002, the hooded crow has been elevated to full species status after closer observation; the hybridisation was less than expected and hybrids had decreased vigour. Within the species, four subspecies are accepte ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hooded Crow
The hooded crow (''Corvus cornix''), also colloquially called just hoodie, is a Eurasian bird species in the genus '' Corvus''. Widely distributed, it is found across Northern, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, as well as parts of the Middle East. It is an ashy grey bird with black head, throat, wings, tail, and thigh feathers, as well as a black bill, eyes, and feet. Like other corvids, it is an omnivorous and opportunistic forager and feeder. The hooded crow is so similar in morphology and habits to the carrion crow (''Corvus corone'') that for many years they were considered by most authorities to be geographical subcategories of one species. Extensive but geographically restricted hybridisation observed where their ranges met added weight to this view. However, since 2002, the hooded crow has been elevated to full species status after closer observation; the hybridisation was less than expected and hybrids had decreased vigour. Within the species, four subspecies are acce ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
