A Longcomb Sawfish (Pristis zijsron Bleeker, 1851) caught off the coast of Dibba, U.A.E.

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A Longcomb Sawfish (Pristis zijsron Bleeker, 1851) caught off the coast of Dibba, United Arab Emirates, Gulf of Oman By: Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa

A Longcomb Sawfish (Pristis zijsron Bleeker, 1851) was caught off the coast of Dibba, United Arab Emirates, Gulf of Oman on 08/03/2009.

The sawfish is called locally by different Arabic names: Samak Al-Sayyaf, Sayyaf, Abu Saif, Sayyafah, Samak Al-Minshar (Sawfish), Abu Minshar, Samak Al-Minshar thu AlMisht Al-Taweel (Longcomb Sawfish); and Capak (by the Indians in the U.A.E).

The Dibba Sawfish. Foto: Abdu Allah Mihrez. 08/03/2009.

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The Dibba Fishermen and the Sawfish. Foto: Abdu Allah Mihrez. 08/03/2009.

The Longcomb Sawfish (Pristis zijsron Bleeker, 1851): Common Names: Arabic (Emirates and Oman): Sayyaf, Abu Saif, Abu Minshar.

English: Longcomb Sawfish, Narrowsnout Sawfish, Green Sawfish.

French: Poisson-scie, Requin scie.

Spanish: Pejepeine, Pez Sierra.

Sindhi (Pakistan): Wakhan.

Tamil (India): Vella-sorrah, Vezha.

Taxonomic Notes: The genus Pristis is taxonomically chaotic with uncertainty regarding the true number of valid species. The practical difficulties associated with resolving these taxonomic issues are acute, since it is extremely difficult to obtain specimens or tissue samples Gazelle – Number 88 – April 2009

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from these increasingly rare species for taxonomic research. P. zijsron is a member of the ‘Pristis pectinata complex’, probably also containing P. clavata, with narrow-based, less tapered, lighter rostral saws, with more numerous (usually over 23), smaller teeth than species of the Pristis pristis complex.

Red List Category: Critically Endangered.

Year Assessed: 2006.

Assessors: Compagno, L.J.V., Cook, S.F. & Oetinger, M.I. Justification: A very large, formerly common, Indo-West Pacific sawfish recorded mainly in inshore marine habitats, also reported from freshwater. Like all sawfishes, it is extremely vulnerable to capture by target and bycatch fishing throughout its range, which has contracted significantly as a result. All populations are now very seriously depleted, with records having become extremely infrequent over the last 30 to 40 years.

Range Description: This Indo-Pacific species has been recorded from South Africa to the Arabian/Persian Gulf, Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and the Indo-Australian Archipelago.

Freshwater records have been made from Thailand, possibly in the Tachin River and Songkhla Lake (where the species has not been recorded for many years), Malaysia, Indonesia (Kalimantan at Bandjermassing, Java and Ternate Islands) and in Australia from Queensland in Lake Macquarie, and New South Wales in the Clarence River.

Contraction of the range of this species has been reported in Australia, where green sawfish once occurred at least as far south as Sydney, but now are virtually extinct in New South Wales and are very rarely found south of Townsville, and in South Africa, where sawfishes are apparently no longer resident in areas such as Lake St Lucia.

Countries: Native: Australia (New South Wales, Queensland); Cambodia; China; India; Indonesia (Java, Kalimantan); Malaysia; Mauritius; Mozambique; Myanmar; Oman; Emirates; Pakistan; Papua New Guinea; Somalia; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Thailand; Viet Nam. FAO Marine Fishing Areas: Native: Western Indian Ocean; eastern Indian Ocean; northwest Pacific; western central Pacific.

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Population: No information available on original population size or abundance, but this formerly common very large sawfish has undergone significant contraction of its range and a huge decline in abundance in areas where it is still reported to occur.

Population Trend: Decreasing.

Habitat and Ecology: Pristis zijsron inhabits muddy bottom habitats and enters estuaries. It has been recorded in inshore marine waters to at least 40 m depth, in brackish water (estuaries and coastal lakes) and in rivers. This species was frequently found in shallow water. Its habitat is heavily fished and often also subject to pollution, habitat loss and degradation from coastal, riverine and catchment developments.

This is the largest sawfish species, growing to at least 5 m and possibly over 7.3 meters long. Males are mature by 430 cm. It is ovoviviparous, giving birth to large young. It was suggested that adult males use their saws during mating battles. Sawfishes generally feed on slow-moving shoaling fish such as mullet, which are stunned by sideswipes of the snout. Molluscs and small crustaceans are also swept out of the sand and mud by the saw. A male captured as a juvenile survived 35 years in captivity.

Systems: Freshwater; Marine.

Major Threats: This species has been exploited intensively, both as a target species and as incidental bycatch in commercial, sport or shark-control net fisheries and for aquarium display throughout its range. As a result of past landings, combined with its strongly K-selected life history pattern, it has become severely depleted in recent decades and now appears to have been extirpated from many parts of its range, including South Africa, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. It also has not been seen in some of its former freshwater habitats (i.e., Songklha Lake, (Malay Peninsula) Thailand for some 30 to 40 years. The species is probably now only easy to find in Australia, where it is commonly entangled in net gear set for barramundi (Lates calcarifer), considered a good eating species for human consumption and finds ready markets where landed. Even in Australia, the species has declined significantly in range and abundance. In the past, net fishermen working the muddy estuaries of the Queensland coastline found high bycatch of Pristis zijsron to be a serious problem, even though the meat was high quality and marketed. An average of 0.0020 Pristis zijsron (standard deviation of 0.0020) per hour trawled per km of headrope length (n/h/km) were taken as bycatch in the Northern Prawn Fishery in the Gulf of Carpentaria in 1997 to 1998. In the Moreton Bay area there have been no reports of this Gazelle – Number 88 – April 2009

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species since the 1960s. It has also been extremely rare anywhere on the east coast of Australia in the last 25 to 30 years, with no new specimens having been secured by museum and research institute collections.

Conservation Actions: India’s Ministry of Environment and Forests has protected sawfishes under the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972 since 2001.

This species may occur in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia.

The species was listed as an Endangered Species in New South Wales (Australia) waters in 1999, under the Fisheries Management Act 1994.

Listed as Endangered by the Australian Society for Fish Biology.

Nominated and considered for listing as Vulnerable under the Commonwealth's Endangered Species Protection Act 1992, but listing not made because of lack of information.

Actions needed: Strict legal protection throughout range; monitoring of bycatch; collection of biological and demographic data from accidental captures and aquarium specimens.

Map of the United Arab Emirates. www.cleartrip.com/SmallWorld/maps/wg-unitedarab-emirates-3619-400x300.gif Gazelle – Number 88 – April 2009

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The Dibba Sawfish. Foto: Abdu Allah Mihrez. 08/03/2009.

References and Internet Websites: A Sawfish caught from Dibba Sea on 08/03/2009. www.tsahel.com/vb/f38/sawshark-capak-580.html Adams, W.F. and C. Wilson (1995). The status of the smalltooth sawfish, Pristis pectinata Latham 1794 (Pristiformes: Pristidae), in the United States. Chondros 6(4):1-5.

Bigelow, H.B. and W.C. Schroeder (1953). Sawfishes, guitarfishes, skates and rays. Pp. 1 - 514 in: Tee-Van, J., C.M. Breder, A.E. Parr, W.C. Schroeder, and L.P. Schultz (eds.).

Fishes of the Western North Atlantic, Part Two. Mem. Sear Found. Mar. Res. I. Breder, C.M. (1952). On the utility of the saw of the sawfish. Copeia 1952 (2):90 - 91.

Catching the sawfish in Dibba. http://sci.jamaa.cc/art23734.html Common names of Pristis zijsron. www.fishbase.org/comnames/CommonNamesList.php?ID=7956&GenusName=Pristis &SpeciesName=zijsron&StockCode=8267 Compagno, L.J.V. and P.R. Last (1999). Pristidae. Sawfishes. p. 1410-1417. In: K.E. Carpenter and V. Niem (eds.) FAO identification guide for fishery purposes. The Living Gazelle – Number 88 – April 2009

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Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO, Rome.

Compagno, L.J.V., Cook, S.F. & Oetinger, M.I. (2006). Pristis zijsron. In: IUCN 2009.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. http://forum.te3p.com/279735.html Demersal Fish. www.arabianwildlife.com/nature/marine/fsh02.html Fishbase. Pristis zijsron Longcomb sawfish. www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?ID=7956 GREEN SAWFISH. www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/GreenSawfish/GreenSawfish.htm 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). AlBiology Magazine, Biological Society, Kuwait University, State of Kuwait. Number 1.

Sunday 7.6.1981, 5. Sha'ban 1401. pp. 54-55. (in Arabic).

Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (1982). Samak Al-Coelacanth (The Coelacanth Fish). AlBiology Magazine. Number 2. February 1982. Biological Society, Kuwait University, State of Kuwait. pp. 14-15. (in Arabic).

Khalaf, Norman (1982). A’maar Al-Haywanat (Animal Ages). Al-Biology Bulletin.

Number 18, Third Year, First Semester, Saturday 6.11.1982. Biological Society, Kuwait University, State of Kuwait. pp. 7. (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 AlArabi [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 (1983). Al-Hayat Al-Bahriyah fi Al-Kuwait (Sea Snakes in Kuwait).

Bulletin of the Biological Studies Club, Kuwait University, State of Kuwait. First Year, Number 4, 7.12.1983. pp. 1-5. (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, Gazelle – Number 88 – April 2009

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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 Bassam (1987). Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus) from the State of Kuwait, Arabian Gulf. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. RilchingenHanweiler, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 14, Fifth Year, Shawal 1407 AH, June 1987 AD. pp. 1-14.

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 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 BiDawlat 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 Otter (Lutra lutra) in Palestine.

Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 22, Ninth Year, February 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. 110.

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-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam (1992). The Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the Zoologisches Forschungsinstitut und Museum Alexander Koenig, Gazelle – Number 88 – April 2009

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Bonn, Germany. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 26, Tenth Year, January 1992. pp. 1-3.

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 AlAwsat) [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 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 Palaestina / 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 AlDeen 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). A Palestinian Zoologist: Dr. Sana Issa Atallah. In: Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin Home Page. Environmental Affairs 2 and Dinosaurs. http://gazelle.8m.net/custom3.html Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (2001). The Extinct and Endangered Animals in Palestine.

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In: Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin Home Page. Extinct and Endangered Animals and Reintroduction. http://gazelle.8m.net/photo3.html Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (2001). Threatened Mammals. 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 Palaestinensische Biologische Bulletin. Eine Wissenschaftliche Reise in Palaestina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1983 – 2004. / Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. A Scientific Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1983 – 2004. Erste Auflage, Juli 2004: 452 Seiten. Zweite erweiterte Auflage, August 2004: 460 Seiten. Norman Ali Khalaf, Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Germany. www.geocities.com/jaffacity/Gazelle_Bulletin.html Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2004). Die Wal Sonderausstellung "Delphinidae Delphionidae" und "Kleinwale in Nord- und Ostsee" im Museum Alexander Koenig in Bonn, Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. BonnBad Godesberg, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 35, Twenty-second Year, September 2004. pp. 1.

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2004). Der Schweinswal (Phocoena phocoena) in der Nordund Ostsee...The Harbour Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 36, Twenty-second Year, October 2004. pp. 1-7.

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). Thema des Tages (5. Januar 2005): In See gespuelter Indopazifischer Buckeldelfin (Sousa chinensis) in Thailand nach Tagen gerettet. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Number 37, Twenty-third Year, January 2005. pp. 1-3.

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. www.geocities.com/jaffacity/quastenflosser.html Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). The Story of Prophet Yunus (Jonah) and the Whale. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Number 38, Twenty-third Year, February 2005. pp. 9-13.

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). The Story of Prophet Musa (Moses) and the Fish.

Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Sharjah, United Arab 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, Twentythird Year, February 2005. pp. 16.

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Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). Samak Al-Luchs (Al-Hamoor) or the OrangeSpotted 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, Twentythird 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://www.geocities.com/jaffacity/Koran_Angelfish.html 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 Palaestina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1980 - 2005. Erste Auflage, August 2005: 376 Seiten. Norman Ali Khalaf, RilchingenHanweiler, Bundesrepublik Deutschland & Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. www.geocities.com/jaffacity/Aquatica_Arabica.html 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, RilchingenHanweiler, 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 Gazelle – Number 88 – April 2009

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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-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2006). A Bryde’s Whale (Balaenoptera edeni) Stranding on Al Mamzar Beach, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Number 50, Twenty-fourth Year, February 2006, Muharram 1427. pp. 1-5. http://www.geocities.com/jaffacity/Brydes_Mamzar.html Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2006). The Sumpters (Animals) of the Prophet Muhammad Peace be upon him. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Number 51, Twenty-fourth Year, March 2006, Rabie’ Alawal 1427. pp. 1-4. (in Arabic).

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2006). Mammalia Arabica. Eine Zoologische Reise in Palaestina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1980-2006. / Mammalia Arabica. A Zoological Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1980-2006. Erste Auflage, Juli 2006, 484 pp. Norman Ali Khalaf, Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Deutschland & Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. www.geocities.com/jaffacity/Mammalia_Arabica.html Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2006). Eine Persoenlichkeit aus Jaffa, Palaestina / 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. www.geocities.com/jaffacity/Bassam_Khalaf.html 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 Persoenlichkeit aus Jaffa, Palaestina / 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. www.geocities.com/jaffacity/Bassam_Khalaf.html Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (Gründer) (seit Juni 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 Gazelle – Number 88 – April 2009

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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://www.geocities.com/jaffacity/Whale_Shark_Kuwait.html 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://www.geocities.com/jaffacity/Rhiniodon_Rhincodon.html 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://www.geocities.com/jaffacity/Whale_Shark_Palestine.html 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. 2326. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (Abstract in English and Arabic). http://www.geocities.com/jaffacity/Whale_Shark_Palestine.html 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. 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 Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Zoologist, Ecologist and Geologist : The Scientific References (1980-2008). http://www.geocities.com/jaffacity/Khalaf_References.html 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. ISSN 0178 – 6288.

Twenty-seventh Year, Number 88, April 2009, Rabi’e Al Thani 1430 AH. pp. 1-14.

Gazelle – Number 88 – April 2009

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255. (in Arabic).

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Organism: Pristis zijsron. http://ctd.mdibl.org/detail.go?type=taxon&acc=495877 Pristis pectinata Smalltooth Sawfish. http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Pristi_pectin.htm Pristis zijsron Bleeker, 1851. Longcomb sawfish. http://www.eol.org/pages/213650 Pristis zijsron Bleeker, 1851. Longcomb Sawfish. www.discoverlife.org/mp/20o?search=Pristis+zijsron Pristis zijsron. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/classification/Pristis_zijsron.h tml Pristis zijsron (Narrownose Smooth Hound). http://zipcodezoo.com/Animals/P/Pristis_zijsron/ Pristis zijsron Bleeker, 1851. www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=564305 Sawfish. http://kuwaitmarinelife.com/?p=55 SawShark-Capak. www.tsahel.com/vb/f38/sawshark-capak-580.html Simpfendorfer, C.A. (2000). Predicting population recovery rates for endangered Western Atlantic sawfishes using demographic analysis. Environmental Biology of Fishes. 58:371-377.

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Strange fish caught in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. http://www.animalpicturesarchive.com/view.php?tid=2&did=31436 The Sawfish in Dibba. http://www.thelegend.net/vb/t73032.html The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Pristis pectinata. www.iucnredlist.org/details/18175 The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Pristis zijsron. http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/39393 United Arab Emirates Map. www.cleartrip.com/SmallWorld/maps/wg-united-arabemirates-3619-400x300.gif Wikipedia. Longcomb sawfish. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longcomb_sawfish Wikipedia. Pristis zijsron. http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pristis_zijsron Wikispecies. Pristis zijsron. http://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Pristis_zijsron

Gazelle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Number 88 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; April 2009