Abstract

This article introduces the arthropods that induce galls or are associated with galls in two plant species (Haloxylon persicum and Haloxylon salicornicum) in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In connection with a baseline survey conducted to establish species knowledge to assess the habitat and diversity of the flora and fauna in proposed Houbara bustard (Chlamydotis (undulata) macqueeni) release sites of the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, Emirate. The galls were collected and studied to understand the gall-associated arthropods. In the current observation, four different types of galls were observed from stem and leaf portion of the two plant species: Swollen galls and flower-like galls from H. persicum; flower-like galls and spike-like galls from leaves and stem of H. salicornicum. In the present study, we have additionally observed arthropods associated with plant galls from both species ofHaloxylon (gall-associated species). No attempts were made to classify them into further categories like gall inducers or parasitoids of gall-inhabiting insects. The taxon observed in the current study belong to different arthropod groups: 1) Arachnids: Acari and Araneae; 2) insect orders like Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae, Thysanoptera: Thripidae, Hemiptera: Psyllidae, Pseudococcidae, Diptera and Lepidoptera: Pyralidae.

Key words: Biodiversity, Haloxylon persicum, Haloxylon salicornicum, gall inducers, inquilines, gall associates, Western Region.