![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PPDJTDAF5ZHELJ2RF56EYU7SM4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3b67fffac2782df00311b6e55be0f0120b142616664debbdf42c374da7a5f22c&width=400&height=225)
Prof Waleed Hamza. Photo: Prof Waleed Hamza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BCQECKG4MJDL5NH5LACLWEPNLM.jpg?smart=true&auth=26dccbe54d4df496970f728261747834a855863c214384aed9a75bbbad44de53&width=400&height=225)
An electron microscope scan of a new type of water flea, called Daphnia arabica, recently discovered in the UAE.
Photo: Dr Alexey Kotov
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OT7XXJOPMZHNBLDG7KRGRKEQFI.jpg?smart=true&auth=5dd333563967c2fc34f669702fd1c96f9b58d810baf91547a463439429e8c910&width=400&height=225)
Researchers scoured bodies of water across the Emirates to uncover the tiny creature. Photo: Prof Waleed Hamza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/43U4JTVW3BHKZC3SDRX3SEIJA4.jpg?smart=true&auth=bfee651703f8dcd797afa1f609db171083d0226f95e90a081b5db71eaac0a135&width=400&height=225)
Researchers collecting mud and water samples, and the areas of water in the UAE where they took samples. Photo: Prof Waleed Hamza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z5Q7D24HDRGZRAIQHKIAGOF3OU.jpg?smart=true&auth=b1583d9b4c38d7d625bec78604b26efd55dc1875123b635307912cefd907c3da&width=400&height=225)
The diminutive marine life – which reach up to about 5mm in length – are essential to the healthy functioning of water ecosystems. Photo: Prof Waleed Hamza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7YRCZSAX35C6JAMOC7QO55T7UQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=b95216cde94be9981c49cc3c24c6d6eee4b79b7b5bca67ea1a5495ac95738c50&width=400&height=225)
Five species of water flea were identified by the researchers – D. arabica and four species already known to science. Photo: Prof Waleed Hamza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O2H7YVQRJBB4VCJXHADZTAUIUU.jpg?smart=true&auth=9f48b51361a1bfdcac91ab1d9b5125a9ad88d10303d3ed5233d06ae177f8a7f0&width=400&height=225)
The creatures were put under the microscope and genetic analysis was carried out to examine the relationship between different types of water flea. Photo: Prof Waleed Hamza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PPDJTDAF5ZHELJ2RF56EYU7SM4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3b67fffac2782df00311b6e55be0f0120b142616664debbdf42c374da7a5f22c&width=400&height=225)
Prof Waleed Hamza. Photo: Prof Waleed Hamza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BCQECKG4MJDL5NH5LACLWEPNLM.jpg?smart=true&auth=26dccbe54d4df496970f728261747834a855863c214384aed9a75bbbad44de53&width=400&height=225)
An electron microscope scan of a new type of water flea, called Daphnia arabica, recently discovered in the UAE.
Photo: Dr Alexey Kotov
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OT7XXJOPMZHNBLDG7KRGRKEQFI.jpg?smart=true&auth=5dd333563967c2fc34f669702fd1c96f9b58d810baf91547a463439429e8c910&width=400&height=225)
Researchers scoured bodies of water across the Emirates to uncover the tiny creature. Photo: Prof Waleed Hamza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/43U4JTVW3BHKZC3SDRX3SEIJA4.jpg?smart=true&auth=bfee651703f8dcd797afa1f609db171083d0226f95e90a081b5db71eaac0a135&width=400&height=225)
Researchers collecting mud and water samples, and the areas of water in the UAE where they took samples. Photo: Prof Waleed Hamza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z5Q7D24HDRGZRAIQHKIAGOF3OU.jpg?smart=true&auth=b1583d9b4c38d7d625bec78604b26efd55dc1875123b635307912cefd907c3da&width=400&height=225)
The diminutive marine life – which reach up to about 5mm in length – are essential to the healthy functioning of water ecosystems. Photo: Prof Waleed Hamza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7YRCZSAX35C6JAMOC7QO55T7UQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=b95216cde94be9981c49cc3c24c6d6eee4b79b7b5bca67ea1a5495ac95738c50&width=400&height=225)
Five species of water flea were identified by the researchers – D. arabica and four species already known to science. Photo: Prof Waleed Hamza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O2H7YVQRJBB4VCJXHADZTAUIUU.jpg?smart=true&auth=9f48b51361a1bfdcac91ab1d9b5125a9ad88d10303d3ed5233d06ae177f8a7f0&width=400&height=225)
The creatures were put under the microscope and genetic analysis was carried out to examine the relationship between different types of water flea. Photo: Prof Waleed Hamza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PPDJTDAF5ZHELJ2RF56EYU7SM4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3b67fffac2782df00311b6e55be0f0120b142616664debbdf42c374da7a5f22c&width=400&height=225)
Prof Waleed Hamza. Photo: Prof Waleed Hamza
Scientists discover new species of water flea in UAE
Researchers have drawn surprising parallels between the dispersion of Daphnia arabica and the movement of humans out of Africa
![Daniel Bardsley](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F4dcffed7-67d1-4c6f-b468-84a82d1ddd22.png?smart=true&auth=e4d7a6e3c76d7ec922e25339bc18538c62bc925936c2316006dc89b8a7becdc6&width=70&height=70)
Daniel Bardsley
24 September, 2022
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