Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability

Palestine Museum of Natural History

Research

Research Areas: Genotoxicity; Faunal Survey of Protected areas; Survey of Coccinellidae as important biological control agents; Systematics of various insect groups (Hymenoptera, Orthoptera, Odonata, Mantodea); Studies on genetics and morphology of Geckos; Ethnobotany and ethnozoology; Checklists of Birds of Palestine; Microinvertebrates in Leaf Litter ; The genetics of Crocidura; Studies on diet of Owls (especially to relate to biodiversity declines); The Land Snails of Palestine (research monograph); Revisiting adaptive nature of chromosome numbers in mammals: Intraspecific variation and invasiveness; Research on Permaculture (several areas including aquaponics, composting etc).

Museum publications (environment/natural history related only)

  • Qumsiyeh, MB. 2017. Nature and Resistance in Palestine. Active Arab Voices.Link
  • Handal, Elias N. 2017. First record of Deroplax silphoides from the West Bank – Palestine. Entomologia Hellenica 26 (2017): 13-16.Link
  • Abusarhan, M, ZS Amr, M Ghattas, EN Handal and MB  Qumsiyeh. 2017. Grasshoppers and Locusts (Orthoptera: Caelifera) from the Palestinian Territories at the Palestine Museum of Natural History. Zoology and Ecology Link
  • Abualia, K, R. Saeed, and M.B. Qumsiyeh. 2017. Environmental education and awareness for behavioral change in a developing country under the stresses of occupation. Pacific Ecologist. In press
  • Kilani A, K. Abualia, and MB Qumsiyeh. 2017. Incidence and types of chromosome abnormalities in a cohort of leukemic patients in the occupied Palestinian Territories. Submitted
  • Qumsiyeh. MB and Amr, ZS. 2017. Protected Areas in the Occupied Palestine Territories. Jordan Journal of Natural History, Vol 3, In press
  • Qumsiyeh, M.B. 2017. Fauna of Wadi Al-Quf: Invertebrates. Jordan Journal of Natural History, Volume 3, In Press
  • Qumsiyeh, M.B. 2017.Fauna of Wadi Al-Quf: Amphibians, Reptiles and Mammals. Jordan Journal of Natural History, Volume 3, In Press
  • Khalilieh, A. 2017.Fauna of Wadi Al-Quf: Birds. Jordan Journal of Natural History, Volume 3, In Press
  • Sawalha, Samir S., Asad Ramlawi, Ramzi M. Sansur, Ibrahim Mohammad Salem, and Zuhair S. Amr. 2017. Diversity, ecology, and seasonality of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) of the Jenin District (Palestinian Territories). Journal of Vector Ecology 42 (1): 120-129.  Link
  • Qumsiyeh, Mazin, Anton Khalilieh, Issa Musa Albaradeiya, and Banan Al-Shaikh 2017. Biodiversity Of Wadi Al-Quf Area, Occupied Palestinian Territories: Challenges And Opportunities. Jordan Journal of Natural History, Volume 3, In Press
  • Qumsiyeh, MB and EN Handal. Revisiting adaptive nature of chromosome evolution in placental mammals. Cytologia
  • Qumsiyeh, MB 2017. Nature museums and botanical gardens for environmental conservation in developing countries. Bioscience, Link
  • Qumsiyeh, MB and Amr, ZS. 2017. Protected Areas in the Occupied Palestine Territories. Jordan Journal of Natural History, Vol 3, In press
  • Qumsiyeh, MB, E Handal, J Chang, K Abualia, M Najajreh, M Abusarhan 2017. Role of museums and botanical gardens in ecosystem services in developing countries: Case study and outlook. Intl J Env Studies. 74(2): 340-350 Link
  • Handal, EN, Z.S Amr and MB Qumsiyeh. 2016. Some records of reptiles from the Palestinian Territories. Russian Journal of Herpetology. 23(4):261-270 Link
  • Abusarhan, Mohammed A., Elias N. Handal, Manal M. Ghattas, Zuhair Amr, and Mazin B. Qumsiyeh 2016. Some records of butterflies (Lepidoptera) from the Palestinian Territories. Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences, 9(1):11-23. Link
  • Khlaif, N and MB Qumsiyeh. 2016. Genotoxicity of recycling electronic waste in Idhna, Hebron District, Palestine. International Journal of Environmental Studies. 73:1-9.  Link
  • Kessens, Samuel 2016. Growth rate and health aspects of leafy vegetables produced in small-scale aquaponic systems with fish fed on conventional and insect-based fish food. Thesis, Institut für Agrarwissenschaften / Institute of Agricultural Sciences (IAS), ETH Zurich, open access Link
  • Handal, Elias N., Zuhair Amr, Mazin B. Qumsiyeh. Some records of Freshwater Snail from the Occupied Palestinian territories. Jordan Journal of Natural History. 1(2):23-29. Link
  • Qumsiyeh, MB, M. Najajreh, and E Handal. 2015. Scientific Research as a basis for education and environmental conservation: Examples from Palestinian governorates. Sixth Environmental Conference of the Environmental Education Center. Beit Jala.
  • Amr, Z.S., E.N. Handal, F. Bibi, MH Najajreh, and M.B. Qumsiyeh. 2016. Change of diet of the Eurasian Eagle Owl, Bubo bubo, suggest decline in biodiversity in Wadi Al Makhrour, Bethlehem Governorate, Palestinian Territories. Slovak Raptor Journal. 10:75-79.  Link
  • Handal, EN, Z.S Amr and MB Qumsiyeh. 2016. Some records of reptiles from the Palestinian Territories. Russian Journal of Herpetology. 23(4):261-270.  Link
  • Qumsiyeh Mazin. Scientific research towards environmental justice and sustainability in Palestine. Proceedings of the 4th International Conference On Energy & Environmental Protection In Sustainable Development (Hebron, 4-6 April 2016). http://iceep.ppu.edu/
  • Qumsiyeh, Mazin. Review of “Foundations of Museum Studies: Evolving Systems of Knowledge”, by Kiersten F. Latham and John E. Simmons, Libraries Unlimited, Santa Barbara. International Journal of Environmental Studies, 2015, DOI: 10.1080/00207233.2015.1086602
  • Qumsiyeh, MB. 2015. Biodiversity of Wadi Quff: Fauna. In Management Plan of Wadi Quff. EQA and IUCN, Ramallah.
  • مازن قمصية ومحمد نجاجره والياس حنضل 2015 البحث العلمي أساس للتعليم والحفاظ على البيئة:  أمثلة من محافظات فلسطينية. كتاب أبحاث المؤتمر البيئي السادس. مركز التعليم البيئي – بيت لحم
  • Qumsiyeh, MB. Z Amr, K AbuSrour, and N Al-Fawaghra. 2014. The karyotype of the Diplocentrid Nebo with comments on scorpion chromosomal evolution. Cytologia 79(2):1-4. Nebo
  • Salman, I. M. Salsaa’, and MB Qumsiyeh. 2014. Distribution and Cytogenetics of Amphibians from the occupied Palestinian territories (West Bank of Jordan). Jordan Natural History Journal., 1(1):86-98.  Link
  • Qumsiyeh, Mazin, Sibylle Zavala, and Zuhair Amr. Decline in Vertebrate biodiversity in Bethlehem, Palestine. Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences 7(2):101-107.  Link
  • Qumsiyeh M.B, Borqan, H. and Obeid, H. 2014. Cytogenetics and Y chromosome microdeletion analysis for a cohort of Palestinian azoospermic and oligozoospermic men. Jordan Medical Journal, 48(1):34-39. Link
  • Qumsiyeh, MB 2013. The coming Environmental Nakba. Pp 57-59 in The Third Palestinian Environmental Awareness and Education, Conference. EEC, Bethlehem.
  • Hammad, K. and M.B. Qumsiyeh. 2013. Genotoxic Effects of Israeli Industrial Settlement Pollutants on Palestinian Residents of Bruqeen Village (Salfit). International Journal of Environmental Studies.70(4):655-622.DOI: 10.1080/00207233.2013.823050 GenotoxicityPalestine
  • Qumsiyeh, MB, I Salman, M Salsaa’, ZS Amr. 2013. Records of scorpions from the Palestinian Territories, with the first chromosomal data (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Zoology in the Middle East, 2013, 59(1), 70-76.  Link
  • Qumsiyeh, MB and J. Isaaq. 2012.Research and Development in the Occupied Palestinian Territories: Challenges and Opportunities. Arab Studies Quarterly. 34(3): 158-172.  Link
  • Amr, Zuhair Sami, Mohammad Adnan Abu Bakr, Mazin Butros Qumsiyeh, Bat Diversity and Conservation in Jordan. Turkish Journal of Zoology, 2006, 30:235-244.
  • Benkhalifa M, S Kasakyan, P Clement, M Baldi, G Tachdjian. A Demirol, T Gurgam, F Fiorentino, M Mohammad, MB Qumsiyeh. Array comparative genomic hybridization profiling of first trimester products of conception that failed to grow in vitro. Prenatal Diagnosis, 2005; 894-900.
  • Benkhalifa M, S Kahraman, MD A Biricik, S Serteyl, E Domez,Y Kumtepe, M B Qumsiyeh. Cytogenetic abnormalities and the failure of development after round spermatid injections. Fertility and Sterility  2004, 81(5):1283-1288.
  • Ahmed, M. N., G. R. DeLong, and M. B. Qumsiyeh.  Postnatal Developmental delay (PNDD) and chromosome abnormalities. Clinical Pediatrics 2000, 39:233-235.
  • Qumsiyeh, M.B.,  S. Barker, S. Dover,  P. K. Kennedy, and M. P. Kennedy. A potential model for early stages of chromosomal evolution by concentric Robertsonian fans: a large area of polymorphism in southern short-tailed shrews (Blarina carolinensis). Cytogenet. Cell Genet. 1999, 87(1-2):27-31
  • Ashley-Koch, A., C.M. Wolpert, L. Zaeem, M. M. Menold, M. B. Qumsiyeh et al. Genetic studies of autistic disorders and chromosome 7. Genomics. 1999, 61:227-236.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B.  Chromosome abnormalities in the placenta and spontaneous abortions. J. Matern.-Fetal Med. 1998, 7:210-212.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B. , Z. S. Amr, R. M. Al-Oran. Further records of bats from Jordan and a synopsis. Turkish J. Zoology. 1998, 22:277-284.
  • DeCastro, C. M., S. M. Rabe, S. D. Langdon, D. E. Fleenor, M. N. Ahmed, M. B. Qumsiyeh, R. E. Kaufman.  Genomic structure and chromosomal localization of PE-2 (ERF), a novel ETS factor with potential tumor suppressor properties. Genomics., 1997, 42:200-207.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B., J. L. Coate, J. A. Peppers, P. K. Kennedy, M. L. Kennedy. Robertsonian chromosomal rearrangements in the short-tailed shrew, Blarina carolinensis in western Tennessee. Cytogenet Cell Genet. 1997, 76:153-158.
  • Benkhalifa, M., Y. Menezo, L. Janny, J. L. Pouly, and M. B. Qumsiyeh. Cytogenetics of uncleaved oocytes and arrested zygotes in IVF programs.  J. Assisted Repr. & Genetics. 1996, 13(2):140-148.
  • Benkhalifa, M., P. Malet, M. B. Qumsiyeh, D. Boucher, V. Belliec, Y. Menzo. Chromosome aberrations in normal and translocated human sperm: role in reproduction pathology. Referens. Geneo. Obstet. 1994, 2(3):288-296.
  • Qumsiyeh, Mazin B. 1994. Evolution of Number and Morphology of Mammalian Chromosomes. J Hered. 85 (6): 455-465.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B. and J. W. Bickham. Chromosomes and relationships of long eared bats of the genera Plecotus and Otonycteris.  Journal of Mammalogy. 1993, 74(2):376-382.
  • Amr, Z. S. and Qumsiyeh, M. B.  Records of bat flies from Jordan, Libya, and Algeria. Entomological News. 1993, 104(1):43-46.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B., Z. S. Amr, and D. M. Shafi.  Status and conservation of the carnivores of Jordan (Mammalia: Carnivora). Mammalia. 1993, 57(1):55-62.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B., Z. S. Amr, and A. M. Disi.  Systematics and distribution of the bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of Jordan. Dirasat (Jordan Univ. Publications). 1992, 9B(2):101-118.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B. Karyotype of the East European hedgehog, Erinaceus concolor from Jordan.  Zeitschrift für Säugetierkundliche. 1991, 56:375-377.
  • Tharapel, S. A., M. B. Qumsiyeh, and G. Photopulos. Numerical chromosome abnormalities associated with early clinical stages of gynecologic tumors. Cancer Genetics and Cytogenetics. 1991, 55:89-96.
  • Qumsiyeh, M.B., E. D. Dempster, M. J. Hamilton and R. J. Baker. Cytogenetics and systematics of the rodent genus Gerbillurus. Journal of Mammalogy, 1991, 72(1):89-96.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B., J. N. Peeden, R. S. Wilroy, and A. T. Tharapel. High resolution replication banding combined with in situ hybridization for the delineation of a subtle chromosome rearrangement. American Journal of Medical Genetics. 1991, 41:99-101.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B. and Z. S. Amr. Mammals of Jordan: Rodents. Al-Reem (Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature). 1991, 44:19-20. [In Arabic].
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B. and D. A. Schlitter. Cytogenetic data on the rodent family Gerbillidae. Occasional Papers of the Museum, Texas Tech University  1991, 144:1-20.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B. and D. P. Suttle. Localization of the adenosine deaminase, transferrin, and UMP synthetase genes on Chinese hamster chromosomes 4 and 6 by in situ hybridization. Journal of Heredity, 1990, 81(2):111-116.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B., S.W. King, J. Arroyo-Cabrales, I. R. Aggundey, D. A. Schlitter, R. J. Baker, and K.J. Morrow. Complex chromosomal and immunological evolution in the morphologically similar species of murid rodents of the Mastomys/Praomys Complex. Journal of Heredity,  1990, 81(1):58-65.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B. Chromosomal fissions and phylogenetic hypotheses: Cytogenetic and allozymic variation between species of Meriones (Rodentia, Gerbillidae).Occasional Papers of the Musuem, Texas Tech Univ., 1989, 132:1-16.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B., M. B. Valentine, and D. P. Suttle. Localization of the gene for uridine monophosphate synthase to human chromosome region 3q13 by insitu hybridization. Genomics, 1989, 5:160-162.
  • Baker, R. J., M. B. Qumsiyeh, and I. L. Rautenbach.  Evidence for eight tandem and five centric fusions in the karyotype of Aethomysnamaquensis. Genetica, 1988,  76:161-169.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B., R. D. Owen, and R. K. Chesser.  Differential rates of protein and chromosome evolution in bats of the family Rhinolophidae.Genome, 1988,  30:326-335.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B., R. J. Baker, S. Davis, J. C. Patton, and C. S. Hernandez.  Chromosomal evolution in Geomys  as revealed by G- and C-band studies. Southwestern Naturalist , 1988,  33(1):1-13.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B.  Pattern of heterochromatic variation and phylogeny in the rodent family Gerbillidae. Texas Journal of Science, 1988,  40:63-70.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B. and R. J. Baker. Comparative cytogenetics and the determination of primitive karyotypes. Cytogenetics and Cell Genetics, 1988, 47:100-103
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B. and R. K. Chesser. Rates of protein, chromosome, and morphologic evolution in four genera of Rhombomyine gerbils. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, 1988, 16(1):89-103.
  • Owen, R. D. and M. B. Qumsiyeh.  The subspecies problem in the trident leaf-nosed bat, Aselliatridens: homomorphism in widely separated populations. Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde, 1987, 6:329-337.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B., M. J. Hamilton, and D. A. Schlitter.  Problems of using Robertsonian rearrangements in determining monophyly: examples from the genera Tatera and Gerbillurus.Cytogenetics and Cell Genetics, 1987, 44:198-208.
  • Schlitter, D. A., I. R. Aggundey, M. B. Qumsiyeh, K. Nelson, and R. L. Honeycutt. Taxonomic and distributional records on bats from Kenya. Annals of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 1986, 55(12):297-302.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B., D. A. Schlitter, and A. M. Disi.  New records and karyotypes of small mammals from Jordan. Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde, 1986, 51:139-146.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B.  Phylogenetic studies of the rodent family Gerbillidae: I. Chromosomal  evolution in the southern African group. Journal of  Mammalogy, 1986, 67:680-692.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B. and R. J. Baker. G- and C-banded karyotypes of the Rhinopomatidae (Microchiroptera). Journal of Mammalogy, 1985, 66:541-544.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B.  Occurrence and zoogeographical implications of Myotisblythi (Tomes, 1857) in Libya. Mammalia (Paris), 1983, 47(3):429-430.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B. and D. A. Schlitter.  The bat fauna of Jabal al Akhdar, North East Libya. Annals of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 1982, 51(19):377-389.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B. and D. A. Schlitter.  Bat records from Mauritania, Africa (Mammalia: Chiroptera). Annals of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 1981, 50(13):345-351.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B.  New records of bats from Jordan.Säugetierk. Mitt. 1980, 28(1): 36-39.

Published Books

  • Qumsiyeh, M. B.  Une histoire populaire de la Résistance palestinienne. Edition Demi-Lune, Saint-Gewrmaine, 2013.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B.  Al-Muqawama Al-Sha’biya Fi Falastin, published by Muwattin
  • in Ramallah, 2011.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B.  Popular Resistance in Palestine: A History of Hope and Empowerment, Pluto Press, 2010.
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B.  Compartir la tierra de Canaán: Derechos Humanos y el Conflicto Israelí-Palestino. (Updated and with an introduction about the role of Latin America), Editorial Canaan, Argentina, 2007
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B.  Sharing the Land of Canaan: Human Rights and the Israeli-Palestinian Struggle, Pluto Press, 2004
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B.  Mammals of the Holy Land, Texas Tech Press, 1996
  • Qumsiyeh, M. B.  Bats of Egypt, Texas Tech Press, 1986