1. Wyler Department of Dryland Agriculture, French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research Ben‐Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus Midreshet Ben‐Gurion Israel
2. Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research Ben‐Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus Midreshet Ben‐Gurion Israel
3. Present affiliation and address of Luther van der Mescht: Clinvet International Uitzich Road, Bainsvlei, 9338 Bloemfontein, Free State South Africa
4. Present affiliation and address of Elizabeth M. Warburton: Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases Odum School of Ecology University of Georgia 203 D.W. Brooks Dr. Athens GA 30602 USA