Ophrys omegaifera subsp. fleischmannii (Hayek) Del Prete, Ophrys algarvensis D. Tyteca, Benito & M. Walravens, Ophrys omegaifera subsp. vasconica (O. Danesch & E. Danesch) Kreutz, Ophrys omegaifera var. basilissa (C. Alibertis, A. Alibertis & H. R. Reinhard) Faurh. Ophrys polycratis P. Delforge spec. nov. are five new subspecies found for the first time in Lebanon at the north and the western slopes of Mount Lebanon (200 to 1100 m altitude). Pine forests, open woodlands and rocky places are their favorite growth places. The new subspecies resemble Ophrys omegaifera H. Fleischm. in morphology, but have various differences that are described and illustrated.

The objective of this study was to investigate the initial attachment and biofilm formation of iron-oxidising bacteria, Leptothrix sand Sphaerotilus spp. Biofilm detection was carried out by 3 methods viz. tissue culture plate, tube method and congo red method. All the isolates were positive for biofilm formation. Tissue culture plate method was found to be reliable. Further, the biofilms formed were quantified spectrophotometrically and subjected to different environmental stress conditions. Various factors like temperature, glucose, and NaCl concentration for biofilm formation were studied and determined to be optimal at 30-37ºC, 4-6% and 2-4% respectively. Under different environmental stress conditions biofilm formation decreased with exposure to UV, SDS, lysozyme and trypsin treatments. MATH was performed to determine biofilm hydrophobicity, three of the isolates showed adhesion pattern whereas two of the isolates did not respond.