animal biosystematic
rose salatin
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 01 December 2013
Abstract
lepidoptera class consists of butterflies and moths.this class has about 165000 species all over the world which 20000of these species are butterflies.Rhopalocera subclass which belongs to lepidoptera class, is the most familiar and specified of insects.these insects have considerable economical importance ...
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lepidoptera class consists of butterflies and moths.this class has about 165000 species all over the world which 20000of these species are butterflies.Rhopalocera subclass which belongs to lepidoptera class, is the most familiar and specified of insects.these insects have considerable economical importance ,most of these species larvae are vegeterian and a large number of them are crop pests. on the other hand,in the mature stage ,they play an essential role in flowers pollination and growth.a lot of these mature species are gathered for their beauty by collectors and they are used as models in art and drawing. this study has done to complete Elborz butterflies fauna. in researches during spring and summer of 2010 on butterflies fauna in some parts of central Elborz(Dizin, Galandrud, Kamarbon, Nesen, Kodir and Baladeh), 170 butterfly samples of nymphalidae family were gathered by insect net and specified which among them 6 species belong to 3 genus and 2 tribes belong to nymphalinae subfamily.
animal biosystematic
iman gowhari; shahrokh pashaei rad
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 02 December 2013
Abstract
Based on the published statistics of diseases management center, yearly frequency of scorpion bite in Iran between 2001 to 2003 has been 38415 bite and the rate of death wich is resultant of scorpion bite has been 21 cases during a year. Doubtless scorpion bite is one of our medical problems, but what ...
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Based on the published statistics of diseases management center, yearly frequency of scorpion bite in Iran between 2001 to 2003 has been 38415 bite and the rate of death wich is resultant of scorpion bite has been 21 cases during a year. Doubtless scorpion bite is one of our medical problems, but what is important regarding this matter is a fear that people have about this creature. Unfortunately a precise and right statistcs toward the risk of this creature bite does not exist. Till based on that, it woud be possible to recognize scorpion bite of our society is related to what species and it has what a status among category of death causes and based on that prepre a antivenom monovalan related to every scorpion؛ surely we can not deny this problem in south and west regions of our country specially for hot seasons.In this research first, Ilam province based on geography position, scorpion bitting domain, climate and local researches divided to 14 region of sampling. By use of valid identifying keys such as Navid pour(2008), samples recognizes, frequency of scorpion species in each climate region has showed and their distribution map by use of GIS software has drawn. In Ilam province, among 390 hunted scorpion, 10 species include Hottentotta saulcyi(23/07), Mesobuthus eupeus(22/56), Compsobuthus matthiesseni(13/07), hemiscorpius lepturus(12/3), Orthochirus iranus(7/94), Razianus zarudnyi(4/87), Androctonus crassicaudata(4/1), Buthacus macrocentrus(3/33), Scorpio maurus(2/56), Odontobuthus bidentatus(1/02) scorpion identified.
animal biosystematic
Valiallah Khalaji-Pirbalouty
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 19 October 2014
Abstract
In this paper, we propose a simple, fast, and accurate method to make scientific illustrations of animal and specimens. Photos and/or pencil drawings provided via microscope or stereo-microscope equipped with Camera Lucida are scanned. The scanned illustrations are then imported into CorelDraw and the ...
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In this paper, we propose a simple, fast, and accurate method to make scientific illustrations of animal and specimens. Photos and/or pencil drawings provided via microscope or stereo-microscope equipped with Camera Lucida are scanned. The scanned illustrations are then imported into CorelDraw and the detailed drawings are made using special pens and proper lines. The final illustrations produced with this method can be stored in all known formats and used in the scientific literatures. The digitizer panel, as an alternative option, may be used to schedule the initial drawing and also adding the details.Key words: Animal illustrations, CorelDraw, Digital drawings.In this paper, we propose a simple, fast, and accurate method to make scientific illustrations of animal and specimens. Photos and/or pencil drawings provided via microscope or stereo-microscope equipped with Camera Lucida are scanned. The scanned illustrations are then imported into CorelDraw and the detailed drawings are made using special pens and proper lines. The final illustrations produced with this method can be stored in all known formats and used in the scientific literatures. The digitizer panel, as an alternative option, may be used to schedule the initial drawing and also adding the details.Key words: Animal illustrations, CorelDraw, Digital drawings
animal biosystematic
seyedُ pourrabie; Shahrogh Pashaie Rad; Mahbobeh Hajirostamlo; Hasan Baroghie
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 19 October 2014
Abstract
Abstract:
Different species of Syrphid flies are beneficial insects in nature and are important in agriculture. During a faunistic study on syrphid flies (Dip.:Syrphidae) on 2011 to 2012 of Jolfa region (East Azarbaijan province), one Merodon Meigen, 1803 species was collected. They were identified ...
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Abstract:
Different species of Syrphid flies are beneficial insects in nature and are important in agriculture. During a faunistic study on syrphid flies (Dip.:Syrphidae) on 2011 to 2012 of Jolfa region (East Azarbaijan province), one Merodon Meigen, 1803 species was collected. They were identified as Merodon latifemoris Radenkovic, based on morphological characters as a new species from Iran region.
In this study, species was collected, and transferred to the Laboratory of Entomology, in Islamic Azad University of Marand and was studied at the morphological character.
The syrphidae important organs such as legs, wings, thorax, abdomen and genitalia were examined. In this research isolated end of the tergit, and transferred in to KOH 10% for 24-12h and then transferred in to alchole 10%, so added one drope glycrin at study time, and was recognized by prestigious keys. Their figures and a simple diagnostic key were provided for their determination in this region.
animal biosystematic
azita farashi
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 19 October 2014
Abstract
Carnivores play great ecological roles in ecosystems because of placing on top of the food pyramid. Food habits of large carnivores are associated with important ecological features such as spatial pattern, movement, habitat selection, social structure, geographical distribution and reproductive success. ...
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Carnivores play great ecological roles in ecosystems because of placing on top of the food pyramid. Food habits of large carnivores are associated with important ecological features such as spatial pattern, movement, habitat selection, social structure, geographical distribution and reproductive success. Accordingly, in this study was used scat analysis to determine the diet of persian leopards in Sarigol National Park using percent of occurrence index. The results showed that diet of leopards in the Sarigol National Park includes a high diversity of wild boar (Sus scrofa), wild goat (Capra aegagrus), wild sheep (Ovis orientalis), tolai hare (Lepus tolai), common fox (Vulpes vulpes), Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica), domesticated animals; dog, horse, bird and plant materials. Wild sheeps have the largest share and rabbits and horses have the lowest share in the diet of this species. Undoubtedly, identifying food habits of leopard and maintaining prey populations can improve management programs and conservation status.Keywords: Food pyramid, Scat, Food habits
animal biosystematic
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 19 October 2014
Abstract
To identify the species of sea cucumbers belong to Holothuroidea in the intertidal zones of Chabahar Bay, field studies were conducted during one year from November 2008 to September 2009. The area of study was located at the farthest end of southeast of Iran in province of Sistan and Balouchestan ...
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To identify the species of sea cucumbers belong to Holothuroidea in the intertidal zones of Chabahar Bay, field studies were conducted during one year from November 2008 to September 2009. The area of study was located at the farthest end of southeast of Iran in province of Sistan and Balouchestan between 25°16́́ 61̋ and 25°22́ 47 ̋ North, and between 60°39́ 90 ̋ and 60°24́ 38 ̋ East. 5 sampling stations along the shoreline zone was determined based on geomorphological characteristics, habitat and accessibility. Bimonthly Sampling was carried out in the selected stations in complete tide and all samples of each species were collected. Then samples were transferred to laboratory and identified based on extracted ossicles with valid identification keys .the four species of sea cucumbers were identified: Holothuria leucospilota, Holothuria arenicola, Holothuria insignis, Holothuria sp. Which bolnge to family of Holothuroidae and order of Elasipodida. The Maximum frequency of Holothuroidea Was measured in January (2009) in station 4.
animal biosystematic
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 12 November 2014
Abstract
Collection and identification snails of Dez river in Khuzestan province in Iran has been investigated in 2012-2013. For the first time, 29 snail species are identified in Dez river in Khuzestan, which they belong to 15 genera from 10 families Identification was done according to morphometric characters ...
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Collection and identification snails of Dez river in Khuzestan province in Iran has been investigated in 2012-2013. For the first time, 29 snail species are identified in Dez river in Khuzestan, which they belong to 15 genera from 10 families Identification was done according to morphometric characters including shape, size of shell, dextral and sinistral position of the shell, operculum, aperture, radula, mucus colour, respiratory pore, keel, renal ridge and reproduction system. The most and least distribution among identified snail species are 18 and 8 species belong to 4 and 2 stations respectively from Dez river, which they are 20/82 kilometers away from each other. The most commonly distributed family is Thiaridae with 8 species Melanopsispraemorsa ، Melanopsis costata ،Melanopsis doriae Melanopsis nodosa، Melanopsis subtingitana, Melanoides pyramis, Melanoides tuberculata Thiara scabra. Bulinus truncates and Lymnaea truncatula are identified as the most frequent and has medical importance.Melanopsis subtingitana Annandale,1918 and Gyraulus huwaizahensis species are reported for the first time from Iran.
Fisheries
Soheil Eagderi
Abstract
This study was conducted to survey the morphological variation in four populations of the Urmia kingfish (Alburnus atropatenae) using geometric morphometric technique. A total number of 163 specimens were collected from four rivers of the Urmia Lake basin including the Baneh, Saghezchai, Siminehrood ...
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This study was conducted to survey the morphological variation in four populations of the Urmia kingfish (Alburnus atropatenae) using geometric morphometric technique. A total number of 163 specimens were collected from four rivers of the Urmia Lake basin including the Baneh, Saghezchai, Siminehrood and Zarinehrood by electrofishing. The left side of specimens were photographed using a digital camera. Then fifteen homologous landmark points were selected and digitized on 2D pictures using tpsDig2 software. Landmark data after GPA, analyzed using PCA, CVA with obtained P-value from permutation test and cluster analysis. The patterns of population’s body shape were illustrated in relation to consensus configuration of all specimens. The results showed a significant differences between the body shape of studied populations. Based on cluster analysis, the studied populations according to their body shape were divided into Baneh clad and Saghezchai, Siminehrood and Zarinehrood clade. The Baneh, Saghezchai, and Siminehrood populations have deeper body and are distinguishable due to smaller head, posterior position of eye and shorter base of dorsal fin, respectively and Zarinehrood population was differentiable due to a more fusiform body shape and less body depth. These morphological differences can display ongoing evolutionary trends of studied populations as result of environmental conditions of their habitats and geographical isolation.
animal biosystematic
Fatemeh Khajeh hoseyni; Alireza Shayestehfar; Mahdi Khodaei-Motlagh; Alireza Pesarakloo
Abstract
Ticks are scattered all over the world as aquatic and terrestrial groups. Livestock ticks are obligate parasites that target small and large livestock. In this study, 5 stations in the Kojur region were selected and livestock were sampled. The tick samples collected in Eppendorf bottles containing 70% ...
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Ticks are scattered all over the world as aquatic and terrestrial groups. Livestock ticks are obligate parasites that target small and large livestock. In this study, 5 stations in the Kojur region were selected and livestock were sampled. The tick samples collected in Eppendorf bottles containing 70% ethanol and 5% glycerin were transferred to the laboratory of Arak University. They were identified with the help of valid identification keys of their genus and species. In this research, 173 livestock including 95 cattle and 78 sheep were studied, of which 139 were infected with ticks. A total of 572 ticks (420 ticks belonging to the hard tick family and 152 ticks belonging to the soft tick family) were collected. From the Ixodidae family, six species belonging to the three genera Hyalomma, Haemaphysalis, and Rhipicephalus, including two species Hy. anatolicum and Hy. asiaticum, two species of Ha. Punctate and Ha. sulcata, and two species R. Sanguineus and R. Turanicus were identified. In the family Argasidae 2 genera and 3 species were identified, which genera include Argas and Ornithodoros. In this family, Argas species were completely distinguished from Ornitodoros species. From the Argas genus, A. persicus and A. reflexus species and from Ornithodoros genus, O. lahorensis species have been isolated and identified.
animal biosystematic
Hamid Darvishnia
Abstract
Pseudoscorpiones are small arthropods that inhabit enclosed environments such as caves, under tree barks, in leaf litter, in desert zones, in nests of mammals and birds. Approximately 3450 species belonging to this group have been identified so far, of which 71 are distributed in Iran. Due to a dearth ...
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Pseudoscorpiones are small arthropods that inhabit enclosed environments such as caves, under tree barks, in leaf litter, in desert zones, in nests of mammals and birds. Approximately 3450 species belonging to this group have been identified so far, of which 71 are distributed in Iran. Due to a dearth of information regarding this group, the morphological study of cave pseudoscorpions located west of Iran, has been investigated in current research. A total 213 pseudoscorpion specimens were collected by hand, brush, or fine tweezers from under rock, among animal dropping and bat guano, on the ground surface, and on the walls of 24 caves in Ilam, Lorestan and Kermanshah provinces, and then preserved in 75% ethanol. While taking photos, the geographic location, altitude and some environmental factors of the caves were measured. To study the morphological characteristics, slides were made from the specimens, and measurements were done using the ImageJ software. A total of 18 species belonging to 14 genera from eight families were identified. The Chernetidae family exhibited the greatest diversity, comprising of 5 species belonging to 4 genera. These species were predominantly found in bat guano; and in the endogenous and parahypopogen regions of the cave. The Menthidae, Cheiridiidae and Chthoniidae families had the least diversity, each with one genus and one species. In the caves of the study area, the Megachernes pavlovskyi species from the Chernetidae family had the highest distribution. Because pseudoscorpions require a habitat with suitable camouflage, stable temperature, optimal humidity, and sufficient food resources, they prefer the cave environment. They are not directly influenced by rainfall or climate changes, and they are influenced by the ambient temperature. This could possibly account for the variety and abundance of pseudoscorpions present in the cave.
animal biosystematic
Ali Gholamhosseini
Abstract
Natural history museums are one of the most important types of museums in the world, serving as an effective and engaging means for promoting science, connecting the community with universities, and providing essential infrastructure for education and research. However, they fulfill these roles best ...
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Natural history museums are one of the most important types of museums in the world, serving as an effective and engaging means for promoting science, connecting the community with universities, and providing essential infrastructure for education and research. However, they fulfill these roles best when they are up to date. Therefore, in this research, I updated the labels of bird specimens of natural history museum and technology of Shiraz University to increase the efficiency of the museum in terms of educational duties. All specimens were examined based on morphological traits and identified to the species level using valid references. Errors in species identification were corrected, taxonomic status for each species was updated, and a database was prepared. New labels for the specimens were designed, and more detailed data is now available to visitors through a QR code scan on the specimen’s label. The results showed that the bird collection contains about 350 specimens belonging to 147 species, 121 genera, 53 families, and 24 orders. The highest species diversity is found in the order Passeriformes with 32 species, followed by the order Charadriiformes with 17 species, and after that, the orders Accipitriformes, Anseriformes, and Galliformes, each with 15 species. The results indicate that the classification of 31 species has changed at the order level, eight species at the family level, and six species at the genus level. Consequently, 45 taxonomic changes were updated in this study. Finally, some suggestions were made for increasing efficiency and attracting more visitors.
animal biosystematic
Sayyad Sheykhi; Hamidreza Rezaei; Anooshe Kafash; Masoud Yousefi
Abstract
Hyrcanian forests are rich in the sense of biological diversity. Cavity-nesting birds are considered an indicator of bird diversity in these forest ecosystem. To help conservation of avian diversity in Hyrcanian forests, we applied ensemble of three species distribution models (Generalised Boosted Models, ...
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Hyrcanian forests are rich in the sense of biological diversity. Cavity-nesting birds are considered an indicator of bird diversity in these forest ecosystem. To help conservation of avian diversity in Hyrcanian forests, we applied ensemble of three species distribution models (Generalised Boosted Models, Maximum Entropy modeling, Random Forest) and predicted the impacts of climate change on distribution of Dendrocopos major an important tree-cavity nesting bird in the area. We also estimated protected areas coverage for suitable habitat of the species in Hyrcanian forests. Results showed that area of suitable habitat of the species is and this will increase to 30805 by 2070 and 34392 by 2100. We also found that 15 percent of the species suitable habitat covered by protected areas.
animal biosystematic
Fatemeh Fakharzadeh; Somayeh Horobi
Abstract
Two species, green toad (Bufotes viridis) from true toads (Bufonidae) family and Marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) from true frogs (Ranidae) family have the most distribution in Khuzestan province. These species have many taxonomic problems and the chromosomal studies have been done in the country are ...
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Two species, green toad (Bufotes viridis) from true toads (Bufonidae) family and Marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) from true frogs (Ranidae) family have the most distribution in Khuzestan province. These species have many taxonomic problems and the chromosomal studies have been done in the country are few. In the field studies, 28 samples of anura including 17 green toads and11marsh frogs were collected from northwest and south of Khuzestan province (Shush, Khorramshahr and Hendijan). Sampling was done between the summer of 2018 and the summer of 2019. Chromosome studies showed all green toads have 22n=22 chromosomes that were classified into two groups. The first group included 6pairs of large chromosomes and the second group composed of 5pairs of small chromosomes. In the toads of all three studied regions, the fourth and seventh pairs of chromosomes were submetacentric and the rest chromosomes were metacentric. Results showed all collected marsh frogs have 2n=26 chromosomes, which were divided into two groups. The first group included 5pairs of large chromosomes and the second group had 8 pairs of small chromosomes. The karyotype formula of the frogs of the three sampling areas are not the same. The karyotype formula of Khorramshahr, Shush and Hendijan frogs are 8m+1sm+4st, 7m+3sm+3st and 6m+6sm+1st, respectively. Sex heteromorphic chromosomes were not observed in any of the collected samples. Current study on marsh frogs and its comparison with other investigations shows a significant diversity in terms of karyotype in the country, which strengthens the possibility of the existence of a species complex.
animal biosystematic
Sayyed Mahdi Heydari; Shahrokh Pashaei rad; Kamran Kamali; Mohammad Yaghoubi-Avini
Abstract
Reptiles are not only of economic value, but also culturally, historically, artistically, educationally, agriculturally, and ecologically. By hunting insects, they can play an effective role in agricultural pest control. Sampling was done non-invasively after determining 27 stations. 203 samples of Paralaudakia ...
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Reptiles are not only of economic value, but also culturally, historically, artistically, educationally, agriculturally, and ecologically. By hunting insects, they can play an effective role in agricultural pest control. Sampling was done non-invasively after determining 27 stations. 203 samples of Paralaudakia caucasia were collected and identified. Among these, 30 samples of adults and 14 samples of Juveniles species were subjected to biometrics. The obtained results of the biometrics, after checking in the IBM SPSS Statistic 24 software shown that there are significant differences in the SVL (Snout-Vent Length), TrL and TL. The significant differences can be attributed to the presence of the river and differences in vegetation. The mountain soil in the Eastern part is rocky and in the West is clay-rocky, can be considered as an important factor in the differences. The present study result had the significant differences with the other result reported from Shahrood and Mazandaran cities.
animal biosystematic
Habibe Zare; Batool Gorgin; Fateme Azizzadeh
Abstract
This study examines the status of toxic metals in the soil and fish of the Persian Gulf coast, focusing on Bushehr region. The main goal of this research is to identify and evaluate the concentration of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic in soil samples and fish caught from this ...
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This study examines the status of toxic metals in the soil and fish of the Persian Gulf coast, focusing on Bushehr region. The main goal of this research is to identify and evaluate the concentration of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic in soil samples and fish caught from this area. Using the standard methods of sampling and chemical analysis, the method recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA 3050B) was used as a common acid digestion method, and the necessary data were collected and analyzed. According to the values obtained from five stations on the shores of the Persian Gulf, the concentration of heavy metals, manganese, zinc, chromium and nickel is more than other metals. Also, by examining the average rate of heavy metals in the fish of three Persian Gulf stations, the concentrations of aluminum, zinc, lead, nickel, and copper are the highest. The results showed the presence of high concentrations of some toxic metals in soil and fish, which can be caused by industrial activities, agriculture and oil pollution. These findings raise concerns about ecosystem health and food safety in Bushehr region and emphasize the necessity of management and monitoring measures to reduce pollution and protect natural resources. In general, heavy metals are toxic to the body at very low levels. Aluminum, lead, cadmium, and nickel have a higher degree of toxicity, therefore, the increase of these metals in the tissue of fishes is associated with many risks. The main mechanism of heavy metal toxicity includes the production of free radicals to cause oxidative stress, damage to biological molecules such as enzymes, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and DNA damage.
animal biosystematic
Fatemeh Baharlu; Ali Gholamhosseini
Abstract
The Bee-eaters, include a group of 31 species of birds with bright colors that lives across the Palaeotropical and southern Eurasia regions. Of these, three species are distributed in Iran. Considering the role of bee-eaters in nature, presence of three species of Bee-eaters in Fars province and the ...
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The Bee-eaters, include a group of 31 species of birds with bright colors that lives across the Palaeotropical and southern Eurasia regions. Of these, three species are distributed in Iran. Considering the role of bee-eaters in nature, presence of three species of Bee-eaters in Fars province and the conflict between Bee-keepers and Bee-eaters, it is important to study the distribution of these species in the province. In order to investigate the distribution range of Bee-eaters in ecoregions of Fars province, fieldwork was carried out during 2017 and 2018. In total, 294 points were recorded for the European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster), 58 points for the Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis) and 13 points for the Persian Bee-eater (Merops persicus). Results showed that the European Bee-eater is distributed in almost regions of the province, Green Bee-eater in southern and western areas and the Persian Bee-eater in northern and western areas. According to the terrestrial ecoregions for Fars province, the European Bee-eater is distributed in the all three ecoregions including central Persian desert basins in northern areas, Zagros mountains forest steppe in central areas, and south Iran Nubo-Sindian desert and semi-desert ecoregion in southern areas of the province, but the most of its distribution points are related to the Zagros mountains forest steppe ecoregion. The Green Bee-eater is distributed in the Zagros mountains forest steppe and south Iran Nubo-Sindian desert ecoregions, however most of its distribution points are related to the south Iran Nubo-Sindian desert. The Persian Bee-eater is distributed only in the Zagros mountains forest steppe ecoregion.The three Bee-eater species overlap widely in distribution range in some parts of Fars province, and in the areas where all three species coexist, beekeeping is probably associated with a higher risk. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to this point for beehive apiary location.
animal biosystematic
Mina Azhari; Elham Ahmadi
Abstract
Freshwater snails are intermediate hosts of a large and important group of parasitic worms in medicine and veterinary medicine. In Iran, millions of rials of losses are caused by human Fascioliasis, which can be its intermediate hosts, the right-rounded snail Lymnaea palustris and the left-rounded snail ...
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Freshwater snails are intermediate hosts of a large and important group of parasitic worms in medicine and veterinary medicine. In Iran, millions of rials of losses are caused by human Fascioliasis, which can be its intermediate hosts, the right-rounded snail Lymnaea palustris and the left-rounded snail Physa acuta. To investigate the morphology of freshwater snails L. palustris and P. acuta from two families Lymnaeidae and Physidae, samples were collected during spring and summer from the west and south of Tehran province in 2021 and 2022. A total of 987 samples were collected and after being killed in boiling water, the samples were kept in 70% alcohol. In the laboratory, the radula of the samples were extracted and stained using Malery II and the dental formula, radula teeth and shell morphology were examined. In the species L. palustris, the central tooth is narrow and covered with a small cusp, the marginal teeth are poorly developed and have an irregular structure but in the species P. acuta, the central tooth has three main cusps and large marginal teeth. In terms of the difference in the shell of these two species, we can mention the length and the type of twisting, which in the adult species of L. palustris, their standard size is around 21 mm, but in the adult species of P. acuta, its standard size is It is about 15 mm. Also, a significant correlation was observed between the environmental factor of temperature and the population changes of the studied species.
animal biosystematic
Masoud Yousefi; Seyyed Saeed Hosseinian Yousefkhani; Anooshe Kafash; Mahdi Rajabizadeh; mohammad moradpour; Eskandar Rastegar Pouyani
Abstract
Background: Snakebite is a global health problem and important conservation challenge. Knowing where snakebite risk is highest can help snakebite management. But climate change is altering snakebite risk pattern making its management more difficult and complicated.
Methods: In this study we used Echis ...
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Background: Snakebite is a global health problem and important conservation challenge. Knowing where snakebite risk is highest can help snakebite management. But climate change is altering snakebite risk pattern making its management more difficult and complicated.
Methods: In this study we used Echis carinatus’ habitat suitability as an indicator of snakebite risk, under current and future climatic conditions. We applied an ensemble of five distribution modelling methods (Generalized linear models (GLMs), Generalized additive models (GAMs), Generalized boosted models (GBMs), Maximum entropy modelling (Maxent) and Random Forest (RF)) to model the species habitat suitability. In addition, we identified villages that are at risk of envenoming form the species under current and future climate.
Results: Results showed that the species suitable habitat will increase under climate change as consequence number of villages at risk will increase from 70247 to 82881 putting more human population at risk of envenoming.
Conclusion: High snakebite risk areas identified in this study are high priority target areas for awareness raising program and antivenom distribution. This study demonstrates usefulness of habitat suitability modeling in identifying high snakebite risk area in Iran.
animal biosystematic
Masoud Yousefi; Bagher Nezami; Mohamad Ali Adibi; Abdoulsaleh Geray; Farhad Ataei
Abstract
Reptiles are important components of natural ecosystems but because of limited dispersal ability they are sensitive to habitat destruction, road development and climate change. However, very little is known about their diversity and distribution in protected areas of Iran. In this study, reptiles of ...
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Reptiles are important components of natural ecosystems but because of limited dispersal ability they are sensitive to habitat destruction, road development and climate change. However, very little is known about their diversity and distribution in protected areas of Iran. In this study, reptiles of Touran Biosphere Reserve were collected, photographed and identified from 2014 to 2021. Results showed that 36 reptile species including 20 lizards, 15 snakes and 1 tortoise are living in the Touran Biosphere Reserve. Families Agamidae and Gekkonidae where the most diverse families among the lizard species and family Colubridae was the most diverse family among the snake species. Testudo horsfieldii and Varanus griseus are species with conservation concern thus they need special conservation programs.
animal biosystematic
Mona Izadian; Farhad Hosseini Tayefeh; Saber Ghasemi; Seyyed Ghasem Ghorbanzadeh Zaferani
Abstract
Persian Salamander (Persian Brook Salamander Paradactylodon persicus) is one of the unique genetic treasures of Iranian amphibians whose Hyrcanian forests of northern Iran are the last end of its southwestern distribution in Asia. Until 2019, two separate species including the Iranian Salamander P. persicus ...
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Persian Salamander (Persian Brook Salamander Paradactylodon persicus) is one of the unique genetic treasures of Iranian amphibians whose Hyrcanian forests of northern Iran are the last end of its southwestern distribution in Asia. Until 2019, two separate species including the Iranian Salamander P. persicus in the west and center and the salamander of Gorgani P. gorganensis in the east of Hyrcania were introduced, but based on the NGS and phylogenetic sequencing data, these salamanders are classified as the single species of the Iranian salamander Paradactylodon persicus. The eastern population is Critically Endangered (CR) and the central and western population is Near Threatened (NT) on the red list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and it is necessary to planning of conservation programs. Based on the guidelines proposed by Species Survival Working Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN/SSC), this research identifies the threats and provides management plan in the form of strategic programs for the conservation and management of the Iranian Salamander population. The most important threats to the species include sample collection, the presence of domestic and wild animals, destruction of springs, lack of water resources (decreased water flow) and easy access to the habitat. The most important strategies for the conservation and management of Iranian Salamanders is 1) to identify threats and provide solutions to reduce the effects of each threat on the species and habitat, 2) identify new habitats, monitor the population and assess the status of the habitat, 3) scientific studies on various biological and ecological aspects, and create a database and 4) raising the level of awareness, knowledge and attracting the participation of stakeholders in the conservation of the species and habitat. The results of this study will be used in the management of Iranian Salamander habitat and population, reducing the effects of threats, revising management plans and developing cooperative conservation.
animal biosystematic
Faramarz Esfandiari; Vida Hojati
Abstract
The protected area of Talo and Shirband, which was one of the prohibited hunting areas of Semnan province until 2019, is located in the northeast of Damghan city. This region has rich and varied biodiversity, cold and dry weather in winter, and hot and dry in summer. Since there is a wide variety of ...
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The protected area of Talo and Shirband, which was one of the prohibited hunting areas of Semnan province until 2019, is located in the northeast of Damghan city. This region has rich and varied biodiversity, cold and dry weather in winter, and hot and dry in summer. Since there is a wide variety of reptiles in the mentioned area, this study was conducted with the aim of investigating the fauna of lizards and turtles in the protected area of Talo and Shirband. The samples were collected from April to the end of September 2016 from early morning to late night in different stations of the region. The samples were identified based on valid identification keys and subjected to morphometric and meristic analysis. Pictures, identification key and species distribution map of the region were prepared. In total, 87 lizard samples and 6 turtle samples were collected and 15 species from 12 genera and belonging to 6 families were identified, which were: Paralaudakia caucasia, Phrynocephalus maculatus, Phrynocephalus scutellatus, Trapelus agilis, Bunopus tuberculatus, Cyrtopodion scabrum, Mediodactylus spinicaud, Tenuidactylus caspius, Eremias fasciata, Eremias persica, Eremias velox, Mesalina watsonana, Ablepharus pannonicus, Teratoscincus bedriagai and Testudo horsfieldii. The highest frequency of lizards belongs to Tenuidactylus caspius species and the lowest frequency belongs to Mesalina watsonana species
animal biosystematic
Mohammad Reza Ashrafzadeh; Ali Asghar Naghipour; Alireza Mohammadi; Maryam Haidarian; Hadi Khoshnamvand
Abstract
Lorestan province, as a predominantly mountainous region, covers important part of critical habitats of Persian leopard (Panthera pardus) in west of Iran. However, there is little information on geographical distribution of the leopard in this province. This study aims to identify suitable habitats of ...
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Lorestan province, as a predominantly mountainous region, covers important part of critical habitats of Persian leopard (Panthera pardus) in west of Iran. However, there is little information on geographical distribution of the leopard in this province. This study aims to identify suitable habitats of the Persian leopard in Lorestan province, using an ensemble model consisting of seven species distribution models. The ensemble model identified 6,185 km2 (21.85%) of the study area as suitable habitat for the Persian leopard. Distance to conservation areas (30%), distance to village (29%), distance to farmlands (11%), annual precipitation (8%) and distance to forest (7%) made the highest contribution to the model performance. About 49% of the identified suitable habitat covered by conservation areas. Establishing more conservation areas in suitable habitats and re-evaluation of the network of conservation areas are crucial strategies to conserve endangered populations of the leopard. Many large carnivores, due to their large home ranges, depend on habitat patches outside protected areas and corridors between them. Thus, conserving the habitat patches and connectivity between them are crucial. Monitoring and surveillance of habitats, using effective conservation strategies, and promoting local community involvement are other important issues.
animal biosystematic
Hassan Ghahari; Majid Navaeian; Hadi Ostovan
Abstract
Biodiversity and sustainable development are important goals in environmental protection that in order to have high biodiversity, it is necessary to identify and preserve ecosystems and all species of animals and plants as well as microorganisms in it. Predator bugs (Heteroptera) are efficient predators ...
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Biodiversity and sustainable development are important goals in environmental protection that in order to have high biodiversity, it is necessary to identify and preserve ecosystems and all species of animals and plants as well as microorganisms in it. Predator bugs (Heteroptera) are efficient predators in most agroecosystems, which have powerful role for control of agricultural pests. These beneficial insects were evaluated under four categories a/ species diversity, b/ percentage of relative abundance and structure of species composition, c/ habitat similarity index, and d/ population fluctuation in sugar beet fields of six provinces (Isfahan, Hamadan, Golestan, Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari, West Azarbaijan and Khuzestan) during 2009-2013. In this research, in total of 24 species under six families, Anthocoridae (eight species, two genera), Geocoridae (three species, single genus), Miridae (three species, single genus), Nabidae (three species, single genus) and Reduviidae (seven species, seven genera) were collected and identified. Additionally, totally 216 specimens of predator bugs were collected from sugar beet fields, which Orius albidipennis, O. laevigatus and O. laticollis with 11.1%, 10.6% and 9.7% of percentage of relative abundance, respectively have the highest abundance among all the species and are dominant species. The highest habitat similarity was obtained between Myandoab (West Azarbaijan province) and Dezful (Khuzestan province) (57.1%). The maximum population density (3.92) was obtained in July.
