Year:2005 | Volume:17 | Issue:1 (66 IN ANIMAL AND FISHERIES SCIENCES)|Papers Count:16

Genetic diversity of Saccostrea cucullata in the northern coast lines of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman were determined using DNA extraction and RAPD - PCR. A total of 300 samples were collected from 6 stations along the coastline. Two out of six primers showed positive results, namely, GCG - ATC - CCC - A (Primer 1) and GTC – CAC - ACG - C (Primer 5) which were in accordance with morphometric analysis. The number of bands in the two above - mentioned primers in Khor - Tang and Chabahar station (Province of Sistan and Balouchestan) was significantly different from the number of produced bands in Dayer and Bushehr station (Province of Bushehr) as well as Gheshm and Bandar - Lengeh station (Province of Hormozgan). The cluster analisys was used to confirm the above variations. The results showed that the oyster population can be divided into two separate clusters. The first cluster included Bushehr, Dayer, Gheshm and Bandar -Lengeh species. The second cluster included Khor - Tang and Chabahar species. The analysis also showed that the first cluster can be divided into two Sub- clusters. Bushehr and Dayer belong to one Sub – cluster whereas Gheshm and Bandar- Lengeh from the other Sub- cluster. The formation of different cluster can be related to Physico - Chemical properties of water and climatic variations in different habitats along the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.

In the Summer of (2002), a serious mortality among cultured P. indicus occurred in Abadan. One of the typical external sign of infected shrimp was white spot on the inside of the carapace. The body colour of the infected shrimps become reddish and the hepatopancreas was swollen and yellow. The abdomen and intestine was empty and reduce the preening activity. The sample of shrimp was collected and fixed in %4 glutaraldehyde and processed routinely and studied by TEM. The study by TEM revealed that the nuclei of infected cells were slightly hypertrophic, the chromatin was marginated along the nuclear membrane and the nucleolus disappeared in the cell. The cytoplasm changed to transparent zone. In the late stage of disease the intranuclear Cowdry type -A inclusion body was seen in the profile. The virion were elliptical to short rods with trilamilar envelop that measured 248±87×107±11nm and nucleocapside were 162±15×59±17nm. According the ICTV and Atlas of invertebrate virus this virus belongs to Whispoviridae family and the morphology of virus is similar to SEMBV of WSSD group serotype.

Anzali lagoon located in south-west region of Caspian Sea and regarded as the most important lagoons in the Caspian Sea catchment. European catfish, Silurus glanis constituted 3.78% of total catch during 1992-1996. At present study (1998-2001) 95 specimens of S. glanis have been checked to get data concerning total length, body weight and age of S. glanis is measurement as follows 19.8 - 186.5 cm, 47.7 - 30000 g and 1 - 9 years old respectively. Females constituted 68.5% of total specimens. Also, coefficient of vacuity, fullness Index and relative intestinal length averages were measured 41.15,322.0±273.8 and 0.83±0.17 respectively. According to this study, S. glanis feeds on 19 diversified food items including insects (4.13%), bivalve (0.5%), crustaceae (15.8%), amphibia (0.9%) and bony fishes (78.6%). Carassius auratus with 33.9%, Macrobrachium spp. with 14.22%, Neogobius kessleri with 4.59%, Insects with 4.13% and Proterorhinus marmoratus with 2.75% were dominant. On the other hand C. auratus in Spring and Autumn, Macrobrachium spp. in Summer and N. kessleri in Winter were the main food items consumed by S. glanis. Also, piscivorous behavior positively correlated to length growth, so that consumption of fish item from the length 20-55 cm (44.2%) increased to 94.5% when the fish reached to 91-125 cm. This fish foraged mainly on two fish families, Cyprinidae (78.7%) and Gobiidae (14.8%). In this study we didnot observe cannibalistic behavior in S. glanis. In general, European catfish has consumed only prey species and did not damage any commercial fish stocks in the ecosystem.

The use of live food is important in larviculture. In aquaculture enriched Artemia nauplii with essential nutrients particularly vitamin C has been used in order to increase growth, survival rate, and resistance to various environmental stresses as well as infectious diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of feeding rainbow trout larvae with vitamin C-enriched Artemia urmiana nauplii in a three-week period. For this purpose, six feeding treatments were applied to rainbow trout larva as follows: 1) concentrate food, 2) concentrate food containing ascorbil palmitate, 3) mixture of concentrate feed and ascorbil palmitate-enriched A. urmiana nauplii, 4) non-enriched A. urmiana nauplii, 5) enriched A. urmiana nauplii with 10% ascorbil palmitate and 6) enriched A. urmiana nauplii with 20% ascorbil palmitate. Results showed that the growth rates of larvea in various treatments were significantly different (p<0.01) particularly feeding larvea with non-enriched Artemia resulted in lower growth rate. In contrast, the group fed with a mixture of concentrated food and enriched Artemia nauplii with 20% ascorbil palmitate showed a better growth rate compared to other treatment groups except for those fed with concentrated food. Survival rate (p<0.05), tolerance of high temperature (p<0.01), resistance to hypoxia stress (p<0.01), double density of larvea (p<0.05) and triple density of larvea (p<0.01) were all significantly higher in the group fed with enriched Artemia nauplii with 20% ascorbil palmitate.

The present research has been carried out to identify polymorphism at five blood plasma and erythrocyte proteins in Arab and Caspian minature horse population. Gene frequencies were analyzed at five loci controlling blood proteins; alkaline phosphatase (Alp), catalase (Cat), cell esterase (CEs), hemoglubin (Hb) and pretransferrin (Ptf). In addition, heterozygosity and effective allele numbers within each population have also been determined. Plasma and erythrocyte were electrophoresed for the mentioned proteins, using starch and polyacrylamid gels. Among of five examined loci, only Cat locus showed polymorphism that phenotypes were FF, FS and SS. Allele frequency difference F and S for two populations was too slight. Alp, CEs, Hb and Ptf were fixed at A, 1, 1 and F alleles, respectively. The average heterozygosity and effective allele numbers were calculated 0.1003, 1.1998 and 0.0973, 1.1874 in Caspian minature and Arab populations, respectively. From these data it was concluded that the examined Arab horses are not cross- bred of Iranian Arab and exotic race horse such as Arab, Anglo- Arab and Thoroughbred.

In the present study, conducted in 1996 and 1997, on the monogenean parasites of cultured and wild fishes in Mahabad's river, eight monogenean parasites, all belonging to genus Dactylogyrus were detected and identified as follows: 1-Dactylogyrus gracilis from Capoeta capoeta. 2-D. charmulii from Capoeta capoeta. 3-D. extensus from Cyprinus carpio. 4-D. lamellatus from Ctenopharyngodon idella 5-D. lenkorani from Capoeta capoeta. 6-D. hypophthalmichthys from Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. 7-D. kendalanicus from Capoeta capoeta. 8-D. suchengtaii from Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. Among them, however, two species were reported for the first time in Iran named D. kendalanicus and D. suchengtaii. On the basis of Dactylogyrus species, we can come to conclusion that Urmia subbasin is belonging to Ponto- Aralo- Caspian ecological system.

In order to effect of Theileria annulata on some blood serum electrolytes' (Na, K, Ca, P, Cl, Fe , Zn, Mg) and non-electrolytes (urea, BUN, uric acid, creatinine) parameters, blood samples were taken from jugular vein of 50 males and females crossbred cattles naturally infected with Theileria annulata in Ahwaz city and compared with same electrolytes and non electrolytes of blood serum in 68 males and females clinically healthy crossbred cattles in similar age groups. Statistically analysis show that, regardless of age and sex, cattles infected with Theileria annulata have significantly higher serum urea, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentration and significantly lower calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron and cloride concentration than healthy cattle. There were not significant different between infected and uninfected cattles for uric acid, glucose, sodium and zinc (p>0.05). In> 6 and <24 month age groups of infected cattle, the mean values of uric acid were significantly lower and higher than healthy cattles, respectively (p<0.01). Glucose concentration in> 6 and 12-24 month age groups of infected cattles were lower than the uninfected cattles (p<0.05). In 12-24 and < 24 month age groups of infected cattle, the mean value of sodium was significantly lower than the healthy cattles (p<0.05).

This experiment was conducted to determine the homozigosity of sex alleles and evaluation of their relationship with migration & honey production. Sampling was done during the Queen rearing season according to distribution rate and immigration number of 4100 modern coloniesin 380 apiaries located in 15 towns of East Azarbaidjan. From each apiary, 10 percent of the modem colonies were selected randomly, then, 3 brood combs were chosen to be sampled from their both sides and in 3 different regions. Using Ruttner procedure, the empty cells were counted. Estimation of honey production was done by harvesting the honey in honey season of province. Data analyses were done by unbalanced completely randomized design and grouped by multiple-range test. The obtained average of homozygosity of sex alleles in apiaries without migration, and with one, two, three and four times migration per year, respectively, were 33.25, 19.71, 16.94, 13.80 and 8.87 percent which showed significant differences (p<0.01).Results revealed that the number of migration showed strong negative linear relationship with homozygosity of sex alleles inhoneybee colonies (p<0.01). The same result was obtained for homozygosity percent of sex alleles and honey production (p<0.01).

The Caspian pond turtle of the northern part of Iran belonging to subspesies, Mauremys caspica caspica. In this research, 111 specimens were collected from19 stations in Golestan and Mazandaran provinces during 1999-2001. Were Studied in terms of their biology and morphometry. Coloration of body is dark olive with yellow strips and the flat carapace has 2 pygal scutes.The bridges between carapace and plastron are bony; Plastron with axillary and inguinal scutes. The suture between abdominal scutes is Longer than the suture between anal scutes and the end of analscutes is mecrunate. The males and females are distinguishable, with difference of anus position on the tail. Fore and hind limbs have swimming membranes and 5 and 4 claws respectively. This species is carnivorous and lays almost 4 or 5 eggs every year and length of the largest one is equal to 38.7mm and width is equal to 24.lmm. Statistical results showed that 77.5% of males and females are different in measured traits. In males, maximum straight carapace length frequency (44%) was between77.62- 100.98 and in females (50%) was between 54.26-77.62. In this research sexual ratio (male / female) was 1/3.

The Epinephelus coioides is commercially one of the most important fish species and is highly esteemed as food fish in Persian Gulf. In this study 245 gonad specimen of this species were examind during 17 months from May 2001 to September 2002. Gonads were fixed in 10% formalin and boueins. Sections were stained with either haematoxylin and eosin. The histological changes in the gonads are described. The results indicated that gonads consist of a bilobate and hollow sac. The lobes of the ovary are unequal in size. Oogenesis to 6 different stages and spermatogenesis to 3 different stages was classified. The result showed that this species is a protogynous hermaphrodit and synchronous that follows a monandric pathway to sexual development.

In this study blood samples from 50 Kurd horses were obtained. For determining of chromosome compelements blood samples were used for metaphasic preparation by useing short term culture method. Provided chromosomes were studied by simple Gimsa staining and G-banding method and C-banding. In this study the diploid model of Kurd horse was 2n=64 and from the 31 pairs of autosomal chromosomes, 8 pairs were metacentric, 5 pairs were submetacentric and 18pairs were telocentric. Chromosomal spreads were photographed and karyotyped. The X sex chromosome was submetacentric and the Y sex chromosome was telocentric.

In Spring and Summer, one thousand sheep hearts were inspected for determining the congenital heart anomalies. At the first step, macroscopic examination was confirmed on each case. Results indicated that the relative frequency of congenital heart anomalies in Shahrekord slaughterhouse were approximately 0.8 percent. These anomalies were as follows; Presence of orifice in mitral valve leaflet (4 cases, 0.4%), patent ductus arteriosus (2 cases, 0.2%), aortic rupture (1 case, 0.1%) and haematenous cyst (1 case, 0.1%). At the second step, histopathologic examination was performed on orifice in mitral valve leaflet and aortic rupture. Results confirmed that these two anomalies are congenital and we report occurrence of mitral valve leaflet orifice for the first time. There is no significant relationship between sex and age and the presence of congenital heart anomalies.

Gracilaria salicornia (C.Agardh) Dawson (Rhodophyceae, Gracilariaceae) is a red algae in the northeast coast of the Qeshm Island in Iran. High cover and density of the species created associations of algal vegetation along the intertidal zone of the area. In this investigation the floristic features of these associations were studied from September 2001 for one year. In this study 49 species of algae were recognized that include 25 Rhodophyceae, 10 Phaeophyceae, 11 Chlorophyceae and 3 Cyanophyceae. This study showed algal vegetation and the species diversity in northeast of Qeshm is lower than the south of the island. Muddy and sandy substrate and high turbidity are main factors which restricted algal vegetation and species diversity in this area.

Herbs have a long history in treating diseases and are usually side effect free. For this reason, their effects in healing of fish wounds were considered. In order to investigate the matter, garlic, mallow, and mother worth which are popular in treating human wounds were used. Ten aquaria, each containing three wounded carps weighting 30 g were prepared. Each herb with different concentrations (0.7, 0.4 and 0.1 g/L for mallow and mother worth, and 2.0, 0.6 and 0.1 g/L for garlic) was used two times a week in three aquaria and one aquarium was used as a control treatment. Fish wounds in the low concentration garlic aquarium were cured (epidermis and scales fully formed) after three weeks and those in the control aquariun after four weeks, but those in the other aquaria did not cure during this period. Thus, it could be concluded that using garlic would reduce the recovery period of the superfacial wounds approximately by one week.

The most important purposes of this research were determining the rate of infection publicity and variant interference rate such as age, sex, respiratory disease and other environmental factors. In this research we tasted 384 serum samples were taken from different township of Chaharmahal Bakhtiary province in Iran. All of those samples were tasted indirect ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immuno Surbent Assay). Infection rate in whole province were 80.98%.The infection rate in Shahrekord were 86.80% and infection males were 47.22% and in females 84.48% comparison between age groups showed that there was the lowest infection rate in 6-7 years old; 64.86% and the cows had 0-2 years old had the most infection. There is the most infection rate (77.89%) in Spring and the most infection rate (84.46%) in Winter .The amount infection in cattles with respiratory disease was 97.83%. Statistic analysis of this data shown that there was a significant difference between BRSV infection with sex and season and age but there was not any significant difference between BRSV infection and town.