JOURNAL OF ANIMAL BIOLOGY
Year:2009 | Volume:1 | Issue:2|Papers Count:10

In this study, aquatic arthropoda of Cheshmeh-Ali river in Damghan from Semnan province investigated. Collection took place from beginning of spring until Astaneh village for one year. Specimens found in rapid and calm water, algae, aquatic vegetation, muddy and sand bottoms. From insects; orders Collembula, Odonata, Coleoptera, Ephemeroptera, Hemiptera, Trichoptera, Diptera, and from Arachnida; Hydracarina, and from Crustacea; Amphipoda, Isopoda, decapoda, Cladocera and Cyclopoida collected. Cheshmeh-Ali river have relativily high stability because of it’s geographical statue. Identify 47 species of arthropoda, indicate high biodiversity in this river.

Ants have strong impacts on ecosystems especially in arid regions. However there is poor knowledge about ants of the steppes and deserts of Iran. In this study we provide a small scale study of ants’ communities of steppe and desert regions of Damghan. We collected 698 ants by pitfall traps at two sites, steppe and desert during spring 2006. In total we identified 23 species of ants from 12 genera of three subfamilies. We collected 14 species from steppe region and 12 species from desert region. Observed species diversity, estimated species diversity, alpha index and Shannon index of diversity was higher in steppe but Simpson index of diversity was higher in desert region than steppe region. As rainfall and productivity are higher in steppe region than desert region, they could be main reasons of high species diversity, alpha and Shannon indices in steppe region. Simpson index was higher in desert region because in desert there were more species with high abundance. Cataglyphis nodus was the most common species in steppe region and Monomorium kusenzovi was the most common species in desert region.

Paradactylodon gorganensis from the family Hynobiidae as a rare species is endemic of Iran.This species is only found in the Shir-Abad Cave and the stream flowing from it, 60 km east of Gorgan (36 57' N, 55 01' E), in the eastern part of the Elburz Mountains, in the Golestan Province, northern Iran. The cave is at an elevation of 310 meters above sea level. In this research we aimed to study the morphological and histological structure of Urogenital system in this species. in order to fulfill this purpose 16 specimens of this salamanders were captured and transferred to laboratory. Afterwards, we examined and measured morphometric characters before dissecting out the reproductive and urinary systems which were then processed for histological examinations. 5-6 micron sections were cut and stained with Hematoxylen-Eosin. Morphological and histological studies showed that, in this species testis is ampular and spermatogenesis occurs in cysts which develop within seminiferous lobules. The kidneys are elongate and there is no obvious sexual dimorphism in shape. In other salamanders the kidneys are proportionately shorter and those in males are narrow anteriorly. Average length and diameter of active testis were 32/76 mm and 4/77mm and in the non active gonad were 17/98 mm and 1/64 mm respectively.

Anethum graveolens (Dill) is a member of the Apiaceae family. As a folk remedy, dill seeds have been used to increase mother’s milk production. While high doses of dill has been mentioned to weaken sexual and decreases spermatogenesis in males.In this study the effects of Anethum graveolens seeds alcoholic extracts on the reproductive system of adult male rats, was investigated.24 Wistar rats, weighting 210-230 gr, divided into 3 groups of control, experimental 1 and experimental 2. Experimental groups were injected with 50 mg/rat and 100 mg/rat of alcoholic extracts of dill seeds for 16 days. The control group received normal saline for the same period. At the 16th day the reproductive organs were separated and weighted. Histological changes was studied in testes among experimental and control groups. The results were evaluated by using one way Anova and Tukey test.The results indicated significant decrease of weight and volume of testis. Histological studies showed significant effects such as decreased number of spermatogonium, spermatocyte and spermatid. Sperm number was decreased in group that received 50 mg/rat of A.g seed alcoholic extract. Seminiferous tubule diameter was decreased in experimental groups.

Black fish (Capoeta capoeta gracilis) is a valuable fish in fisheries industry, that exist in south coasts of Caspian Sea specially in Mazandaran province. In this research 180 pieces of fishes were studied about reproduction biology between 1386-1387 in Tajan River from south coasts of Caspian Sea in Mazandaran province. In this study biological factors related with reproduction for example: the variations of Gonad somatic index sex ratio, average fecundity and sex maturing stages have carried to account the main objectives. The maximum of GSI was in April and may (spawning time) and the minimum was in October, November and December. GSI in spring and summer greater than autumn and winter. Like wise with age increasing the GSI increases consequently and the increasing gradient was more in premature stages in comparison with maturity. Sex maturing stages in different months were proportional with GSI and with age increasing the amount of maturity was higher subsequently. The maximum of GSI in male fishes were at ages 3-4 years and in females were 2-3 years.

For identify and completion of information about invertebrates species variety of Hormozgan province at intertidal zones and also parasite recognition of oyster and shrimp culture ponds and for ecological importance of crabs in Hormozgan province, species variety of Xanthidae family in suborder Brachyura have been studied. In this research, seasonal sampling via bait putting and hand net in three station with rocky and muddy structures in shrimp culture stations have been performed. The data in relation with species abundance have been analyzed by Excel program. In this study 43 samples of crabs including one genus and three species have been identified by valid identification keys on the basis of morphological characteristics.

The grass snake (Natrix natrix) is one of non venomous snakes of Colubridae family is founded in northern provinces of Iran. This research was conducted in order to study the reproductive cycle of grass snake (Natrix natrix) in Mazandaran province during year of 2007.Sampling period was April to middle of November and 76 grass snake were gathered by hand and net from the Abandansar fish raising lake station, Zare forest Rice farms of Sari suburb and Tajan river. In order to study the oogenesis stages oviducts were extracted from the samples and probed by histological studies. The mean of female length was 694.59 mm. Results indicated that oogenesis commencement were in early June and ended in early August. The mean of egg’s weight and volume was 5.816g and 29031.87mm³ respectively. The results of studies on ovary show that the means of right and left ovum number in ovary were 11 and 9 respectively. The mean of number and volume of grown ovums was 4.12 and 6654.08mm³ for right ovary and 3.87 and 7221.84 mm³ for left one. The ovums weight mean of right and left ovary was 1.71 and 1.94g respectively.

In the present study, the teratogenic effects of Physalis alkekengi on the development of placentas at 4th and 6th days of pregnancy had been studied.Material and Methods: Thirty female rats as random divided to 6 groups including control, experimental 1 and experimental 2 groups that each one at the 4th and 6th day of pregnancy received doses 8g/kg body weight and 10g/kg body weight and experimental 3 group that at 6th day pregnancy received dose 12g/kg of Physalis alkekengi fruit’s alcoholic extract. All placentas removed from uterus at the 15th day of pregnancy to study according to morphologic and histologic. The present data showed that Physalis alkekengi fruit’s alcoholic extract injection intraperitoneal at the 4th and 6th days of pregnant rat caused significant reduction of placentas diameter and weight and volume in experimental groups in comparison with control group and reduction of diameter and weight and volume in experimental 2 group in comparison with control group. Also morphologic studies showed that had been blood corona at the percent out of placentas experimental groups in comparison with control group. In addition tissue Studies showed the significant increase of the hofbauer cells number at placentas experimental groups in comparison with control.Physalis alkekengi fruit’s alcoholic extract through suppression of cell division and differentiation and function reduction of some of enzymes and hormones, probably can have negative effects on placentas deficiency development and cell differentiation of some cells. According to reported physiological effects of physalins such as physalin F, alcoholic extract teratogenic effects might be related to physalin F. But it is essential to have more quantitative and qualitative researches in order to have conclusive result. Thus it is recommended to pregnant womenfolk than up to researches completion about this medicinal plant have not used this plant in pregnancy period.