Journal of Animal Research
Year:2017 | Volume:30 | Issue:2|Papers Count:13

In the present study, macrobenthos were sampled using a grab in Pareh Sar coast at 7 station and two depths (5 and 10 m) during 4 seasons in 2015-2016. In total, 10472 individuals belonging to 22 Species from 13 families were counted. The highest abundance of macrobenthos (648± 170. 79) was seen in spring while the most biomass (36. 21± 2. 5 gr/m2) was observed in winter. The most abundance group was bivalves (40%) followed by crustaceans (36%), annelids (22%) and gastropods (2%). PERMANOVA analysis showed that season and depth affected the abundance, biomass, species richness, species composition and community structure significantly. The results also showed that with increasing the depth from 5 to 10 m, macrobenthos abundance enhanced in spring, summer, autumn and winter by a magnitude of 4, 2, 1 and 9, respectively. Furthermore, Shannon index, spices richness and biomass increased from 5 to 10 m depth. According to our results, it can be concluded that abundance, biomass and diversity index of macrobnthic communities vary greatly with season and depth. Therefore, natural fluctuations of these variables should come into account while using macrobenthos for environmental impact assessment.

Some species exhibited a rare intraspecific genetic variation and high morphological changes. Common redstart (Common Redstart) is one of birds with an intraspecific variation above threshold for both subspecies in geographical area of distribution. Two different lineages of COI gene were already visible. The aim of this study was to investigate intraspecific changes in redstart regarding geographical distance and the effect of divergence within species, genetic slope and phylogeography situation. In the spring of 2014 and 2015, samples were collected from breeding areas and PCR samples were analyzed with gene banks sequence together. Results of Bayesian tree, confirmed two main isolated clades with Bootstrap 100 for COI gene. Haplotype network approved the separated clades formed in phylogeny tree separately. But separated Haplogroup which observed within the network not supported based on geographic region of haplotypes. The graph of gene flow versus geographical distance, although a positive trend graph shows a decrease in violent exchange for increased distance, but according to the regression coefficient R² =0. 30, geographical distance as an independent variable on the genetic distance effect had no significant (P> 0. 05). Also, PCoA results show population of Turkey is closer to Iran, Czech and Russia, but separated from other population. Banding recovery need to solve some questions.

In this study, the effects of four different concentrations of lead (0, 15, 48. 6 and 150 μ g/L) and four different concentrations of cadmium (0, 1. 2, 3. 7 and 6. 2 μ g/L) with low (2×105 cell/ml) and high (6×105 cell/ml) algal concentrations of Scenedesmus quadricauda on the density, specific growth rate (SGR) and doubling time (Dt) of fresh water cladoceran Daphnia magna were investigated. The experiment was carried out as a completly random design for 21 days with three replications. Results showed that the density and SGR were increased when concentrations of lead and cadmium decrease significantly (p<0. 05). For lead and cadmium the maximum population density (144 ind. /250 ml), maximum SGR (0. 16 /day) and minimum Dt (4. 3 days) were obtained at 0 concentration of lead and cadmium in high algal density (6×105 cell/ml). In overall, the increasing lead and cadmium concentrations was decreasing of population density and specific growth rate in D. magna.

Annual reproductive cycle of 17 Asaccus elisae (Leaf-toed Gecko) was studied. Morphology and histochemistry of male genital system was surveyed in spring, summer and fall. After collecting geckoes, they were weighted and SVL (Snout-vent length) were measured. After opening abdominal cavity, the genital system was exposed. Then testicular weight was measured and Gonadosomatic Index was calculated. Then, the genital system was fixed in 10% buffer neutral formalin and routine process of histology was done. The slides were stained with H&E, PAS and PAS-Alcian blue. Results revealed that, testis is active in spring and fall with significant seminiferous tubules enlargement. The epididymis is filled with sperms and the sexual segments in kidney are visible and significant. For the moderate climate in west of Iran, the reproductive cycle of A. elisae is seasonal and it depends on the temperature.

Populations of the lesser white-toothed shrew, Crocidura suaveolens, (Pallas, 1811) were investigated using mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (cytb) and morphometric from different localities of Iran. Phylogenetic tree reconstruction using the Bayesian Inference analysis revealed high genetic diversity into four well-supported clades including two main groups: the first group including northern populations of Iran and the second one including the populations from central and northwest of Iran. Basal status of the central clade in phylogenetic tree, high genetic diversity, fairly high amount of K2P genetic distance (greater than 4 percent) in comparison with other clades as well as lack of shared haplotypes supports the presence of differentiated lineage in the central Iran. It seems that, the recent central population has been originated from an ancestral relict population and the Pleistocene climatic oscillations have resulted in its isolation from other populations and subsequent divergence into the new lineage.

Obtaining an appropriate anesthetic drug for rapid anesthesia with long term and safe recovery has always been the concern of fisheries science researchers. In this study, survey the effect of anesthetic essential oil of lavender (Lavendula officinalis) on Schizothorax zarudnyi was investigated. 260 Snow trout (Schizothorax zarudnyi) juveniles with an average total weight and length 58. 69± 1. 50 g and 20. 77± 1. 16 cm, respectively were anesthetized in four group treatment including, 0, 200, 300 and 400 ppm essential oil of lavender. The expriment carried out base on bath method in order to determine position sedative and anesthetic dose of Lavender essential oil. Kidney, Liver and Gills tissue and blood serum for evaluation of AST (asparate aminotransferase), ALT (alanine amino trasferase) and ALP (alkaline phosphatase) enzymes activity histopathological effects was done in two times, 10 minutes after anesthesia and 24 hours after anesthesia. The results showed that the essential oil of lavender in concentration of 300 ppm induces general anesthesia. Comparison of AST, ALT and ALP enzyme activity (P<0. 05) between all group treatment did not show significant difference and histopathological result suggested that the concentration of 200 ppm lavender for sedative position and 300 ppm lavender was proper for anesthesia in Snow trout without side effect and it can recommended that use this concentrations of lavender essential oil in aquaculture activities without side effect or damages. Advisable Lavander essence oil use as a standard medicine to anesthetize and superseded prevalent chemicals to create anesthesia and sedation in fish.

Considering the effects of different temperature regimes on blood parameters of sturgeon during transport, this study was conducted to determine the effect of different temperature regimes (12, 20, 23 and 28 ° C) on blood parameters of Sterlet at 0 (control), 1, 5, 24 and 48 hours after transportation. After transport, blood parameters including red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, lymphocytes and neutrophils in treatments with high temperatures (23 and 28 ° C) showed a significant difference compared with the control (P< 0. 05). Also blood parameters including white blood cell, lymphocytes and neutrophils in treatments with low temperatures (12 and 20 ° C) showed a significant difference compared with the control (P< 0. 05). Other blood parameters including mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, monocytes and eosinophils did not have significant difference from control (P>0. 05). The results showed that temperature range of 20-23 ° C can be used for reduce stress and physiological consequences on Sterlet during short-term transportation.

Capra aegagrus is one of the most important mammals of Iran and because of its wide distribution and the existence of different populations of this species in the country, surveying the genetic and geographical distance of different populations and their relationships can play an important role in protecting the remaining populations. In this research 481 base pairs of mtDNA control region from 343 samples of Wild goatwas surveyed to determine the phylogeographic status of this species. The results of the phylogenetic tree and phylogeographic analysis of nested clade showed that there are seven expanded clade in the country and there is also an extensive gene flow between populations and population expansion has been occured between some of the clades; But the existance of different samples in the most of identified clades showed a strong relationship and a relatively weak phylogeographic structure for the entire population of Capra aegagrus in Iran. The AMOVA results showed that the percentage variance between different regions is lower than the percentage variance in each region which this is consistent with the results of Mantel test. These findings show that there are complex structure and relationships between Capra aegagruses in Iran and a strong gene flow had been occurred between populations in the past, and natural accidents had not significant role on limiting the gene flow between population which more over the high movement power of the species, one of the most important reason might be related to human intervention during the process of domestication.

Migrant Caspian lamprey (Caspiomyzon wagneri) are migrating to spawn into upstream of southern watersheds as matured and pre-mature during spring and fall. Osmotic regulator organs (gill and kidney) play an important role in this migration. Lampreys were caught by hand (n: 24; number in group: 3) in spring (April) and fall (October), from mouth of Shiroud River at night. External morphological characteristics and sexual organs (testes and ovaries) were investigated. For histological analysis, small pieces of the kidney and ovary were fixed in 10% formalin, embedded in paraffin, sectioned with microtome and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Columnar or flaskshaped cells of chloride each with a rounded, basal or central nucleus were found in the inter platelet regions of the gill in the spring migrants. These cells also were covered by a superficial layer of pavement cells with a little Change in fall. The number of chloride cells of gill (among the first five of the lamellaes in one filament gill) was increased in matured fish compared to pre-mature fish but was not significantly different. A large number of lobed glomeruliform the elongate glomus. The total length of all glomus (posterior part of kidney) were significantly different in matured compared to premature fish in both seasons.

The aim of this study was to assess biochemical and histopathological effects of coadministration of thiamine and copper oxide and copper nanoprticles on the liver mouse. A total of the 30 adult mice were randomly divided into 5 groups (6 mice per each group) and considers on days 0, 10 and 20. Group A served control. Copper oxide and copper oxide nanoparticles (0. 2 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally to groups B and C, respectively. The mice in groups E and D received the similar dose of copper oxide and copper nanoparticles along with thiamine (30 mg/l). As a result, influence of blood cells into liver sinusoids and inflammatory cells infiltration (neutrophil and lymphocyte) around the veins in groups B and C were observed. These abnormalities were less evident in the groups receiving thiamine to the extent that was near to control group. Significant differences were observed in the amount of catalase and superoxide dismutase in groups B and C on day 20 than to the control group. TBARS values in groups B and C on days 10 and 20 and in Group E at day 20 was significantly increased compared to control group. As a result, copper oxide nanoparticles causes damage to the liver and thiamine reducing the effects of the concurrent administration.

Behavior is a unique link between physiology and ecology of the organism and their environment. In this study, the behavior of the visual detection and shell selection of samples of hermit crab Diogenes avarus were studied. So, the samples exposed to the lateral and reverse sides of empty shells of four species of gastropods and the behavior of visual Detection and finally shell selection of samples were observed and recorded. The result indicate that the samples were presented with different views of four shell species, they were significantly attracted to shells of Umbonium vestiarium in lateral and upside-down position and selected it. The lateral and upside-down positions of U. vestiarium mimic the Semi-circle shape. While, it seems that the non-attractive shape like Canoed for this organism so that the lowest attracted to the canoed gastropod shell Certhidea cingulata. Such escape response to some geometrical shapes of shells can be interpreted as an escape response from predators that mimic these geometrical shapes.