Due to their various applications in Iranians’ life, MUSK and Nafeh (aroma) have been marvelously reflected in Persian literature. For instance, those poets who paid more attention to their surroundings, applied MUSK and Nafeh like many other items in their verses in order to illustrate their own imagines as well as creating fantastic images so for this reason they found unreal similarities among some of main FEATURES of MUSK and Nafeh and some of human characteristics and attributed a few poetic FEATURES to them. Such type of employing MUSK in poetic and literary applications varies in different eras and with respect to poets’ style. In addition to explanation of these cases in this study, we have dealt with description and depiction of MUSK and Nafeh shapes and some of their applications which are also effective in making such poetic uses.

MUSK, apart from its other usages, is a kind of animal medicine which is considered as one of the singular drugs. In this study, various widespread usages of this medical substance and its reflection in Persian poetry are dealt with in order to clarify some of verses and describing their images as a model for further researches.

Persian gardens reflect the special popularity of plants with Iranian people. The plants in the Persian gardens have always been native and in full harmony with their context and climate. This has contributed to the stability and continuity of Iranian gardens over time and across geographical regions and has created a sense of belonging to them. Much of the usefulness and stability of Iranian gardens can be attributed to these native plants that have therapeutic, healing, and semantic functions. These plants have a special place in Iranian culture. Unfortunately, today, inadequate knowledge of native plants that are compatible with the conditions of Iran has made these species extinct. Iranian parks and urban landscapes have been filled with foreign and non-original plants that are inconsistent with the climatic and cultural contexts of Iranian regions. Due to rapid and unpleasant changes in the present era, the native plants have been forgotten. The purpose of this study seeks to introduce and identify the characteristics of the MUSK rose, one of the original and native flowers planted in Iranian gardens and houses. The concern is that this flower has been overlooked for many years and no longer can be seen in parks and green spaces. Even knowledge of this flower is scanty. Information about this flower is limited to some travelogues. However, not much is available on the FEATURES of this flower, and only its name has been mentioned as one of the native flowers of Iran. The required data for this study were gathered through a bibliographical method, field studies, and interviews with residents of the cities and villages of Yazd and Kerman, and the head of botanical garden research. The results of these studies show the physical, semantic, and functional characteristics of this flower and confirm that this flower design has been used in some decorations. During the field research, data about this flower was found in the central regions of Iran.

The seasonal variation of volatile oil compositions (VOCs) from fresh flowers of Persian MUSK rose was investigated by Combi PAL Headspace Techniques. In this study, a total number of 21 VOCs were detected by headspace on the Combi PAL System and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC/MS) from Rosa moschata Herrm. at different seasons which was representing 92.53-99.37% of total VOCs. The analysis of VOCs at different seasons detected the major compounds: Phenyl ethyl alcohol (30.68-77.36%), 1-Nonadecene (1.01-30.42%), n-Nonadecane (4.61-14.04%), n-Heneicosane (4.47-12.07%) and 1-Tricosene (0-5.91%). Phenylpropanoids content varied significantly over time, with a low level during September and maximum content in May. In contrast to phenylpropanoids contents, the high level of fatty acid derivatives was realized during September. In all of seasons a low level of terpenoids derivatives was emitted from Persian MUSK rose flowers. The results of this research suggest that the fragrance characteristics of R. moschata resulted from its specific composition and can be manipulated by seasonal changes and environmental conditions.

To establish the behavioral indicator of reproductive success of female captive Alpine MUSK deer (Moschus sifanicus), the focal sampling was used to record the individual behaviors at Xinglongshan MUSK Deer Farm (XMDF), Gansu province, China. Conducted between June 2008 and January 2009, 31 adult females were observed, of which 26 had successfully bred in the previous year, and five of which were barren. The frequencies of 12 behaviors were recorded and compared to explore variation in reproductive success and general behavior patterns. The results showed that there were differences in behavioral frequencies between females barren and fawned in the previous year. Compared to successful individuals, barren females expressed environment sniffing more frequently during non-mating season, but less frequently during mating season (P<0.05). Females which had previously fawned expressed ano-genital sniffing less frequently than barren females in non-mating season (P<0.05). Furthermore, both female groups elicited the male specific tail-pasting behavior, although the demonstration levels were not different significantly between both. The above behavioral differences have implications for MUSK deer farming practices, whereby females should be grouped and separated by their previous reproduction history, to maximize future reproductive success.

Himalayan MUSK deer (Moschus chrysogaster), commonly known as Kasturi mriga is listed as an endangered species by IUCN and protected by the National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973 of Nepal. The study was carried out in two village development committees within the Annapurna conservation area region-Ghandruk and Shikha. Plots were laid using random sampling, and the corresponding GPS coordinates were recorded. The habitat of MUSK deer was analyzed through land cover analysis and vegetation analysis. Ivelv’ s electivity index (+1 to-1) was calculated to determine the preference or avoidance of habitat by MUSK deer, in which positive values showed preference and negative values showed avoidance. The vegetation analysis was performed by applying the importance value index. The habitat map based on preference and avoidance was prepared using GIS. M. chrysogaster showed higher preference to the slope ranging from 25º to 35º (IV-0. 29), followed by the slope 15º to 25º (IV-0. 16). North-west aspect and North aspect had the IV values of 0. 51 and 0. 42 respectively that showed the greater predilection of MUSK deer to these aspects. MUSK deer was widely distributed in the altitudinal range of 3400m to 3600m (IV-0. 27) that was followed by the altitude of 3300m to 3400m (IV-0. 26). MUSK deer preferred the shrub land and grassland in maximum extent. The study sites were dominated by Birch-Rhododendron forest, which were widely used by the MUSK deer. The preferred plants were Rosa spp., Betula spp., Abies spp. whereas the herb species mostly consisted of Lichen/Moss and Khar/grass. The habitat map showed a notably smaller extent of preferred area, indicating an obligation towards conservation of the species in its present habitat. Regular patrolling and investigation of MUSK deer habitat and effective conservation strategies regarding habitat management is recommended.