Nova Biologica Reperta

Partial faunistic study of beetles (Arthropoda: Coleoptera) in Taleqan region (Iran) and their mite associates

Ali Ahadiyat

The faunistic investigation of beetles has been of a great importance in Iran due to the impresive diversity of species, which is highly promoted by the climatic variation of the Country. Therefore, detection of the ingenious regions, such as Taleqan, is important. In this study, mite-related beetles which were sampled from different areas of Taleqan were investigated and 14 species belonging to 13 genera and 9 families, including Buprestidae, Carabidae, Cerambycidae, Cicindellidae, Lucanidae, Malachidae, Meloidae, Scarabaeidae and Tenebrionidae, were identified. In addition, mite specimens were found to be from different groups, including Mesostigmata, Heterostigmata, Trombidiformes and Sarcoptiformes. New records of mites and their corresponding hosts in Iran were as follows: Alliphis kargi on Scarabaeus pius and S. typhon (Scarabaeidae), Antennoseius sp. on Pterostichus sp. (Carabidae), Parasitengona species on Julodis andreae (Buprestidae) and Mylabris syrica (Meloidae), Prostigmata species on Aegosoma sabricorne and Cerambyx dux (Cerambycidae), Hypoaspis maryame on Pentodon idiota and Oryctes sp. (Scarabaeidae), and H. phyllognathi on Dorcus parallelipipedus (Lucanidae).

Evaluation of sexual dimorphism on the basis of morphometric traits in Talysh toad, Bufo eichwaldi (Litvinchuk, Borkin, Skorinov & Rosanov, 2008), along with the evaluation of the conservation status of the species

Nastaran Heidari

The status of sexual dimorphism patterns in human and various animal groups including some mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians have been studied, however, despite the fact that a growing number of studies were aimed to describe sexual dimorphism patterns in external morphological features such as the proportion of toes in animals, our knowledge of some basic issues, specially in some animal groups, is still limited. In this study, sexual dimorphism in terms of external morphological features as well as the ratio between finger lengths II to IV (2D: 3D, 2D: 4D, 3D: 4D) of the front and rear limbs in 30 specimens of Bufo eichwaldi toads (15 male and 15 female specimens) were in northern Iran. The results showed that females had higher mean body length (SVL) than males and this difference was statistically significant (90.50 mm in males vs. 114.93 mm in females and P = 0.00). In terms of other morphological traits, the results of T-test analysis (T test for independent samples) showed that the traits of diameter between two eyes (IOD), tympanum diameter (TD), length of the humerus (LHU), forearm length (FOL) and foot length (FL) had significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) between males and females. Also, the ratio of the size of the length of the fingers and toes on the left side of the body was examined in the species studied in terms of 2D:3D, 2D:4D, 3D:4D. The results showed that males and females were significantly different in two traits including 4^th toe length (D4) and 1^st finger length (F1). In addition, in terms of 2D:4D between males (0.4628) and females (0.4853) significant difference (P = 0.041) in the second and fourth toes of the hind limbs and in terms of 3D:4D between males (0.6233) and females (0.6787), there was a significant difference (P= 0.040) in the third and fourth fingers of the hind limbs. In this study, some habitat characteristics, ecology, threats and conservation measures related to Talysh toad species were also investigated.

Dynamics of habitat changes as a result of climate change in Zagros Mountains Range (Iran), a case study on Amphibians

Elham Ebrahimi

Climate change is currently considered a serious threat for many species and recognized as one of the most important factors in the global biodiversity loss. Among animal groups, amphibians are known to be among the most sensitive groups of vertebrates to climate change due to their inability to travel long distances, and mountain habitat species are more exposed to climate change pressures than other species. Therefore, in this study, the current distribution potential of five species of amphibians living in the Zagros Mountains was assesed and their response to climate change in 2070 was predicted. To do so, a group approach for modeling the distribution of species (SDMs) was utilized to estimate the risks of losing the desired habitat potential in the event of climate change. Also, to estimate the desired habitat area in the context of climate change, calculations related to habitat area changes for each species were performed. Predictions showed that two out of five species studied, i.e., Azarbaijan Mountain Newt (Neurergus crocatus) and Yellow Spotted Newt (Neurergus derjugini) negatively reaction to climate change and their distribution range was predicted to be decreased and contracted. Habitat displacement behavior in the face of new changes is predictable for two species, i.e., Lorestan Toad (Bufotes luristanicus) and Fire Salamander (Salamandra infraimmaculata semenovi). Considering the speed of climate change in the Zagros Mountains, the present study is a step towards identifying the dynamics of habitat changes affecting amphibians of Zasgros region to cope with the impacts of climate change.

The impact of tarragon essential oil on the activity of starter bacteria, molds and yeasts and the improvement of the properties of traditional yogurt

Ali Mohammadi

The aim of this study was to increase the shelf life of traditional yogurt, to improve its consistency and to prevent whey syneresis by adding tarragon essential oil. Yogurt was produced by industrial procedures and then the essential oil was inoculated into yogurt in different concentrations (10, 25, 30 ppm). Samples were examined for water storage capacity and microbial evaluation during 3 weeks of storage at two temperatures (refrigerator temperature and room temperature). The results showed that different concentrations of tarragon, temperature and storage time had a significant effect (p <0.05) on water holding capacity as well as the number of starter bacteria, molds, and yeasts. Tarragon essential oil reduced the number of bacteria, molds, and yeasts that spoil yogurt. The final results showed that the use of tarragon was not effective in water retention of yogurt samples, but it affected the number of initiator bacteria and yeast. Yogurt samples with high concentration of tarragon had the highest score in terms of consistency and sour taste. While samples with low concentration of tarragon, in terms of yogurt taste, had the highest sensory score.

Sexual dimorphism of Eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki Girard, 1859) in Gamasiab River, Kermanshah province

Soheil Eagderi

Gambusia holbrooki Girard, 1859 is considered as one of the non-native and invasive species in the inland waters of Iran. This species occurs in most inland basins and aquatic bodies of Iran and has even been found in brackish waters. Extensive adaptations of this species to its different habitats caused numerous changes in its biological characteristics and morphological traits. The present study was performed to investigate the sexual dimorphism of G. holbrooki in the Gamasiab River, Kermanshah Province, Iran. 59 fish specimens were collected from the river in September 2017. After taxonomic confirmation and sex determination, 29 morphological traits were measured in fish samples using a caliper and their meristic traits were recorded. In total, 37 characters (including 8 meristic traits and 29 morphometric traits) were examined. After obtaining morphological data, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) were utilized to compare morphological traits between male and female individuals. The results showed that the 59 specimens were comprised of 30 malea and 29 femalea. On the basis of the results, all morphological traits, except the caudal peduncle length, dorsal fin base length and a post-anal length, showed significant sexual dimorphism (p <0.05). The results of DFA and PCA analysis showed that males and females were completely different from each other in terms of morphometric traits. These findings indicate that there is a sexual dimorphism in G. holbrooki of the Gamasiab River. The sexual dimorphism observed in this fish species is due to the sexual selection and increase of reproductive success.

Effect of foliar application of seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum extract on morpho-physiological characteristics of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) under water stress

Nezam Armand

Seaweed extract can improve the physicochemical properties of the soil and has a favorable effect on the plant growth and development due to having high nutrient content, high water holding capacity, plant growth regulators and beneficial microorganisms. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of Ascophyllum nodosum extract, a brown alga, on the morphophysiological characteristics of bean plant (Phaseolus vulgaris) under water stress. The experiment was performed in a Completely Randomized Factorial Design with three replications. Experimental treatments included 4 concentrations of foliar application of seaweed extract (0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6%) and 3 levels of water stress including no stress, mild stress and severe stress (irrigation at 75, 50 and 25% of field capacity, respectively). The results showed that the interaction effects of stress and algal extract on the evaluated traits were not significant. However, the seaweed extract significantly increased the leaf area, number of the leaves, leaf length, surface and length of the roots, root dry weight, the content of chlorophyll a and b and the total chlorophyll content. Application of algal extract at levels of 0.2 and 0.4% caused a significant increase in the evaluated parameters as compared with the control plants. The evaluation of water scarcity stress effects showed a significant reduction in the all studied characteristics in accordance with increasing water stress level from 75% to 25% of field capacity. The results of this study showed that foliar application of seaweed extract significantly increased some morphological and photosynthetic properties, while water stress significantly reduced the investigated parameters.

Effects of gabaergic and morphinergic systems in CA1 nucleus on anxiety and arousal memory based on test-retest paradigm

Farhad Valizadegan

Hippocampus is a key structure in anxiety processing and memory storage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interaction between GABAergic systems in CA1 area of hippocampus with morphinergic system in modulating of these behaviors. In this study, male wistar rats were cannulated with stereotaxic surgery in CA1 site. After a recovery period, morphine (µ opioid receptor agonist) was injected intraperitoneal, muscimol and bicuculline (GABA_A receptor agonist and antagonist) were injected into the CA1. Parameters such as percentage of Open arms time (%OAT) and entries (%OAE) were calculated by means of an EPM apparatus. One-way ANOVA analysis showed that intraperitoneal administration of morphine increased %OAT and %OAE, indicating the anxiolytic effect of morphine. Based on paired sample T-test, the rate of memory formation improved. Pre-test intra-CA1 infusion of muscimol and bicuculline induced anxiolytic-like and anxiogenic-like behaviors, respectively; meanwhile, both drugs improved memory. Systemic injections of an effective dose of morphine combined with triple doses of muscimol showed a synergistic effect on memory formation and anxiety reduction. Simultaneous injection of morphine and bicuculline altered the negative effects of the latter on anxiety and increased the memory formation. This finding showed that GABAergic and opioidergic systems have similar effects on memory and anxiety in CA1 area.