فصلنامه زیست شناسی جانوری تجربی
سال هشتم شماره 3 (پیاپی 31، زمستان 1398)

Morphometric and meristic traits typically are used to identify the stocks. The aim of this study was to identify the biological status of Aphanius vladykovi in four regions: Dehcheshme River, Shalamzar Lake, Madar-o-Dokhtar Spring and Chehelgazi Spring. 20 samples in each region were used to biological assess and 23 morphological and 8 meristic characters were examined. The final data were normalized and analyzed with Excel and SAS software version 9.1 with Duncan analysis of variance and to determine the length-weight relationship was used W=aLb regression equation. Regression coefficients growth pattern, with Pauli applicable method showed fish growth in the Shalamzar region was allometric and in other regions was isometric. Also variance analysis of main components revealed that among the areas were observed significantly different at 5% level at characters of: the minimum height of the body, distance behind the dorsal fin, ventral and pectoral fin spacing, the base of the pectoral and ventral fins, diameter of the gill cover, distance from tip of snout to ventral fin, body weight, number of pectoral, anal and caudal fin rays, number of lateral line scales and the number of gill raker and filaments, that suggesting the possible impact of these features in distinguish the populations of this species.

The East Azerbaijan Province (Āzarbāijān-e Sharqi) is in the northwest of the country, bordering Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the provinces of Ardabil, West Azerbaijan, and Zanjan. Its capital is Tabriz, The province covers an area of approximately 47,830 km², The highest peak of East Azerbaijan is Sahand Mountain at 3,722 m of elevation, lying south of Tabriz, whereas the lower lying areas are around Garmadooz (Ahar). The heights of the province may be classified into three sectors, namely: the Qara Daq Mountains, the Sahand and Bozqoosh Mountains, and the Qaflan Kooh Mountain, Generally speaking, East Azerbaijan enjoys a cool, dry climate, being in the main a mountainous region. But the gentle breezes off the Caspian Sea have some influence on the climate of the low-lying areas, we collected 7 species and subspecies of lizards belonging to five genera. The Lacertidae family, have been documented from the East Azerbaijan area with the following species: Darevskia raddeii, Iranolacerta brandtii, Eremias strauchi, Eremias arguta, Lacerta media, Lacerta strigata, Ophisops elegans.

Amphibian are the first resident vertebrates in dry habitats that have retained their dependency to aqueous habitats and adapted to this type of life. Different habitats affect skin structure and reproductive potential of amphibians. The aim of this study was comparison of skin histology and reproductive potential of marsh frog affected by geographical separation (the city as a geographical barrier) in the northern and southern regions of Khuzestan. 24 mature adult frogs were trapped and transferred to the laboratory. After identification of the target species based on the characteristics of the index, the samples were euthanized to get tissue samples. Histological sections wereprepared. In order to evaluate the reproductive characteristics, the gonadal index in males and the degree of assimilation were calculated in females. Regarding two determinant factors, the northern and southern regions of Khuzestan province, as well as back and abdominal surfaces, there was a significant difference in all measured histometric parameters (P<0.05). Differences in histometric parameters were influenced by the environmental and ecological factors. Also, based on studies, these kinds of determinants can be useful in determining the type of skin glands in different species. In comparison of reproductive potential, both sexes in the northern and southern regions have the highest reproductive capacity in spring,and male subjects with the weight and diameter of the pins, and also the subjects of the material with more weight, they had more reproductive capacity. Therefore, the spawning season of the species began in late March and peaked in the middle of the spring.

Studying on the species diversity and evaluating the variation of it during different years has had very important role in identifying the changes and weak wildlife management. In this survey we did a study on species diversity and population variation of terrestrial bird of Parvar Protected Area in Semnan province during a year. Parvar Protected Area is one of the critical habitats which have the capability of promoting a higher level of Iran protected areas category as a national park. Climate variation has led to species diversity and we could identify more than one fourth of the bird species existing in the whole country. North and northwest forests of Parvar which are the borders of Iranian Hircanian forests and Irano-touranian climate in the east and southeast where have resulted in the high species richness. We identified 161 bird species belonging to 13 orders. The most known bird species are related to the summer with 2063 pieces. 47 species are native, 21 species were identified in nesting season, 18 species were identified in winter and others were passing species. Passeriformes were dominant by 68% and Falconiformes were about 13%. We could identify only one water bird, Common Teal, and two shore birds during the study period.

The current study stablished to determine reproductive characteristics of the Little Egret Egretta garzetta in Ali-Siyah Island in Karoon River during 2007-2008. The breeding phenology started in March 28 with nest making and ended with last fledglings in June 24, 2008. Thirty nests were selected randomly using boats. In total 100 eggs with mean of 3.33 (3-5) eggs per nest were found. The average breeding success in hatching, nestling and post-nestling stages were 62%, 65% and 75% respectively. The mortality rate in mentioned stages were measured 25%, 10% and 3% as well. The mortality rate showed significant difference before hatching stage in comparison with other breeding stages. Clutch size, brood size and nest parameters did not have significant effect on the breeding success. Natural factors had most negative effect on the breeding success regarding to the special geographical position and limited access to the Island.

In animals, Sexual dimorphism can be based on morphological characteristics or measurable characteristics. In scorpion, except a few species that have two sexual forms, there is no significant difference between males and females. In this study, 12 measurable characteristics of male and female Hottentotta saulcyi, from the Rudbar area located on the border of Lorestan, Isfahan and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari provinces, were measured and analyzed by SPSS 16 software. Independent Sample T-test showed a significant difference between the three traits, the distance between the two shoulder lines, shoulder length, and the number of shoulder teeth between males and females. The result showed that in male, the length of the shoulder is significantly larger and also the number of shoulder teeth more than female, but the distance between the two shoulder strains in the material is larger than the male, and therefore, these traits can be in the diagnosis of both males and females.

Lung cancer is one the most common cancer in the world and Iran that lead to many deaths.  Despite abundant researches, an appropriate cure has not been yet found for cancer. Citrus extract contains abundant anti-oxidative compounds. In this research evaluated and compared the toxic effect of Citrus leaves hydroalcoholic extracts on the proliferation and viability of A459 cancer cells. Citrus leaves extracts were prepared by soxhlet set. A549 cells were proliferated and treated with 0.05-10 mg/ml concentrations of extracts for 72h. Cell viability and morphology were evaluated by MTT assay and acridine orange staining on certain times after treatment. Comparison of the cell viability percent in experimental groups indicated that IC50 were 2, 6, and 8 respectively for Citrus limon, Citrus reticulata, and Citrus aurantium leaves extract (P<0.05). Also, number of apoptotic cells was significantly (P<0.05) more in C.lemon group than C. reticulata and C. aurantium group and indeed, number of apoptotic cells were significantly (P<0.05) more in C. reticulata group than C. aurantium group. Citrus leaves hydroalcoholic extract can induce apoptosis in A549 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner.

Marine pollution is one of the main concerns of countries surrounding the Persian Gulf. In this regard, Histological alterations of kidney in Achanthopagrus latus collected from Musa creek were used to evaluate the effects of pollution on the aquatic organisms. In the present study, 50 A. latus were collected from five sampling sites in Mussa creek. The kidney of fishes were fixed in Bouin‘s solution for 12 h. The samples were then studied based on the routine histological methods. Histopathological changes in the kidney of A- latus including Glomerular dilatation, reduction of urinary space, melanoma crophagesaggregates, occlusion of tubular lumen, tubular degeneration and necrosis. Histopathological alteration index was determined on the basis of frequency of pathological changes in kidney of fishes. The most amount of HAI for kidney of A. latus were observed at the Petrochemical station. The least amount of HAI was related to Zangi station. The results of present study showed that the histopathological alternations of kidney in Achantopagrus latus caused by the Musa creek contamination and there is close relation between amounts of this alterations and the environmental pollution.

Recent reports have shown that some Plant Isoflavones have beneficial effects on diabetes and liver health in human and laboratory animals. The aim of this study was to administrate of hydroalcoholic extract of Trifolium pretense (red clover) as a plant rich in Isoflavones compounds and its effects on serum levels of glucose and liver enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) in mice. In this experimental study, 42 male mice were divided into 6 groups of 7, including healthy control, diabetic without treatment (positive control), diabetic treated with glibenclamide groups, and three diabetic groups treated respectively with 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract of red clover by gavage for 15 days. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin, 60 mg/kg. On the last day, serum glucose and Liver Enzymes (ALT, ALP and AST) levels were measured. The data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software and OneWay ANOVA test. The significant was shown with (P<0.05).Doses of 500 mg/kg and 750 mg/kg of extract were significantly (P<0.001) decreased serum glucose compared with positive control group.  Assessment of liver enzymes shown that AST level in 750mg/kg group (P<0.001), ALT level in 500 mg/kg (P<0.01) and 750 mg/kg (P<0.001) groups, and ALP level in 250 mg/kg (P<0.05), 500 mg/kg (P<0.001) and 750 mg/kg (P<0.001) groups significantly decreased compared with positive control group. It seems that the red clover has anti-diabetic and hepatoprotectiveeffects.

Brown bear (Ursus arctos) is the largest carnivore of Iran with a holarctic distribution in Europe, Asia, and North America. In Iran, its distribution is restricted to the mountain forest areas of Alborz and Zagros and Fars province is on the southernmost distribution boundary for this species worldwide. Iran's brown bears recognized as U. a. syriacus, which has discrete populations at high risk, and there is a critical lack of knowledge concerning different aspects of its biology. This research was carried out in order to identify its distribution pattern and conservation planning for four years in Fars province. As direct observation of brown bears is difficult due to its nocturnal activity, signs are usually used in such researches. A total of 170 signs of this species were recorded in Fars province. The most signs are traces (about 48%) and scat (about 20%). Investigation of the signs and the mapping of the species in Fars province using ArcGIS 10.3 showed that the highest presence of this species belongs to Mountains areas of Marvdasht (32.54%) and Sepidan (31.95%) in the northern parts of the province with a height range of 1600 to more than 2800 meters above sea level. Based on the obtained results it can be concluded that brown bear faces conflict with humans by attack on humans, domestic livestock, honey hives, fish farms and agricultural products in the province.

Persian Leopard is the most prominent mammals in Iran, where most of its distribution is known to be in this country. Dispersion of this species depends on anthropological and climatical factors. Studying its habitat as a keystone species is really important because it has effects on the functions of the ecosystem. With this all said, conservation measures are crucial for this species.  Based on the previous studies, despite the wide range of Iranian leopard diet, factors such as land use change has reduced its prey in many areas. Nowadays new habitat modelling methods play an important role in wildlife management and conservation. One of these methods is the MaxEnt approach. In this study, using this method and using variables of land cover, topographic, climatic and human-made, modeling to predict suitable habitats of Persian Leopard, Wild Goat, Urial Wild Sheep and Armenian Wild Sheep were performed as their favorite preys. Based on the model evaluation results by using Jackknife index and response curves showed that Persian Leopard, Wild Goat, Urial Wild Sheep and Armenian Wild Sheep have shown significant responses to the distance of protected areas. It also showed that taking distance from protected areas to reduce habitat suitabilities for the studied species. Also, Persian leopard habitats have significant overlaps with its 3 favourite prey. This shows the importance of wild goats, Urial and Armenian wild sheep in Persian leopard habitats.