مجله پژوهشهای جانوری (زیست شناسی ایران)
سال سی و پنجم شماره 1 (بهار 1401)

This study was done to investigate of some reproductive parameters of Arabian carpetshark, Chiloscyllium arabicum. A total of 750 specimens of Arabian carpetshark were collected, of which190 samples were male (49.86%), and 191 were female (50.13%). The overall sex ratio wasobtained (0.99: 1.00) (p>0.05). Condition factor of female (1.29±0.003) was significantly more than male shark (1.17±0.002). The highest of condition factor was obtained in April and November for male (1.27±0.003) and female (1.42±0.003) respectively. Also, the lowest of this factor was observed in July for male (0.98±0.002), in April for female (1.09±0.004). The beginning of the rise in gonadosomatic index was from April which reach to maximum value in June (5.99). After a negligible decrease of GSI in July, reaching the lowest value in November (0.44). In this study, maximum and minimum of fecundity were 38 eggs (71.6 cm in total length and 1624 g in weight) and 10 eggs (52.6 cm in total length and 516 g in weight) respectively. Maximum of female shark with egg and embryo was observed in June. Also, 24 embryos were counted from May to August.

This study investigated the anthropological impacts on the Integrity Biological Index (IBI) of the Zarineh River using fish ecological indexes including integrity scores, species richness, abundance and etc. For this reason, seven stations about 30 km along the river before, adjust and after the city of Shahin-Dezh were selected. In total 404 fish specimen of eleven species were captured. Then, the ecological indexes including simpson, margalof, shanon, richness and IBI scores were calculated for each station using Biodiversity pro software. The results revealed that distribution, abundance and composition of the ichthyofauna of the Zarineh River can be applied to assess of the anthropological impacts on IBI of this river. The observations also showed that higher biodiversity indexes and abundance can not be related to higher water quality. Examination of the results of the ecological integrity index in the studied stations showed that the IBI value in station 4 is higher compared to the others. In terms of IBI index, after station 4, there were stations 2 and 7, respectively. These findings were consistent with the results obtained from biodiversity indices. The study of species diversity in stations 4, 2 and 7 showed that these stations are similar in terms of ecological integrity index. This study showed that among the studied stations, station 5 had the lowest value of IBI. Considering that Station 5 was located near Shahin-Dezh city, it can be acknowledged that the IBI value of this station has been more affected by human activities including input of sewage.

Yazd province is located in the arid and desert climate and its water resources include about 10 wetlands and artificial basins. The most important ones, for attracting birds, are the artificial basin of the Yazd city treatment plant with permanent water, and Kasehrood dam in Abarkooh city with suitable geographical location. In the present study, the avifauna of both habitats were identified and listed based on the available statistics regarding monitoring and bird counting for six years (2014-2020). The results revealed that up to 60 species are living in the treatment plant water basin and 25 in the Kasehrood dam. The highest frequency was belong to the ducks family with nine and seven species in the treatment plant and Kasehrood dam, respectively. The observed species including white headed duck, steppe eagle, lapwing, steppe pipit and black vulture have protective values based on the IUCN list. The yellow herons and tufted duck were observed and recorded for the first time in both localities. This study indicated that the Yazd treatment plant artificial basin and Abarkooh Kasehrood dam have important roles in providing habitats for waterfowls, terrestrial birds and protection of migratory birds. Therefore, management and protection of their habitats should be considered.

In this study, the effect of different levels of the amino acid methionine on some growth factors, mucosal immunity and antibacterial properties of mucus in Rutilus frisii kutum was investigated. Therefore, first 420 juvenile Rutilus frisi katum with an average weight of 1.24± 0/02 g were prepared, then 35 fish were randomly distributed in 12 tanks with four treatments and three replications. They were then fed at doses of 0, 2/5, 5 and 10 mg / kg methionine for 60 days, respectively. The results of this study showed that different levels of methionine had no effect on whitefish growth indices, so that there was no significant difference between treatments containing different levels of methionine in terms of different growth indices. The highest lysozyme activity was observed at 5% level, and the amounts of alkaline phosphatase and mucus-soluble protein were observed at 10% level. The results showed that the highest antibacterial activity was related to the levels of 5 and 10% of the amino acid methionine. According to the results, it can be said that 5 and 10% levels of the amino acid methionine can be effective in improving the activity of some digestive enzymes (lysozyme, alkaline phosphatase), soluble proteins and antibacterial activity in the study species. Achieving more complete and accurate results requires more research in this area.

Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Artemisia absinthium is one of the genus Artemisia which has anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. In the present study investigated the ability of methanolic extract of A. absinthium alone and in combination with Taxol to induce apoptosis and inhibited cell migration in the AGS cell line. Investigating cytotoxic effect of combined A. absinthium extract with Taxol on the proliferation of AGS cells, were used MTT assay; DAPI staining and flow cytometry analysis were used to evaluate the ability to induce apoptosis in treated cells and cell migration test was used to evaluate the anti-invasive effect; Changes in the expression of apoptotic "p53-Caspase-3,9" and metastasis genes "MMP-2,9" were examined by real-time PCR. The MTT results showed that the combination of A. absinthium extract with Taxol inhibited the proliferation of AGS cells in a concentration-dependent manner, Morphological observations obtained from DAPI and results of flow cytometry showed an increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells in the treatment groups. The results of cell migration test showed a decrease in the invasive potential of AGS cells. The real-time PCR results showed an increase in the expression of apoptotic genes and a decrease in the expression of metastatic genes in the treatment groups. The results of this study showed that the combined use of A. absinthium extract with Taxol inhibits the proliferation of AGS cells and induces apoptosis and inhibits the ability to migrate.

Amphibians are considered as an indicator of environmental health and their population is decreasing around the world at a significant rate. The climate change, chemical pollutants, increased ultraviolet radiation, habitat changes, exotic species, and pathogens are some of the causes of amphibian decline. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction effects of density, water level fluctuations and predator cues factors on the growth rate, metamorphosis and survival of Pelophylax bedriagae. In this study, P. bedriagae eggs were collected from Barnaj spring in Kermanshah province. A 2×3×2 factorial experiment designed in two levels of density (low, n =5 and high, n =25), three level of water (low: 400 cc, high 1400 cc, and decreasing 100 cc of water, once a week) and two levels of predatory (present of predatory cues and absence of predatory cues) carried out within 36 container on 201 days. Based on the results, density independently had a significant effect on Snout–vent length, survival, age and percentage of metamorphosis. The presence of the predator cues had a significant effect on growth, development and survival but the water level had not effect. The interactive effect of three factors had no significant on Snout–vent length, metamorphosis time, percentage of metamorphosis and survival rate. The results of this study suggest that P. bedriagae as a resistant species can adapt to environmental changes.