احمدرضا خسروی

Papaver pseudo-orientale Medw is a hexaploid plant with 42 chromosomesfound in the northwest of Iran and throughout eastern Turkey.  In this study, three populations of P. pseudo-orientale species were collected from three habitats (Solik, Golshikhan, and Qotur) in West Azerbaijan province, and their morphological characteristics as well as amino acids, fatty acids, and thebaine contents were measured.  The results showed that within all three populations, petiole length had the highest variability. The distance between two lobes of leaf and petiole length as two important features had the highest coefficient of variation among examined populations. In the studied populations, the highest amount of thebaine was found in the plant capsules. In this regard, Golshikhan population showed the highest amount of thebaine concentration in capsule. Also, this population was superior to other studied populations in term of thebaine amount in roots. The highest total amount of amino acids in stems  and leaves were observed in Golshikhan and Solik populations, respectively. The results of this study might be applied for breeding programs of this species and could be used for domestication of this valuable alkaloid containing plant.

Nectary morphology of Matthiola species (Brassicaceae) in the Flora Iranica area was examined using a stereomicroscope to evaluate its systematic significance and assess infrageneric relationships. The study demonstrated that, most characters of the nectaries were constant among different populations of a given species and were taxonomically useful in the delimitation of species, and their grouping. However, nectary morphology was variable in some species. Reliable diagnostic features included; type and number of nectaries, morphology of lateral nectary, presence vs. absence, length, and distance of ramifications extending of lateral nectaries. The type and number of nectaries were useful in grouping of species. Three basic types of nectaries were present in the genus of which two lunar-shaped nectaries were predominated. The type and number of nectaries were unique in Matthiola alyssifolia and M. longipetala. The nectar structure was usually constant among individuals of different populations of polymorphic species of M. chenopodiifolia, M. revolute, and M. longipetala.

The hunting-prohibited area of Dorodzan dam is located at Fars province (Iran). The area is about 30,000 hectares and its vascular flora has been studied during 2011–12. In the present study, a total of 1876 plant specimens were collected and 529 taxa, belonging to 345 genera and 76 families were identified. The life form rates of the taxa are as follows: therophytes (40.6%), hemicryptophytes (30.92%), cryptophytes (13.47%), chamaephytes (8.91%), and phanerophytes (6.07%), respectively. Large families in terms of number of genera and species are Asteraceae (76 species), Fabaceae (48 species), Poaceae (45 species), Lamiaceae (38 species), Brassicaceae (27 species), Apiaceae (24 species), Caryophyllaceae (21 species), and Boraginaceae (17 species). The richest genera are Astragalus (21 species) Cousinia, Centaurea, Euphorbia, Scorzonera, and Silene (seven species each), Allium, Cyperus, and Nepeta (six species each). Among biogeographical regions, the main phytogeographical affinity of the species, was Irano-Turanian (55.59%).In addition, 80 taxa (15.12%) were considered as endemic to Iran.

Mutation in DNA, migration, natural selection, type of non-random matting (such as consanguineous marriages) and genetic drift (in small size populations) are factors caused alterations of allelic frequencies in populations (Saadat and Amirshahi 2011, 1-12). The above-mentioned factors are evolutionary forces. Folktales, like living organisms, have evolutionary pathways. Folktales experience sudden changes (mutation), and moving from a population to another population (migration). Some parts of folktales change according to some environmental factors (such as economic, political and cultural), which is very similar to natural selection. Some parts of different folktales join with each other, which is similar to non-random matting. Finally, some large levels of changes randomly occur in folktales in small communities (similar to genetic drift). In biology, there are several methods for clustering organisms (including animal and plants). Two of these methods are 'phenetics' and “phylogenetics” clustering. It should be noted that phenetics methods are based on similarities (or differences) without attention to ancestress. In the present study we tried to clustering of 38 narratives of a very famous Iranian folktale (Sang-e Saboor). Sang-e Saboor is a tale type 894 according to the Aarne-Thompson–Uther tale type index.

In order to verify the validity of this hypothesis, in the present study, phenetics clustering analysis of 37 narratives of Sang-e Saboor in Iranian populations (Anjavi-Shirazi 2015, 317-390; Qatali 2010, 229-332; Ardalani 2003; 233-236; Elwell-Sutton 2007, 368-374; Behrangi and Dehqani 2002, 128-132; Pak 2012, 65-67; Sarfi 2008, 21-24; Fagiri 2003, 57-60; Arji 2006, 125-128; Takahara and Vakilian 2002, 97-100; Moaed-Mohseni 2002, 567-568) and a narrative from Afghanistan (Herat) was carried out (Rahmani 1998, 142-146). In the narratives used, a total of 40 features were extracted, some with more than two levels. After converting them to bi-state (zero and one) properties, a total of 53 bi-state characteristics were obtained (Table 1). The clustering was carried out using 'Euclidean distance' and analysis of 'within-group linkage'. Geographical distances between each two locations of narratives were obtain by 'Google Map'. The migration rate between two populations is a function of their geographical distance. Correlation between 'Euclidean distance' and 'geographical distance' was evaluated by Pearson correlation coefficient. Data was entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) (version 11.5). A P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistical significant. All P values were two-tailed.

Table 2 should the distance matrix of each narrative with the other 37 narratives. Figure 1 shows the correlation between 'Euclidean distance' and 'geographical distance'. The correlation between geographical and Euclidean distances is statistical significant (r=+0.197, df=701, P<0.001). It should be noted that determination coefficient (r2) to be equal to 0.0388, which it means that about 3.8% of variations in 'Euclidean distances' might be interpreted by geographical distances. Given the weak correlation, the geographical distance cannot explain the differences between narratives. The study narratives were classified in two distinct clusters (Fig. 2). The first and second clusters contains 28 and 10 narratives, respectively. The narratives of the main clusters have major differences, especially in the early stages of the story. In the first cluster, it's predicted that the hero of the story will face a lot of problems in the future, while in 9 out of ten narratives of the second cluster, there is no prediction for the future of the hero of the story. On the other hand, there are similarities between some of narratives of the second cluster and another Iranian folktale (Dokhtar-e narag o torang) (Pak 2012, 173-181; Anjavi-Shirazi 2014, 19-68). It is obvious that the mentioned similarities might be a reflection of their common ancestors. Some investigators used phylogenetic clustering in order to find the evolutionary relationship between different folktales (Ross et al., 2013; O’Brien et al., 2016). Further phylogenetic studies are needed to find the possible common ancestors of Sang-e Saboor and Dokhtar-e narag o torang folktales.

The main objective of this study was to record the plant and habitat diversity in the area of ​​Kuh-e Dekel in Mamasani city located in the northwest of Fars province, which is located between 51°32' eastern longitude and 30° 8' northern latitude, and in the altitude of 900 to 1350 m above the sea level. A total of 395 samples of vascular plants were collected belonging to 172 genera, 69 families, and 225 species. They were identified and archived in the herbarium of Shiraz University. Dicotyledon plants with 57 families, 142 genera, and 187 species were the most diverse group, followed by monocots with 8 families, 25 genera, and 34 species. Pteridophytes with 3 families, 3 genera, and 3 species and Gymnosperms with 1 family, 1 genus, and 1 species were present in the region. The richest genera in terms of the number of species were Asteraceae (42 species), Fabaceae (23 species), and Poaceae (13 species). The most diverse species in the vegetation of the region were Convolvulus, Plantago, and Trifolium (each with 5 species), and Allium (with 4 species). In terms of chorology, most plants belonged to the Irano-Turanian region. Therophytes were the dominant life form in the area. The most effective ecological factors in the distribution of plants in the area were climatic, topographical, and biological factors.

The cypress habitat of Firoozabad in Fars province is one of the valuable reserves of cypress tree (Cupressus sempervirence) in Iran. The climate of this habitat is semi-arid with an average annual rainfall of 434.8 mm and an average annual temperature of 20.6 degrees Celsius. Flora, life form, geographical distribution, and medicinal species of this habitat were studied in the present work. Identification of the collected specimens was done using the relevant references. As a result, 238 species belonging to 188 genera and 61 families were identified in the area. Asteraceae with 42 species and 33 genera and Astragalus with seven species are the largest family and genus in this region, respectively. Therophytes with 45 percent and hemicryptophytes with 25 percent were the most frequent life forms in the flora of Firoozabad cypress habitat. Geographical distribution of the species includes 38 percent Iran-Turanian, 28 percent bi-regional (Irano-Turanian, Mediterranean; Irano-Turanian, Euro-Siberian and Irano-Turanian, Saharo-Sindian), 14 percent tri-regional (Irano-Turanian, Euro-Siberian, Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian, Saharo-Sindian, Mediterranean), 3 percent multi-regional and 5 percent cosmopolite elements. Twenty-eight species (12 percent) in this habitat are endemic for Iran. In addition, 26 species used as medicinal plants.

The licorice (Glycyrrhizaglabra) rhizome has been widely used in traditional medicine for treatment of gastrointestinal diseases such as gastric ulcer and relieve intestinal spasms. In the present study, the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of licoricerhizome on mechanical activity of isolated colon of male rats has been studied.
Adult male rats were anesthetized by ethyl ether, their abdomen opened, and colon tissues were removed and divided into 1 cm segments. The segments were connected to a force transducer longitudinally and inserted to an organ bathe contained oxygenated Tyrode solution (37 °C, pH=7.4). Their mechanical activity of ileum was recorded by power lab AD instrument in basal condition, and after administration of L-NAME (10-4M), acetylcholine (4×10-5M) and Atropine (10-5M) drugs in the presence and absence of licorice rhizome extract were recorded (0.036mg/ml). Also, the mechanical activity of control group segments were recorded at the same condition with extract solvent (ethanol %70).
A significant decrease in mechanical activity of the isolated colon occurred after administration of hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice rhizome compared to the control group (p≤0.05). Also, a significant decrease was seen in mechanical activity occurredin the co-administration of extract and acetylcholine compared to the control group. The mechanical activity of tissue was not significantly changed in the presence of Atropine and extract between experimental and control groups. The mechanical activity of ileum tissue was not significantly changed in the co-administration of L-NAME and extract between experimental and control groups.
We can conclude that hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice has modifying effect on colon motility, and this activity may be occurred independently in the nitrergic and cholinergic systems.

A floristic study was done in Kuh-e Khom in east of Arsanjan county as part of the southern Zagros in Fars province. Altitude of the region is ranged from 1740 to 3270 m above sea level. The flora of the region with an emphasis on identifying habitats and the effect of altitude on vegetation were studied and sampling was done from 2010 to 2012. Totally, 440 plant specimens of vascular plant were collected which were belonging to 50 families, 198 genera and 287 species. The angiosperm plants were dominant and from them the dicot plants with 37 families, 167 genera and 246 species had the most diversity. The monocots plants with 9 families, 27 genera and 37 species were the second diversely group in the region. Gymnosperms and Pteridophyte each with two species had the lowest number of species. In respect to species richness, Asteraceae (43 species) was the largest family and after that Breassicaceae (33 species), Poaceae (24 species), Fabaceae (24 species), Lamiaceae (22 species), Caryophyllaceae (19 species) and Boraginaceae (13 species) had the most species diversity. Half of species were therophyte and 68% of species were belonging to Irano-Turanian region.

The patterns of geographic distribution of C3 and C4 species of the family Chenopodiaceae have been analyzed in Iran, using a database of 11151 georeferenced records. The members of Chenopodiaceae family with 45 genera and 204 species are widely distributed in Iran. There they show a ratio of about 2:1 between C4 and C3species. All available data were organized in MS access database, and analyzed in point-to-grid analysis tool of DIVA-GIS software, using 10 × 10 km grid cells and the circular neighborhood option. The highest species numbers, with a peak at 83 per grid unit, occur in Tehran, Semnan, and East Azerbaijan provinces but the density of records is extremely uneven. Consequently, the same areas also are the hot spots of both C4 and C3 species. The comparison between the distribution patterns of carbon isotope composition (δ13C) values of species and the annual precipitation gradient map represents that C4 Chenopods are well adapted to regions with high degree of aridity and low precipitation.

The geographical distribution of the genus Cousinia in Iran has been analyzed using a dataset of 3095 georeferenced observations. The 241 species of the genus are distributed throughout Iran. However, about third of the observations are made from provinces like, Khorasan Razavi, Tehran, and Fars. The genus has 135 rare species and 197 endemic species. The maximum distance between two observations of the same species, (MaxD) is 1863 kilometers. Razavi Khorasan, Lorestan, Esfahan, North Khorasan and Tehran have the highest number of rare species. Species richness was mapped with the point-to-grid richness analysis tool DIVA-GIS, using a 10×10 kilometer grid cell and the circular neighborhood option with a 50 km radius. High species richness occurs in large area in North of Semnan province, Dena Mountains, Central Alborz, Lorestan province, NW Iran and also in Kopet Dagh Mountain in Khorasan where the hotspots for endemic species are located. Forty five 0.5o×0.5o grid cells are needed to capture all species at once, which have the most conservative importance for this group of plants

The geographic distribution of the Fabaceae (except the genus Astragalus L.) has been analyzed to have insights about the distribution pattern of this family as an approach for a better conservation policymaking. In doing so, we used a dataset of 10498 geo-referenced observations from Iran. Species richness, endemic species, weighted endemism and corrected weighted endemism were mapped in 1° x 1° latitude/longitude grids using ArcView and DIVA-GIS software. Iran was divided into 196 grid cells and of these, 173 grid cells had at least one record each. The highest endemic species values were observed in a grid cell located in Tehran province, which also possessed high species richness and even the highest weighted endemism values. But high values for corrected weighted endemism were obtained from grid cells located in the North East of Iran (mostly from Razavi Khorasan province). Species with very small documented distribution area (one grid cell only) were distributed in North and North West (West and East Azerbaijan provinces) of Iran and along the Zagros mountain range. In this study, seven regions with conservation importance were identified which can be compared with the present protected areas.

Aethionema sabzevaricum Khosravi & Joharchi (Brassicaceae) is described and illustrated from NE Iran. The new species is morphologycally, closely related to the A. saxatile group. It is an obligate chasmophytic narrow endemic to the serpentine cliffs of the Khorasanian Joqatai Mts in NE of Iran. It is perennial, suffruticose, with alternate fleshy leaves. Petals, white with upper part of claw and basal part of lamina darker purplish. Silicula cymbiform and one seeded.

The geographic distribution of the family Fabaceae (except the genus Astragalus) in Iran has been analyzed using a dataset of 10408 georeferenced observations. The 429 species of the family is distributed in whole Iran; however, about half of the observations are from provinces like, Fars, Hormozgan, Tehran, Bushehr and Mazandaran. The family has 173 rare species and 117 endemic species. The highest record for the maximum distance between two observations of one species (MaxD) is 2140 kilometer. East-Azerbaijan, Khorasan Razavi, Fars, Lorestan and West-Azerbaijan have the highest number of rare species. Species richness was mapped with the point-to-grid richness analysis tool DIVA-GIS, using a 10×10 kilometer grid cell and the circular neighborhood option with a 50 km radius. High species richness occurs in Fars, Gilan and Lorestan; also in Central Alborz where the hotspot for endemic species is located. Forty four 10×10 kilometer grid cells are needed to capture all species at once. But ninety percent of the species can be captured in only twenty grid cells, which have the most conservative importance for this group of plants.

By morphological and geographical evidences, it is showed that Hesperis leucoclada Boiss. and Pseudofortuynia esfandiarii Hedge are the same species. The new combination Pseudofortuynia leucoclada (Boiss.) Khosravi is the correct name. The affinities of Pseudofortuynia are discussed.