Halil Ibrahimi, Habibollah Mohammadi, Edris Ghaderi, Erfan Karimian, Ronak Zareii, Laila Piroozi,
Volume 9, Issue 4 (12-2023)
Abstract
Caddisfly sampling conducted during August 2021 from the Gurgur River in the Sabalan Mountains, Ardabil province, Iran, revealed the first record of Glossosoma unguiculatum Martynov, 1925 for Iran. Previously, this species had only been known from few localities in Turkey, the Caucasus and Kazakhstan. The morphology of male genitalia in the collected specimens generally corresponds to the described species, with the exception of a less incised ventral margin of the abdominal segment IX in ventral view, which may be attributed to geographical variability. This discovery marks the second species of the genus Glossosoma Curtis, 1834 found in Iran.
Volume 10, Issue 2 (3-2022)
Abstract
Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the ecological factors affecting the distribution of the rare, endangered and medicinal species of Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. in ecotone rangelands of Namin County in 2019.
Materials & methods Sampling were performed from the presence and absence locations of V. arctostaphylos in eight habitats. Soil samples were taken from a depth of 0-30 cm and physiographic variables in were recorded. Moreover, a digital elevation model, slope and aspect map was derived. Rainfall and temperature gradient maps, was derived using gradient equations, and the values for sampling points were extracted. Data analysis performed by independent t-test and discriminant analysis test.
Findings Results showed the Stream Power Index (SPI) (p<0.05), pH, EC, lime, soluble sodium, organic carbon, soil texture and species density (p<0.01) are significantly different between the presence and absence of the species. Results of discriminant analysis showed the three functions explained 86.4, 10.7, and 2.8% of the total data variance, respectively. Generally, 19 variable including elevation, slope, aspect, precipitation, Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), plan curvature index (PC), SPI, pH, EC, lime, phosphorus, soluble potassium, soluble sodium, magnesium, organic carbon, bicarbonate solution, saturation percentage (SP), sand percentage and species density were identified as the important factors affecting the distribution of V. arctostaphylos. SP was the most important factor in the presence and absence of species.
Conclusion Generally, by identifying the most effective ecological factors on the distribution of V. arctostaphylos, effective steps have been taken to improve the habitat of the rare species.
Volume 22, Issue 2 (3-2019)
Abstract
Aims: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is one of the most important endemic diseases in Meshkinshahr. The present study was aimed to molecular detect of VL and babesiosis in clot blood samples taken from dogs.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, a total number of 148 blood samples were collected from dogs with clinical signs of visceral leishmaniasis from Meshkinshahr area. All serum samples were examined by direct agglutination test (DAT). DNA was extracted from the blood clot with the DNG-plus Extraction Kit. The ITS1 and kDNA genes of L. infantum were amplified by the PCR method. To identify and confirm the existence of Babesia parasites, 2 pairs of Babesia-specific primers were used.
Results: All of 148 dogs (100%) showed titers more than 1:320 of L. infantum infection in the serological test. L. infantum kDNA was detected by PCR in all samples. No cases of infection with Babesia parasite found in the samples.
Conclusions: The dog owners in Meshkinshehr are in close contact with dogs which are positive for VL, so, the implementation of health care in this region is highly recommended.