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The present study provides the length-weight relationships (LWRs) for four difficult-to-sample Caspian endemic gobies for the first time: Benthophilus persicus, Benthophilus baeri, Knipowitschia longecaudata, and Hyrcanogobius bergi. They were collected from shallow and deep waters of the southwestern Caspian Sea using various methods, including beach seining, scuba diving, and deepwater bottom beam trawls. The slope (b) of LWRs ranged from 2.874 for B. baeri, to 3.408 for H. bergi with coefficient of determination higher than 0.918. The b values showed significant differences between the sexes of all species.

Abstract Freshwater fishes are facing considerable threats in the Arabian Peninsula which is considered as a highly stressed region in the Middle East. It is predicted that northern Oman is likely to face decreasing rainfall and increasing temperature in coming decades. In this study, we focused on an endemic cyprinid fish Cyprinion muscatense, as a model to investigate impacts of climate change on the mountain fishes inhibiting in this arid region. This species is expected to be strongly affected by climate change because of its limited distribution range in a montane area surrounded by lowlands and sea, limiting the species in shift to other areas. We used an ensemble approach by considering two regressions‐based species distribution modeling (SDM) algorithms: generalized linear models (GLM), and generalized additive models (GAM) to model the species habitat suitability and predict the impacts of climate change on the species habitat suitability. Based on the distribution models, the montane area located in northeastern Oman was identified as the most suitable habitat for this species. Our results indicate that, even under the minimum greenhouse gas emissions scenario (RCP 2.6), climate change will produce a high reduction in its potential future habitats. According to the results of percent contribution, elevation and annual minimum temperature were the most important variables in predicting the species suitable habitats. Results also showed that only a small percentage of suitable habitats for the species within boundaries of protected areas. Therefore, the impact of climate change on the species appears particularly alarming. Although our study was restricted to a single cyprinid freshwater species, decreases in potential habitats are likely predicted for other cyprinid fish species restricted to the mountains of this region, suggesting severe consideration is needed for aquatic systems in future conservation planning, especially for endemic freshwater fishes.

Climate change is expected to affect freshwater water bodies worldwide, especially those located in semiarid and arid regions, including the Arabian Peninsula. Species distribution modeling has been widely used to predict the effects of climate changes on aquatic species. Occurrence records of the cichlid fish Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, were geographically mapped, followed by the implementation of species distribution models to delineate its range within the sensitive inland water system of the southeastern Arabian Peninsula. The analysis encompassed the examination of species presence data in the context of environmental variables, leading to the development of an ensemble model for habitat suitability, combining four distinct species distribution models. The findings indicated that the mean diurnal range and precipitation seasonality emerged as the most influential factors in predicting the suitability of habitats for O. niloticus. The response curve analysis indicated that the presence probability of O. niloticus decreased with increasing mean diurnal range and decreasing precipitation seasonality. The suitable distribution ranges for O. niloticus in the studied area were mainly distributed in the northeast of this region, where native/endemic fish diversity is high. The ensemble model results specified a significant impact of climate change on O. niloticus distribution, so highly suitable areas for this species will be reduced, while areas with low to moderate suitability increase slightly or remain unchanged. While O. niloticus is anticipated to display resilience and prosper under the influence of climate change, it remains paradoxical that its habitats are at risk of being compromised by climate-induced alterations. Consequently, even this resilient species stands susceptible to the repercussions of climate change. Due to the worldwide severe impacts of Nile tilapia, regular monitoring of freshwater ecosystems and fish fauna—especially in the northeast of the Arabian Peninsula, which has currently been invaded by this alien species—and protecting the region from key anthropogenic stressors are recommended to successfully conserve the freshwater fishes, which include about 22 recognized fish species in 16 genera, 10 families, 7 orders, and a class including 20 natives (7 endemic) species, out of which 13 species co-occur in sympatricity with O. niloticus.

Otoliths (ear stones) of the inner ears of teleost fishes, which develop independently from the skeleton and are functionally associated with hearing and the sense of equilibrium, have significantly contributed to contemporary understanding of teleost fish systematics and evolutionary diversity. The sagittal otolith is of particular interest, since it often possesses distinctive morphological features that differ significantly among species, and have been shown to be species- and genus-specific, making it an informative taxonomic tool for ichthyologists. The otolith morphology of the Caspian Sea gobiids has not been thoroughly studied yet, with data available for only a few species. The aim of the present paper is to examine the qualitative and quantitative taxonomic and phylogenetic information in the sagittal otoliths of these species. A total of 118 otoliths representing 30 gobiid species (including 53.5% of the Caspian gobiofauna) in three gobiid lineages (i.e., Gobius, Pomatoschistus, and Acanthogobius) and 11 genera (i.e., all Ponto-Caspian gobiid genera except Babka) were analysed at taxonomic levels using an integrated descriptive and morphometric approach. The results indicated high taxonomic efficiency of otolith morphology and morphometry at taxonomic levels for the Ponto-Caspian gobiids. Our qualitative and quantitative otolith data also (i) support the monophyly of neogobiin gobies, (ii) along with other morphological and ecological data, offer a new perspective on the systematics of Neogobius bathybius, (iii) suggest the reassignment of Hyrcanogobius bergi to the genus Knipowitschia, and (iv) question the phylogenetic integrity of the four phenotypic groups previously defined in the tadpole-goby genus Benthophilus; however, more studies are needed to complete these evaluations and confirm our otolith study findings.

Different types of scale deformities have been reported from fishes worldwide, however there is no available study on the abnormal scales in the genus Garra except for G. variabilis. In the present study, scale deformities of three species of Garra including G. rufa, G. persica and Garra sp. from 6 sites of the Iranian drainages were examined and described. Different deformations were observed in focus, anterior, posterior and lateral sides of scales in the studied species, showing both slight and severe abnormalities. The occurrence of twin scales was one of the most interesting cases among various types of scale deformities observed on G. persica and Garra sp. Genetic disorders, diseases (including infection and lesions), developmental anomalies, incomplete regeneration after wounding, physical, and chemical environmental variables including pollutions might be considered as potential factors for scale abnormalities remained to be investigated.

The present study was conducted to describe morphology and study the phylogeny of Dendrodoris fumata (Rüppell & Leuckart, 1830) from the Persian Gulf (Bostaneh), in 2019. DNA extraction was done using salt-out method, and the polymerase chain reactions promoted using the universal primers HCO2198 and LCO1490. A segment of the mitochondrial gene was selected as molecular marker, and the corresponding sequences were recovered from GenBank and were included in the analyses. The phylogenetic results and the K2P distances revealed that specimens of the Persian Gulf are closer to those of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Oman, but distant from the specimen of Australia. Based on the phylogenetic trees, D. fumata is a sister species to D. rubra. Moreover, the data showed that D. nigra, the other species that have been previously recorded from the Persian Gulf, stays quite distant from D. fumata.

Abstract Rapid adaptation to global change can counter vulnerability of species to population declines and extinction. Theoretically, under such circumstances both genetic variation and phenotypic plasticity can maintain population fitness, but empirical support for this is currently limited. Here, we aim to characterize the role of environmental and genetic diversity, and their prior evolutionary history (via haplogroup profiles) in shaping patterns of life history traits during biological invasion. Data were derived from both genetic and life history traits including a morphological analysis of 29 native and invasive populations of topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva coupled with climatic variables from each location. General additive models were constructed to explain distribution of somatic growth rate (SGR) data across native and invasive ranges, with model selection performed using Akaike's information criteria. Genetic and environmental drivers that structured the life history of populations in their native range were less influential in their invasive populations. For some vertebrates at least, fitness‐related trait shifts do not seem to be dependent on the level of genetic diversity or haplogroup makeup of the initial introduced propagule, nor of the availability of local environmental conditions being similar to those experienced in their native range. As long as local conditions are not beyond the species physiological threshold, its local establishment and invasive potential are likely to be determined by local drivers, such as density‐dependent effects linked to resource availability or to local biotic resistance.

The Glyptothorax species from the Middle East are taxonomically revised based on extensive geographic range and taxon sampling, tree topologies from mitochondrial COI and Cyt b and nuclear RAG2 markers (2532 bps), molecular species delimitation and genetic distance analyses of DNA sequences against morphometric and morphological characters. A majority-rule consensus based on conceptually different molecular species delimitation analyses combined with the Bayesian and maximum likelihood tree topologies considered all the name-bearing Iranian endemic clades of Glyptothorax, except for G. pallens (i.e., G. alidaeii, G. galaxias, G. hosseinpanahii, G. shapuri and G. silviae) as a single molecular entity. We also lent our years of experience to the morphology of Iranian Glyptothorax populations and tried to perceive consistent morphological differences, but without success. Therefore, based on this integrated molecular and morphological study, we treat G. alidaeii, G. galaxias, G. hosseinpanahii and G. shapuri as conspecific with G. silviae. Furthermore, our molecular and morphological results confirmed the first record of G. cous in Iranian waters. The species G. armeniacus, G. cous, G. daemon, G. kurdistanicus, G. pallens, G. silviae and G. steindachneri are considered as valid species.

Four obligate cave fish species have been recorded from Zagros in Iran: Garra typhlops (Bruun and Kaiser, 1944), G. lorestanensis (Mousavi-Sabet and Eagderi, 2016), G. tashanensis (Mousavi-Sabet, Vatandoust, Fatemi and Eagderi, 2016) and Eidinemacheilus smithi (Greenwood, 1976). So far, the only known locality of the latter has been the Loven cave. Here, we extend the known range of the Zagros blind loach (E. smithi) by reporting a new locality, the Tuveh spring, located 31 km south of Loven. We combine morphological evidence with the calculated K2P genetic divergences of 1.39% between Tuveh and Loven to confirm that these populations are conspecific. Our discovery of the second E. smithi population has implications for the conservation of this rare and vulnerable species.

Barbus urmianus from the Mahabad-Chai River in Urmia Lake basin, is distinguished from its congeners in the B. lacerta group by a well-developed middle pad of the lower lip, a shorter postdorsal length (25.2–42.0 vs. 46.4–60.7% SL), long anal fin (11.0–23.0 vs. 6.0–10.4% SL), short dorsal-fin base (9.2–15.6 vs. 16.1–22.6% SL), less scales in the caudal peduncle (14–23 vs. 25–35), and 64–85 scales on the lateral line (vs. 52–70).

Members of the pantropical/subtropical genus Bathygobius are small and common gobies in sheltered and exposed shallow rocky or sandy shorelines, reef crests, mangroves, seagrass beds, rock jetties and seawalls in the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions. This report documents a significant range extension of Cocos Frillgoby, Bathygobius cocosensis into the western parts of Indo-Pacific regions, in the Iranian intertidal coast of Makran Sea. The morphological description of collected individuals and its comparison with morphologically similar related goby species, B. meggitti is given and discussed.

Objective In dairy cattle, the increase in milk yield has been accompanied by a more negative energy balance during early lactation and a decrease in fertility. As the hormone leptin is involved in regulation of nutritional status and reproductive function, this hormone is an interesting protein to investigate during the periparturient period in dairy cattle when many changes take place both in energy metabolism and reproductive physiology. The aim of this research was to study leptin gene expression in adipose tissue of Holstein dairy cattle. Materials and Methods Tissue sampling from subcutaneous adipose tissue of 20 Holstein cattle on the 20th day of lactation, with the same gestational age (second pregnancy) and mean body weight of 680 ± 80 kg was performed and RNA was extracted. Extracted RNA were immediately stored at -80°C.The Quality and quantity of RNA were evaluated and cDNA was synthesized and Real Time PCR was performed. PCR Products were electrophoresed on 2% agarose gel and were evaluated level of gene expression in the studied tissue. Results Results showed that the leptin gene was expressed in the subcutaneous adipose tissue. These results may show that leptin plays a particular role in fat metabolism. Conclusions During the periparturient period the cow mobilizes her fat reserves (i.e. adipose tissue) and it appears that all her energy is going to the production of milk, and that other processes like reproduction and immunity, get a lower priority. Because fertility, just as milk production, is also an economically important trait, fertility should be considered as part of a dairy cattle breeding program. Generally, further studies are needed to clarify role of leptin in the physiology of fat metabolism and other materials. This would help us to better understand the mechanisms for the known effect of nutritional factors and body fatness on various functions. Ahsani MR, Mohammadabadi MR, Asadi Fozi M, Esmailizadeh Koshkooieh A, Khezri A, Esmaeili HR (2019) Leptin gene expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue of Holstein dairy cattle using Real Time PCR. Agricultural Biotechnology Journal 11 (1), 135-150. Agricultural Biotechnology Journal 11 (1), 135-150. DOI: 10.22103/jab.2019.13778.1126 Received: February 11, 2019; Accepted: May 10, 2019 © Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman-Iranian Biotechnology Society

Our purpose in this study was to gather all previously published data and our own data of extensive field expeditions and camera trapping to present a general view of the Fars mammals. The mammals of Fars Province, southern Iran, comprise of 72 species in 53 genera, 28 families and seven orders. The most diverse order is Chiroptera with 23 species or 31.9% of the mammalian fauna, followed by Carnivora and Rodentia (each with 18 species, 25%). The most diverse family is Vespertilionidae with nine species or 12.5% of the mammalian fauna, followed by Rhinopomatidae and Muridae, each with eight species or 11.1% of the mammalian fauna, Felidae and Canidae (each with five species, 6.9%), respectively. Sixteen families have only one species each. The Fars Province is the type locality of Triaenops persicus Dobson, 1871, Eptesicus serotinus shiraziensis (Dobson, 1871), Microtus irani Thomas, 1921, and Apodemus witherbyi (Thomas, 1902). Five species are listed in the Appendix I, eight species in the Appendix II, and eight species in the Appendix III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). In addition, three species are considered as endangered and nine species as protected species based on the rules and regulations/laws of the Iranian Department of the Environment (DOE). The Asiatic Lion Panthera leo persica Meyer, 1826 is extirpated in Iran. Among the reported species, 60 species (83.3%) are considered as Least Concern (LC), two species as Not Evaluated (2.7%), one species as Data Deficient (1.4%), six species (8.3%) as Vulnerable (VU), and three species (4.2%) as Near Threatened (NT) in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The current checklist shows that the mammalian fauna of Fars Province is rich and taxonomically diverse, and the provided information will be necessary for the development of competent and pragmatic management plans and effective conservation policies.

Some aspects of the reproductive biology of two endemic tooth-carps, Aphanius hormuzensis and A. furcatus, from southern Iran, were studied by regular monthly collections throughout one year. Significant differences were observed between the total number of females and males, females being more abundant. Based on the pattern of reproductive indices including the gonado-somatic index and Dobriyal Index, it was concluded that these fishes spawn in April and May. The estimated absolute fecundity of A. hormuzensis ranged from 78 (TL = 32.2 mm) to 730 (TL = 51.1 mm), with a mean value of 219.78±66.50 oocytes per fish based on 15 females. The relative fecundity ranged from 68.45 to 518.54 oocytes/g body mass (Mean±S.D: 237.67±96.87 oocytes/g). For A. furcatus, the estimated absolute fecundity ranged from 53 (TL = 26.9 mm) to 102 (TL = 32.04 mm), with a mean value of 93.73±45.37 oocytes per fish based on 15 females. The relative fecundity ranged from 22.41 to 123.65 oocytes/g body mass (Mean±S.D: 64.98±23.37 oocytes/g). Due to overlapping of spawning season in these two sympatric species, it seems that other pre- and post-zygotic factors are responsible for absence of natural hybrids in the studies tooth-carps in the Mehran River.

The fishes, which have currently named Aphanius Nardo, 1827 are the relict of the ancient ichthyofauna of the Tethys Sea. For a long time since 1827, the genus name has been subjected to revision by several researchers using mainly morphological features. Until recently, no comprehensive single- or multi-locus DNA barcoding study has been conducted on whole members of the family Aphaniidae. In the present study, by applying four conceptually different molecular species delimitation methods, including one distance-based method, one network-based and two topology-based methods, we examined a single-locus DNA barcode library (COI) diversity for the 268 sequences within the family Aphaniidae from the Old World (57 sequences are new in the present study and 211 sequences were retrieved from NCBI database). The molecular analyses revealed a clearer picture of intra-family relationships and allowed us to clarify the generic names, and also describe a new genus for the family Aphaniidae. Results supported distinction of three major clades related to three genera within this family: i) the first clade includes the A. mento group which are placed in a new genus, Paraphanius gen. nov., found in the Orontes (= Asi) and Tigris-Euphrates River drainage, the Levant in coastal waters and the Dead Sea basin, western Jordan, and in southern Turkey in the Mediterranean basins as well as in central Turkey. This clade positioned at the base of the phylogenetic tree, (ii) the second clade contains the A. dispar-like brackish water tooth-carps which are transferred to the genus Aphaniops Hoedeman, 1951 (type species, Lebias dispar), distributed in the coastal waters around the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf basins; and (iii) the third clade, the genus Aphanius Nardo, 1827 (type species Aphanius nanus = A. fasciatus) contains all the inland and inland-related tooth-carps, which are mainly distributed in the inland waters in Turkey and Iran and also in the inland-related drainages around the Mediterranean basin.

To update the avian checklist and note their conservation status in Marivan County, western Iran, we report the addition of 28 species belonging to six orders and 13 families recorded during our field observations in 2015–2017 outside the range of Zarivar Wildlife Refuge. With 255 species reported in previous surveys from the Zarivar Wildlife Refuge and Marivan County, as well as 28 additions here, the avian checklist of Marivan County reaches 283 species from 19 orders and 57 families, which is equivalent to about 51.2% of total bird species recorded from Iran. Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species applies to five species and the Appendix II applies to 34 species. The Red List considers six species as Vulnerable, three species as Endangered and 11 species as Near Threatened. In addition, 15 species are endangered and another 43 species are protected species based on the rules and regularities/laws of the Iranian Department of the Environment.

The lined rockskipper, Istiblennius lineatus, is a species of combtooth blenny fish distributed from the Laccadive and Maldive islands, central Indian Ocean, east to Mangareva and Gambier Islands in the Pacific Ocean. It occurs as far north as Toyohama, Japan, and now it is recorded from the coastal area of the Makran Sea, Iran. Six specimens of I. lineatus were collected from 3 localities in the Iranian coast of the Makran Sea during a fish survey in November 2015. These specimens represent the first record of the species from Iranian waters as well as an extension of its known geographical range within the Indian Ocean. The morphological features of these specimens are herein described and discussed.

The Indo-Pacific tropical sand goby, Favonigobius reichei (Bleeker, 1854), is a gobiid fish native to estuarine and marine waters of the coasts of the Indian and the western Pacific Oceans. Four specimens of F. reichei were collected from Iranian coast of the Makran Sea during a fish survey in November 2015. The morphological features of these specimens are described and discussed. This is the first record of the species from Iranian waters and is an extension of its known range within the Indian Ocean.

This study presents the first details on morphological and histological characteristics of gonads and gonadal development stages of an endemic tooth-carp, Aphanius sophiae (Heckel, 1847) from a spring-stream system (south of Iran). The sampling was done from March 2012 to March 2013 using dip net, and a total of 226 individuals were collected. The gonads of specimens were removed, and then fixed in 10% formalin solution after checking their morphology and measuring their weights, lengths and widths. Based on the size, shape and weight of the gonads, degree of occupation of the body cavity, presence or absence of ripe oocytes or milt, diameter of the oocytes in the ovary, and histological observations, five stages of sexual maturation in females and males were determined by macroscopic and microscopic criteria. The results of the gonadal stages indicated that A. sophiae spawns at the beginning of spring.

The karyological and cytological characteristics of an endemic cyprinodont fish of Iran, Aphanius shirini have been investigated for the first time by examining metaphase chromosomes spreads obtained from gill epithelial and kidney cells. The diploid chromosome number of this species is 48. The karyotype consisted of one submetacentric and 23 subtelocentric pairs of chromosomes (2Sm + 46St). The chromosome arm number (NF) is 50. Sex chromosomes were cytologically indistinguishable in this tooth-carp. Based on the present and previous reported diploid chromosome number for other cyprinodont species, it can be suggested that the diploid chromosome number of 2n = 48 is the modal number of the cyprinodont fish.

Iranocichla persa sp. n. is described from the Shur, Hasanlangi and Minab River drainages flowing into the Persian Gulf at the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran. It is distinguished from I. hormuzensis, from the Mehran River drainage, by nuptial males having a bright orange breast and lower part of the head (vs. black), a poorly developed or invisible (vs. distinctive) “Tilapia-mark” in the dorsal fin and very clear white spots making almost wavy bars or stripes on the caudal fin (vs. without or with very few white spots). Mitochondrial DNA sequence characters suggest that both Iranocichla species are closely related but form two distinct clades, diagnosable by several fixed mutations in ND2, D-loop and partially by COI sequences. Populations from Kol River drainage, which is situated in-between the Mehran and the Shur River drainages, are more similar to I. hormuzensis in terms of their male nuptial coloration but to I. persa sp. n. in their mitochondrial sequence characters. Their status requires further investigation.

The karyological and cytological characteristics of an endemic cyprinodont fish of Iran, Aphanius darabensis Esmaeili, Teimori, Gholami & Reichenbacher, 2014 have been investigated for the first time by examining metaphase chromosomes spreads obtained from gill epithelial and kidney cells. The diploid chromosome number of A. darabensis is 48. The karyotype consisted of five submetacentric and 19 subtelocentric pairs of chromosomes (5sm+19st). The fundamental number (FN) is 58. Sex chromosomes were cytologically indistinguishable in this tooth-carp. According to this study and previous karyological reports from other cyprinodont species, it can be suggested that the diploid number (2n=48) is common amongst cyprinodont fishes. These results can be used as basic informations in population studies and management and conservation programs.

This study presents the first details on morphological and histological characteristics of gonads, gonadal development stages and reproductive index of the Persian loach, Oxynoemacheilus persa (Heckel, 1847), an Iranian endemic species. Sampling was done from April 2010 to April 2011 using electrofishing device and a total of 196 individuals were collected. The gonads of specimens were removed, their sexes determined and then were fixed in 10% formalin solution after checking their morphology and measuring their weights, lengths and widths. Based on the size, shape and weight of the gonads, degree of occupation of the body cavity, presence or absence of ripe oocytes or milt, diameter of the oocytes in the ovary, and histological observations, five stages of sexual maturation in females and four stages in males were determined by macroscopic and microscopic criteria. The results of the gonadal stages showed that the O. persa spawns in the middle of spring and these stages were correlated to the gonado-somatic index (GSI).

In this study, the morphological and histological studies of male and female gonads in mudskipper, Periophthalmus waltoni Koumans, 1941 from Helleh estuary (Bushehr Province, southwestern Iran) were performed to determine its gonadal development stages and histo-morphological characteristics. Sampling was done from April 2010 to March 2011 and a total of 81 individuals were collected by hand net. The gonads of specimens were removed, their sexes determined and then fixed in 10% formalin solution after checking their morphology and measuring their weights, lengths and widths. Six stages of gonadal development in females and four stages in males were determined based on macroscopic and microscopic observations and reproductive indices. In female, increasing of the ovary size is occurred because of the accumulation of yolk materials in oocytes, and in the last stages, little folding in ovary was observed. Formation of zona radiata and yolk granules in the third stage, and increasing thickness of this layer and yolk granules were observed from stage three to stage six. In male, gradual developments of the sperm cells were observed from stage one onward.

The genus Alburnus, which belongs to the largest teleost family, Cyprinidae, comprises 38 valid species distributed from Europe to northern parts of Southwest Asia. Herein we provide an updated list of the Alburnus seven valid species registered from Iran.

This study provide a new and updated checklist of the freshwater fishes of the Dasht-e Kavir basin of Iran. The list is based on historical literature records and taxon occurrence data obtained as a result of extensive field expeditions, examination of ichthyological collections and literature review. The total confirmed freshwater fish species of the Dasht-e Kavir basin comprise 22 species in 17 genera, 6 families, 4 orders and one class. The most diverse order is the Cypriniformes with 18 species (81.82%) followed by Cyprinodontiformes (2 species, 9.09%), Salmoniformes and Gasterosteiformes each with 1 species (1 species, 4.55%). The most diverse family is the Cyprinidae with 18 species (72.73%), Nemacheilidae (2 species, 9.09%) followed by Salmonidae, Cyprinodontidae, Poeciliidae and Gasterosteidae each with only one species (4.55%). New species are supposed to be discovered, the taxonomic status of some species has been changed, some are being resurrected from synonymy, and some taxonomic problems remain and are commented on briefly. Four endemic species (18.18%) in 4 genera and 2 families; and 12 exotic species (54.55%) in 10 genera and 4 families are listed here.

Investigation on the food and feeding habits of silver carp in Gobindsgar reservoir indicated that the diet of silver carp was dominated by Cyclotella spp. (diatom) followed by Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Crustacea, Dianophyceae and Rotifera. The size range of Cyclotella spp. varied between 5-25 µm indicating that silver carp is capable to collect the food particles smaller than distance between its gill rakers. Probably, excretion of mucus plays an important role in collecting such small particles. By applying Costello method, it was concluded that Cyclotella spp. is very important food item while the others are general food items in the diet of silver carp in this water body. Study of diet overlap index of different size groups revealed that the value of “D” varied between 0.461 (moderate) to 0.972 (high), indicating that the diet of small size groups was significantly different from those of large size groups. The present observations indicated that the diet overlap index between female and male silver carp was very high (0.915), clearly indicating that the diet of male and females specimens did not differ significantly. Analysis of gut contents of silver carp indicated that zooplankton comprised only 7.7% by number and 19.3% by volume in the fore–gut contents of this fish, hence, silver carp can be considered as microphytoplankton feeder.

The present study provides the data on the population parameters of an endemic qanat spirlin, Alburnoides qanati from the endorheic Kor River basin of Iran to assess the stock status of this cyprinid fish species, which is highly important from management and conservation points of views. Fish specimens (387) were collected from Moshkan Stream, Kor River basin, Iran in 2011-2012. Asymptotic length (L∞) and growth coefficient (K) were estimated at 123.9 mm and 0.31/year for females and 93 mm and 0.49/year for males, respectively. Growth performance index (Ø') was calculated as 8.47 and 8.35 for female and male specimens, respectively. Total mortality (Z) of females (1.56/year) was higher than males (1.14/year) whereas natural mortality (M) of female specimens (0.44/year) was lower than male specimens (0.65/year). Data on growth and mortality parameters and also length-weight relationship of A. qanati revealed significant differences with corresponding data from other Alburnoides species from Iran and other countries, which could be attributed to habitat’s differences and specific species characteristics.

In the present investigation, Lernaea parasite was reported in the examined fish species, collected from the Mashkid River basin, Southeast of Iran in 2012 and 2013. Lernaea parasites were isolated from the external surface of eye, fins, operculum and body of the Bangana dero, Cyprinion microphthalmus, Gonorhynchus diplocheilus (Cyprinidae), Aphanius dispar (Cyprinodontidae), Channa gachua (Channidae) in different water bodies. The highest infection was found in native fish, B. dero with nine parasites in single specimen. The exotic fishes were not infected.

It has been postulated that the building of the Manjil and Tarik dams on Sefidroud River has led to the body shape variation of Capoeta gracilis in up- and downstream populations due to the isolation. In this study, Geometric morphometric approach was used to explore body shape variations of Capoeta gracilis populations in up- and downstream Manjil and Tarik dams in Sefidroud River from south of the Caspian Sea basin. The shape of 90 individuals from three sampling sites was extracted by recording the 2-D coordinates of 13 landmark points. PCA, CVA, DFA and CA analysis were used to examine shape differences among the populations. The significant differences were found among the shape of the populations and these differences were observed in the snout, the caudal peduncle and head. The present study indicated the body shape differences in the populations of Capoeta gracilis in the Sefidroud River across the Manjil and Tarik dams, probably due to the dam construction showing anthropogenic transformation of rivers influences body shape in an aquatic organism.

To date, 28 species of Aphanius have been recognized in the World, of which 14 species are described from six endorheic and eight exorheic basins in Iran. Here we report the taxonomic status and phylogenetic relationships of the 14 Iranian Aphanius species to understand their evolutionary history, and thus to contribute to future conservation strategies and habitat management. Based on the cytochrome b gene in combination with geological data, they are representatives of three large clades i.e. (i) A. dispar clade (A. dispar, A. ginaonis, A. furcatus and A. sirhani), (ii) A. mento clade and (iii) Inland Aphanius species clade (A. vladykovi, A. darabensis, A. shirini, A. isfahanensis, A. farsicus, A. arakensis, A. kavirensis, A. mesopotamicus, A. pluristriatus and A. sophiae). The latest clade comprises three subclades (A. vladykovi-, A. shirini- and A. sophiae subclade) and represents an “old” evolutionary group that had diverged in the Late Miocene and Early Pliocene (ca. 10–5 Million years ago) (A. vladykovi and A. shirini subclades and A. isfahanensis of the A. sophiae subclade) and a “young” evolutionary group that may have diverged during the Late Pleistocene (100,000–11,700 y. ago) and Early to Middle Holocene (11,700–4,000 y. ago) (A. sophiae subclade, but without A. isfahanensis). The A. sophiae subclade is the most remarkable group with seven species that they are superficially very similar and often not clearly distinguishable by external characters alone. However, differences in cytochrome b and also between the otoliths clearly separate all species of this subclade. In addition, the species of the A. sophiae subclade show widely separated distribution areas with no hydrological connectivity in between, which additionally confirm their clarification as distinctive species. All Iranian Aphanius species are native except A. dispar, A. mesopotamicus and A. mento.

During the study on the biology of Aphanius sophiae, a total of 20 fish specimens were collected in September 2007 using dip net at a depth of 30 - 50 cm in downstream of spring and preserved them in 10 % formalin in spot until examination. The fish were dissected and the ear cavity was examined to determine the presence of parasites of which 4 specimens including 4 females were infected with Tetracotyle sp. metacercariae, a trematode which in its metacercarial stage may infect a wide range of freshwater fish species. These metacercariae were positioned into cavity of inner ear membrane of infected fish. Our data showed that the infection was higher in females than males also as the number of parasites increases in fish ear, the size of parasites decreases. The prevalence of the infection with Tetracotyle sp. was 20 %, the parasite intensity was 2.5 and the parasite abundance was 0.5 in A. sophiae. Cercariae of Tetracotyle sp. infect fish by direct penetration. Two fish were infected with 3 parasites and other fish had 2 parasites in their ears, separately. This shows that even the inner ear is not exempted from the attacks of trematodes. This is the first report of Aphanius sophiae infection with Tetracotyle sp. metacercariae.

The Gorm mountain with an area of 80000 ha is located in northwest of Jahrom city in Fars province, south of Iran. The area is registered as a no- hunting zone since 1995. In order to study the Herpetofauna of this region, a survey was conducted during Apr. 2007 to Apr. 2008. In this study, three quadrates (size 100×100 m) in different elevations were selected and a total of 225 pitfall traps of two different sizes were placed in the quadrates. Quadrates were visited within three weeks for three months. The trapped samples were collected, transferred to the laboratory, fixed in 10% formalin solution and identified using different valid documents. On the basis of different field works and study of trapped samples in quadrates, 20 reptile species consisting of two species of turtle and tortoise belonging to two genera and two families, eight species of snakes belonging to eight genera and three families and 10 lizard species belonging to ten genera and five families were identified and their conservation status were worked out.

The normal and lateral line cycloid scales of a cyprinid fish; Alburnoides bipunctatus (Blotch, 1782) have been subjected to SEM to study their detailed structure. It shows the general architectural pattern of a cycloid cyprinid scale. The focus of the scale is clear and sharp located in the anterior field. Circuli are observed in all fields. Primary radii which originate from very near the focus divide the posterior field of scale into compartments. Originating far away from the focus, the secondary radii are seen. But the tertiary radii are few. The anterior radii are absent. Lepidonts (teeth-like structures) are absent or are very week on the circuli. Tubercles (granules) at the posterior filed of scale are not well developed. Many resorbtion regions are seen on the scale. Presence of a long, straight, S-shape or J-shape central canal originating from the upper margin of anterior region which in most cases extending down to the posterior margin is characteristic feature of lateral line scale. The architectural specification of scales such as focus shape and position, circuli, chromatophore, lepidonts and lateral line canal might be used as important taxonomic tools.

Objective: To investigate the parasitic infection status of cyprinid fish, Capoeta damascina in Gomban spring-stream, Kor River Basin, Fars Province, southwestern Iran. Methods: A total of 12 cyprinid fish (7 females and 5 males) were collected from Gomban spring-stream, Kor River Basin, Fars Province, southwestern Iran. The collected fish were dissected carefully and their internal organs such as liver, gonad, muscle, abdominal lobes, whole viscera and digestive tract were surveyed parasitologically. Results: One female cyprinid fish out of 12 fish was infected with three nematodes. Two nematodes (larvae) were identified as Contracaecum sp. which were attached firmly to the outer part of intestine and another adult helminth was recognized as Capillaria sp. which was recovered from digestive content. Conclusions: This study is the first record indicating that cyprinid fish acts as a new host for recovered nematodes. Further helminthological investigations are highly recommended in different parts of Iran in order to expand our knowledge about helmintic parasites of cyprinid fish and their role in transmission of diseases to human and animal.