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Understanding dynamics of free-roaming dog (FRD) population is critical for planning and implementation of dog population management programs. FRD population size estimation as well as dynamic modeling of dog population under different female dog neutering interventions were investigated in order to determine the most appropriate animal birth control approach. We performed population size estimate of dogs using sight-resight surveys by photography in a randomly selected 25 blocks of the city and all the suburbs of greater Kerman area. Main demographic features were characterized and the dog density distribution was mapped. A dynamic model was developed to predict free-roaming dog population variations after 5 and 10 years. Different scenarios based on 10, 30, 50, 60 and 70% female dog sterilization were considered to predict the effects of animal birth control measures. Free roaming dog population was estimated at 6781 dogs (65.3% males) in Kerman and suburbs with several major population hotspots. Analysis of the dog locations within the city showed that the largest proportion of the dogs were observed in the vacant lots (46.2%). Modeling predictions indicated that, in the absence of management, the free-roaming dog population could increase from a baseline of 6781 to 13,665 dogs (2.02 fold increase) in 5 years and to 19,376 dogs in 10 years (2.86 fold increase). Using a population dynamics model, we simulated five neutering coverages to explore the impact of female neutering on free-roaming dog population size. The 5-year projections of the model have shown that 50% annual female dog sterilization significantly reduced free-roaming dog population by 0.44 comparing to the baseline population. Findings of the present study improve our knowledge on the nature and extent of dog population dynamics in Iran. Effective population control and selection of the most appropriate neutering interventions require a comprehensive knowledge of the characteristics and dynamics of FRD population.

Designing and implementing Cystic Echinococcosis control programs require quantitative information about the worm load and the intensity of infection in dog populations in endemic areas. So far no “probe-based” molecular quantification tool has been available for E. granulosus. This study was conducted in order to develop and evaluate a qPCR technique for measuring worm load of E. granulosus in the final host. A species-specific TaqMan probe was designed based on the available sequences in GenBank. The study was conducted in two stages. First, stool samples from an experimentally infected dog were collected in days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 49, and were analyzed by real-time qPCR assay. In the second stage, 600 mg negative stool specimens were manually spiked with 1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 eggs and the specimens were analyzed using real-time qPCR. According to the standard curve analysis, 93% efficiency and coefficients of correlation (Rsq) > 0.991 were documented. Quantitative PCR assays showed an increasing signal of infection during the 7-week course of infection. As revealed by the qPCR results from week 5 onward, signals indicative of egg excretion began and reached maximum on week 7. No qPCR signal from the samples containing 1, 10 and 20 eggs was recorded, however the samples containing 5 and 40 eggs produced signals proportional to the primary DNA. The study presents a molecular tool to quantify the burden of E. granulosus infection in dogs. This tool could be applied for measuring the burden of infection in the definitive hosts in surveillance and control programs.

Two species of spatangoid echinoid belonging to Heteraster Orbigny, 1853, are described from Lower Cretaceous deposits (Gadvan and Dariyan formations) at the Kuh-e Gadvan and Banesh sections situated in Zagros Mountains, south of Iran. Heteraster couloni (Agassiz, 1839) is confirmed in the Barremian and Heteraster delgadoi (Loriol, 1884) in the late Aptian-Albian of Iran. The occurrences of Heteraster and other spatangoid echinoids in Iran show a clear distinction between assemblages from the southern and northern margins of the Tethys during the Early Cretaceous.

Biostratigraphy, using foraminifera and echinoids, plus high-resolution carbon isotope stratigraphy of the upper Maastrichtian–Danian interval in the western part of the Kopet-Dagh Basin in northeast Iran are outlined. Our study of shallow-marine carbonate platform deposits of the Kalat Formation, rich in larger benthic foraminifera (predominantly Clypeorbis mammillatus Schlumberger, Lepidorbitoides sp. and Siderolites calcitrapoides Lamarck), has allowed the definition of a C. mammillatus-S. calcitrapoides Assemblage Zone, of late Maastrichtian age. Clypeorbis mammillatus is here recorded for the first time from the Maastrichtian Kalat Formation and represents the most easterly find of this taxon in the European faunal province. From Danian strata of the Chehel Kaman Formation three genera (Cyclaster, Echinocorys and Pseudogibbaster) and four species of echinoids were identified. In addition, three planktonic foraminiferal biozones are introduced here for the Danian interval of the Chehel Kaman Formation studied, i.e., Guembelitria cretacea Zone, Eoglobigerina eobulloides–Subbotina triloculinoides Interval Zone (Pα-P1a) and Subbotina triloculinoides Subzone (P1b). The isotope profile obtained correlates with the subtropical Bottaccione/Contessa reference curve for the K/Pg boundary interval and, on a regional scale, with the Maraveh Tapeh section, which represents the δ13C positive excursion of KPg-2 and the upper negative excursion of the KPg-3. The K/Pg boundary, placed at the δ13C maximum above KPg-3, corresponds in the Qareh Galdy section with sample 2239.

The paper describes the spatangoid echinoids belonging to Macraster, which could be found in the Albian deposits (Kazhdumi Formation) at the Anneh anticline situated in Zagros Mountains, Southwest of Iran. The aim is to re-examine, and redefine three species: M. douvillei, M. longesulcatus and M. obtritus. Douvillaster and Macraster genera are synonymized and then the assignment of nominal Tethyan species belonging to the same genera is reviewed. The substantial reduction of species does not strongly impact the biodiversity patterns. Neither the bio-geographical provinciality nor the temporal trends of taxonomic richness are affected. Among the Cretaceous spatangoids, Macraster is a highly specialized taxon that displays outstanding adaptations of the ambulacra to improve in the gaseous exchanges. This, in return, triggers the higher frequency of the taxon in the warm shallow waters of the Tethyan margins, and in oxygen-depleted environments.