The zooplankton population structure and their trend of variations in the southern of Caspian Sea (Iranian waters)

Caspian Sea has gone under a lot of changes due to human influences and the unwanted presence of a ctenophora Menomiopsis leidyi which has greatly changed the structure of planktons in the last recent years. Therefore, this study was carried out in order to determine these changes in the zooplankton community. the Sampling was done in 8 transacts in Astara, Anzali, Sefidrood, Tonekaboun, Noushahr, Babolsar, Amirabad and Bandar Torkaman coastal waters at 5 different depths including 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 m. Sampling was carried out in four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter during 2008, 2009 and 2010 on board of R/V Gilan. Altogether, 12 species of zooplankton were identified in 2008, 22 species in 2009 and 14 species in 2010. The zooplankton included four groups: copepoda (4 species), cladocera (8species), rotatoria (10 species) and protozoa (2 species).The increase of diversity in 2009 was due to cladocera and rotatoria groups. The abundance of zooplankton in the spring was 5074 + 7807 ind/m3 more than other season in 2008. The abundance of copepoda in the summer reached the highest value of 3332 ind/m3 and since autumn the abundance gradually decreases and in the winter reached to the lowest value. The most abundance of cladocera was 797 ind/m3 in winter and decreased in summer and autumn. The abundance of rotatoria was 2189 ind/m3 in winter. rotifera and copepoda consisted the main population of Zooplanktons in the winter. The results of 2009 and 2010 showed that the abundance of zooplankton in winter was 2.6 fold of autumn, 1.6 fold of summer and 1.1 fold (1/9 fold in 2010)of spring. After increasing increased of temperature, phytoplankton, and zooplankton in summer, M.leidyi increased too. In the autumn M. leidyi reached to the highest rate and decreased zooplankton. The maximum population of zooplankton was in the layer 0-20 m and in the layer more than 20 meters, the abundance of zooplankton decreased very much. In 216 2008, 2009 and 2010, the abundance of zooplankton was 87, 77 and 77 percent in the layer 0-20 m respectively. In this study, the thermocline was observed in the layer 10 – 20 meters in the spring, that formed a thin layer but in the summer it was in the layer 20 to 50 meters. Temperature decreased between 11 to 15 oC in this layer. The variation of temperature between surfaces to bottom was 10 to 13 oC in spring, 19 to 21 in summer, about 9 oC in autumn and maximum 3 oC in winter. The most biomass of zooplankton was in the west. The biomass of zooplankton in central west and east of Southern of Caspian Sea was 54 %, 22 % and 24 % respectively in 2008, in 2009 was 48%, 33% and 20% respectively and in 2010 was 54 %, 29 % and 16 % respectively .The biomass decreased from west to east. The model of zooplankton designed by principal component analysis (PCA)and linear regression for Southern of Caspian Sea.

Identification of mesopelagic fish (with emphasis on major family) in Iranian water of the Oman Sea

This project was done for identifying the mesopelagic fish of the Iranian waters of Oman Sea, during two year from 2008 to 2010. The specimens were collected using two trawler vessel from nine station. All the specimens were fixed in formalin then in 70% alcohol and carried to the laboratory. In total of 19 species belonged to 14 families of 6 orders identified including: Echinorhinidae, Stomidae, Phosichthyidae, Synodontidae, Paralepididae, Myctophidae, Acropomatidae, Priacanthidae, Pentacerotidae, Champsodontidae, Gempylidae, Trichiuridae, Nomeidae and Congridae. Of which 17 species were identified up to species level including: Echinorhinus brucus, Bathophilus indicus, Chauliodus sloani, Harpadon nehereus, Lestrolepis japonica, Benthosema pterotum, Diaphus garmani, Diaphus effulgens, Bolinichthys photothorax, Acropoma japonicum, Synagrops adeni, Cookeolus boops, Histiopterus typus, Champsodon sagittus, Neoepinnula orientalis, Trichiurus lepturus, Cubiceps baxteri. Vinciguerria was identified up to genus level because only one specimen caught during the survey and one species (Congridae) was identified up to family level because only 3 specimens of this fish in early stage of life were caught and their characters were not suitable for identify up to species level. The highest species belong to Myctophidae family of Myctophiformes order.

Species identification and authentication of some of the most important seafood products in Iranian markets using biotechnological methods based on DNA

This study describes the molecular identification of sixteen fish species present in processed products imported into Iran for human consumption. DNA barcoding using direct sequencing of about 650 bp of the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I gene revealed incorrect labeling (31.25%). Substitution of fish species constitutes serious economic fraud, and our results increase concern regarding the trading of processed fish products in Iran from both health and conservation points of view.

Population dynamics and stock assessment of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea

In order to come up with the responsible fishing pattern of common carp, there was a need to identify some of the biological characteristics and stock assessment of carp in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea .The fork length ,weight ,age ,growth parameters of von bertalanffy and mortality rates of common carp were estimated from oct 2006 to sept 2007.Based on the exponential relationship between length and weight in the size range 6.3-65.6 cm ,b was calculated 2.895, 2.843 and 2.925 respectively for combined sexes ,males and females. The mean condition factor was 1.9 which is close to the ideal condition.The results from measuring 3170 specimens ,were showed the first fork length of maturity was 30 cm for males and 32 cm for females. The results indicated that females were predominate and sex ratio was 0.66:1 (M:F) and chi-squares analysis showeda significant difference between males and females.(p<0.05).Length infinity and growth coefficient were calculated by three different methods as below: Length frequency analysis : k=0.17 L∞ =68.04 Age-Length Key k=0.15 L∞ =74.25 Back calculation : k=0.14 L∞ =68.4 The mortality parameters and exploitation rate were estimated as below : Z=0.73 per year M=0.31 per year F=0.42 per year E=0.56 Refer to amount of common carp catch in 2007 -08 ,biomass was calculated 9640.2 tones by jone's cohort analysis and MSY 2374.5 tones.According to analysis ,the number of common carp in the distribution area (Iranian part of the Caspian Sea ) was estimated 24 millions in the 2006-07.

Study of inter species diversity and population structure by molecular genetic method in Iranian Artemia

Artemia is a small crustacean that adapted to live in brine water and has been seen in different brine water sources in Iran. Considering the importance of genetic studies manifest inter population differences in species, to estimate genetic structure, detect difference at molecular level and separate different Artemia populations of Iran, also study of phylogenic relationships among them, samples of Artemia were collected from nine region: Urmia lake in West Azerbaijan, Shoor and Inche-Borun lakes in Golestan, Hoze-Soltan and Namak lakes in Qom, Maharloo and Bakhteghan lakes in Fars, Nough pool in Kerman and Mighan pool in Markazi and DNA extracted by phenol-chloroform method. Primers designed on a ribosomal fragment (16s rRNA) of mt DNA sequence and PCR was done. Digestion of the 1566 bp segment PCR product by 10 restriction endonuclease (Alu I, EcoR I, Eco47 I, Hae III, Hind III, Hinf I, Mbo I, Msp I, Rsa I, TaqI) showed 25 different haplotypes: 9 in Urmia, 4 in Shoor and Inche- Borun, 1 in Namak and Hoze-Soltan, 3 in Mighan, 1 in Bakhtegan Maharlo, 3 in Maharloo and 4 in Nough. Measurement of haplotype and nucleotide diversity intra population and nucleotide diversity and divergence inter populations and evolutionary distance between haplotypes showed a high diversity in mitochondrial genome of Artemia in studied regions whose results are similar to those explained for highly geographic expansion organism. In addition, results showed considerable heterogeneity between different populations and there are enough evidences in haplotypic level for separation of studied samples and division of Iranian Artemia to seven populations including Urmia, Shoor and Inche-Borun, Hoze-Soltan and Namak, Maharloo, Bakhteghan, Nough and Mighan. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA data set resulted strict consensus and neighbor joining distance trees, demonstrated that all samples were monophyletic and parthenogenetic form derivation from bisexual populations and genetically high resemblance to those of A. urmiana. Study of 270 specimens from different region showed the genus Artemia in Iran clustered into three clades including: 1- Shoor, Inche-Burun, Hoze-Soltan, Namak, Bakhtegan and Maharloo 2- Nough and Mighan 3- Urmia. Totally, obtained results indicated to ability of used techniques for study of inter species diversity, population structure, reveal of phylogenic relationship and dividing of different populations of Artemia in Iran.

Investigation on the species diversity of Pleuronectiformes order in the Iranian coastline water of Persian Gulf

In Iranian Coastline water of Persian Gulf we researched about flat fishes and revision their Scientitic names, Investigated diversity species (Pleuronectiformes) around three provinces such as khouzestan, Bushehr and Hormozgen. The aim focuse on introducting major family and Species Identification for this Purpose 1311 Specimens collected. Then 36 investigation Parameters includes 18 Morphometric, 11 meristic, 7 distribution has been measured in Excel. The descriptive statistic in spss software would be able us to graph dendrograms by Clustering methods, then Design a standerd table and comparised all the datas with it six major family has been found in Iranian Coasline which named: Soleidae, Bothidae Paralichtidae, Cynoglossidae, Psettodidae, Citharidae. Some of the scientific species names such as Pseudorombus arsius, P. annulatus, P. elevatus, P.malayanus, P. triocellatus from Bothidae family Join it to Paralichtidae family and Eurylossa orientalis change It's name from Soleidae family to Brachirus onentalis. Cynoglossus, bilineatus, C.Puncticepts, C.durbaensis, Clachneri, one of the most Important Point that viewed in our samples, founding a new species (C.Sp) Which we couldn't identify it with all the known keys, then sent it to international Scientific references for this porpose. (Family Cynoglossidae); Pseudorombus annulatus, P. elevatus P.arsius, P.malayanus, paralichtodes algoensis, Poecilopstei Javanicus (Family paralichthidae) Arnoglossus aspilos,A.arabicits, Engyprosopon grandisquama, L.pectoralis, Pseudorombus navalensis, Psettina brevirictis (family Bothidae); Psettodes erumei (Family Psettodidae); Citharoides macrolepis (Family Citharidae) in khouzestan Brachirus orientalis, Parachirus marmoratus, solea elongata, Zebrias synapturides (Family Soleidae) Cynoglossus bilineatus, C.puncticeps, C.arel, C.kopsii, C. Capenis (Family cynoglossida); Pseudorombus arsius, P. elevatus, P. malayanus, Poecilopstei javanicus (Family Paralichthidae); Laeops guentheri, Arnoglossus aspilos, Engyprosopon grandisquama (Family Bothidae); Psettodes erumei (Family psettodidae) in Bushehr. Brachirus orientalis, Parachirus marmoratus (Family Soleidae); Cynoglossus arel, C.bilineatus, C.Puncticeps, C. lachheri (Family cynoglossidae); Pseudorombus arisus, P. elevatus, P. malayanus, Poecilopestie j avanicus (Family parlichthidae); Arnoylossus aspilos, A. arabicus, Laeopes guentheri (Family Bothidae); Psettodes erumei (Family Psettodidae); Citharoides macrolepis (Family Citharidae) In Hormozgan. Khozestan has the maximus diversity speices (26 species) and the minimum is Hormozgan (15 Speices). 13 species of five family has never reported inpersian Gulf but we identify them in our studies for the first time. We abserved 29 Species of six family in our studies, comparision between are resualts with other researches shows that this use is the most compelet study in Iranian coastline water of Persian Gulf.

Evaluation and comparison of ozone, hydrogen peroxide and physical treatment on fungal infection prevention and hatching rate of Iranian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus)

Ozone due to having low half-life and devoid of environmental harmful effects is recognized as one of the most effective disinfectant and fungicide in aquaculture. The objective of this study is to consider the effects of periodicay ozonation, hydrogen peroxide treatment, and physical treatment capability in hatching rate enhancement. Three concentrations of 0.05, 0.1 and 0.15 ppm ozone (10 min) and peroxide hydrogen with dose of 500 and 1000 ppm in two procedures accompanied with physical treatment and without physical treatment were examined on hatching rate. In the first year, Egg ozonation (0.1 ppm) with physical treatment have been resulted the greatest hatching rate (81.4%). In the second year, egg treatment with 1000 ppm hydrogen peroxide with physical treatment have been showed the greatest hatching rate (78%). Average hatching rate for the blank control treatment (without disinfectin and physical treatment) was 32.7%. From the economic viewpoint, 0.05 ppm ozone with physical treatment, due to considerable minimizing at consumption energy and ozonation system retention costs, indicated as the best treatment than other ozone treatments for fungal control. Very low correlation (r=-0.14) have been observed between hatchery water temperature and fungal infection percentage in control treatment.

The survey on biodiversity of phytoplankton in Iranian part of the Persian Gulf

Plankton survey of Persian Gulf was conducted Hormozgan, Bushehr and Khoozestan provinces during 4 seasons in 1998. In generally 244 species were Identified in Iranian area of Persian Gulf that consisted of 124 species of Bacillarophyceae, 114 species of Dinophyceae, 5 species of Cyanophyceae, species of Chrysophyceae and 1 species of Euglenophyceae Result shows that the density and diversity of phytoplankton compare to last years (1976-1977) changed dramaticaly. the density of phytoplankton increased from east to west of Gulf and during the year were observed two major pike in late summer and late winter. Density and diversity of phytoplankton in Koozestan region were more than other rigion. Seasonal average of phytoplankton in Hormozgan, Bushehr and Khoozestan were 1413622, 1440411 and 2237437 number/m3 respectively. Zooplankton had related inversly to phytoplankton where with increasing Zooplankton, decrease in phytoplankton were observed. Phytoplanktonic density and diversity decreas profundly changed slightly during years ago where the blue green algae had prevalent presence at all regions and the diatoms density decreased. Density of phytoplankton increased from surface to depth zom but decreased under it, however at winter incraese of phytoplankton were observed to depth 50 meter. Statistical test shows that density of phytooplankton in different depths and regions has not significantly differences, also the seasonaly denity of phytoplankton had seasonaly significantly differences too. Tuky test and clustering analysis shows that Shanon wiener diversity index at Khoozastan an Bushehr are siginificantly diffrences.