Investigation of polymorphism by PCR-RFLP method in Cobia fish Rachycentron canadum in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea

Cobia is a native fish species in Iranian waters in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman and has a good internal and foreign market. This fish is a fast growing species and for this reason Iranian Fisheries is considering to go for it culture practices. To go for any utilization such as fishing from wild stocks or culture activities, needs a better understanding of its peculiarities and genetic characteristics of its natural resources. Therefore, this project was discribed and conducted. In this investigation, cuts 2 or 3 cm of fin tissue of  specimen of Cobia obtained from Sistan and Bluchestan, Hormozgan, Bushehr and Khuzestan water provinces, were collected. DNA was extracted by Phenol-chlorophorm method and produced PCR product in length of 1060 and 1450 base pair of two mitochondrial genes COI and NADH2. Using 13 cutting enzymes (4 enzymes were subscriber for both of genes), 205 base pair (from 2510 base pair, equal with %3.8 from gene regains) were directly investigated. But binding patterns of enzymatic digestion of PCR products of both COI and ND genes from electrophoresis were monomorph in all samples and no polymorphism was observed. This may be attributed to the unsuitable choice of COI and ND2 genes for showing of intra specific divergence. But in general non-existence of genetic diversity or noticeable decrease of that among individuals has been reported in regions were fish migration exist and they can freely move between two regions. Therefore, non-observation of polymorphism in the study area might be the case and indicates represents the area. On the other hand, some scientists believe that the distributions of populations in different regions are greatly affected by environmental and physical and ecological factors. Althoug Cobia is a migratory fish, but with regard to the fact that the environmental conditions are different (specially temperature and salinity) between east and west of Persian Gulf and Oman sea, there is a possibility that different genetic groups of this species exist in the regions. Of course It is clear that using more samples and enzymes from other genetically regions could produce better results. Since none of the two investigated genes didn’t show genetic divergence or polymorphism amongst the individuals of one region or between different regions, therefore, statistic analysis for estimating of haplotype diversity or nucleotide diversity and drawing of relationship tree among individuals using available softwares was not possible.

Study of density, distribution and yield on benthic fauna and brown trout (Salmo trutta fario) feeding in Laar reservoirs

Lar lake, with the international UTM specification of 39S 579680 3976567 & 39S 589930 3976184 is Situated in Lar national Park with an aerial distance of 55 Km of Tehran along Haraz road. The present research is carried out as part of a comprehensives Plan for assessment of bioresearches of Lar lake & the rivers flowing into it. This research includes examination of there benthic Samplings performed in Lar lake and each of the related rivers including Delichaee, Ab-e-sefid , Alarm & Lar (Kamardasht).Tubifex and Chironomus genus were found to have the highest frequencies of occurrence in the lake with %77.117 & %21.823 respectively followed by Chironomidae and Simulidae from the Diptera order which accounted for %72.328 and %13.812 occurrences in four rivers examined in the Study. The benthic biomass at various examined Sites and the average wet weight of the benthic biomass in station No one in the lake Was 17.397g and the figure for the examined site in Alarm was 20.242 g which were the highest level among Other examination stations the index for the abundance of species in Alarm river was greater than the rest of the examined rivers with 12.57. A sum of 354 Pieces of brown trouts was caught in the course of sampling which were closely investigated in terms of their digestive tract Content. It was identified that Daphniidae and Chironomus constituted the bulk of eaten items from the lake with %17.985 and %63.973 respectively. Meanwhile, Chironomidae and Simuladae were the most frequently eanten benthos by the fish with %81.47 and %7.93 respectively.The index for the relative length of gut was recorded at 0.49± 0.08 which is well indicative of the carnivorous diet of the fish.The index for the feeding intensity amounted to 138  83 showing that the one year old fish were of more feeding intensity.The coefficient of condition (K) was estimated at 1.02  0.142 for all the caught fish. The average wet weight of the benthos was 10.348 g per square meter which if extended to 700ha surface area of the lake, the total macrobenthic production in the lake would amount to 72730Kg of wet weight or 6510 Kg of dry weight. Since the Secondary Production of macrobenthos have always been double that of their biomass, it is reasonable to assume that the Secondary Production of macrobenthos amount to 145640 Kg by their wet weight and Since the energy transfer in the food chain of the lake from benthos to fish is 10 percent, the fish production Capacity Coming from benthic resources of the lake (Lar) would be 14.5 MT, half of which (7000-8000MT) could annually be harvested. Further more, the actual fish Production Capacity might exceed the projected level Since Daphnia, Rotifers and Ostracoda which belong to Zooplanktons, play a part in the natural diet of trout. Meanwhile, rivers Play a major role in fish nutrition and the annual fish production in Delichaee river is about 4481.8Kg while the figures for Ab-e-sefid, Alerm and Lar rivers are 2370.7 4848.7 and 2586.2 Kg respectively, that further increase fish Production in the area and every year half of these resources can be exploitable from the river & the lake.Nevertheless, due to ecological & biological importance of rivers and the probability of environmental Pollution, devastation of natural fish habitats & their nursery grounds, Sport fishing is not recommended at all.

Benthic fauna and water quality in Gorganrood River, Iran

This present work study on water quality and benthic Macro invertebrate in Gorganrood, river. The research was carried out at 6 sampling site and the abundance and diversity of benthos were monitored along the length of river between 2007_2008_14 families were recorded in phyla, namely Annelidae, Mollusca,.... The greatest number of species was at 1 st station and the least number was at 6th station. The upper section supported more diverse community then the lower section. A low macro invertebrate abundance was observed during spring as a result of heavy rainfall and flood, and generally in all lowest section because of high valve of nitrogen and other nutrients. Water physiochemical parameters such as Phosphate, Nitrate,TPS and others were measured and water quality were studied through different indices such as saprobic system, Helsinhoff (FBI), BMWP and the results were compared and evaluated by physical chemical and parameters. The result indicated that the water quality in the up stream and the middle were good to fair, but the down stream qualities were pour at all sites.

Effect of thawing methods on the chemical, biochemical, microbiological and sensory indices of Caspian Sea kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Effects of different thawing method i.e. in a refrigerator, in water, at air ambient temperature and in a microwave oven on proximate, chemical (PV, TBA, FFA, TVB-N, SSP, FA), biochemical (pH, WHC,ThL), microbial (total viable, psychrotrophic, coliform, Shewanella and yeast-mould count) and sensory analysis were carried out on frozen whole Caspian sea Kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) and Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) carcasses. The values of ash, protein, SSP, WHC, PUFA, PUFA/SFA. EPA+DHA/C16:0, pH, and microbial count of thawed samples decreased significantly while fat, PV, TBA, FFA, TVB-N, SFA and MUFA increased compared to the fresh fish (unfrozen) as control samples. Also, sensory evaluation all of thawed samples showed a significant (p<0.05) quality loss compared to the fresh fish as control samples. The lowest chemical and biochemical values as well as microbial growth were determined in water thawed samples. Therefore, based on this study thawing in water is most suitable for frozen whole rainbow trout.

Identification of biodiversity and distribution pattern of benthic Foraminifera and Ostracoda in continental shelf sediments of the Oman Sea

Biodiversity and distribution of benthic Foraminifera and Ostracoda in the continental shelf sediments of the Omman Sea was studied in order to indicating of the composition of benthic foraminiferal and ostracodal communities and determining of their relationship with the environmental factors of the Omman Sea. Sediment samples were gathered in winter 2006 from twelve stations ranging in depth from 30 to 103 meters. Environmental factors including depth, temperature, salinity, dissolved Oxygen and pH were measured with a CTD system during sampling time and grain size and total organic matter were measured in laboratory. From the overall 57 benthic foram species, there were 52 identified species belong to 25 genera of 16 families. The cosmopolitan foraminifer, Ammonia beccarii, was common in all sampling stations. The composition of benthic foram communities had a highly positive correlation with depth, salinity and total organic matter. From the overall 30 ostracod species, there were 26 identified species belong to 22 genera of 13 families. Diversity and aboundance of ostracoda of the Oman Sea decreased from east to west and from south to north but increased slightly in the northwest (near the Strait of Hormoz). Ostracoda of the genus Propontocypris were common in all sampling stations but the genera Cyprideis, Paradoxostom and Hemicytheridea were rare in the Oman Sea. Diversity and aboundance of ostracoda in northern regions were less than southern and were less than foraminifera too. The composition of ostracodal communities had a highly positive correlation with dept, salinity and grain size. Biodiversity and distribution pattern of benthic foraminifera and ostracoda were being different in various sampling stations, especially between northern and southern regions. Water depth, salinity and structure of the sediments were the most important abiotic factors controlling the distribution pattern of benthic foraminifera and ostracoda in the Omman Sea. None existence or rare observation of structural abnormalities and oil polluted individuals in the vicinity of all sampling stations, resulted to the "clean" benthic environment of the Omman Sea.

Application of combined effect of sodium acetate and nisin on reduction of contamination by Listeria monocytogenes in vacuum packaged grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) fillets kept at 4°C

In this study microbiological , chemical quality and fatty acid composition of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) fillets treated by dipping in sodium acetate (%1 and %3), nisin (% 0.1 and % 0.2) and combination of sodium acetate and nisin was evaluated during 16 days of refrigerated of 4°C Antilisterial effect of nisin was enhanced with the increased concentration of sodium acetate. At day 12 post storage, Listeria monocytogenese count was higher in the control group than the recommended value, however in sodium acetate and nisin treated samples, the count was lower (5.17-5.91 log cfu/g). With increasing the concentrations of sodium acetate, mesophilic counts were lower. Regarding nisin, better results was obtained by applying %0.1 nisin. Greater inhibition of mesophile bacteria was observed when combination treatment was used. The number of lactobacillus was lower when higher concentrations of sodium acetate and nisin were used. Total Volatile Nitrogen values at the end of the experiment were lower in the samples treated with both nisin and sodium acetate and the better results were obtained in combination treatments. Peroxide (PV) at the end of the experiment was 1.9 meq/kg in control, and the lowest values were observed for the treatments 3(%0 sodium acetate +% 0.2 nisin) and 9(%3 sodium acetate +% 0.2 nisin) between 1.08 and 1.62 meq/kg without significant difference. Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) levels at the end of experiment have been shown to be 0.46 mg malonaldehyde per kg in the control. On the other hand treatments 9 had the TBA values of 0.19 mg malonaldehyde per kg which was significantly lower than that of control. Polyunsaturated fatty acids increased by increasing the sodium acetate doses and instead saturated fatty acids and n-6/n-3 ratio decreased. The ratio of UFA/SFA and also C22:6/C16:0 increased when a higher concentration of sodium acetate has been used. The best result obtained by using 3% of sodium acetate but no such relation with nisin was observed.

In vivo and in vitro storage of kutum, Rutilus frisii kutum eggs

Effects of post-ovulatory and post-stripping retention time and temperature on egg viability rates were studied in kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum). Eggs were retained inside (in vivo storage) or outside the ovarian cavity with ovarian fluid (in vitro storage) at various temperatures. Two experiments were performed: 1) Partial volumes of eggs were stripped and fertilized at 24- hour intervals for 96 hours post-ovulation (HPO) (at 11 °C) and at 12-hour intervals for 72 HPO (at 14 °C), and 2) stored eggs were fertilized after 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours post-stripping (HPS) at temperatures of 4, 10, 12, and 26 °C. In the first experiment, the highest eyeing and hatching rates (76% and 60% at 11 °C; 81% and 71% at 14 °C) and the lowest eyed-egg mortalities (20% at 11 °C; 12% at 14 °C) occurred in the eggs fertilized immediately (0–24 HPO at 11 °C and 0–12 HPO at 14 °C) after ovulation. Egg viability, as shown by successful eyeing and hatching rates, was completely lost by 72–96 HPO at 11 °C, and 60–72 HPO at 14 °C. In the second experiment, the maximum eyeing (87%) and hatching (75%) rates of eggs took place at 0 HPS followed by 8 HPS (> 80% and > 70%, respectively) at 4 °C. As storage temperature increased, egg viability decreased: 80%, 70%, and 50% viable at 8 HPS at 4, 10, and 12 °C, respectively. The eggs stored at 26 °C lost their viability almost completely after 4 HPS. Eyed-egg mortality increased from 13% at 0 HPS to 48.2% at 4 HPS at 26°C. These results demonstrate that egg stripping should take place within 168 °C-hours after ovulation and that complete loss of viability of the eggs occurs by 672°C-hours after ovulation. The in vivo storage method is more effective compared to in vitro storage. Also successful in vitro storage of eggs can be used atleast within 8 hours at temperatures ranging from 4 to 12ºC.

The survey on growth and survival rate parameters with slurry and comparison by common method

This project was on “Study of Slurry, as an enrichment compound, on growth and survival parameters of Rutilus firisii kutum Kamensky 1901 larva and compare with routine condition according to hypothesis that use of Slurry, fertile organic compound, to increase the efficiency of survivorship and growth of Rutilus firisii and in other hand adaptation of natural food was performance.” The object of this project is to compare growth of Rutilus firisii and in usual condition and the condition of use Slurry The experiences performed in culture and propagation center Dr. Yousefpour decent (Associan of Dr. Beheshti culture and propagation) in Siahkal village, 32 Km far from southeast, in North of Iran. In this plan, three different treatments and related these nine pools , in 1.7 hec area (in same condition) were determined so that the density of storage was 1.7 million/hec larva. In this research at first treatment m we use slurry as enrichment compound during larval within a period of 13 days, and it used all the days of during larval in second treatment. Then the result of this study compared to control treatment. The results have shown the level of this study compared to control treatment. The results have shown the level of survivorship in pools were nutrition by slurry was 1.7 million times or twice than pools were nutrition with usual concentrate. In addition, growth coefficient such as daily weight growing (DWG) index, daily length growth (DLG), specific growth ratio (SGR) were measured in this case. All of these parameters in slurry treatment were shown noticeable enhancement in first treatment Thereof in the first week there was significant difference (P<0.001) between the average of length and weight in first week , and in the second week there was a significant difference (P<0.05) between them.

Study on some biological and feeding factors of spined loach Cobitis taenia from the Babolrud, Talar and Siahrud Rivers

Spined loach, Cobitis taenia, is a predominant fish in the river systems of the southern Caspian Sea basin. Although there is evidence of the geographical divergence of this taxon, but no information is available on morphological differences within the species populations. This study was designed to evaluate some biological factors including; morphometric and meristic characters, length-weight, age-growth, condition factor, diet, reproduction, variation and differentiation, in the Babolrud, Talar and Siahrud Rivers in south of the Caspian Sea basin. Age, sex ratio, fecundity, ova diameter and gonadosomatic index were estimated. Also, regression analyses was tested the relation between fecundity and fish length, weight, gonad weight, and also age. Totally 858 fish of which 721 were matures, were collected from these rivers by electrofishing. 37 morphometric characters, 9 meristic characters and 78 truss network system characters were estimated. Resulats of DFA analysis based on data of morphometric and meristic showd that these populations are highly (94.5%) varios from each other. In discriminate function analysis, the proportion of individuals correctly classified into their original groups was 61%, 65.4% and 86.5% for upstream and downstream, respectively. Clustering based on Euclidean distances among groups of centroids using an UPGMA and also principal component analysis’ results for morphometric data indicated that these populations from these three rivers were clearly distinct from each other. Regression equations between length and weight in these three populations were significantly different from Folton factor (b=3), that showed the fish has a negative Alometric growth process. Condition factor was estimated between 0.8912 to 1.2736 and 0.8131 to 1.4489 for males and females, respectively. Sex ratio (female: male) in these populations was 1.2816:1. The difference between the number of females and males was significant and females were more than males. The female and male specimens reach maturity by Tl more than 40 and 30 mm and at the age of 2+ and 1+, respectively. The mean of ova diameter was 0.5824±0.2882. The spawning took place from May to late July, at the water temperature from 18.7 to 24.0°C. The GSI values average at the beginning of the reproduction period was about 9%, with ranged from 2 to 26% in ripe mature females. The absolute and relative fecundity were 2109±792 and 579±208 respectively. The absolute fecundity was significantly related to body weight and gonads weight. Based on the pattern of gonado-somatic index, it was concluded that this fish has prolong active reproductive period, which is a type of adaptation by short-lived small fishes to environmental conditions. The macroscopic and histological results showed that the female and male have 5 and 4 stages in their maturation process, respectively. The RLG index was about 0.4732, which showed the fish is a carnivorous species. Significant difference was observed between fishes with different length and diet. The main foods of the fish were Trichoptera, Chironomidae larvae and Ephemeroptera which were their prefered food as well, however it was estimated that the food selection and diet are affected by environmental conditions.

Effect of diets containing various protein and energy levels on some growth parameters, survival and the production of Astacus leptodactylus in different salinities

A factorial experiment was conducted for 60 days to determine of the response of Narrow clawed crayfish Astacus leptodactylus (average weight of 17±2.3 g) to diets containing various protein and energy levels. Nine diets containing three levels of protein (30, 35 and 40 %) and three levels of energy (300,370 and 450 kcal/100g) were formulated and prepared in this trial. Each diet also was used in two levels of salinity include 0 (fresh water) and 12 ppt(Caspian sea water). So this study was conducted with 18 treatments and triplicates random group of 5 crayfish per each 110-litre tank. Weight Gain, Feed conversion ratio (FCR), Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER), Net Protein Utilization (NPU), Daily Food Consumption (DFC), Survival (SVR) and body composition of tail-muscle meat of animal were determined. Comparing the growth parameters in response to interaction between protein, energy and salinity levels demonstrated that all growth parameters have difference between them significantly (p<0.05). Comparing between survival in fresh and Caspian Sea water showed difference significantly. Compare the body composition results indicate the greatest amount of protein absorption in diet number 2(30/370) on fresh water condition. Results from this study indicate that narrow clawed crayfish can be fed a practical diet containing 30% protein and 370 Kcal/100g on non-salinity water which is the optimize CP percentage for their producer’s profits.

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.

Effect of organophosphate, diazinon on some immunophysiological, haematological and histological variable of Rutilus frisii kutum (Kamensky,1901)

The acute toxicity and effects of diazinon on some haematological parameters of kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum, Kamensky, 1901) weighing 613.33 g±157.06 g were studied under static water quality conditions at 15°C ± 2ºC in winter and spring 2009. The effective physical and chemical parameters of water were pH= 7-8.2, dh= 300mg/L (caco3), DO= 7 ppm and T= 15°C±2ºC. The first test was primarily to determine the effects of acute toxicity (LC5096 h) of the agricultural toxicant diazinon (emulsion 60%) on kutum male brood stocks. For this purpose, 4 treatments were used to test toxicity; each treatment was repeated in 3 tanks with 9 fish per treatment and with 180 litres water capacity. After obtaining the final results, the information was analysed statistically with Probit version 1.5 (USEPA, 1985), and we determined the LC10, LC50 and LC90 values at 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours and 96 hours; the maximum allowable concentration value (LC5096 h divided by 10) (TRC, 1984); and the degree of toxicity. The second stage of testing consists of four treatments: LC0= 0 as experimental treatment, treatment A with a concentration of LC1= 0.107 mg/L, treatment B with concentration of LC5= 0.157 mg/L, treatment C with concentration of MAC value= 0.04 mg/L. Male brood stocks of kutum were treated with these concentrations for 45 days. Experiments were carried out under static conditions based on the standard TRC, 1984 method over 45 days. Our results show that long-term exposure to diazinon causes a decrease in the erythrocyte count (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), leucocyte count (WBC), lymphocyte, testosterone, iron (Fe), sodium (Na), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and cholinesterase (CHeS). In addition, diazinon also causes an increase in prolymphocyte, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and adrenaline (P<0.05). There are no significant effects on monocyte, eosinophil, magnesium (Mg), chloride (Cl), glucose (BS), urea (BUN), uric acid (U.A), triglyceride (TG), calcium (Ca), albumin (Alb), total protein (TP), cortisol, noradrenaline and high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in kutum male brood stocks (P>0.05). Pathology results showed toxin diazinon no effect on average weight and fish body length, the average weight of heart, brain, spleen, liver, kidney and liver index but caueses decrease of gonad weigth and gonad index and also, cause complications of tissue necrosis, vascular congestion, inflammation in the liver, a sharp reduction in the number of glomeruli, necrosis, vascular congestion and haemorage in the kidney, capsule thickening and fibrosis, atrophy, vascular congestion, macrophages release increased, increasing sediment Hemosiderine and thickening of artery walls in the spleen, atrophy, fibrosis and necrosis in testis , vascular congestion, increased distance between the myocardium and fibrous string in heart and neuronal loss, vascular congestion and edema in the brain of kutum male brood stocks.

Survey of plankton blooms and red tides and their interaction with environmental factors through monitoring satellite images

One of the most important marine ecological phenomena is red tide which is created by increasing of phytoplankton population, influenced by different factors such as climate condition changes, utrification hydrological factors and can leave sever and undesired ecological and economical effects behind itself in the case of durability. Coast line of Hormozgan is about 900km from east to west, within the range of geographical coordinates of 56 16 23.8, 26 58 8.8 to 54 34 5.33 and 26 34 32 eastern longitude and northern latitude, seven sampling stations were considered and sampled for a period of one year from October 2008 to October 2009. after the analysis of Satellite images, monthly, during the best time. In several stages, samplings were performed. In each station, three samples were collected for identification and determination of Bloom- creating species abundance. Cochlodinium polykrikoides was the species responsible for the discoloration which occurred at October 2008 in Hormozgan marine water. Environmental parameters such as sea surface temperature, pH, salinity, Dissolved Oxygen concentration, Total Dissolved Solids (T.D.S.), conductivity, nitrate, nitrite and phosphate and also chlorophyll a were measured and calculated. Kruscal Wallis test was used to compare the densities between different months, seasons and the studied stations. Mann-whitney test from Nonparametric Tests was used for couple comparison. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between physical and chemical data set and the abundance of Cochlodinium polykrikoides. Multivariate Regression and analysis of variance (ANOVA) also were used to obtain the models and equations of red tide occurrence relationship, environmental parameters and nutrient data. The highest density was 26 million cells per liter in Qeshm station. A meaningful difference was observed between sampling months and seasons but there was no between sampling stations which indicates that in favorable conditions, the occurrence of this phenomenon by the studied species is probable. Regarding to β coefficients of nitrate, temperature, phosphate, Total Dissolvable Solutions (T.D.S) and pH these parameters are effective on the abundance of this species and red tide occurrence. Increase in these factors can represent the effects and outcomes of human activities and increase in marine pollution.

Comparative study of seasonal changes in some blood parameters and genetic polymorphisms of serum antibodies and antigens on red blood cells surface in immature Caspian salmon

Seasonal sampling from 40 immature Caspian salmon were performed in summer, autumn, winter and spring. The maximum ranges of RBC counts, Hct, Hb, WBC count and clotting times were observed in spring, summer, spring, spring and winter, respectively. The minimum amounts of these factors were counted in summer, winter, winter, winter and winter, respectively. Blood Samples were taken from healthy smolt, immature and adult Caspian salmon in spawning time. Hematological determinations and biochemical serum analysis were performed in 101 fish in the three samples. The ranges of hematological values for sample mean were counted. Red blood cell counts were 866600 mm3 and 1259400 mm3 in smolt and adult respectively. Hematocrit was 48.39% in smolt and 44.29% in adult. Hemoglobin was 8.85 gr/dl in smolt and 10.91 gr/dl in adult. White blood cell count was 8781.58 mm3 in smolt and 5217.55 mm3 in adult and mean were differential of WBC, Lymphocyte 90.57%in smolt and73.22% in adult. Neutrophil was 5.12% in smolt and 16.92% in adult, Monocyte were 1.27% in smolt and 4.24% in adult, Clotting time was 282.34 Seconds in smolt and 291.47 seconds in adult MCV, MCH and MCHC also meagered in smolt and adult. Biochemical parameter in immature and mature Caspian salmon meagered .Glucose concentration was 2.97 mmol.l- in immature and 1.99 mmol.l- in mature .Cholesterol concentration was 4.26 mmol.l- in immature and 7.06 mmol.l- in mature. Triglyceride amount was 2.35 mmol.l- in immature and 2.47 mmol.l- in mature and Calcium was 2.47 in immature and 2.61 mmol.l- in mature. An in situ study was made on erythrocytic isoantigens and hetero-antigen and their corresponding iso-and hetero-antibodies of sera by means of hemoagglutination tests on the blood sample, of 450 immature and 50 mature Caspian salmon. The absence of erythrocyte iso-antigens and hetero-antigen and their corresponding iso-and hetero-antibodies were shown by the experimental. It could be indicated an intra-specific variation and differences in species for kelardasht hatchery.

Assessment of pelagic primary and secondary production in Sefidrud River estuary

Sefid-Rood River Estuary (SRE) is the most important riverine ecosystem in the south Caspian Sea along the Iranian coast lines. The aim of this study was to examine spatial and temporal variability in Phytoplankton and Zooplankton abundance and diversity in SRE. Variability of Chlorophyll a and inorganic nutrient concentration were determined during a year (November 2004– October 2005) in five sampling stations. Primary and secondry production were determined during a year. Total chlorophyll a concentration during the investigation ranged between zero to 22.8 μgl-1 and the highest levels were consistently recorded during summer and the lowest during winter with a annual mean concentration 4.48 μgl-1. Nutrient concentration was seasonally related to river flow with annual mean concentration: NO2 0.05±0.2 mgl-1, NO3 1.13±0.57 mgl-1, NH4 0.51±0.66 mgl-1, total phosphate 0.13±0.1mgl-1 and SiO2 5.68±1.91 mgl-1. Bacillariophytes, Cyanophytes, Chlorophytes, Pyrophytes and Euglenophytes were the dominant phytoplankton groups in this shallow and turbid estuary. The diversity and abundance of phytoplankton had a seasonal pattern while Diatomas and Chrysophytes were dominant throughout the year but Cyanophytes observed only during the summer. Zooplankton community structure was dominated by copepods which 68% of the total zooplankton. In the winter and summer seasons two increased in the number of zooplankton community and usually toward the sea had occurred. Zooplankton also showed a significant spatial and temporal variation. The high turbidity and temperature prime characteristics of SRE seem to be determining factors acting directly on phytoplankton and zooplankton temporal variability and nutrient fluctuations. Everywhere in this estuary nutrients appeared to be in excess of algal requirement and did not influence a phytoplankton and zooplankton composition. Also there was a positive correlation between chlorophyll a and temperature and a negative one with DIN and TP. Primary production determined in this estuary by dark and light butter method and G.P.P. 38.27±34.12 mgcm-2h-1 and N,PP 201.6±289.9 mgcm-2d-1. secondry production determined 15/128 mgc/m3/year. Everywhere in this estuary nutrients appeared to be in excess to algal requirement and did not influence in Chl. a and primary production. The most important factor influence on Chl. a was water temperature.