Morphological Identification of Sandflies and Their Species’ Diversity

LIntrodaction:Leishmaniasis is a zoonosis disease, presented in three forms including cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral (kala-azar). The parasite, Leishmania spp, is transferred by the causative agent of the disease, namely the sand-fly. Accurate identification of sand-flies helps to prevent and treat the disease. Materials and Methods:This study was conducted to identify sand-fly species distributed in Birjand, east of Iran. Sand-flies were collected from different parts of Birjand city, Iran through using sticky traps in summer 2015. Captured female specimens were mounted and identified by specific keys. Result:In this study, a total of 1480 samples of sand-flies were collected, out of which 945 sand-flies in areas were related to animal and 535 sand-flies in areas related to human. The most prevalent species, among 654 collected female specimens were Phlebotomus sergenti (22.17%) and Sergentomyia dentata (49.54%). Conclusion:According to the current results, the dominant species among disease vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis is the urban type. Because of the presence of Leishmania tropica, the city's health system must take necessary care to control cutaneous leishmaniasis

A preliminary molecular phylogeny of the genus Pholcus in Iran, with notes on taxonomy

Iran is a large country with diverse and unique climate and ecology; therefore, it is expected to discover an exceptional fauna with high species diversity by carefully examining the unknown areas. A few taxonomic studies have been so far conducted on the genus Pholcus in Iran. Taxonomic and preliminary phylogenetic evaluation of widespread species of the genus Pholcus from Iran is considered in the present study, based on specimens collected from northern and southwestern parts of the country. A molecular study was undertaken on some representatives of species of the Pholcus phalangioides species-group (cellar spiders) using newly designed primers with 350 bp of partial fragments of mtDNA gene, cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI). These preliminary molecular data in line with morphological identifications using characters related to the copulatory organs presented a total of five distinct clades of Pholcus that four clades were contributed with formerly identified species and one represented a distinct lineage unknown for science

Molecular and morphological diversity of Baetis braaschi Zimmermann, 1980 (Ephemeroptera: Baetideae); with notes on species’ description

Although mayflies are the key elements to assess the health value of freshwaters, their biodiversity in the Middle East, in particular in Iran, is poorly studied. Baetis braaschi belongs to the subgenus Rhodobaetis Jacob, 2003, with a wide distribution in Europe and Western Asia. The taxonomy of B. braaschi has always been source of disagreement as many species have so far been described by researchers and were synonymized later. The species, Baetis braaschi, is investigated here, using molecular and morphological data using collected specimens from different area in Iran and compared with its conspecific from Eastern Europe. Although Iranian specimens showed 99% molecular similarity with their conspecifics in Eastern Europe, e.g., Ukraine and Georgia, the morphological results showed that Iranian specimens of Baetis braaschi has significant morphological differences with conspecific specimens from Eastern Europe. Patterns of head, femora and size of the first and second teeth of mandibles in B. braaschi are varied from Europe to Iran

Taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships of freshwater crabs of the genus Potamon (Crustacea: Brachyura: Potamidae) from Iran

In an era of climate change and habitat destruction, assessing current biodiversity as soon as possible is of crucial importance. To uncover the real biodiversity, taxonomic problems in species complexes and phylogenetic delimitations of species need to be clarified. Potamon is a well-known freshwater crab genus with a distribution from the Middle East through southern Europe and the far north of Africa. Phylogeny of Potamon has been a source of disagreement among specialists over the last few decades. In order to understand the evolution of the group it is crucial to resolve the phylogenetic relationships among the species of Potamon and to discover intraspecific endemic units using different tools. The purposes of the current study were: 1) to reconstruct the phylogenetic history of different species of the genus Potamon in Iran, 2) to find out, if there is consistency of morphological with molecular characters, 3) to determine intraspecific molecular variability among populations of Potamon elbursi in order to understand initial steps of regional differentiation as well as importance of endemic forms for conservation issues. In the course of the study two mitochondrial (16S rRNA and Cox1) and one nuclear (28S rRNA) genes were partially amplified and sequenced. A significant divergence was shown among three distinct lineages previously considered to belong to Potamon persicum complex and associated with their geographical distributions. One lineage corresponds to a formerly synonymised species, P. elbursi, which is here revalidated and redescribed. Another lineage (western Iran) still must be considered a cryptic lineage, since it is genetically distinct, but the current morphological evidence cannot separate it from P. persicum. Consistent molecular and morphological divergence was also recorded from the westernmost slopes of the Zagros Mountains where Potamon ilam, a sister species to Potamon mesopotamicum, is described as a new species to science. Overall, our results show that Potamon radiated at different time intervals in the Middle East, leaving a genetic footprint of historical differentiation processes and following successive isolation within different watersheds. The current locally confined and unique biological diversity of Iran can be explained mainly by different topography and climate regimes resulting from mountains uplifting. Genetic assessment of populations of P. elbursi elucidates a significant genetic differentiation among populations without any linkage with geographical dispersal. Some populations show high endemicity, resulting from strong genetic drift or geographic barriers. Endangered aquatic ecosystems and occurrence of genetically distinct endemic and isolated populations of P. elbursi, call for considering the Alborz Mountains for possible future conservation plans

Morphological and molecular diversity in the freshwater crab Potamon ruttneri-P. gedrosianum species complex (Decapoda, Brachyura) indicate the need for taxonomic revision

Many species and subspecies of Potamon have been described from the easternmost distribution of the genus in the western tributaries of the Indus River. Most of them were synonymised subsequently under the two names of currently valid species known from the region: Potamon gedrosianum Alcock, 1909 and Potamon ruttneri Pretzmann, 1962. Genetic and morphological information, based on mitochondrial 16S rDNA and the first male gonopod (G1), were gathered in the course of the present study. The corresponding results suggest the occurrence of four groups and question the taxonomic status of both species. We also revise the distribution range of both species, in particular that of P. gedrosianum, with a new record from Iran. Overall, the study reveals the need for a major revision using further morphological and molecular data. Because of the complexity of this necessary revision and the incomplete sampling, we here refrain from proposing any taxonomic conclusions

Description of Electrogena sartorii sp. nov., a new representative of the genus Electrogena Zurwerra & Tomka, 1985 (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae), from Iran using molecular and morphological data

Moazzen, Mina, Keikhosravi, Alireza, Rastegar-Pouyani, Eskandar (2021): Description of Electrogena sartorii sp. nov., a new representative of the genus Electrogena Zurwerra & Tomka, 1985 (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae), from Iran using molecular and morphological data. Zootaxa 5026 (4): 555-566, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5026.4.

Atarbolana makranensis, a new species of Cirolanidae (Crustacea, Isopoda) from Makran, Iranian coast of the Gulf of Oman

Atarbolana makranensis sp. n. is described from the intertidal zone of Makran along the Iranian coast of the Gulf of Oman. Atarbolana makranensis sp. n. can be recognized by the presence of a tuft of long setae on the antennal flagellum of males, elongate pleotelson with 12 robust marginal setae, pleotelson with narrowly rounded apex extending well beyond the uropodal endopod, uropodal endopod half as long as exopod with 14 robust marginal setae, and appendix masculina with an acute apex and extending beyond endopod distal margin. A key is provided for the four known species of Atarbolana Bruce & Javed, 1987

Life history traits and patterns of sexual dimorphism in the freshwater crab Potamon ibericum (Bieberstein, 1809) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamidae) from the western Alborz Mountains, Iran

The assessment of life history traits can help to better understand the population dynamics of the respective species. We present some life history traits of the freshwater crab Potamon ibericum (Bieberstein, 1809) from the western Alborz Mountains, Iran. Carapace size at the onset of morphometric maturity was estimated using the breakpoint of the relative growth of the chela and abdomen in males and females, respectively, by implementing piecewise linear regressions. In order to quantify variations in the estimated breakpoint, a bootstrap resampling method was applied. Allometric trajectories of chelar dimensions were also applied to juveniles and adults. Sexual size dimorphism was evaluated using the dimensions of the carapace and chelae, and patterns of the carapace shape dimorphism were investigated by implementing geometric morphometric analysis. The results showed that females reach morphometric maturity at smaller sizes than males, which could be of advantage in the fluctuating environment of their freshwater habitat in order to mate as soon as possible and increase fecundity. Positive allometric trends in the length of the major chela was observed in adults of both sexes, and the possible adaptive forces on the evolution of this pattern are discussed. Results of sexual dimorphism analyses confirmed male-biased sexual size dimorphism and functional adaptation of carapace shape in both sexes

Uncovering glacial footprints and identifying phylogeographic units in the freshwater crab Potamon elbursi Pretzmann, 1962 (Decapoda: Potamidae) based on mitochondrial data

The current patterns of biodiversity have significantly been affected by glacial-interglacial cycles during the Pleistocene period. True freshwater crabs are considered as poor dispersers and terrestrial barriers restrict gene flow between their local populations. Recent studies, however, suggest that certain environmental conditions, such as periods of heavy rainfall and humidity, can facilitate their between-drainage dispersal and will result in the evolution of homogenous genetic patterns among different drainage systems. Here we tested this hypothesis by comparing populations of the endemic freshwater crab Potamon elbursi Pretzmann, 1962 distributed in two drainage systems, the Caspian Sea and Namak Lake, in northern Iran. Our results based on the genetic analysis of 70 new and 61 previously published sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene revealed a substantial haplotype diversity in some populations and high levels of local population structuring in others. Initially, we found mixed evidence of genetic differentiation and connectivity among drainages and populations. Genetic differentiation between the two drainages only became apparent after the Sepirdood population (which belongs to the Caspian Sea drainage) was excluded. Subsequently, the two drainages showed significant genetic distinctions, with a limited gene flow between them. Our demographic analyses supported recent population bottlenecks, followed by a rapid demographic and/or spatial expansion dating back to the Pleistocene climatic fluctuations. Species distribution modelling suggests that precipitation during warm weather conditions profoundly affects the distribution of P. elbursi. This study indicates that freshwater crabs can override short land barriers under favorable weather conditions and will have conservation implications in the face of contemporary climatic fluctuations