Ultramicroscopy of structures involved in the posterior region of scales in two flathead fishes (Teleostei: Perciformes)

Morphology of structures involved in the posterior region of scales in two flathead fish species viz. Platycephalus indicus and Grammoplites suppositus was studied using ultramicroscopy. The fish individuals were divided into three size groups based on their standard lengths and their scales were removed from four body regions. The microscopic observations indicated that the scales of both species were ctenoid. The posterior margin of all scales was formed by two rows of ctenii. Typically, the shape of the posterior region of scales in P. indicus was crescent, while it was triangular in G. suppositus. The number of ctenii in the scales of P. indicus was minimum 12 and maximum 60, while in G. suppositus it was minimum 6 and maximum 38. Moreover, the results indicated that the number of ctenii was increased during fish development because the smaller fishes have fewer ctenii in their scales than the adults, while, their general morphology has not been changed properly. This developmental change was significantly higher in P. indicus than G. suppositus. The increase of ctenii during fish development allows greater flexibility in movement. In conclusion, modification in the ornamentations of the posterior region has a hydrodynamic function and they are subject to modification during the fish development. The ctenii varying considerably in the number and could be easily counted, therefore, could be used as an appropriate taxonomic character at least in flathead fishes or even other fish groups

First record of two hard coral species (Faviidae and Siderastreidae) from Qeshm Island (Persian Gulf, Iran)

Abstrak. Moradi M, Kamrani E, Shokri MR, Ranjbar MS, Hesni MA (2009) Rekaman pertama dua spesies karang keras (Faviidae dan Siderastreidae) dari Pulau Qeshm (Teluk Persia, Iran). Nusantara Bioscience 2: 34-37. Dua jenis karang keras termasuk Cyphastrea chalcidicum (Forskal 1775) (Faviidae) dan Coscinaraea monile (Forskal 1775) (Siderastreidae) dikumpulkan dari selatan Pulau Qeshm (Teluk Persia, Iran) pada akhir tahun 2008. Spesies ini sebelumnya dilaporkan terdapat di Teluk Persia selatan, Teluk Aden, Afrika Tenggara dan Indo-Pasifik. Tinjauan literatur pada distribusi kedua jenis mengungkapkan bahwa spesies ini pertama kali tercatat dari Teluk Persia. Temuan ini semakin menunjukkan tingginya keragaman fauna karang di perairan Iran di bagian utara Teluk Persia. Kata kunci: catatan pertama, Coscinaraea monile, Cyphastrea chalcidicum, Qeshm island, Persian gulf

The sagittal otolith morphology of four selected mugilid species from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf (Teleostei: Mugilidae)

The members of mugilid species are usually difficult to recognize because of the well-known similarity observed in their external morphology. Nevertheless, their identification is very important for local fisheries management and conservation action. Therefore, in the present study we applied otolith morphology to evaluate its significance in identification of four selected mugilid species; Chelon subviridis (Valenciennes, 1836), Liza klunzingeri (Day, 1888), Ellochelon vaigiensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) and Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758 occurring in the Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf in southern Iran. The results indicated several otolith features to be important for identification of the selected mugilid species as follow; the position and sulcus centrality, the curvature of the cauda, and the type of anterior and posterior regions. Based on the total approach evidences, we conclude that otolith morphology in mugilid fishes can be evidently used for the species identification and probably estimation of their phylogeny. The findings are in agreement with the previous studies which documented taxonomic importance of otolith morphology

Biodiversity of braconid fauna (Hym.: Ichneumonoidea: Braconidae) in Sirch region, Kerman province, Iran

This study was intended to investigate the diversity of parasitoid wasps of the family Braconidae in different habitats dominated by the plant species Medicago sativa L., Mentha pulegium L., Sophora alopecuroides L. and Rubus sp. About 563 braconid specimens of four subfamilies, Macrocentrinae, Alysiinae, Braconinae and Rogadinae were collected between May and December 2014. Alfalfa (450 individuals) and pennyroyal (28 individuals) had the highest and the lowest collected specimens respectively. The similarity index of Morisita-Horn showed that sophora and alfalfa had the highest similarity in terms of collected genera. The higher density of alfalfa lowered the value of biodiversity (0.566) while the highest diversity occurred in sophora (339/1). CCA analysis showed that the differences in dispersion of the genera were due to differences of habitats. The Jackknife index suggested higher number of expected genera than collected ones

Comparison ability of algae and nanoparticles on nitrate and phosphate removal from aquaculture wastewater

Background: Aquaculture wastewater contains high levels of phosphate and nitrate. The reuse of this water requires standards beyond the secondary standards to eliminate more organic pollutants from aquaculture effluents. In this research, the removal of these pollutants from wastewater using Chlorella vulgaris and Fe3O4 nanoparticles in the reactor space was investigated. Methods: This study was conducted on fish farms effluent in the laboratory system. For this purpose, a 5-L semi-industrial reactor with a mixer blade, porous plate, and a compressor was designed. Chlorella vulgaris samples were collected from the natural environment and cultured in the laboratory environment. Also, Fe3O4 nanoparticles were prepared from Iranian Nano Pishgaman Company to make the desired solution. During the experiment (3 weeks), samples were taken weekly (in one phase) from the effluent. Dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, nitrate (NO3), and phosphate (PO4) factors from the influent and effluent of the farms were measured. The statistical data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 and Excel 2013. Results: The amounts of nitrate and phosphate were decreased by about 80.76 and 80.55% in the biological reactor, whereas these amounts were 70.52 and 70.48% in the nanoparticle reactor, respectively. Also, there were significant differences in the amounts of NO3 and PO4 between the control treatment and weekly treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results, both reactors were able to reduce nitrate and phosphate from aquaculture wastewater, but the efficiency of the biological reactor was higher than that of the nanoparticle reactor. Keywords: Nitrate, Phosphate, Fe3O4 nanoparticle, Chlorella vulgaris, Biological refinemen

The antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of sea anemone (Stichodactyla haddoni) against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and characterization of bioactive metabolites

Abstract Sea anemones produce many biologically active compounds including neurotoxins, pore-forming toxins, phospholipases and proteinase inhibitors. The Persian Gulf is an unexplored environment and maybe a rich source of marine natural products. The aim of this study is screening and identification of bioactive metabolites from Stichodactyla haddoni (Haddon’s sea anemone) collected at the Persian Gulf. The crude extract of the sea anemone (tentacle, disc and total body) was obtained by methanol solvent. The antibacterial assays were carried out by the disc diffusion method. The antibiofilm activity (biofilm formation, biofilm destruction and reduction of metabolic activity) of the sea anemone extracts was evaluated by microtiter plate method. The bioactive compounds were identified by GC–MS analysis. Data showed that the best antibacterial effect (relate to P. aeruginosa) is obtained from extracts of “total body” section. Values of minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration show that the maximum antibacterial activity takes place at 10–20 mg/ml concentration. Three parts of sea anemone exhibit different inhibition against biofilm of bacteria, in particular, inhibition of biofilm observed by the tentacle, disc and total body against P. aeruginosa, K. pneumonia and A. baumannii, respectively. Biofilm of P. aeruginosa was the most sensitive and the biofilm of B. cereus was the most resistant structure between all pathogenic bacteria. The best reduction in the metabolic activity was observed in P. aeruginosa and K. pneumonia among tested bacteria. Aliphatic compounds were predominant bioactive metabolites in this sea anemone. The marine animal and especially sea anemone produce useful bioactive compounds that can be used to prevent bacterial biofilm; application of bioactive materials, reported in this study, can be proposed for future studies

Translocation and new geographical distribution of the invasive Redbelly Tilapia, Coptodon zillii (Gervais, 1848) (Teleostei: Cichlidae) in southern Iran

A new geographical distribution record of the invasive species of Redbelly Tilapia, Coptodon zillii, is reported here from a drainage in southern Iran, based on the discovery of a population at Howba spring. The locality of the new record is now completely dominated by this exotic fish; this location was previously inhabited by native fishes. As tilapia species have a high resilience to harsh environmental conditions, they can easily be translocated to, and establish in, new habitats. Thus, ecological monitoring of this exotic fish species is highly recommended

Morphological comparison of Urohyal and Otolith in taxonomic identification of two species of mullets (Mugilidae: Teleostei) in Persian Gulf

Mullets have fisheries values. These fishes show high interspecific similarities, and this often made them difficult to identify. Therefore, finding the morphological characters for their identification is very important.In this study, taxonomic significance of the hard structures such as Urohyal bone and sagittal otolith were examined. To do this objective, a total of 56 mullet specimens belong to Chelon subviridis and Chelon klunzingeri were collected from Bandar-e-Lengeh, Bandarabbas and Qeshm, and fixed in 75 % ethanol. In laboratory, urohyal bones and sagittal were extracted following the standard method, and their morphology described and interspecific variations were studied. The results showed that both morphology and morphometry of these hard structures can be especially useful in discrimination of the mullets. However, it seems that urohyal bone has particular importance in species separation. Therefore, in addition to the genetic studies, studying of the urohyal bone can play important role in understanding of taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships of the fishes

Sea snakes (Elapidae, Hydrophiinae) in their westernmost extent: an updated and illustrated checklist and key to the species in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman

The Persian Gulf is known as the westernmost distribution limit for sea snakes, except for Hydrophis platurus (Linnaeus, 1766) that reaches southeastern Africa. Previous identification guides for sea snakes of the Persian Gulf and its adjacent waters in the Gulf of Oman were based on old data and confined mostly to written descriptions. Therefore, a series of field surveys were carried out in 2013 and 2014 through Iranian coastal waters of both gulfs to provide a comprehensive sampling of sea snakes in the area. This paper presents an illustrated and updated checklist and identification tool for sea snakes in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, which are based on new material and a review of the literature. This checklist includes ten species of marine hydrophiines, of which one, Microcephalophis cantoris (Günther, 1864), is a new record for the area. All specimens examined herein are deposited and available at the Zoological Museum of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman province, Iran