Acute toxicity and behavioral changes of Caspian kutum (Rutilus frisii Kutum Kamensky, 1991) and Caspian roach (Rutilus rutilus caspicus Jakowlew, 1870) exposed to the fungicide hinosan

Pesticides are used in agriculture to control pest and protect human health and animals. Excessive use of pesticides caused risk for human health and threated non-target organisms, polluted water, soil and air. Hinosan is a component of organophosphate pesticide which is used as a fungicide in agricultural fields. In the study, lethal concentration (LC50) of Hinosan was calculated for Rutilus frisii kutum and Rutilus rutilus caspicus with a mean weight of 3 ± 1 g [mean ± SD]. The experiment were carried out in static condition and based on instructions of O.E.C.D in four days under controlled water physicochemical factors with pH = 7 to 8.5, dissolved oxygen = 200 mg L-1 (CaCO3) and temperature = 20 ± 1°C. Fishes were acclimatized in 70x40x30 cm aquarium for 10 days. Five treated aquariums with concentration ranges 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 ppm of hinosan (Technical 95 Edifenphos) with one control group (no toxic concentration), were performed. Data were analysed using the probit analysis. LC1, LC10, LC30, LC50, LC70, LC90 and LC99 were calculated in 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. Our results indicate that LC50 96 h hinosan for R. frisii Kutum and R. rutilus caspicus were obtained 3.61 and 2.88 ppm, respectively. These findings suggest that hinosan is medium toxicity for these two species. Clinical symptoms including irregular protrusion of the eyes and irregular swimming were observed.Key words: Organophosphore, hinosan, Rutilus frisii kutum, Rutilus rutilus caspicus, LC50, pollution

First Detection of Nosema ceranae, a Microsporidian Protozoa of European Honeybees (Apis mellifera) In Iran

Background: Nosemosis of European honey bee (Apis mellifera) is present in bee colonies world­wide. Until recently, Nosema apis had been regarded as the causative agent of the disease, that causes heavy economic losses in apicultures. Nosema ceranae is an emerging microsporidian para­site of European honeybees, A. mellifera, but its distribution is not well known. Previously, nosemosis in honeybees in Iran was attributed exclusively to N. apis.Methods: Six Nosema positive samples (determined from light microscopy of spores) of adult worker bees from one province of Iran (Savadkouh- Mazandaran, northern Iran) were tested to determine Nosema species using previously- developed PCR primers of the 16 S rRNA gene. As it is difficult to distinguish N. ceranae and N. apis morphologically, a PCR assay based on 16 S ribosomal RNA has been used to differentiate N. apis and N. ceranae.Results: Only N. ceranae was found in all samples, indicating that this species present in Iran apiar­ies.Conclusion: This is the first report of N. ceranae in colonies of A. mellifera in Iran. It seems that intensive surveys are needed to determine the distribution and prevalence of N. ceranae in differ­ent regions of Iran