Reproductive season, maturation size (LM50) and sex ratio of Metapenaeus affinis (Decapoda: Penaeidae) in Hormozgan shrimp fishing grounds, south of Iran

This study aimed to investigate the spawning season, length at first maturity (LM50) and sex ratio of Metapenaeus affinis in the shrimp fishing grounds of Hormozgan Province, west of the Persian Gulf, Iran. Samples were taken by the swept area method and Trawl net with 2 cm mesh size in the cod end from January 2010 to February 2011. Results showed that the sex ratio deviated from 1:1 and female’s number were significantly higher than males. Metapenaeus affinis females had continuous spawning in all seasons but the peak spawning season was found in spring, and stage 3 of maturity was observed in all seasons. Length at maturity (LM50) for females was estimated at 27.12 mm based on carapace length

Seasonal heavy metal monitoring of water, sediment and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Aras Dam Lake of Iran

Heavy metal in aquatic ecosystems are monitored by measuring their concentrations in water, sediments and biota. In the presented study, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, and zinc concentrations determined in water, sediment and tissues (liver and muscle) of Cyprinus carpio in Aras dam Lake of Iran, during spring, summer, autumn, and winter from 2016 to 2017. The concentration of Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu and Ni of samples were measured using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy. The concentration of Hg was analyzed using Atomic Absorption equipped with MHS 15 CVAAS. The trend in the metal mean concentrations of liver and muscle was Zn>Cu>Pb≈Ni>Cd>Hg, and water and sediment were Cu>Zn>Pb>Cd≈Ni>Hg. Heavy metals concentration was more in sediment than fish tissues and water. This results revealed that heavy metals accumulation of muscle was the highest in summer showing the most contaminated season. Whereas, winter had the lowest contamination in water (Cd،Hg, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn), sediments (Hg, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni), and the liver and muscle of fish (Cd, Zn, Ni, Cu). The amount of heavy metals was less or slightly higher than global standards (EPA, WHO).

Determine the Effectiveness of Learning of Coping Strategies with Irrational Beliefs Based on the Theory of Rational-Emotional Alice on Attitudes to Communicate Before Married Female High School Students in Yazd- Iran

Introduction This research was done with the objective of "Determine the effectiveness of learning coping strategies with Irrational Beliefs based on the theory of rational-emotional Alice on students’ attitude toward premarital relations in Yazd city". Materials and Methods In this semi experimental research 60 female students of Yazd-Iran, selected by using of Cochran’s formula and divided in two groups of control (30 persons) and experiment (30 persons) randomly. Learning of coping strategies with Irrational beliefs based on the theory of rational-emotional Alice during the 8 sessions of 90 minutes was conducted on experiment group, and the control group did not training; then post-test was conducted in two groups. Also, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) used in order to data analysis in descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Results The adjusted mean attitude scores of the relationship with the opposite sex in control group, on the pre-test and post-test was 51.27+12.16, 50.30+14.46 and in experimental group was 69.53+8.91, 43.63+10.96 respectively. The result Alice rational-emotional treatment method is effective on attitude to relationship before marriage of high school girls (

Effects of the Prebiotic in Reducing Histopathological Changes and Immune Response of Cyprinuscarpio after Exposer to Abamectin

Background: To assess the toxicity of environmental pollutants in fish, there are different physiological parameters including histology. This study aimed to investigate the effect of prebiotic dietary supplement on fish immune response after exposure to toxicant. Methods: The study was conducted in the Gorgan University of Agricultural and Natural Resources aquaculture Laboratory in 2017. Common carp species were obtained and exposed to 2 ppm, 3 ppm, 6 ppm Abamectin as a toxicant. Prebiotic isomalto-oligosaccharides added to diet with spray method as 1 g/kg and histopathological examinations were done after 60 d experiment. There were no significant differences between aquariums in water quality during the test and no mortality and injuries were observed during accumulation. Results: The Abamectin caused some lesions such as vacuolization latest, bleeding, necrosis, degeneration of the epithelium, the destruction of the villi in the intestine, destruction of liver cells, ascites, hemorrhage, necrosis and nuclear karyolysis in the liver and lymphocytes penetration and degradation of intestinal epithelium in intestine. Maximum lesions observed in 6-ppm toxicant concentration. Conclusion: The isomalto-oligosaccharides probiotics was not successful in stimulating the immune system and reducing adverse effect of toxicant in common carp, significantly. However, usage of this prebiotic could be useful in some cases

The Effectiveness of Training Islamic Meaning the Students’ Accountability in School of Paramedical & Health in Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services

Introduction: Due to limited studies on educational interventions and its effect on accountability, this study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Islamic meaning on the students’ accountability in School of Paramedical & Health in Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services. Methods: This is an interventional study with pre-test/post-test design conducted by a control group. 30 students of School of Paramedical & Health in Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services in 2015-2016 entered the study who were selected via multistage cluster sampling and divided randomly to two groups experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15). Data collection was administered by the students' accountability questionnaire before the education as a pre-test to both experimental and control groups. Islamic meaning training course was prepared based on the Quran and was performed in 8 sessions for experimental groups. Finally, post-test was performed for both groups and data were analyzed by using statistical methods, multivariate analysis of covariance. Results: At baseline, the mean scores of experimental and control groups, no significant difference was observed responsibility, but after applying the independent variable, no notceable or significant difference was considerable. In other words, the Islamic meaning education cuase increase accountability in students of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services. Conclusion: as regards in this study, the Islamic meaning education promoted the students' accountability, therefore it seems this type of training can be a way of promoting self-esteem and thereby increasing the students' accountability

Temporal variability in macroinvertebrates diversity patterns and their relation with environmental factors

Abstract. Gerami MH, Patimar R, Negarestan H, Jafarian H, Mortazavi MS. 2015. Temporal variability in macroinvertebrates diversity patterns and their relation with environmental factors. Biodiversitas 17: 36-43. Seasonal changes are the most important factor in temporal variability of macroinvertebrates communities in marine benthic zone. Realizing the pattern of these changes are the key attributes to maintain benthic resources. For this purpose this study aimed to investigate temporal variability of macroinvertebrates diversity patterns in different seasons in Hormozgan province waters, Persian Gulf. Five sites were identified and sampling was carried out randomly at three places with three replicate in each site from autumn 2014 to spring 2015. Physiochemical properties of water were recorded in each sampling site. Total of 19 macroinvertebrate orders were identified form four seasons in all sites. Results showed that Polychaeta were dominant taxa in all seasons and maximum diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates exhibited in winter. According to evenness index (E1), abundances of species were most balanced in spring. Analysis of weight and density revealed that the species diversity and mean weight of macroinvertebrates had maximum in winter and minimum in summer. Macroinvertebrate community structure was similar in the spring and summer and partly discriminated from remaining two seasons. SIMPER analysis confirmed these dissimilarities and revealed that Foraminifera, Gastropoda and Polychaeta have three major contributions in dissimilarities between seasons. According to BIO-ENV analysis, oxygen and chlorophyll a were the best variables (r = 0.7143) explaining changes in the abundance over time of the benthic fauna under study. On the contrary, eight orders (Amphipoda, Secernentea, Cumacea, Euphausiacea, Gastropoda, Isopoda, Anthozoa and Sagittoidea) did not show any convergence with environmental factors in this study

Acute Toxicity and Behavioral Changes of the Gold Fish (Carassius Auratus) Exposed to Malathion and Hinosan

Background: Pesticides are widely used in agriculture. Excessive use of pesticides has health risk for human and threatens non-target organisms. This research aimed to determine lethal concentrations of malathion and Hinosan for Carassius auratus (5±1 gr) [mean ± SD]. Methods: Experiments were performed according to O.E.C.D for 4 days (96 h) and concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 4, 8 mg L-1 Hinosan and 0, 1, 2, 4, 16 mg L-1 malathion with three replicates. LC1, LC10, LC30, LC50, LC70, LC90 and LC99 for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h were determined using a probit analysis. Results: The results indicated that the 96 h LC50 value of Hinosan and malathion for Gold fish was 4.02 and 4.71 mg/L, respectively. Fishes exhibited irregular, erratic and darting swimming movements, hyper excitability, bruise in the caudal section, loss of equilibrium and sinking to the bottom. Conclusion: Malathion and Hinosan have medium toxicity for C. auratus and could cause irreversible harm and behavioral changes

Application of Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard to organize island ecosystem: the Abu Musa Island, Persian Gulf case study

Abstract. Zare R, SinaeiM, ShakouriA, KourandehMB, GeramiMH. 2017. Application of Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard to organize island ecosystem: the Abu Musa Island, Persian Gulf case study. Biodiversitas 18: 153-159. A first step in marine conservation plans is to identify and classify habitat types. These classifications should be scientificallyrigorous with high application. The Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) is a nested, hierarchical framework that applies a uniform set of rules that have a high capacity in marine habitats classifications. In this study, this capacity was tested for the Abu Musa Island ecosystem, Persian Gulf. The Surface Geology Component and the Biotic CoverComponent were analyzed and encoded with the given instructions. In total, 21 codes were determined for benthic communities and 19 codes for geoform component, which showed high diversity of habitats and variety of biotopes in this island.Finally, results indicated that the CMECS approach was successful in Abu Musa habitat classification. In addition, results were very useful for sustainable development especially for ecotourism plans. Keywords: Abu Musa Island, CMECS, ecotourism, habitat classificatio

Acute Toxicity and Behavioral Changes Associated with Diazinon in Rutilus rutilus caspicus and Hypophthalmicthys molitrix

Background: Diazinon is an organophosphorous pesticide which widely found in municipal, agricultural, and urban storm water discharges. The present study was conducted to achieve lethal concentration (LC50) and behavioral changes of Rutilus rutilus caspius and Hypophthal-micthys molitrix after exposure to lethal concentration of diazinon. Methods: The experiment was carried out in static conditions, based on instructions of OECD in 4 days under controlled water physicochemical conditions with pH of 7.2±0.2, oxygen of 7±0.3 mg/l, total hardness of 180 mg CaCo3 and temperature of 24±1 C°. All fishes were accli-matized in 400 L aquaria for 10 days. Treated aquaria had concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 ppm of diazinon for H. molitrix, and 1, 2, 4, 8, 10, and 20 for R. rutilus caspi-cus, while there was no toxic concentration for the control group. LC1, LC10, LC30, LC50, LC70, LC90, and LC99 were calculated for 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. Results: LC50 96h diazinon values were 3.93 and 1.71 ppm for H. molitrix and R. rutilus caspi-cus, respectively. Clinical observation revealed that the poisoned fishes suffered from nerve paralysis syndrome. The fishes exhibited irregular, erratic, and darting swimming movements, severe aching, and collapse to the bottom of the aquarium. Conclusion: These findings suggest that diazinon has medium toxicity at low concentrations for thede two species and causes morbidities

Effect of CuO nanoparticles on some hematological indices of rainbow trout oncorhynchus mykiss and their potential toxicity

Objective(s): This study aimed to determine the possible toxicity of Cuo nanoparticles (NPs) on Oncorhynchus mykiss by evaluating hematological parameters. Materials and Methods: Fish were sampled and treated in 4 aquariums containing the concentration ranges of 1, 5, 20 and 100 ppm of CuO NPs. There was one control group (no CuO NPs) and three replicates. The physicochemical properties of water were as follows: the temperature was 22±2 Cº, oxygen saturation was 90.9±0.2%, pH was at 7±0.004 and the concentration of CaCO3 was 270. Results: No mortality was observed after 96 hours of exposure. The analysis of hematological parameters showed that CuO NPs affected the counts of white blood cells, lymphocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils, hematocrits, MCH, MCHC and MCV and did not have any effects on monocytes and hemoglobins. Conclusion: The data showed that the overall hardness (270 ppm) neutralized the lethal effect of copper on O. mykiss and no mortality was recorded