Prevalence of fish lice, Argulus (Crustacea: Branchiura) in freshwater and two ornamental fishes of Iran

Farming and trading of aquarium fish has been considered a popular pastime in the world. Most of Iran's aquarium fish are imported from Asian countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. Fish lice (Argulus) is known as one of the most important and common ectoparasites in ornamental fish. Reports indicate that these parasites have been observed in ornamental fish imported to Iran (e.g goldfish Carassius auratus and koi carp Cyprinus carpio). Today, due to mismanagement of some ornamental fish breeding centres in Iran, aquarium fish species such as goldfish may have escaped into the natural waters which increase the risk of transmitting pathogens to native fish. The present work was performed to investigate the outbreak of an ectoparasite Argulus in two ornamental fish of Iran and also to evaluate the possibility of transmission of Argulus to inland freshwater fishes of Iran

Fishes of Guilan, By Abbasi Ranjbar K. 2017. 206 p. Iliya Culture Publication, Rasht, ISBN: 978-964-190-517-2.

The Caspian Sea basin is one of the most important inland water basin of Iran having the most diverse inland water fishes. The present study aimed to review the book entitled "Fish of Guilan'' by Keyvan Abbasi Ranjbar published in 2017. This book provides general and biological information of the reported fishes in Guilan Province that can be used as a reference and identification key by fishermen and researchers who are involved in aquaculture, fisheries and biology

Book Review Lobsters: Biology, Fisheries and Aquaculture, 2019.

Today, aquaculture is known as a growing industry in the world. This important industry plays a special role in the world’s food supply1,2. Therefore, the importance of aquaculture in today’s world is not hidden from anyone. Lobsters are a variety of crustacean that is highly valued in the global seafood market due to its delicious meat, rich protein, low fat, and vitamins A, B2, B3, B6, B12, phosphorus, iron, and calcium. In addition, the special and complex biology of lobsters has always attracted the attention of scientists. Lobsters, as a group of crustaceans, have become particularly important in the aquaculture industry over the past years. So far, various researches have been done in the form of books and papers about lobsters. However, the need for an update reference that focuses on the biology of lobsters and their breeding is essential. The book under review contains 15 chapters, which we briefly review here

Threatened fishes of the world: Anoxypristis cuspidata (Latham, 1794) (Pristidae)

The knifetooth sawfish Anoxypristis cuspidata (Latham, 1794) is a species of sawfish belonging to the family Pristidae. It is an Indo-West Pacific species occurring from the northern Persian Gulf to Australia and north to Japan. The species is assessed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Main threats to the species are fishing, coastal development and habitat degradation. This sawfish species has considerable ecological importance for the regions, but there are little data of its populations. Hence, a detailed study of population status, ecological and biological characteristics of A. cuspidata is required. This study will provide basic information on distribution, biological characteristics and conservation of this species

The Use of Silver Nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) in Water Disinfection in Aquaculture Systems and the Effects of Its Release in the Environment

The present research was conducted in order to investigate the role of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) in water disinfection in aquaculture systems and also the environmental effects caused by its release in the environment. The literature review showed that very few studies have been recorded about the antiviral effects of silver nanoparticles in aquaculture systems. Meanwhile, silver nanoparticles showed positive effects against many bacterial pathogens such as Aeromonas and Vibrio as well as fungal agents such as Aspergillus and Candida. Since the mentioned microbial strains are among the most important and common pathogenic agents in Iran's breeding systems, the use of silver nanoparticles with the appropriate amount (provided that more than not allowed) can be useful. Examination of various scientific sources showed that the safe and permissible level of silver nanoparticles has been studied in many farmed fish species, including rainbow trout, silver carp, common carp and zebra fish. Considering this issue, breeders can use these substances to control and prevent the spread of infectious diseases in breeding systems, considering the safe and permissible level of silver nanoparticles for each aquatic species. Based on the comparisons, the antimicrobial effects of silver nanoparticles are very high among metal nanoparticles. In general, the release of these substances into aquatic ecosystems can affect the health of many aquatic animals, including fish, and even have negative effects on human health due to the transfer of silver nanoparticles in the food chain

Investigation on the Global Distribution of Invasive Fish Species, Convict Cichlid Amatitlania Nigrofasciata (Perciformes, Cichlidae) Over the Past Years with Emphasis on Iranian Inland Waters

The aim of this study was to investigate the global distribution of a non-indigenous and invasive fish species, the convict cichlid Amatitlania nigrofasciata, over time, with an emphasis on the inland waters of Iran. The results showed that the distribution range of the convict cichlid was initially based in Central America. Then, the distribution range of this species expanded to parts of North America. Finally, this fish species was introduced to other parts of the world such as Australia, Israel, Italy, Colombia, Germany, Peru, Slovakia, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Iran due to its extensive ability to spread. So far the presence of A. nigrofasciata has been reported in two domestic basins in Iran, namely Hormuz and Namak Lake. This study indicated that the distribution range of this species is not currently wide, but it is likely to expand towards the central plateau and southern parts of Iran

A brief review of the geographic ranges and ecological effects of three major invasive cyprinid species in Iran

The present study aimed to investigate the distribution status and ecological effects of the introduction of three major invasive fish species viz. Hemiculter leucisculus, Carassius auratus and Pseudorasbora parva in Iran. This review provides useful information about non-native species for readers. This research can play an important role to protecting aquatic ecosystems in Iran and other parts of the world

Habitat effects on morphological plasticity of Saw-belly (Hemiculter leucisculus) in the Zarrineh River (Urmia Lake basin, Iran)

Saw-belly (Hemiculter leucisculus) is a non-native species, which unfortunately spreads in many aquatic ecosystems of Iran. This species has probably introduced to Zarrineh River with commercially cyprinid species from the Caspian Sea basin. The adverse effects of this species on native species can lead to ecological hazards. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of environmental factors on the shape variations of Saw-belly (H. leucisculus) in the Urmia Lake. Hence, a total of 120 Saw-belly specimens were caught from the Zarrineh River. Specimens were photographed using a digital camera and the landmarks put on two-dimensional images using TpsDig2 software. General Procrustes Analysis (GPA) was used to remove the effects related to the figure (including size, position and rotation). The significant relationships were found between environmental factors and shape data using Procrustes regression. The results showed that environmental factors including temperature, altitude and velocity had a significant effect on the body shape of Saw-belly. The results can be considered by conservationists and environmentalists to monitoring of this newly introduced fish

The Fish Fauna of the Zarineh River (Urmia Lake Basin) Downstream Sector – Conservation and Management

This study aimed to investigate the fish fauna in the downstream sector of the Zarineh River, Urmia Lake basin. Seven stations were sampled along the Zarineh River before and after Shahin-Dezh City to help gain a better understanding of human activities on its fish fauna. The results revealed 11 fish species, which belong to three families, including Cyprinidae, Nemacheilidae and Gobiidae. Nine of them were Cyprinidae. Out of 11 species, five species, Carassius gibelio, Rhodeus amarus, Pseudorasbora parva, Hemiculter leucisculus and Rhinogobius lindbergii were exotic that were unintentionally introduced to the Zarineh River along with Asian carps. The threats to fish fauna are categorized into two categories: natural and anthropogenic. According to the observations, anthropogenic activities such as overfishing, pollutions, sand and gravel extraction, dam construction and introduction of exotic fish species were among the main threats for the ichthyofauna of the Zarineh River

Is karyotyping and Y chromosome microdeletion study necessary in men candidate for ICSI?

Background: The sperm count and function may be affected by karyotype abnormalities or microdeletion in Y chromosome. These genetic abnormalities can probably transmit to the children. Objective: In this study, we tried to determine the frequency of karyotype abnormalities and Y chromosome microdeletions in severe oligospermic or azoospermic men who fathered sons by ICSI. Materials and Methods: This study comprised of fathers who had at least a son with ICSI due to severe oligospermia or azoospermia. General examinations were done and blood sample were obtained for karyotype and Y chromosome studies. Results: The total of 60 fathers was evaluated along with their 70 sons. The mean duration of infertility was 8.7 years and the sons were 2.4 years in average at the time of examination. The mean age of neonates at the time of delivery was 33 weeks; 42.9% were delivered prematurely; and 40.5% of them were twins. 8.6% of the sons had hypospadiasis and 7.1% had UDT. Most of the side effects were due to prematurity. In total 6 of fathers had karyotype anomaly, meanwhile 4 of their sons had also karyotype anomaly. Only one son had karyotype anomaly without affected father. No case of Y chromosome microdeletion was found in the fathers. Conclusion: Y chromosome microdeletion is not prevalent in fathers with successful ICSI and it is not necessary to be analyzed before ICSI performance. Karyotype anomaly may transmit to the sons. All together ICSI is reliable and safe. Most of the complications are the result of premature delivery