PRVI NALAZ O POJAVI PARAZITA Neoechinorhynchus rutili KOD PORODICE Cobitis faridpaki (Cobitidae) U JUŽNOM DIJELU KASPIJSKOG JEZERA

Members of the Cobitidae family are not economically important, thus few studies have been made on their parasitology and there is not a single report on their parasites in Iran. In the present study, a total of 225 individuals of Cobitis faridpaki were collected from the Babolrud River around the southeast of the Caspian Sea basin (Mazandaran province, north of Iran) on 12 separate occasions between May 2009 and April 2010. After recording biometric characteristics, common necropsy and parasitology methods were used. In this study, a total of 193 individuals of an acanthocephalan parasite, Neoechinorhynchus rutili were found in C. faridpaki. The prevalence, mean intensity of infection ± standard deviation (SD), range and mean abundance ± SD of the parasite are as follows, respectively: 63.11, 1.36±0.61, 1-4 and 0.86±0.82. The prevalence, mean intensity of infection and abundance of N. rutili were significantly different in various age classes, but it was not the case for different seasons and the sexes. The occurrence of N. rutili is reported for the first time from C. faridpaki in Iran.Vrste iz porodice Cobitidae nisu gospodarski važne, o čemu svjedoči tek nekolicina studija o njihovoj parazitologiji i nedostatak bilo kakvog izvješća o njihovim parazitima u Iranu. U ovom je istraživanju prikupljeno ukupno 225 jedinki Cobitis faridpaki iz rijeke Babolrud u jugoistočnom dijelu Kaspijskog jezera (pokrajina Mazandaran u sjevernom Iranu) tijekom 12 navrata od svibnja 2009. do travnja 2010. godine. Nakon bilježenja biometrijskih karakteristika, primijenjene su uobičajene metode autopsije i parazitologije. U ovom je istraživanju pronađeno ukupno 193 primjeraka parazita akantocefala (Neoechinorhynchus rutili) kod vrste C. faridpaki. Učestalost, srednji intenzitet zaraze ± standardno odstupanje (SD), raspon i srednja brojnost ± SD su iznosili 63,11, 1,36±0,61, 1-4, odnosno 0,86±0,82. Učestalost, srednji intenzitet zaraze i brojnost N. rutili bili su znatno drugačiji u različitim dobnim skupinama, ali ne i za različita doba godine i spolove. Pojava N. rutili prvi put je zabilježena kod vrste C. faridpaki u Iranu

Occurrence and intensity of parasites in Chelon aurata (Risso, 1810) and Neogobius caspius (Eichwald, 1831) (Teleostei: Perciformes) from southern Caspian Sea

This study was performed to investigate ecto-and endo-parasites of golden grey mullet, Chelon aurata (Risso, 1810) (N=331) and Caspian goby, Neogobius caspius (Eichwald, 1831) (N=170) from the southern Caspian Sea. The sampling was carried out for one year in three stations, including Chamkhaleh (St1), Kiashahr (St2) and Anzali (St3) coastal areas, Guilan Province, Iran. Biometric characteristics were recorded, sexes were determined and specimens examined for ecto- and endoparasites. A total of 158 specimens (58.31%) out of 331 grey mullets, and 61 (35.88%) out of 170 Caspian gobies, were found to be infected. 1453 parasites belonging to 5 species were found consisting of Trichodina reticulata, unknown protozoan, nematode larvae (in golden grey mullet) and a cestode, Eustrongylides excisus larvae (in Caspian goby). The occurrence of unknown protozoan and nematode larvae in C.  aurata and cestode larvae in N. caspius are reported for the first time in Iran. Seasonal variations, the effects of host length, weight and localities on parasite prevalence and mean intensity have been examined during present investigation

Evaluation of trace elements contaminations in muscles of Rutilus kutum (Pisces: Cyprinidae) from the Southern shores of the Caspian Sea

Background: There is little information about the trace elements (TEs) concentrations in the muscle tissue of Caspian kutum (Rutilus kutum) in the South Caspian Sea. Methods: A total of 51 R. kutum specimens were caught at five fishing stations (Gorgan, Sari, Kiashahr, Anzali, and Astara) in the South Caspian Sea from September 2018 to January 2019. The inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was employed to measure the TEs concentrations in the fish muscles. Results: The maximum concentrations of Al (7.2 ppm), Pb (0.07 ppm), and Ni (0.02) were reported in Astara, and the highest concentrations of As (0.2 ppm), Cu (0.49 ppm), Cr (0.12 ppm), and Zn (1.56 ppm) were reported in Sari and Gorgan. The TEs concentrations measured in the fish muscles (except Mg, Zn, As, Al, Na, and S) had no significant differences among the sampling areas. The TEs concentrations were higher in the eastern areas (Sari and Gorgan) than in the western areas (Astara, Anzali, and Kiashahr) excluding As and Al. The concentrations of Pb, Zn, Mn, Cu, Sn, Sb, Al, Cr, and Cd in muscles of R. kutum were found to be significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the maximum permitted levels according to the WHO/FAO standards, while As concentrations were comparable to these standards. Conclusion: The TEs concentrations in different fishing stations of Kiashahr, Anzali, and Astara, located in the southwestern areas were respectively compared with those obtained from Sari and Gorgan, located in the middle and southeastern shore of the Caspian Sea. According to the results, the TEs concentrations obtained from the fish muscles cannot pose a threat to human health. Keywords: Caspian Sea, Rutilus kutum, Elements, Human healt

Effects of Pediococcus pentosaceus as a probiotic on intestinal microbiota and body composition of Siberian sturgeon, Acipenser baerii Brandt, 1869

An eight-week experiment was carried out to determine the effects of dietary Pediococcus pentosaceus as probiotic on the body composition and gut microbiota of Siberian sturgeon, Acipenser baerii. A total of 180 fish with mean body weight of 143±0.01g were randomly distributed into 12 200L fiberglass tanks as four treatments with three replicates, including groups fed with diet containing 2×107, 2×108 and 2×109 CFU g-1 of P. pentosaceus and probiotic-free as control group. Body composition of treatment groups was not influenced by P. pentosaceus except for fat and moisture. The bacteria had a significant colonization in the intestine of fish fed with supplemented diet with P. pentosaceus. High level of acid lactic bacterial load was found in the treatment fed with highest amount of the probiotic i.e. 2×109 CFU g-1. The results showed that application of P. pentosaceus has positive effect on the body composition and intestinal microflora of the A. baerii

Parasitic worms and their histopathological effects in four sturgeon species from the southwest shores of the Caspian Sea

This study conducted to provide the status of parasite communities of four sturgeon species viz. Acipenser stellatus, A. gueldenstaedtii, A. nudiventris, and Huso huso in the southwest of the Caspian Sea and their histopathological effects on the examined fishes. For this purpose a total of 93 individuals of four sturgeon species were caught in two fisheries regions from the southwest of the Caspian Sea (Guilan Province, Iran) from March 2010 to May 2011. The histological slides of the infested tissues of the examined fishes were prepared for study of the histopathological effects of the parasites. Classical epidemiological variables, including mean intensity, prevalence, abundance and dominance were calculated for overall samples, grouped by season, geographical region, and sex. Five worm species, including two nematodes (Cucullanus   sphaerocephalus and Eustrongylides excisus larvae), one cestode (Bothrimonus fallax), one acanthocephalans (Leptorhynchoide plagicephalus) and one digenean trematode (Skrjabinopsolus   semiarmatus) were found in examined sturgeons and their histopathological effects on the fish tissues were assessed. Based on the results, the diversity of the parasites (including freshwater ones) in the southern part of the Caspian Sea have decreased since the time of the first study in 1972. This may be related to unfavorable conditions in freshwater ecosystems

Antibacterial activities of bioactive compounds extracted from Marine algae Gracilaria salicornia against Aeromonas hydrophila

Herbal medicinal products have attracted significant research interest in recent years. Considering the efficiency of algae products in controlling pathogenic bacteria and also easy access to large resources of algae, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of methanolic, chloroformic and aqueous extracts of Gracilaria salicornia against Aeromonas hydrophila, a heterotrophic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium found mainly in warm climate. Algae samples were collected from Qeshm Island coastlines and transferred to the laboratory. Standard methods were used to obtain the algae extract. Antibacterial activities of various extracts were tested against the bacterium using well diffusion assay method. Significant differences were observed in antibacterial activities of different extracts (P<0.05). The diameter of zone of growth inhibition varied in correlation with concentration of the extracts (50, 100, 200 and 300 mg.ml-1). The best inhibition zone was observed at 100, 200 and 300 mg.ml-1 methanolic and 300 mg.ml-1 aqueous extracts

PRVI NALAZ O POJAVI PARAZITA Neoechinorhynchus rutili KOD PORODICE Cobitis faridpaki (Cobitidae) U JUŽNOM DIJELU KASPIJSKOG JEZERA

Members of the Cobitidae family are not economically important, thus few studies have been made on their parasitology and there is not a single report on their parasites in Iran. In the present study, a total of 225 individuals of Cobitis faridpaki were collected from the Babolrud River around the southeast of the Caspian Sea basin (Mazandaran province, north of Iran) on 12 separate occasions between May 2009 and April 2010. After recording biometric characteristics, common necropsy and parasitology methods were used. In this study, a total of 193 individuals of an acanthocephalan parasite, Neoechinorhynchus rutili were found in C. faridpaki. The prevalence, mean intensity of infection ± standard deviation (SD), range and mean abundance ± SD of the parasite are as follows, respectively: 63.11, 1.36±0.61, 1-4 and 0.86±0.82. The prevalence, mean intensity of infection and abundance of N. rutili were significantly different in various age classes, but it was not the case for different seasons and the sexes. The occurrence of N. rutili is reported for the first time from C. faridpaki in Iran.Vrste iz porodice Cobitidae nisu gospodarski važne, o čemu svjedoči tek nekolicina studija o njihovoj parazitologiji i nedostatak bilo kakvog izvješća o njihovim parazitima u Iranu. U ovom je istraživanju prikupljeno ukupno 225 jedinki Cobitis faridpaki iz rijeke Babolrud u jugoistočnom dijelu Kaspijskog jezera (pokrajina Mazandaran u sjevernom Iranu) tijekom 12 navrata od svibnja 2009. do travnja 2010. godine. Nakon bilježenja biometrijskih karakteristika, primijenjene su uobičajene metode autopsije i parazitologije. U ovom je istraživanju pronađeno ukupno 193 primjeraka parazita akantocefala (Neoechinorhynchus rutili) kod vrste C. faridpaki. Učestalost, srednji intenzitet zaraze ± standardno odstupanje (SD), raspon i srednja brojnost ± SD su iznosili 63,11, 1,36±0,61, 1-4, odnosno 0,86±0,82. Učestalost, srednji intenzitet zaraze i brojnost N. rutili bili su znatno drugačiji u različitim dobnim skupinama, ali ne i za različita doba godine i spolove. Pojava N. rutili prvi put je zabilježena kod vrste C. faridpaki u Iranu

Marine macro-algae as a bio-indicator of heavy metal pollution in the marine environments, Persian Gulf

357-363The northern parts of the Persian Gulf are more affected by pollutants because of their low depth, limited rotation, salinity, and high temperature. The anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic contaminations caused by organic and inorganic pollutants in aquatic ecosystems will eventually lead to increase pollution in water, sediments, and aquatic organisms. It seems that, algae are the most suitable indicator for soluble heavy metals (HMs) in both active and passive states. Samplings were carried out on a monthly basis in four different stations in Bushehr Province, northwest of the Persian Gulf from March 2016 to March 2017. ICP-mass spectrometry was used to determine Pb, Cu, Cd, As, Cr, Zn, Al, Mn, Co, V, Ni, Mg, S, Fe, and Ca concentrations in some macroalgae. In this study Padina gymnospora (brown algae) and Hypnea hamulosa (red algae) had the highest absorption, while the Cladophoropsis membranacea (green algae) showed the least absorption in all the sampling areas

Trace and Macro Element Contaminations in Tissues of Vimba persa and Alosa braschnikowi From the South Caspian Sea and Potential Human Health Risk Assessment

Alosa braschnikowi and Vimba persa are commercially important fish species in the southern part of the Caspian Sea. However, little is known about the trace element (TE) concentrations in their muscles. To this end, a total of 82 pieces of V. persa and 74 A. braschnikowi were caught at three different fishing areas (Astara, Anzali, and Kiashahr) around the southwestern shorelines of the Caspian Sea from September 2017 through June 2018. An inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used to measure the accumulation of 34 traces and macro elements in some tissues of the fish species. Then, comparisons of the element levels in these tissues were made for the three different fishing areas. Overall, in the case of A. braschnikowi, 30, 30, and 28 elements were detected in its skin, gonads, and kidneys, respectively, while in the case of V. persa, 27 and 28 elements were found in its muscle and liver, respectively. The majority of element levels measured in these tissues indicated no significant differences among the sampling areas (P>0.05) except for such elements as copper, lanthanum, and tungsten in skin, lanthanum, rubidium, and vanadium in gonads, as well as molybdenum and zinc in kidney (P<0.05). The capacity of observed elements put human health at risk were examined as well. The TE content in the tissues of A. braschnikowi and in the muscles of V. persa (P<0.05) differed significantly from the international standard levels (P<0.05). In this study, only lead indicated a target hazard quotient (THQ) index above 1. Therefore, high consumption of this fish (360 g per year) may be a matter of concern for the consumer. In the case of other evaluated elements, the THQ value was less than 1

Body shape variation of Garra rufa (Teleostei, Cyprinidae) populations in the Tigris basin in Iran using geometric morphometric analysis

Geometric morphometric method was used to examine the body shape variations among the six populations of Garra rufa, in Iranian part of Tigris basin. A total of 15 landmark-points was used for 170 specimens to hypothesize population differentiation of G. rufa in the six rivers and reservoir. In discriminant function analysis, 85.9% of original grouped cases correctly classified. Principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical variates analysis (CVA) confirmed the significant difference between the populations. The results revealed that the studied populations are divided into three clades based on differences in body depth, caudal peduncle length, backward moving of anal fin. Caudal peduncle showed shortening trend in five populations. Narrower body shape was dominated among specimens of four regions. Studies on body shape provide supporting data on fisheries, stock management, and conservative programs