Chemical composition of eggs of the Olive Ridley Lepidochelys olivacea (Testudines: Cheloniidae) and it's potential as a food source

The Olive Ridley is a worldwide distributed species with high nesting production per season, and in La Escobilla Oaxaca, México, there is a 70% of non-hatched eggs that are lost. In order to evaluate their potential use as a source for human and animal food products, their chemical composition was analyzed. Lyophilized egg samples from 25 turtles were obtained and were analyzed following the analytical methods for fatty acids, protein, fat, ash, moisture, amino acids, vitamins, cholesterol and microbiological agents. The analytical composition obtained was (g/100g): moisture (4.7), ash (3.8), protein (53.7), and fat (47.4). The essential amino acid (g aa/100g protein) content was: Ile (4.4), Lys (6.6), Leu (7.4), Met+Cys (8.8), Phe+Tyr (10.8). The vitamin content was: retinol (340 microg/100g), cholecalciferol (5.91 microg/100g) and 8.6 mg/100 tocopherol, 0.3 mg/100g thiamine and 1.1 mg/100g riboflavin. The total lipid content (TL), fatty acids (FA), and cholesterol (Chol) were divided into three groups based on the weight of the turtle: (TL) (44.3-48.7-49.1g/100g) and (Chol) (518.4-522.5 mg/100g-728.7). A total of 17 Saturated FA (SFA), 8 Monounsaturated FA (MUFA) and 11 Polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) were identified. The most abundant SFA (mg/100g) were: C14:0 (445-772), C16:0 (485-1263); MUFA: C16:1 (456-716), C18:1n-9c (904-1754), and PUFA: C20:4n-6 (105-217); two n-3 fatty acids were identified EPA (48-103) and DHA (97-189).There were significant differences (Fisher, p < 0.05) for: (Chol), total FA, SFA, MUFA, PUFAs and n-3 (EPA + DHA) FA. It was not detected any microbiological agent. In conclusion, lyophilized L. olivacea eggs are an option for its inclusion in the development of food products as they can be used as a high quality biological protein and n-3 fatty acid source for fortification and enrichment.     

Cytogenetic characterisation of the Caspian Pond Turtle,Mauremys caspica in Golestan and Mazandaran provinces,Iran (Reptilia: Testudines)

Cytogenetic characteristics of the Caspian Pond Turtle, Mauremys caspica, in Golestan and Mazandaran provinces in the northern part of Iran show that the chromosome number is 2n?=?52 and the arm number NF?=?78. The karyotype consisted of 9 metacentric (M), 1 submetacentric (SM), 3 subtelocentric (ST) and 13 telocentric (T) chromosome pairs. The Centromeric Index ranges from 11.79 to 45.68, the arm ratio between 1.18 and 7.47, the relative length between 1.60 and 11.46, and the length variation between 1.05 and 7.48. Average total length of the chromosomes is 65.27 µm. The largest chromosome in this species is a pair of the metacentric chromosome. Location of NOR was determined on chromosome pair no. 10.     

Large‐scale connectivity,cryptic population structure,and relatedness in Eastern Pacific Olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea)

Endangered species are grouped into genetically discrete populations to direct conservation efforts. Mitochondrial control region (mtCR) haplotypes are used to elucidate deep divergences between populations, as compared to nuclear microsatellites that can detect recent structuring. When prior populations are unknown, it is useful to subject microsatellite data to clustering and/or ordination population inference. Olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) are the most abundant sea turtle, yet few studies have characterized olive ridley population structure. Recently, clustering results of olive ridleys in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean suggested weak structuring (F_ST = 0.02) between Mexico and Central America. We analyzed mtCR haplotypes, new microsatellite genotypes from Costa Rica, and preexisting microsatellite genotypes from olive ridleys across the Eastern Tropical Pacific, to further explore population structuring in this region. We subjected inferred populations to multiple analyses to explore the mechanisms behind their structuring. We found 10 mtCR haplotypes from 60 turtles nesting at three sites in Costa Rica, but did not detect divergence between Costa Rican sites, or between Central America and Mexico. In Costa Rica, clustering suggested one population with no structuring, but ordination suggested four cryptic clusters with moderate structuring (F_ST = 0.08, p < .001). Across the Eastern Tropical Pacific, ordination suggested nine cryptic clusters with moderate structuring (F_ST = 0.103, p < .001) that largely corresponded to Mexican and Central American populations. All ordination clusters displayed significant internal relatedness relative to global relatedness (p < .001) and contained numerous sibling pairs. This suggests that broadly dispersed family lineages have proliferated in Eastern Tropical Pacific olive ridleys and corroborates previous work showing basin‐wide connectivity and shallow population structure in this region. The existence of broadly dispersed kin in Eastern Tropical Pacific olive ridleys has implications for management of olive ridleys in this region, and adds to our understanding of sea turtle ecology and life history, particularly in light of the natal‐homing paradigm.     

Modelling the potential distribution of Mesalina watsonana (Stoliczka, 1872) (Reptilia: Lacertidae) on the Iranian Plateau

The Persian Long-tailed Desert Lizard, Mesalina watsonana, is one of the most common and most widely distributed lizards on the Iranian Plateau extending from Iran to Pakistan and Afghanistan. The species is frequently encountered in various types of habitats. We collected over 600 distributional records from available literature, museum collections, and our own field work and used bioclimatic and land cover characteristics to develop a model of potential distribution for M. watsonana. According to the model, the most important factors limiting the distribution of M. watsonana are: precipitation in wettest quarter exceeding 250–300 mm, precipitation in coldest quarter lower than 40 mm and exceeding 250 mm, altitudes above 2500 m and slopes steeper than 10.5°. The model suggests that most of the Iranian Plateau is suitable for the species except for some isolated areas such as the Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut deserts in Iran, Helmand basin in Afghanistan, the Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan, the western Chagai-Kharan deserts of Pakistani Balochistan, and Thar and Cholistan deserts in eastern Pakistan. The most important factor in these regions appears to be the extremely low rainfall during coldest quarter of the year. The outer boundary of the distribution of M. watsonana follows important biogeographic barriers that are also clearly delimited by climatic conditions.     

First record of the beetle Osphranteria coerulescens Redtenbacher, 1850 (Coleoptera,Cerambycidae) from Turkey

Abstract

The beetle Osphranteria coerulescens, until now known only from a few places in Iran and in Syria is reported from four sites in Eastern Turkey.     

The first complete mitochondrial genome of the Indian Tent Turtle,Pangshura tentoria (Testudines: Geoemydidae): Characterization and comparative analysis

The characterization of a complete mitogenome is widely used in genomics studies for systematics and evolutionary research. However, the sequences and structural motifs contained within the mitogenome of Testudines taxa have rarely been examined. The present study decodes the first complete mitochondrial genome of the Indian Tent Turtle, Pangshura tentoria (16,657 bp) by using next‐generation sequencing. This denovo assembly encodes 37 genes: 13 protein‐coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNA, and one control region (CR). Most of the genes were encoded on majority strand, except for one PCG (NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6) and eight tRNAs. Most of the PCGs were started with an ATG initiation codon, except for Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 with “GTG” and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 with “ATA.” The termination codons, “TAA” and “AGA” were observed in two subunits of NADH dehydrogenase gene. The relative synonymous codon usage analysis revealed the maximum abundance of alanine, isoleucine, leucine, and threonine. The nonsynonymous/synonymous ratios were <1 in all PCGs, which indicates strong negative selection among all Geoemydid species. The study also found the typical cloverleaf secondary structure in most of the tRNA genes, except for serine with the lack of the conventional DHU arm. The comparative study of Geoemydid mitogenomes revealed the occurrence of tandem repeats was frequent in the 3′ end of CR. Further, two copies of a unique tandem repeat “TTCTCTTT” were identified in P. tentoria. The Bayesian and maximum‐likelihood phylogenetic trees using concatenation of 13 PCGs revealed the close relationships of P. tentoria with Batagur trivittata in the studied dataset. All the Geoemydid species showed distinct clustering with high bootstrap support congruent with previous evolutionary hypotheses. We suggest that the generations of more mitogenomes of Geoemydid species are required, to improve our understanding of their in‐depth phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships.     

Tetraclita ehsani sp. n. (Cirripedia, Tetraclitidae), a common intertidal barnacle from the Gulf of Oman, Iran

A new species of intertidal acorn barnacle Tetraclita ehsanisp. n. was identified from the Iranian coast in the Gulf of Oman. Tetraclita ehsanisp. n. inhabits low exposed rocky shores and also attaches to shells of molluscs and the barnacle Megabalanus species. Parietes of Tetraclita ehsani ranged from white to pink which is different from Tetraclita serrata (in South African waters), which has green parietes. Morphology of the tergum and cirrus III of Tetraclita ehsanisp. n. is distinctive from other described West Indian Ocean species which have pink or white parietes (Tetraclita rufotincta, Tetraclita achituvi and Tetraclita reni). The tergum of Tetraclita ehsani is very narrow and the basal margin is slightly concave or straight, in contrast to Tetraclita rufotincta and Tetraclita reni, in which the tergum are board and with a very concave basal margin. Cirrus I anterior ramus of both Tetraclita ehsani and Tetraclita reni is antenniform and thus differing from the cirrus I of Tetraclita rufotincta (see Chan et al. 2009). Cirrus III of Tetraclita ehsanisp. n. is non-antenniform and lacks multicuspidate type setae, which is different from Tetraclita reni by having an antenniform cirrus III and with multicuspidate setae.     

Scale morphological variation across the flank in four Tonguefishes species collected from the Gulf of Oman (Pleuronectiforms; Cynoglossidae)

The scale morphology of pleuronectiforms in the Gulf of Oman remains insufficiently known. This study used light microscopy and morphological analysis to examine scale variation across the flank of four Tonguefishes species; Cynoglossus arel, C. bilineatus, C. lingua, and C. puncticeps. Scales were extracted from six flank regions, three on the eyed and blind sides, respectively. The most differentiated species was C. arel, which showed significant differences in four size variables in five regions. In Cynoglossus arel and C. lingua, the scales of the eyed side were ctenoid, and those scales from the blind side were cycloid; C. puncticeps have ctenoid scales on both flank sides and C. bilineatus has cycloid scales on both sides. All species' scales on the blind side have fewer ctenial spines (except in C. bilineatus). This study indicated that scale morphology demonstrated considerable variation among the flank regions of the examined species. As a result, the scales from the head and the trunk regions of the eyed side and the scales from the head region of the blind side have a good power of species separation in this family.     

Re-evaluation of the taxonomic status of sand boas of the genus Eryx (Daudin, 1803) (Serpentes: Boidae) in north-eastern Iran using sequences of the mitochondrial genome

The sand boas of the genus Eryx (Daudin, 1803) comprise four species in northe-astern Iran: E. tataricus (Lichtenstein, 1823), E. miliaris (Pallas, 1773), E. elegans (Gray, 1849), and E. jaculus (Linnaeus, 1758). Based on a morphological study of the Eryx species in the area, a high similarity between E. tataricus and E. miliaris on the one side, and E. jaculus and E. elegans on the other side has been well documented, so that they are hardly distinguishable from each other. We analysed sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of 29 individuals of morphotypes of this species complex in north-eastern Iran to clarify the phylogenetic relationships. Based on the branch pattern of the phylogenetic trees, the amounts of genetic distances within and between major clades and considering the morphological data, we concluded that the traditional grouping of species within the genus Eryx in north-eastern Iran should be fundamentally revised. We believe that E. elegans is conspecific with E. jaculus, and E. tataricus is conspecific with E. miliaris. Considering the principle of priority, the north-eastern populations of Eryx in Iran should be classified into only two distinct species: E. jaculus and E. miliaris.     

Preliminary study of summer phytoplankton in coastal waters of the Gulf of Taranto (Ionian Sea)

Abstract

Phytoplankton abundances and species composition of coastal waters of the Gulf of Taranto (Ionian Sea) were investigated in July 1995. Abundances were lower than those of other Mediterranean coastal areas. Higher densities values were found in the central part of the studied area. In surface waters, small phytoflagellates (<10μm) and dinoflagellates, such as Heterocapsa niei and Oxytoxum variabile, were the dominant species. Diatoms, mainly belonging to the genus Chaetoceros, were also present.     

Predation by White Sharks Carcharodon carcharias (Chondrichthyes: Lamnidae) Upon Chelonians, with New Records from the Mediterranean Sea and a First Record of the Ocean Sunfish Mola mola (Osteichthyes: Molidae) as Stomach Contents

The occurrence of marine turtles in the diet of white sharks, Carcharodon carcharias, is reviewed worldwide. Four records of chelonians eaten by white sharks in the Mediterranean Sea are described, which on the basis of carapace remnants confirmed both the loggerhead Caretta caretta and green turtle Chelonia mydas to be preyed upon in those waters. The condition of these remains indicates that large white sharks can ingest turtles essentially intact. As well as falling prey to white sharks, we suspect that some interactions involve turtles being grab-released in a non-predatory mannner and their survivability from such low-intensity bites or other mouthings may be quite high. The white shark may be the chief marine predator of adult chelonians in the Mediterranean Sea, albeit the impact of this predation upon turtle populations is nominal compared to other sources of mortality. Further, we give an account describing an adult ocean sunfish, Mola mola, in the stomach of a white shark taken in Italian waters.     

Food diversity and niche-overlap of sympatric tits (Great Tit,Parus major,Blue Tit,Cyanistes caeruleus and Coal Tit Periparus ater) in the Hyrcanian Plain forests

Abstract

This study was carried out between early summer 1998 and late summer 1999 in the Hyrcanian Plain forests, the southern Caspian Sea woodlands. In total, the gizzard contents of 241 specimens of the Great Tit (Parus major Linnaeus, 1758), Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus Linnaeus, 1758), and Coal Tit (Periparus ater (Linnaeus, 1758)) were collected so that the percentages of grit, plants and animal materials could be estimated and the plant and invertebrate species consumed identified. The data were tested by a series of Mann-Whitney U, ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests. To survey niche overlap of food materials between species and season, the symmetrical overlap index developed by Pianka (1973) was used. The most important invertebrates (maximum of percentage per season) in the diet of P. major were Coleoptera (36.5%) and Lepidoptera (33.6%), for C. caeruleus Coleoptera (34.5%) and Araneae (31.2%), and for Pe. ater Coleoptera (38.2%) and Araneae (35.6%). The most important plants consumed by P. major were Sorghum halepense (68.7%) and Ficus carica (65.6%), by C. caeruleus were F. carica (67.5%) and Alnus glutinosa (39.4%), and by Pe. ater were Lonicera spp. (82.9%). There was a greater degree of overlap and competition for animal food, but plant feeding overlap among the three tit species was low. Two species, P. major and C. caeruleus, showed high feeding overlap for animal items (0.92), whereas Pe. ater and C. caeruleus had no significant feeding overlap. The Coal Tit had a greater tendency to forage for vegetable matter and P. major had a greater tendency to forage for animal matter. Analysis of gizzard contents of P. major and Pe. ater showed that, despite the high degree of feeding overlap, the extent of plant materials consumed indicated no significant competition between the two species. Because Pe. ater is present mostly in autumn and winter, this study cannot establish any degree of competition and food-niche overlap during the breeding season between this and other tit species.     

First record of the genus Dudresnaya (Dumontiaceae,Rhodophyta) in New Zealand waters

The genus Dudresnaya is reported for the first time in New Zealand waters. Samples were collected in Bay of Islands, northern New Zealand, on rhodolith beds and at the edge of a rocky reef, between ?5 and ?10 m depth. The species was identified by morphological and anatomical characters as Dudresnaya capricornica and its identity was confirmed by molecular sequence data. This species is characterized by terete radial branches, outer cortical cells cylindrical, presence of hexagonal crystals, lack of annulation and mucilage coat on auxiliary cell branches, oblique division of carpogonium and cystocarps no cleft. The rbcL phylogenetic analysis showed the genus Dudresnaya is strongly supported and sister to taxa in the family Dumontiaceae. This family is also closely related to the families Rhizophillidaceae and Kallymeniaceae. This is the first record of the family Dumontiaceae in New Zealand.     

First record of the Late Cretaceous starfish Metopaster parkinsoni (Forbes, 1848) in Iran

A body fossil of the starfish Metopaster parkinsoni was collected from chalky rocks of the Coniacian – Santonian transition in the Abderaz Formation at the Padeha section, east of Mashhad (Kopet-Dagh, Iran). The species is common in the English Chalk and is well known from the Cenomanian to the Maastrichtian of Europe. The new Iranian occurrence of M. parkinsoni extends its geographical range of 700 km to the South and 2500 km to the East. The species proliferated in upper offshore environments of the North Tethyan continental shelves. The outstanding occurrence of many well-preserved specimens during the Coniacian – Santonian transition in Europe and Iran may be related to favorable taphonomic conditions driven by the Ocean Anoxic Event (OAE III).     

First record of Cynoscion regalis (Pisces,Sciaenidae) in Portuguese continental waters

The occurrence of Cynoscion regalis in Portuguese continental waters is reported for the first time, with six specimens collected in 2015 from three areas: Tagus Estuary, Sado Estuary and Praia da Vieira (central‐west coast). Analyses of morphometric and meristic characteristics confirmed all six specimens as C. regalis; further validation was obtained by sequencing a 675 bp region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene. These records constitute a range extension of C. regalis into the southern north‐east Atlantic Ocean.     

First record of Pristipomoides multidens (Day, 1871) from the Gulf of Aqaba,with a note on the species of Pristipomoides in the Red Sea (Actinopterygii: Lutjanidae)

The snapper Pristipomoides multidens is reported for the first time from the Gulf of Aqaba. A comparison of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) with available data revealed a high similarity with a sample from Mauritius and a lower similarity with samples from the China Sea. The status and distribution of the Red Sea species of Pristipomoides are summarised.