A checklist of the genus Tomosvaryella Aczél (Diptera: Pipunculidae) from the Middle East with the description of a new species

A checklist of 39 species of the genus Tomosvaryella Aczél (Diptera, Pipunculidae) known from the Middle East is provided. A new species, T. hamata Majnon Jahromi &; Kehlmaier sp. n. is described from southern Iran and diagnostic characters of male and female terminalia are illustrated. Tomosvaryella dentiterebra (Collin, 1949 Collin, J. E. (1949): Results of the Armstrong College Expedition to Siwa Oasis (Libyan Desert), 1935, under the leadership of Prof. J. Orner-Cooper. Diptera Empididae, Dolichopodidae, Aschiza and Acalypterae. Bulletin de la Societe Fouad I^erd'Entomologie, 33, 75–225. [Google Scholar]) is redescribed and male and female terminalia are illustrated for the first time. A phylogenetic maximum-likelihood analysis and uncorrected pairwise genetic distances of 18 out of 22 Iranian species of Tomosvaryella based on DNA barcodes of the mitochondrial COI gene are presented and also discussed.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:FF8C116D-0C92-431A-B52C-11F3711B6A62     

Identification of phytoplasmas associated with sesame phyllody disease in southeastern Iran

Phyllody disease is a threat to sesame production in Kerman province, southeastern Iran. RFLP analysis of PCR products of phytoplasma-specific 16S rRNA gene (1.8 kb) and phylogenetic analyses of 16S-23S rDNA spacer region (SR) sequence indicated that the predominant agent associated with sesame phyllody in Kerman province is a phytoplasma with 100% similarity with eggplant big bud, and peanut witches’-broom phytoplasmas, members of “Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia” from Iran and China, respectively. Among the samples tested, only one strain (SPhSr1), had a unique RFLP profile and its SR was 100% similar in nucleotide sequence with the phytoplasma carried by Orosius albicinctus and Helianthus annus witches’-broom phytoplasma from Iran, members of “Ca. Phytoplasma trifolii”. Virtual RFLP patterns of SPhJ2 (representative of the predominant PCR-RFLP profiles) SR sequence were identical to those of peanut witches’-broom phytoplasma (16SrII-A, JX871467). However, SPhSr1 SR sequence patterns resemble (99.7%) those of vinca virescence phytoplasma (16SrVI-A, AY500817).     

Annotated checklist of the Hydraenidae (Coleoptera: Staphylinoidea) recorded from Iran

According to our analysis of literature sources on the family Hydraenidae (Coleoptera: Staphylinoidea) of Iran, it is represented by 67 species and three genera: Hydraena Kugelann, 1794 (21 species), Limnebius Leach, 1815 (six species) and Ochthebius Leach, 1815 (40 species). Twenty-two species are supposed to be endemic to Iran. Here, for the first time, we summarize species distribution data in Iranian provinces and present them in a checklist of Iranian Hydraenidae. We also present two additional species lists: one with incorrect records (one species and one subspecies) and the other with unidentified species.     

New bivalves from the Jurassic of Iran

Three new subgenera, Gervillaria (Platygervillaria), Isognomon (Iranognomon), and Mytilaster (Persiaster), and seven new species, Gervillaria (Platygervillaria) alifera, Isognomon (Iranognomon) arkelli, Inoperna (Inoperna) striata, Mytilaster (Persiaster) ancestralis, Astarte persipulla, Orthotrigonia fazli, and Gissaromya abramovi, from the Jurassic of Iran are described.     

Isoenzyme diversity and cryptic speciation in Juniperus excelsa (Cupressaceae) complex in Iran

An isoenzyme analysis was performed on 109 individuals from 11 populations of Juniperus excelsa complex collected from Iran. A total of 61 allozymes from five enzyme systems were scored. The mean numbers of bands per presumed isoenzyme, ranged from 2.07 to 3.23. The value of Euclidean distance ranged from 1.920 to 4.411. The average value of Shannon diversity index (H′) estimated for each population ranged from 0.317 in the population sampled from ‘Fasa’ to 1.053 in the population of ‘Golestan’, and the average H′ value for each enzyme system ranged from 0.031 (SOD-3) to 1.670 (PPO-1). To reveal the relationships among these populations, a cluster analysis based on Euclidean distances was performed. The results of the analysis suggest recognizing three taxa in the complex in Iran: Juniperus polycarpos subsp. polycarpos, Juniperus polycarpos subsp. turcomanica, and one cryptic species not recorded from Iran until now. Moreover, the analysis presented, does not confirm the occurrence of J. excelsa in Iran.     

Genetic diversity of populations of Old World screwworm fly, Chrysomya bezziana, causing traumatic myiasis of livestock in the Gulf region and implications for control by sterile insect technique

Abstract.  Fly larvae were collected from 181 cases of traumatic myiasis in livestock in 10 regions of four countries in the Middle East Gulf region: Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Oman. The predominant fly species responsible for cases was the Old World screwworm (OWS) fly, Chrysomya bezziana Villeneuve (Diptera: Calliphoridae). In cases from Iran and Oman, which included non-OWS fly species, OWS fly was found solely responsible for 67.6% of cases and jointly with other fly species for a further 12.7% of cases. The major hosts were sheep and goats, together comprising 84.6% of the total, which reflects their predominance among the livestock of these Gulf countries. The major site of wounding on sheep and goats was the tail (40.3%), followed by female genitalia (14.0%). The 3' terminal 715 nucleotides of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene were sequenced for 178 larvae of OWS. Five haplotypes were identified: three had been recorded previously in the region (two were common throughout and one was unique to Oman), and two were newly identified, one from southern Iraq and the other from Saudi Arabia, both in regions sampled for the first time. The haplotypes varied from one another only at one or two nucleotide sites, equivalent to an intraspecific difference of 0.14–0.28% across the entire 715-bp fragment. There was a single statistically significant association between host species and haplotype in Saudi Arabia, a first such record for OWS fly. The small degree of genetic diversity between geographical populations of OWS fly within the Gulf region suggests that a single Gulf colony could be used to implement the sterile insect technique within an integrated control programme.     

Characterization of Cylindrocarpon liriodendri Associated with Black Foot Disease of Grapevine in Iran

Eight Cylindrocarpon isolates recovered from the trunk bases of 10-year-old grapevines showing decline symptoms from two vineyards in Bavanat (Fars province, south-western Iran) were studied. Based on phenotypical characteristics, mating experiments and molecular data, they were identified as Cylindrocarpon liriodendri. Pathogenicity was confirmed with selected isolates inoculated into 8-month-old dormant rooted cuttings of grapevine rootstock cv. 110 Richter. This is the first report of C. liriodendri causing black foot disease of grapevines in Iran.     

Orbital Dirofilariasis in Iran: A Case Report

Dirofilariasis is a common parasitic disease in both domestic and wild animals around the world, with canines as the principal reservoir host and mosquitoes as the vector. Human ophthalmic dirofilariasis is an uncommon condition, but there have been reports from many parts of the world, including Africa, Australia, the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Ophthalmic involvement with Dirofilaria may present itself as periorbital, subconjunctival, orbital, or intraocular infections. In this report, we present a case of orbital dirofilariasis with lateral rectus muscle involvement. To our knowledge, this is the first orbital dirofilariasis case reported in Iran. Although debulking of the tumor usually leads to resolution, our patient showed an episode of recurrence after biopsy. Complete recovery was achieved after a spontaneous discharge, without the need for systemic medication.     

An overview of Iranian mangrove ecosystems, northern part of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea

Iranian mangrove forests occur between longitude 25°19′ and 27°84′, in the north part of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. In 2002, it was estimated that 93.37 km² of Iranian shorelines were covered with mangrove forests, with the largest area (67.5 km²) occurring between the Khamir Port and the northwest side of Qeshm Island, and the smallest area (0.01 km²) in the Bardestan estuary. Only two species of mangrove are found in the Persian Gulf: Avicennia marina from Avicenniaceae and Rhizophora macrunata from Rhizophoraceae. A. marina is the dominant specie in these forests whereas Rh. macrunata is found only in the Sirik region. Overexploitation of mangrove leaves and oil pollution are the main causes of mangrove destruction in this region.     

The Flora of Siahrud e Rudbar Protected Area,Northern Iran

The vascular flora of the Siahrud e Rudbar protected area was investigated in the years 2007 and 2008. It is a sylvatic area in the Guilan province with a total area of approximately 28289 hectares. A total of 711 plant specimens were collected and 616 species, subspecies, and varieties, belonging to 373 genera and 101 families were identified. Of these, 14 species (23%) are endemic to Iran. The documented flora exhibited many typically Hyrcanian species, including Hyrcanian endemics. The global phytogeographical affinities of the species were as follows: Euro Siberian 212%, Iran Turanian & Euro Siberian 168%, Pluriregional 117%, Iran Turanian 106%, and Cosmopolite 55%.