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Lepidurus couesii is a large freshwater branchiopod that is distributed broadly around the world. In this study, we used molecular and morphological methods to identify and record Lepidurus cf. couesii for the first time in Iran. The Almalou Gul specimens presented the characteristic number of rings, mediodorsal spines on the supra-anal plate, and the sulcus spines of the species L. couesii. A complete morphological characterization of the species and a comparison with previous records of Lepidurus apus in Iran is included in this work. Phylogenetic analysis based on the COI gene recovered the Iranian specimens as an independent lineage within the L. couesii species complex. The GMYC and the ASAP species delimitation models calculated at least four independent lineages within the L. couesii species-complex, some of them with probably restricted distributions. This study stresses –once again– the presence of several species-complexes within this group of crustaceans and the necessity to include molecular phylogenetic research to recognize the specific occurrence of different lineages within the genus Lepidurus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artemia urmianaa species previously considered endemic of Lake Urmia, NW Iran has been found in Lake Koyashskoe, a hypersaline lake on the Black Sea coast of the Crimean peninsula Ukraine. Therefore, this is the first record of A. urmianain Europe which updates its distribution. The species identification was based on an integrated and interdisciplinary approach using discriminant analysis of the morphometric characters, scanning electron microscopy, and molecular profile analysis. The data derived from the above mentioned approaches converge to significant similarity of the population under investigation with A. urmiana. The updated geographic distribution of the species, deriving from the present report, asks for additional contribution of other disciplines e.g., avian dispersal of cysts, history of salt trade to be finally clarified. At present we suggest that the punctuated geographic distribution of A. urmianais probably linked to its low dispersal capability, and we suppose that its presence in two distant sites could be explained by historical human salt trade between Lake Urmia and the ancient port of Kimmerik, whose remains have been found in the present Lake Koyashskoe. © 2009 WILEYVCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of the molar surface in post-embryonic stages of Artemia urmiana and A. parthenogenetica was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cysts of both species have been collected from Urmia Lake, Iran, and its adjacent lagoons and were hatched and raised under laboratory conditions. The cuticular teeth on the molar surface appeared in stage L9 in A. urmiana but at L3 in A. parthenogenetica. While the appearance and development of the molar surface of those species were different during metanaupliar and post-metanaupliar stages, the morphology was similar in post-larval stages. Thus, these species can be distinguished based on the morphology of the molar surface and by the appearance of adult characteristics, all readily apparent in early phases of their respective life cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rapid and reliable PCR-RFLP method was optimized to identify cyst batches of Artemia urmiana collected from different regions of Urmia Lake. Following DNA extraction, a 1564 bp region of a mitochondrial gene encoding the ribosomal RNA was successfully amplified by the PCR technique. Eleven restriction endonucleases were subsequently employed in order to digest the PCR product. These enzymes gave specific restriction patterns for discriminating cyst batches collected from top and bottom layers of three main geographical areas of Urmia Lake. Detailed analysis revealed that the RFLP patterns of four restriction enzymes (HinfI, TaqI, MspI, and MboI) were sufficient to differentiate between the samples studied. The method described is sensitive, rapid, and reliable, and can be a useful tool for the identification of various populations of A. urmiana existing in the ecosystem of Urmia Lake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]