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The food habits of the blue swimming crab, Portunus segnis (Forskål, 1775) were investigated using specimens collected from trawl catches in the north-east of the Persian Gulf, from June 2018 to May 2019. Feeding habits of 304 adult female crabs, ranging from 2.6 to 8.7 cm in carapace length, were analysed. The stomach content of examined crabs showed to consist of crustaceans, fish, molluscs, unidentifiable material, sea grass and foraminiferans. We realized that the vacuity index did not show significant differences between ovigerous and non-ovigerous females (). Nevertheless, there was a significant difference in the vacuity index between barnacle-carrying crabs — Chelonibia testudinaria — and crabs without barnacles (). There was no significant difference observed in the quantity of the eaten foods between large and medium-sized groups of crabs. But a significant difference was observed between large- and small-sized crabs, and small- and medium-sized crabs. Moreover, significant differences were observed in food items between barnacle-carrying crabs and crabs without barnacles. Also, the percentage of empty stomachs was higher in ovigerous females than in non-ovigerous females.

As a matter of fact, there has not been any reportage of the parasite of Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa Ransom, 1920 from the Caspian Sea, Iran. During two years, April 2017 until 2018, 158 specimens of mullet fish, Chelon auratus and Chelon saliens (Risso, 1810) were collected and carefully examined considering the standard parasitological methods. Interestingly, the metacercaria was found in the stomach and intestine of the mullets. Morphological and morphometric analyses indicated that this parasite species belongs to Ascoctyle (Phagicola) longa. Overall infection mean intensity (52.1±128.3), mean abundance (14.8±71.9) and prevalence (28.5%) were calculated in mullets. Differences in the infection level of Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa in relation to fish species, location and sampling years are determined and discussed. So that the mean intensity of this parasite is significantly different in the two locations of Anzali and Kiashahr (X2=13.35, df=1, p=0.000.05) and the mean intensity between mullet species (X2=5.49, df=1, p=0.0190.05) is significantly different. In fact, A. (Phagicola) longa is a widespread and rife fishborne zoonotic parasite and also one of the most notable agents of human heterophyosis observed in the Caspian Sea.

This study aimed to investigate some key aspects of the reproductive strategy ofOcypode rotundataMiers, 1882 from southwest beaches of Qeshm Island, Persian Gulf, Iran, by providing information regarding its sex ratio, sexual maturity, spawning period and fecundity. Samples were taken monthly, from February 2015 to January 2016. Size at the onset of morphometric maturity was estimated at 38.57 mm carapace width. The overall sex ratio (males/females) was observed as 1.13 : 1.00. On monthly based analyses, the sex ratio showed no significant differences, although a significant deviation was observed toward males in the larger size classes. According to the gonadosomatic index (GSI), gonad maturity and occurrence of ovigerous females, the main breeding season occurs from March to October, with a remarkable peak in June. Fecundity ranged from 24 152 to 10 5287 eggs per individual, with a mean value of 52 389 ± 25 660. The ratio between fecundity and carapace width varied from 632 to 2044 eggs/mm (mean: 1198 ± 472 eggs/mm) and fecundity relative to total mass varied from 771 to 1965 eggs/g (mean: 1336.66 ± 425.43 eggs/g). The reproductive output ranged from 1.04 to 3.78 (mean: 2.35 ± 0.90). The shape of the egg was spherical and it included 6 stages of growth, ranging from fully filled with yolk to fully occupied by the embryo. We concluded that reproduction inO. rotundatais seasonal, and that spawning occurs in an appropriate period to ensure maximum survival of the offspring. The fecundity ofO. rotundatais higher than that of other species of Brachyura, with GSI variations being related to temperature. Overall, the results of this study provide relevant information for the reproduction in general and the breeding seasons ofO. rotundata, whicht can be useful for conservation and management policies aimed at preserving the biodiversity of ghost crabs along the Persian Gulf’s sandy shores.

The aquaculture and industrial sewage impacts on benthic foraminifera investigated at two reefs across the northern Persian Gulf. The foraminifera assemblages at a single sewaged reef were compared with two non-sewaged reefs. A low-diversity assemblage, dominated by stress-tolerant species Quinqueloculina sp. and larger symbiont-bearing Amphistegina sp., was characteristic of the industrial sewaged reef. The opportunistic species Ammonia sp. and Elphidium sp. were common in aquaculture sewaged reef. The density of foraminifera in sewaged reefs was lower than non-sewaged reefs. The lower diversity was only detected in the industrial sewaged reef. Assemblage structure was significantly different between sewaged and non-sewaged reefs. The industrial sewaged reef displayed high FORAM Index values (>4.0), reflecting favorable environments for supporting relatively healthy reefs. FORAM Index in aquaculture sewaged reef ranged from 2.0 to 4.0 indicated that the water with organic pollution may support living coral community, but any damage would not be followed by recovery.

Size frequency distribution, catch per unit effort (CPUE) and biomass of blue swimming crab Portunus segnis were studied in the northern Persian Gulf. A total of 1689 male and 1824 female crabs were collected by swept area method on a monthly basis from May 2010 to September 2012. The populations of male and female crabs were dominated by adult crabs (carapace width >100 mm) from December to May. The juvenile crabs were dominant from June to October and the averages of CPUE did uptrend from June to October. The CPUE increased in full moon and the highest value was observed in shallow coastal areas below 10 m and significantly decreased as depth increased. The maximum CPUE was recorded at 415 and 450 engine powers and the vessel speeds of about 2.5 and 2.8 knots. The monthly biomass estimations showed an upward trend from June to October within the study period, so that the maximum biomass was 110 tonnes in October 2011. Given the CPUE trend and biomass estimation, the results of the present study suggest that October is the optimum time as open fishery season for blue swimming crab in the northern Persian Gulf and the highest CPUE is achievable in shallow coastal areas at less than 10 m depth.

The impacts of a beach seine fishery on macroinvertebrate communities and sediment characteristics were investigated in the Southwest Caspian Sea. Samples from a single impacted site that was regularly seined were compared with two control sites outside the fishing area. Benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled on four occasions: 6 months prior to the opening of the beach seine fishery (Time 1), 1 day immediately after the closing of beach seining (Time 2), 1 week after closing (Time 3), and 1 month after closing (Time 4). No significant differences were detected in total density, Shannon diversity, or evenness of the macroinvertebrate assemblages between impact and control sites. Unlike density, species richness increased significantly immediately after fishery closure at all sites. A significant difference was detected in the number of species between Time 2 and Time 3 at all sites and the number of species was reduced at Time 4 in all sites. Pontogammarids increased by twofold in the impact site 1 day immediately after closing beach seine fishery and leveled off toward the end of the closed season. The amplified density of pontogammarids 1 day after fishery closing at the impact site might be driven in part by an increase in sediment oxygen content resulting from disturbance of the sea floor. An alternative explanation is that the effect of fish predation on pontogammarids has largely been minimized at the impact site after 6 months of continuous fishing activity. No significant changes in the sedimentary organic content and chlorophyll-a between the impact and control sites were observed during the courses of sampling; however, a significant change occurred between the average sedimentary pheopigment content of the control sites and that of the impact site. The conclusion from the present study is that beach seine fishery does not harm to benthic communities. The closed season also seemed to allow recovery to pre-season levels of macroinvertebrate richness and sedimentary chlorophyll-a.

Two philometrid nematodes (Philometridae) are described from the marine perciform fish (tigertooth croaker) Otolithes ruber (Bloch & Schneider) (Sciaenidae) from off Iran: Clavinemoides annulatus n. g., n. sp. based on female specimens from the caudal fin of fish from the Persian Gulf and Philometra otolithi Moravec & Manoharan, 2013 from subgravid and nongravid females collected from the ovary of fishes in the Sea of Oman and the Persian Gulf. The monotypic genus Clavinemoides n. g. is mainly characterised by a triangular oral aperture, a markedly large anterior oesophageal bulb, a distinctly annulated body and numerous fine elevated transverse cuticular bands. The finding of P. otolithi in Iranian waters represents a new geographical record of this parasite species. An updated key to the genera of the Philometrinae Baylis & Daubney, 1926 is provided.

A multivariate statistical analysis was performed on the morphological characters of four populations of Aphanius vladykovi. Factor analysis revealed that interlocality morphological variations consist of characters such as total length, predorsal length, preventral length, preanal length, head length, head width and head depth. By using one way ANOVA analysis of 38 meristic and morphometric characters examined for males and females, 33 were significantly different (p

Magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgONPs) are used in medicine, manufacturing and food industries. Because of their extensive application in our daily lives, environmental exposure to these nanoparticles is inevitable. The present study examined the effects of MgONPs on zebrafish (Danio rerio) early developmental stages. The results showed that, at different concentrations, MgONPs induced cellular apoptosis and intracellular reactive oxygen species. The hatching rate and survival of embryos decreased in a dose dependent manner. The 96-h LC50 value of MgONPs on zebrafish survival was 428 mg/l and the 48-h EC50 value of MgONPs on zebrafish embryo hatching rate was 175 mg/l. Moreover different types of malformation were observed in exposed embryos. The results demonstrate the toxic effects of MgONPs on zebrafish embryos and emphasize the need for further studies.

Estimation of delay at signalized intersections is a complex process and depends on a number of parameters, among which the degree of saturation (x = v/c) is the most important. This paper presents a new methodology for estimating delay parameter k, and proposes an analytical delay model for signalized intersections that considers the variation in traffic flow. Unlike the existing delay models in the literature, the delay parameter k is not a fixed value and is expressed as a function of the degree of saturation. The proposed model is applicable to the entire range of expected operation including highly oversaturated traffic conditions. A comparative study of the proposed model against the existing models was performed to verify the improvements by the proposed model. Later, the TRAF-NETSIM (Traffic Network Simulation) microscopic simulation model was used in the calibration and verification of the new delay model for oversaturated conditions. The simulation was conducted in 3 consecutive time periods to reflect fluctuation in traffic demand. The relationship between the simulated and proposed delay model results were analyzed for 48 different scenarios.

Size at maturity, sex ratio and variant morphometrics of blue swimming crab Portunus segnis was studied for one year along the Persian Gulf coasts, Iran. Sex ratio during a year of study was M:F=0.92:1 which should be the relative frequency of females. Male blue crabs have a V-shaped abdomen and female have an abdomen broad and rounded. The carapace width/length- weight relationship was studied in both sexes of crab. The allometric relationships between the characters of this set suggest that most relationships are positive and highly significant. An analysis of covariance indicates that there is a significant difference between sexes with respect to the carapace width-weight relationship. The crab’s carapace widths ranged were from 75 to175 mm for males and 70 to170 mm for females. The crab’s carapace lengths were from 35 to 80 mm for male and 30 to 80 mm for female. The results of this study show that at the same size, weight and the parameters of carapace length and carapace width male of Portunus segnis are higher than females in Persian Gulf coasts.

Recent parasitological examinations of the marine perciform fish (tigerteeth croaker) Otolithes ruber (Bloch et Schneider) (Sciaenidae) from off Iran yielded one new and one previously known nematode species: Dichelyne (Dichelyne) spinigerus sp. nov. (Cucullanidae) from the host’s intestine in the Persian Gulf and Philometra otolithi Moravec et Manoharan, 2013 (Philometridae) from the ovary in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. The new species D. spinigerus is mainly characterized by the tail tip of both sexes terminating in two shaply pointed spikes (one dorsal and one ventral) and bearing a pair of minute lateral cuticular spines at its base, situation of both deirids and the excretory pore well posterior to the level of the posterior end of oesophagus, absence of a precloacal sucker and the presence of one or two intestinal caeca. The male and small mature females of the gonad-infecting species P. otolithi are described for the first time, based on light and scanning electron microscopical studies. The male of P. otolithi is most similar to that of P. johnii Moravec et Ali, 2013, but differs from it by the structure of the cephalic end and the number of caudal papillae; both species also differ from each other by the presence of transverse lamellae in the buccal cavity of gravid and subgravid females of P. otolithi, which are missing in those of P. johnii.

Levels of heavy metals Ni, Co, Cd and Pb( in muscle, gill and hepatopancreas of blue swimming crab P. segnis and relationship with its food source from Persian Gulf, were investigated. In this study, there was a direct relationship between heavy metals levels in tissues crabs with organisms that feeding on them. Female crabs feed on plant and detritus and are close to bottom sediment and receive more sediment associated metals. Also, there was a positive correlation between metal concentrations in tissues with size of food items. Heavy metal concentrations were highest in female hepatopancreas whereas lowest in the muscle of all crab species. From the human consumption point of view, Heavy metals concentrations were below the admissible limits except for hepatopancreas of female crabs. Thus, precautions should be taken on account of higher content of metals as well as in other organs that could be affected by industrial pollution.

This study investigated the infections of nematodes in fish. A total of 244 fish specimens were examined in four stations (Halil, Shur, Konarooieh and Jafar Abad) of Kerman province southeastern Iran from June 2009 to June 2010. The fish under investigation were: Capoeta damascina (109 specimens), Cyprinion watsoni (79 specimens), Schistura sargadensis (34 specimens) and Channa gachua (22 specimens). The detected parasites were Rhabdochona macrostoma, Rhabdochona denudata, Contracaecum micropapillatum and Hepaticola petruschewkii. Of these C. damascina, C. watsoni, S. sargadensis and C. gachua were introduced as new hosts for these nematodes. The parasites R. macrostoma and C. micropapillatum were the first to be recorded for these nematodes in Iran. The overall prevalence and the mean intensity of infections were 69.67 and 11.17%, respectively. Nematode parasites are frequent in freshwater fish of different regions in Iran and must be taken into consideration for aquaculture. Key words: Parasites, Kerman Province, rhabdochonidae, anisakidae, capillaridae, cyprinidae, chanidae.

Many fish species of Lake Balaton (Hungary) serve as paratenic hosts for the 3rd stage larvae of the eel parasite Anguillicola crassus. The incidence oi different phases of the host reaction varies with paratenic fish host but its nature is basically the same. The appearance of mononuclear cells around the larvae migrating in the tissues or in the abdominal cavity is regarded as a sign of cellular host reaction. The cells adhering to the surface of the larvae gradually assume an epithelioid shape and form a granuloma. With the advancement of the process the larvae and the epithelioid cells surrounding them undergo necrosis, and the granuloma becomes surrounded by a connective tissue capsule. In more chronic cases, the inside of the parasitic nodule surrounded by several layers of connective tissue is filled out by amorphous tissue and parasite debris. In the 'suitable paratenic hosts' Anguillicola sp. larvae not affected by the host's cellular reaction outnumber those affected by it, whereas in the 'less suitable paratenic hosts' the cellular reaction very rapidly forces the larvae into foci and destroys them.

Identification and classification of aquatic parasites are more important by the day. Aquaculture development are faced with parasites previously "not pathogenic in normal conditions, but under certain conditions bacame diseases and have caused heavy losses to the aquaculture farms. The results of these studies recognize the importance of parasites in fish production has clear economic value. Before any action for economic aquatic breeding the parasites that can infect the fish have been identified and methods of control will be drawn. The current project is a part (the fishes) of the project Parasitology Museum in the Faculty of Veterinary medicine of Tehran University. In the first phase of the project, it was planned the fish parasites from different regions of the country were collected and the Iranian Fish Parasites Data Base has also set up. Required experts and various specialties were organized for implementation an recognation of the collected parasitese. The province executive and coordination necessary and the methods of sampling were discussed after a day of training workshop was held at the Faculty of Veterinary medicine of Tehran University. Due to the lack of funds needed to coordinate the implementation, it was conducted that the parasite specimens collected from other projects. In the first phase of projects 261 parasites various have been sent. Collected samples received a temporary code and announced. In the laboratory the specimens categoried and the shape designed and finally the consultants send the final identification of the parasites. Posted parasites according to the latest international standards are maintained. Each parasite has a unique code that represents the name of the sender, verification of the final consultant, host and fishing region. Simultaneously, reported fish parasites from 1327 AD (1949 AD) were collected to create a database, they classified to be placed on the site inPersian and English. Fish parasites that have been reported are available in four types: final report of the research projects conducted at research centers and universities, student theses, abstracts published in scientific conferences and finally "published in national and international research journals. “Iranian fish parasitesd database” included: Founders and Pioneers Monument, Iranian fish parasite fauna, History, Search, Resources, Executive Committee, links, News. Researchers can search through the five “key words”: the name of the parasite, the parasite class branch, region or provincial fishing, infected of host organ. After achieving the desired list of parasites, descriptions, and specifications can be observe. The resource section lists some of the articles published and will be visible as a “pdf”. Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute Published