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Background: Kerman Province is one of the endemic foci of scorpionism in southeastern Iran. Totally 17 species are reported for Kerman Province fauna. The current study seeks to determine the fauna of medically important scorpions in northern parts of this province. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2019 to March 2021. The specimens were captured from different areas, by rock-rolling during day and using Ultraviolet light at night. The specimens were preserved in ethanol (80%) and then identified using reliable identification keys for scorpions. Results: Totally, 499 specimens were captured from eight cities in northern Kerman. In total, 11 species belonging to three families were identified. Buthacus sp. is reported for the first time from Kerman Province. Buthacus sp., Hottentotta cf. juliae, and Hottentotta cf. schach, were the lowest in frequency of occurrence, against Mesobuthus navidpouri as the highest frequency. Conclusion: The results of this study are useful for the preparation of regional or monovalent antivenom for the Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute. Additionally, the obtained data are useful for the effective planning of scorpion control programs in the northern parts of Kerman Province, Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this survey, phylogenetic relationships within the tribe Hippotragini were re-evaluated using 132 gene sequences and ten complete mitogenomes. Based on the complete mitochondrial genomes, the average base composition of mtDNA sequences was 26.9% T, 26.3% C, 33.4% A, and 13.4% G, showing a strong AT bias (60.3%). The phylogenetic trees were constructed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods, and were found to have very identical topologies. The results of this study revealed that this tribe is a strongly supported monophyletic group, and in all of the phylogenetic trees, except for COXI, Addax nasomaculatus is considered as a sister group for the monophyletic group of the genus Oryx. All of the species belonging to the genus Hippotragus constructed another monophyletic clade. Besides, within the monophyletic group of the genus Oryx, there are probably two distinct evolutionary pathways, i.e. O. gazella was located as a sister taxon of other species. Also, based on the whole mitogenomes, the extinct blaubok (H. leucophaeus), the endangered giant sable (H. niger variani), and the southern sable (H. niger niger), showed very close phylogenetic relationships and the roan antelope (H. equinus) is nested as their sister taxon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, species diversity of ichneumonid wasps in south-eastern Iran was studied. Malaise traps were set in several localities: Koohpayeh, Sirch, Chatrood and Rayen for sampling. Collected species were identified and the number of each species was counted. Species diversity was studied using SDR4 software. Totally 29 species were identified in the studied region. Koohpayeh and Sirch had the most diverse species according to maximum of diversity index (Indicate the relevant diversity indices and the confidence limits). Ctenichneumon devylderi (Holmgren, 1871) was dominant, Exetastes syriacus Schmiedeknecht, 1910 and Exochus castaniventris Brauns, 1896 were subdominant and Cryptus inculcator (Linnaeus, 1758), Dichrogaster saharator (Aubert, 1964), Mesostenus albinotatus Gravenhorst, 1829, Trychosis legator (Thunberg, 1824), Enizemum ornatum (Gravenhorst, 1829), Colpognathus grandiculus Diller & Riedel, 2015, Diadromus collaris (Gravenhorst, 1829), Ichneumon sarcitorius Linnaeus, 1758, Platylabus iridipennis Gravenhorst, 1829, Orthocentrus asper Gravenhorst, 1829, Itoplectis tunetana (Schmiedeknecht, 1914), Promethes sulcator (Gravenhorst, 1829) and Anisobas cingulatellus Horstmann, 1997 were subrare. The maximum diversity was for Ctenichneumon devylderi (Holmgren, 1871) (42 specimens), Exochus castaniventris Brauns, 1896 (24 specimens), Exetastes syriancus Schmiedeknecht, 1910 (13 specimens) and Dichrogaster longicaudata (Thomson, 1884) (13 specimens). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper provides information about the Opiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) species captured in the South-Eastern of Iran. A total of 11 species belonging to four genera have been listed of which three species viz. Biophthora bajula (Haliday, 1837), Opius circinus Papp, 1979, and Opius (Odontopoea) paranivens Fischer, 1990 are reported for the first time from Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Euphorinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea: Braconidae) recorded from different regions of Iran are listed. So far, 42 euphorine species belonging to 12 genera have been reported in Iran. The recorded genera are: Allurus Förster 1862 (two species) and Centistes Haliday 1835 (one species) from the tribe Centistini Capek 1970; Dinocampus Förster 1862 (one species) from the tribe Dinocampini Shaw 1985; Chrysopophthorus Goidanich 1948 (one species), Leiophron Nees 1819 (9 species), Wesmaelia Förster 1862 (one species) from the tribe Euphorini Förster 1862, Meteorus Haliday 1835 (12 species) and Zele Curtis 1832 (two species) from the tribe Meteorini Cresson 1887, Elasmosoma Ruthe 1858 (one species) from the tribe Neoneurini Bengtsson 1918, Ecclitura Kokujev 1902 (one species), Perilitus Nees 1819 (eight species) from the tribe Perilitini Förster 1862, and Syntretus Förster 1862 (three species) from the tribe Syntretini Shaw 1985. The present study provides a checklist of Euphorinae of Iran with data on species distribution in various provinces of Iran, as well as their general distribution. A map for distribution of species in various parts of Iran is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey was conducted from 2012 to 2013 in order to study the Alysiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) species of the southeastern part of Iran. A total of 11 species belonging to 5 genera have been listed, of which 4 species, Dinotrema contracticorne (Fischer 1974), Synaldis ultima Fischer 1970, Chorebus parvungula (Thomson 1895), and Dacnusa abdita (Haliday 1839), are reported for the first time from Iran. In addition, the male of Chorebus longiarticulis Fischer, Lashkari Bod, Rakhshani & Talebi 2011 is recorded for the first time and described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fourteen species of chalcid wasps associated with plant galls, Rosa beggeriana Schrenk, Ephedra major (Host), Salix alba L., and Artemisia sieberi Besser were found in Kerman Province, south-eastern Iran during 2010 - 2011. The identified wasps belong to four genera consisting of Aprostocetus Westwood, BaryscapusFöerster, Sigmophora Rondani, and Stepanovia Kostjukov, Tetrastichinae (Hym.: Eulophidae). Ten species are newly recorded for the Iranian fauna including Aprostocetus arenarius (Erdös), A. cecidomyiarum (Bouché), A. diplosidis Crawford, A. epicharmus (Walker), A. fabicola (Rondani), A. fonscolombei Graham, A. lycidas (Walker), A. minimus (Ratzeburg), A. rhipheus (Walker) and A. zoilus (Walker). A. arenarius, A. diplosidis, A. epicharmus, and A. fabicola are associated with Diplolepis fructuum (Rübsaamen) (Hym.: Cynipidae) on Rosa beggeriana Schrenk. A. lycidas is associated with both D. fructuum on R. beggeriana and Artemisia sieberi Besser. A. cecidomyiarum, A. fonscolombei, A. rhipheus, and A. zoilus are associated with Ephedra major Host. A. minimus is associated with leaf galls of Salix alba L. Short taxonomic comments, biological data and geographical distribution of the species are briefly mentioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper a preliminary study of the pteromalid fauna (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae) in Kurdistan Province, Western Iran is provided. The specimens were collected using sweeping nets and Malaise traps during 2009- 2010. Nine species belonging to 9 genera and to the following subfamilies are identified: Asaphinae (1 species), Miscogasterinae (1 species), Ormocerinae (1 species) and Pteromalinae (6 species). Two species, Callitula bicolor Spinola, 1811 and Stenoselma nigrum Delucchi, 1956 are recorded for the first time from Iran. Short taxonomic comments for each species are briefly mentioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chalcid wasps associated with plant galls, Rosa beggeriana Schrenk, Ephedra major (Host) and Salix alba L., were collected from the Kerman Province, south-eastern Iran during 2010-2011. Four species viz., Pteromalus bedeguaris (Thomson, 1878), Mesopolobus fasciiventris Westwood, 1833, (Pteromalidae), Eupelmus martellii Masi, 1941 and E. urozonus Dalman, 1820 (Eupelmidae) were identified, out of which E. martellii and M. fasciiventris are recorded for the first time from Iran. Pteromalus bedeguaris is reared from galls on E. major and R. beggeriana. Mesopolobus fasciventris and E. martellii are reared from galls on S. alba and E. urozonus is reared from galls of all three host plants. Available biological data, geographical distribution as well as short comments for each species are briefly mentioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family Torymidae (Hymenoptera.: Chalcidoidea) is an important group because of its role as agricultural pests or biocontrol agent pests in many ecosystems. Fauna of this family was studied in the northern areas of Kerman province (Southeastern Iran). In this study eight species belonging to seven genera were collected and identified. Their taxonomic, biological and distributional data are presented. Within collected specimens, two species are new records for the Iranian fauna: Pseudotorymus militaris (Boheman) and Torymoides kiesenwetteri (Mayr). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was performed in order to indentify the rodent fauna inhabiting pistachio gardens in Kerman Province, Southeast Iran. In this order we used live trapping method for the sampling of rodents. In total, 105 rodent specimens were collected. The specimens were studied in respect to their morphological, cranial and external characteristics. The results showed that six species belonging to five genera of rodents and one species of lagomorpha occur in this region. The identified samples were as fallow: Cricetulus migratorius, Mus musculus, Nesokia indica, Meriones persicus, Meriones libycus, Tatera indica, and Ochotona rufescenc. Mus musculus and Cricetulus migratorius had maximum and minimum abundance respectively. Morphological and morphometric characteristics of the identified species were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphometric analyses were carried out on some populations of Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae) associated with different host plants. Twelve morphological characters were measured. Two multivariate discriminant analyses, Canonical variates analysis and Cluster analysis were employed to discriminate individuals of A. craccivora populations on a morphological basis. Both Canonical variates analysis and Cluster analysis revealed significant differences among A. craccivora collected from different host plants. A stepwise Canonical variates analysis selected four morphological characters (siphunculus length, ultimate rostral segment length, basal diameter of siphunculus and processus terminalis length) from which two (siphunculus length and ultimate rostral segment length) showed the highest contribution to the separation of host-associated populations and 87.6% of individuals were reclassified correctly into their original populations. The result of morphometric analyses performed here revealed the existence of three morphologically differentiated groups within A. craccivora associated with different host plants which provide evidence for the presence of host related forms. This study demonstrates that morphometric analysis of morphological characters can discriminate among host related groups based on size variation and clearly separates the individuals of A. craccivora. The aphid population associated with Robinia pseudoacacia L. was clearly separated from other populations. The most important discriminatory characters of A. craccivora and their functions in relation to adaptation of populations with different host plant species are discussed. We concluded that A. craccivora populations are not homogeneous morphological entities and represent different host-associated forms. The results presented here for the morphological structure of A. craccivora provide the framework to investigate the genetic and biological differences among these entities so that we could be able to exactly evaluate their taxonomic situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fourteen species of hymenopterous parasitoids associated with rose gall wasp Diplolepis fructuum(Rübsaamen) are found in Kerman Province, Southeast Iran. These wasps belong to seven families for which two new distributional records (Eurytoma adleriae Zerova and Eurytoma cynipicola Zerova) are now added to the Iranian fauna. Four new biological associations were found belonging to E. adleriae, E. cynipicola, Hobbya stenonota (Ratzeburg) and Periclistus brandtii (Ratzeburg) that are reported for the first time as trophically associated with D. fructuum in Iran. The studied community is compared with a previously reported community from East-Azarbaijan Province, Northwest Iran. Checklist of the species associated with D. fructuum in Iran is presented, including 24 hymenopterous species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multivariate morphometric studies are often carried out on different aphid taxa in order to analyze population variation and species discrimination in relation with different factors such as host plant, temperature and geography, which have significant effect on aphid morphology. The chrysanthemum aphid, Macrosiphoniella sanborni (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a widespread pest on cultivated chrysanthemum throughout the world. In the present study 21 morphological characters in 11 populations of M. sanborni collected from several geographic locations in Iran were examined. Multivariate morphometric techniques, canonical variates analysis (CVA) and cluster analysis were used to determine whether these populations can be reliably morphologically discriminated. The results showed such discrimination between populations. The Kermanshah population (located in western Iran) clearly separated from other populations, indicating the presence of a morphologically distinct group. It could be concluded that presence of a geographic barrier and climatic conditions are among the most important factors which contribute to the differentiation between populations. Other complimentary studies such as genetic investigation will provide a better understanding of the evolutionary implications of the population structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the framework of a broader revisionary work on Ichenumonidae of Iran, we preliminarily studied the occurrence of Tersilochinae. Among the whole collected specimens during 2010-2011, there were specimens of this subfamily from Sistan and Baluchistan, Khorasan-e-Razavi and Kerman Provinces. Two species, Aneuclis incidens (Thomson, 1889) and Diaparsis (Pectinoparsis) improvisator Khalaim, 2005, were identified. D. improvisator is recorded from Iran for the first time [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kerman Province is one of the endemic foci of scorpionism in southeastern Iran. Totally 17 species are reported for Kerman Province fauna. The current study seeks to determine the fauna of medically important scorpions in northern parts of this province., Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2019 to March 2021. The specimens were captured from different areas, by rock-rolling during day and using Ultraviolet light at night. The specimens were preserved in ethanol (80%) and then identified using reliable identification keys for scorpions., Results: Totally, 499 specimens were captured from eight cities in northern Kerman. In total, 11 species belonging to three families were identified. Buthacus sp. is reported for the first time from Kerman Province. Buthacus sp., Hottentotta cf. juliae , and Hottentotta cf. schach , were the lowest in frequency of occurrence, against Mesobuthus navidpouri as the highest frequency., Conclusion: The results of this study are useful for the preparation of regional or monovalent antivenom for the Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute. Additionally, the obtained data are useful for the effective planning of scorpion control programs in the northern parts of Kerman Province, Iran., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.)