University of Isfahan Taxonomy and Biosystematics 3115-9001 14 52 2022 09 23 52 شناسنامه علمی شماره 52 27610 10.22108/tbj.2022.27610 EN Journal Article 2023 06 11 https://tbj.ui.ac.ir/article_27610_91fd82c6fd36ea09d998dc9430c665e0.pdf

University of Isfahan Taxonomy and Biosystematics 3115-9001 14 52 2022 09 23 A Preliminary Survey of Flora, Life form and Chorotype of Plants of the Booz Daghi Region in North Khorassan Province بررسی مقدماتی فلور، شکل زیستی و کوروتیپ گیاهان منطقۀ بوزداغی در استان خراسان شمالی 1 22 27124 10.22108/tbj.2022.134427.1208 EN Ali Malkeshi Ph. D. Student of Biology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran Gholamreza Bakhshi Khaniki Professor, Department of Biology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran Younes Asri Associate Professor, Department of Botany, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran 0000-0002-4566-1756 Mohabat Nadaf Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran Mina Rabie Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Sciences, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2022 07 15 The Booz Daghi region, encompassing an area of 62,000 hectares, is situated 47 kilometers from Maneh and Semelghan city. This study explored the floristic composition, biological, and chorological spectra of the area through numerous random collections in various habitats and vegetation types, and from 220 plots established in selected plant communities during the growing season of 2021. A total of 252 vascular plant species, belonging to 173 genera and 53 families, were recorded as native to the Booz Daghi region. The most diverse families were Asteraceae (31 species), Poaceae (25 species), Lamiaceae (22 species), and Fabaceae (21 species). The genera Astragalus L. (10 species), Allium L., Convolvulus L., and Stachys L. (each with 5 species) were among the richest. Hemicryptophytes (31.3%) and therophytes (29.8%) emerged as the dominant life forms in the region. A significant number of species (63.5%) were identified as belonging to the Irano-Turanian region. The findings of this study indicate that the Booz Daghi region possesses a relatively rich flora, necessitating special attention and proper planning for the conservation of its biodiversity. Introduction Due to the accelerated destruction of various ecosystems and its adverse effects on biodiversity reduction in recent decades, researchers have increasingly focused on conservation issues. Recognizing that the first step towards effective and efficient protection of any resource is having accurate and comprehensive information, floristic studies offer valuable insights into the types of plants and their general biological and vegetative characteristics in different regions. The climatic and environmental diversity of Iran has led to a rich flora and varied vegetation across its regions. The Booz Daghi region in North Khorasan province is one of the areas that has not yet been thoroughly studied in terms of floristic characteristics. This study was conducted to investigate the flora and geographical distribution of plants in this region. The findings of this study can provide valuable information for managers and decision-makers in the field of existing plant reserves and in planning for the conservation of these resources. Materials and Methods Approximately 500 plant samples were randomly collected from different habitats and vegetation types, including some collected from 220 plots of 100 m² each, located in selected plant communities during the growing season of 2021. The plant samples were identified using the Flora of Iran, Flora Iranica, and several revision papers. The nomenclature conforms to Flora Iranica and has been updated according to databases such as the International Plant Names Index (IPNI) and Plants of the World Online (POWO). The life forms of plants were determined based on Raunkiaer's classification system, and the distribution areas of plant species were classified by suitable flora. The chorotypes of the species, along with their distribution areas in Iran and other countries, were also identified. Findings (Results) In the preliminary survey of the Booz Daghi region, 252 plant species from 173 genera and 53 families were identified. In terms of species count, the largest contributing families were Asteraceae with 22 genera and 31 species, Poaceae with 19 genera and 25 species, Lamiaceae with 10 genera and 22 species, and Fabaceae with 10 genera and 21 species. Among the plant genera, Astragalus had the most species (10), followed by Allium, Convolvulus, and Stachys (each with 5 species), and Centaurea, Cousinia, and Ziziphora (each with 4 species). Acanthophyllum, Salvia, and Tulipa each contributed 3 species. The biological spectrum analysis of the region revealed that hemicryptophytes, therophytes, geophytes, chamaephytes, and phanerophytes constituted 31.3%, 29.8%, 14.7%, 12.7%, and 11.5% of the life forms, respectively. The geographical distribution study of plants indicated that the Irano-Turanian elements comprised 63.5% of the species, followed by Irano-Turanian/Mediterranean elements with 13.9% and Euro-Siberian/Mediterranean/Irano-Turanian elements with 11.9%. The remaining species in the Irano-Turanian region were part of other floristic regions. Conclusion The present study investigated the flora of the Booz Daghi region. The findings revealed that the area encompasses 252 plant species from 173 genera and 53 families. Over 63.5% of these species belonged to the Irano-Turanian region, to which the Booz Daghi region is affiliated. Due to challenging environmental conditions, families such as Asteraceae, Poaceae, Lamiaceae, and Fabaceae, and among life forms, hemicryptophytes and therophytes, were most prevalent. The study concludes that the Booz Daghi region possesses a relatively rich species diversity, making it an important area for further studies. The authors recommend comprehensive planning and additional research for biodiversity conservation in this region.

https://tbj.ui.ac.ir/article_27124_91e667602c9c7049dac73d236caf3692.pdf

University of Isfahan Taxonomy and Biosystematics 3115-9001 14 52 2022 09 23 Fauna of Sistan Scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones), Southeast Iran فون عقرب‌‌های منطقۀ سیستان (Arachnida: Scorpiones)، جنوب شرق ایران 23 62 27064 10.22108/tbj.2022.135356.1216 EN Hossein Barahoei Assistant Professor, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Agricultural Research Institute, Research Institute of Zabol, Zabol, Iran. Journal Article 2022 10 07 Scorpions are nocturnal predators that primarily feed on invertebrates and other arachnids. To date, 10 species of scorpions from the family Buthidae have been reported in the Sistan region. Sampling was conducted using UV ultralight at night and through direct search or digging during the day in various areas of the Sistan region in 2021 and 2022. Examination of 117 collected scorpion specimens led to the identification of seven species from six genera of the family Buthidae. These include Androctonus cf. crassicauda (Olivier, 1807), A. sistanus )Barahoei & Mirshamsi, 2022(, Kraepelinia palpator (Birula, 1903), Mesobuthus rakhshanii sp. nov., Odontobuthus tirgari )Mirshamsi et al., 2013(, Orthochirus persa (Birula, 1900), and Sassanidothus gracilis (Birula, 1900). Mesobuthus rakhshanii sp. nov. was described as a new species for the world fauna. This species, having a dominant population, was collected from all stations in the region. All specimens were preserved in 80% alcohol and stored in the researchers’ personal collection. Species of the genus Androctonus, which are dangerous scorpions, are found in the Sistan region. The identification of hazardous species is crucial for effective health management. This can be achieved by identifying the scorpion fauna in the region and determining the distribution range of each species. Introduction Scorpions are regarded as the most dangerous arthropods to humans due to their venomous stingers (Sedaghat et al., 2011). In Iran, the annual average of scorpion stings is around 50,000, with approximately 20 deaths per year, predominantly occurring in the southern regions of the country (Dehghani and Fathi, 2012). Scorpions typically seek shelter during the day under stones, in tree trunks, within rock and wall crevices, and in ground holes. They become active at night, preying on invertebrates, particularly insects and other arachnids (Pirali-Kheirabadi et al., 2013). To date, 4 families, 20 genera, and 84 species of scorpions have been reported in Iran. Of these, 10 species from six genera of the Buthidae family are found in the Sistan region (Navidpour et al., 2019; Kovařík et al., 2019, 2020, 2022; Kovařík & Navidpour, 2020; Barahoei et al., 2020, 2021, 2022; Cain et al., 2021; Yağmur et al., 2022).). These include two species of the genus Androctonus (Yağmur et al., 2016; Barahoei et al., 2020), one species of the genus Kraepelinia (Barahoei et al., 2020), three species of the genus Mesobuthus (Vachon, 1958; Mir et al., 2014; Barahoei et al., 2020) one species of the genus Odontobuthus (Mir et al., 2014; Barahoei et al., 2020, 2021), one species of the genus Orthochirus (Habibi, 1971; Kovařík & Fet, 2006a; Barahoei et al., 2020), and two species of the genus Sassanidothus (Farzanpay, 1987; Kovařík & Fet, 2006b; Barahoei et al., 2020). In the only study previously conducted in the Sistan region, Mir et al. (2014) reported eight species in their brief account. Additionally, there have been very few studies in neighboring countries. Consequently, extensive sampling and detailed examination of samples are essential to accurately identify the species in this region. Given the Sistan region's proximity to the Oriental region, identifying its fauna is important, useful, and necessary. The present study represents the first comprehensive survey of scorpion species in the north of Sistan and Baluchistan province. Materials and Methods Sampling was conducted at night using UV light and during the day by moving stones, lumps, and tree trunks in 2021 and 2022. The specimens were preserved in 80% ethanol. Key morphological traits for scorpion identification were determined based on available references (Farzanpay, 1987; Polis, 1990). The morphological identification of species was carried out using valid identification keys (Kovařík et al., 2019, 2020, 2022; Barahoei et al., 2020, 2021). Photography of the samples, including general views and various body parts, was performed using a Canon® EOS 800D digital camera (Japan). Images were edited using Combine Z (Hadley, 2007) and Adobe Photoshop CS5 (Evening, 2013) software. The distribution map was created using the simplemappr online tool. All specimens have been stored in the author's personal collection at the Research Institute of Zabol. Results The examination of 117 collected scorpion specimens resulted in the identification of seven species from six genera of the Buthidae family. Androctonus cf. crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) Androctonus sistanus (Barahoei & Mirshamsi, 2022) Kraepelinia palpator (Birula, 1903) Mesobuthus rakhshanii sp. nov. Holotype Female specimen, Sistan and Baluchistan province, Hamon city, Lotak district, Rahmatabad village, 30°45'N, 61°21'E, 481 m, 10 May 1400, col.: H. Barahoei. Affinities Members of the species Mesobuthus rakhshanii sp. nov. are medium-sized scorpions, with adult body lengths ranging from 38-52 mm in males and 51-61 mm in females. Males have 25 to 29 pectin teeth, while females have 18 to 21. The movable pedipalp finger features 11 to 12 rows of oblique teeth and five terminal teeth. The lateral anal arch in females is divided into three parts, with the first lobe exhibiting a short groove. This species is distinguished from many species within the genus by having a ratio of the length to the height of the third metasoma segment between 1.50-1.90. Unlike many other species, the central, lateral, and dorsal central carinae of the carapace in M. rakhshanii are not connected and do not form a lyre shape. This trait sets them apart from other species, except for M. macmahoni (Pocock, 1900). Members of M. macmahoni, ranging in size from 38 mm (male) to 55 mm (female), are found in low-altitude areas of southern Pakistan. The number of pectin teeth in this species is 23-26 in males and 19-23 in females. Additionally, the general body color of M. macmahoni is darker compared to M. rakhshanii. Odontobuthus tirgari (Mirshamsi et al., 2013) Orthochirus persa (Birula, 1900) Sassanidothus gracilis (Birula, 1900) Conclusion Before this study, the Sistan fauna was known to comprise 10 species. However, the current research identified that only seven species are actually distributed in the Sistan region. The earlier reports of some species were the result of misidentifications, which have been corrected through subsequent research. Among these, Mesobuthus rakhshanii sp. nov. has been described as a new species for the global fauna. Androctonus cf. crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) Androctonus sistanus )Barahoei & Mirshamsi, 2022( Mesobuthus rakhshanii sp. nov. Kraepelinia palpator (Birula, 1903) Odontobuthus tirgari )Mirshamsi et al., 2013( Orthochirus persa (Birula, 1900) Sassanidothus gracilis (Birula, 1900) Considering the geographical proximity of the Sistan region to Afghanistan and Pakistan, it appears essential to conduct a detailed and comprehensive investigation of the scorpion fauna in the region and compare it with specimens from the aforementioned countries. Identifying the regional fauna and utilizing species for various purposes is inevitable. To date, there has been very limited specialized research on scorpions in the Sistan region. Therefore, the current study serves as a preliminary step, paving the way for continued and more exhaustive research on the scorpions of this region.

https://tbj.ui.ac.ir/article_27064_ab528e3a76937e0eb106e2f3077b3612.pdf

University of Isfahan Taxonomy and Biosystematics 3115-9001 14 52 2022 09 23 Introducing High-yielding Populations of Native Species of the Genus Thymus in Iran معرفی جمعیت‌‌های پرمحصول گونه‌‌های بومی سردۀ آویشن در ایران 63 76 27165 10.22108/tbj.2022.135163.1212 EN Seyed Ahmad Mousavi Ph.D. Student of Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi &lrm;University, Tehran, Iran. &lrm; Farrokh Ghahremaninejad Professor, Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2022 09 20 Natural essential oils derived from plants are of significant importance in various markets, including agricultural, pharmaceutical, healthcare, cosmetics, and hygiene industries. Among aromatic plants, thyme holds a special significance. Thyme essential oil, which can be yellow, brownish, or reddish-brown, is obtained through the distillation of leaves and flowers of Thymus vulgaris and other thyme species. It has a range of applications in the healthcare and cosmetic industries. Therefore, exploring different types of thyme for essential oil production is of interest to various industries. A comparative study of dry matter and essential oil production among 108 populations of 9 Iranian thyme species and 4 populations of agricultural thyme (T. vulgaris) revealed that native Iranian thyme species possess significantly higher economic and pharmacological potential than T. vulgaris. Specifically, certain populations of T. kotschyanus and T. daenensis demonstrated higher yields of dry matter and essential oils. The selection of germplasm for cultivation and use could be strategically aligned with the intended product application. For instance, if the aim is to produce thyme as a seasoning or spice, then population 104 of T. kotschyanus, population 60 of T. fallax, population 91 of T. kotschyanus, and population 107 of T. daenensis are suitable candidates. Conversely, for essential oil extraction, population 104 of T. kotschyanus, population 60 of T. fallax, population 90 of T. daenensis, and population 67 of T. fedtschenkoi are preferable. Introduction Thyme essential oil is a dark yellow or reddish-brown liquid with a strong, pleasant smell and a sharp, persistent taste, obtained through the distillation of the leaves and flowering branches of Thymus vulgaris L. and other thyme species. Approximately 40% of its volume consists of phenols (thymol and carvacrol), along with a small amount of cymene and linalool. The genus Thymus L. exhibits significant species diversity, encompassing 220 to more than 250 species globally, distributed in the northern temperate region from Greenland to Kamchatka. The most important centers of its diversity include the Mediterranean region and West Asia. In Iran, Thymus comprises 18 species, with four (T. persicus, T. marandensis, T. daenensis, T. lancifolius) being endemic. Studying the chemical diversity of different populations, at both interspecific and intraspecific levels, remains a crucial goal in plant phytochemical research, aimed at discovering chemical types with optimal amounts of known compounds or new compounds of medicinal value. Materials and Methods Seeds from 108 populations of 9 native thyme species, along with 4 populations of cultivated thyme from various regions of Iran, were obtained. In the winter of 2009, these seeds were sown in a greenhouse, and in the subsequent spring, they were transferred to a research farm. Seedlings were planted on the farm in three replicates using a completely randomized block design and were cultivated for 3 years under identical agricultural conditions. In the fourth and fifth years, the stems were harvested and dried in the shade at room temperature. The dry weight of the samples was measured using a digital scale. Essential oil extraction was carried out using water and a Clevenger apparatus for three hours. Active ingredients were separated using gas chromatography connected to a mass spectrometer (GC-MASS). Spectra identification was conducted using inhibition indices and the injection of normal hydrocarbons (C7-C25) under identical conditions, along with the injection of essential oils, analyzed by a computer program in BASIC language. This study compared the amounts of 10 important chemicals, namely p-cymene, 1,8-cineol, δ-terpinene, linalool, thymol, carvacrol, borneol, geraniol, α-terpineol, geranylacetate, and α-terpinyl acetate. Data on the yield of dry matter and essential oil from thyme germplasms were compared over several years using SAS software version 2002 in a completely randomized block design. Results and Conclusion The data analysis revealed the average weight of dry matter and essential oil among different thyme germplasms. However, the dry matter production of each genotype over two consecutive years did not show significant differences. Among the four samples of cultivated thyme, accession 37 exhibited the highest production of essential oil and dry matter, surpassing other cultivated samples; hence, native samples were compared with this accession. All nine native thyme populations demonstrated higher average essential oil production per individual plant than the cultivated thyme under identical conditions. The highest essential oil yield was observed in T. kotschyanus. Additionally, the analysis of thymol content in the essential oil from the studied thymes indicated that T. migricus is essential oil had the highest percentage of thymol, the highest reported percentage among any thyme species. These findings suggest that the choice of germplasm for thyme cultivation can vary based on the intended use. If the goal is to produce dry matter for seasoning or similar purposes, populations such as 104 of T. kotschyanus, 60 of T. fallax, 91 of T. kotschyanus, and 107 of T. daenensis are recommended. Conversely, for higher essential oil production, populations like 104 of T. kotschyanus, 60 of T. fallax, 90 of T. daenensis, and 67 of T. fedtschenkoi are preferable. Financial Support This research did not receive any specific financial support that needs to be disclosed.

https://tbj.ui.ac.ir/article_27165_11af5a96a1dea6fd7e8f9058b684a9c2.pdf

University of Isfahan Taxonomy and Biosystematics 3115-9001 14 52 2022 09 23 Investigating the Morphometric Variation in the Populations of Megachernes Pavlovskyi Redikorzev, 1949 (Pseudoscorpiones: Chernetidae) in Zagros Mountain Caves, Iran بررسی تنوعات ریخت‌سنجی جمعیت‌های گونۀ Megachernes pavlovskyi Redikorzev, 1949 (Pseudoscorpiones: Chernetidae) در غارهای رشته‌‌کوه زاگرس، ایران 77 96 27274 10.22108/tbj.2022.133476.1199 EN Hamid Darvishnia Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Payame Noor University (PNU), Tehran, Iran Saber Sadeghi Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran Journal Article 2022 05 02 This study examined the morphometric characteristics of four populations of Megachernes pavlovskyi inhabiting caves in the Zagros Mountains. The length/width ratios of 14 meristic traits from 95 specimens were analyzed. Statistical tests, including ANOVA, MANOVA, PCA, DFA, and cluster analysis, were employed for data analysis. ANOVA results indicated significant differences in 12 characters (p<0.05). Principal Component Analysis identified three main components, accounting for 64.98% of the total variance. Given the variation in environmental factors of the studied caves and the impact of morphological traits on ecological factors, the observed morphological differences among populations could be attributed to habitat-specific adaptations of the species. Introduction Animals with wide distribution ranges often exhibit significant morphological variations in response to diverse biotic and abiotic factors (Ennen et al., 2014). The strong correlation between the environment and various geographical variables is well-recognized (Mayr, 1991). Pseudoscorpions, small yet fascinating members of the order Arachnida, have a widespread distribution and are typically found in subterranean habitats such as caves, as well as under tree bark and stones (Murienne et al., 2008). Caves represent sensitive, specialized, and unique ecosystems characterized by specific biological conditions and relatively stable ecological parameters (light, temperature, evaporation, and humidity) throughout the year, including the absence of light and high humidity (Medeiros et al., 2009; Romero, 2009). Among the species inhabiting these caves is Megachernes pavlovskyi, a pseudoscorpion that has been reported in some Iranian caves (Darvishnia, 2018). This study aimed to explore the morphometric variations of M. pavlovskyi populations in several caves within the Zagros Mountains in western Iran. Materials and Methods Pseudoscorpions were individually sampled using forceps from Malek, Palangan, Botkhaneh, and Sarab caves, and then stored in 75% ethanol. To prepare microscopic slides, the specimens were clarified. Photographs of different body parts were taken using a Nikon Eclipse 80i microscope equipped with a digital camera. Subsequently, all measurements were conducted using ImageJ software (ver.1.8.0). For this purpose, the length and width (L/W ratio) of 14 measurable traits were recorded, including the trochanter, femur, tibia, and tarsus of legs I and IV; the trochanter, femur, patella, and hand of the pedipalps; as well as the chelicera and carapace. Morphometric differences among the four populations of this species in the caves were analyzed using statistical tests such as ANOVA, MANOVA, PCA, DFA, and cluster analysis. Results One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to assess the significance of differences in relative morphometric traits among four cave-dwelling populations of the M. pavlovskyi species. Significant differences were observed in 12 out of 14 morphometric traits (except for the L/W ratio of the pedipalp femur and the trochanter of leg IV) (p<0.05). Additionally, the multivariate analysis of variance revealed significant differences among patterns of population changes (p<0.05). Principal component analysis (PCA) identified three statistically significant components, accounting for 64.98% of the total variance. The first component encompassed relative characteristics of the femur, tibia, and tarsus of leg IV; the tibia and tarsus of leg I; and the femur and hand of the pedipalp. The second component included the patella of the pedipalp and the chelicerae. The third component comprised the femur of leg I and the trochanter of legs I and IV. These components and the traits within them played a crucial role in differentiating the populations of each cave from one another. According to the classification derived from the scatter plot, the Botkhane and Sarab populations are distinctly separated from the Malek and Palangan populations. However, there is an overlap between the Botkhane and Sarab populations as well as between the Malek and Palangan populations. The comprehensive analysis of the measured relative morphological traits of the four studied populations, using discriminant function analysis (DFA), revealed that 98% of the groups were correctly classified. Cluster analysis of the relative morphological traits resulted in the division of the studied samples into two main clusters. The first cluster comprises the populations of the Malek and Palangan caves located in Ilam and Fars provinces, respectively, while the second cluster includes the populations of the Botkhaneh and Sarab caves in Lorestan and Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari provinces. Discussion An ecosystem may host several populations of the same species. There are various methods to compare or identify different populations of the same species, one of which involves examining relative morphometric traits. Therefore, by studying morphometric traits and employing statistical methods, it is possible to gain valuable insights into the morphological diversity of populations (Wootton, 1991). The ANOVA analysis revealed significant differences between most of the relative traits. In the PCA, three significant components were extracted, accounting for 64.98% of the total variance. Based on these three components, the Botkhaneh and Sarab populations were clearly differentiated from the Malek and Palangan populations. Wainwright and Shaw (1999) proposed that morphological traits can adapt flexibly in response to environmental changes. In this study, the segregation of the populations of this species could be attributed to the similarities in environmental factors, such as relative humidity and temperature, between Sarab and Botkhaneh caves compared to those in Malek and Palangan caves. According to the results of the scatter plot from discriminant analysis, the groups were accurately classified. The populations from Malek and Palangan caves clustered together in one dendrogram, while those from Botkhaneh and Sarab formed another cluster. The internal environment of Sarab and Botkhaneh caves exhibited higher humidity and lower temperatures compared to Malek and Palangan caves, and notably, the CO2 concentration in Botkhaneh cave was much higher than in the other three caves. Although pinpointing the exact causes of these morphological differences among populations is challenging, the prevailing view that morphological changes are solely influenced by genetics has evolved. Today, it is acknowledged that environmental factors, in addition to genetic elements, also play a significant role in shaping morphological traits (Akbarzadeh et al., 2009). Considering that morphological traits are influenced by ecological factors, the variation in the relative sizes of these traits may be attributed to the differences in the type of ecosystems studied and the distinct responses of species to environmental conditions (Safaei et al., 2014). In this study, the disparities in the relative size of morphological traits among the examined populations could be due to the varying habitat characteristics in which these populations reside. The population residing in each cave could enhance its chances of survival through morphological adaptability. The flexibility in animal morphology is usually a response to environmental conditions, manifesting as morphological, physiological, and behavioral adaptations (Mayr, 1991). In the present study, although Sarab and Botkhaneh caves are geographically distant and differ in elevation from sea level at their entrances, it appears that the similarity in environmental factors inside the caves, such as higher humidity, along with factors like lower temperature and greater accumulation of bat guano, have created similar conditions for the species' habitation. This similarity may explain why the populations in these two caves are more alike compared to those in Malek and Palangan caves. The findings suggest that environmental factors like cave temperature, humidity levels, and substrate type could significantly influence the morphology of Megachernes pavlovskyi species and account for the observed differences.

https://tbj.ui.ac.ir/article_27274_ba1c50e8aa27f5555b87b2f71993622b.pdf

University of Isfahan Taxonomy and Biosystematics 3115-9001 14 52 2022 09 23 A New Record of an Alien Species Oenothera Indecora (Onagraceae) for the Flora of Iran گزارش جدید گیاه بیگانۀ(Onagraceae) Oenothera indecoraبرای فلور ایران 97 106 27221 10.22108/tbj.2023.136039.1220 EN Aiuob Moradi Research Expert, Research Division of Natural Resources Department, Guilan Agricultural and Natural Resources Researches and Education Center (AREEO), Rasht, Iran 0000-0002-6730-475X Edris Mahdavifikajor Ph. D, Medical Biotechnology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran Journal Article 2022 12 11 Nowadays, adventive invasive species are among the most significant threats to biodiversity. In recent years, numerous imported plants exhibiting invasive behavior have been reported along the Caspian coasts, particularly in Guilan province. During a field mission aimed at collecting plant specimens from the Hyrcanian forests in Guilan province, Oenothera indecora Cambess. from the Onagraceae family was collected and identified for the first time in the Siahkalrud area of Chaboksar. This species is reported as a new record for the flora of Iran. Native to South America, it grows outside its native range and is now established as a neophyte in several tropical and subtropical areas. The most important morphological traits of this species have been compared with those of its closely related species, O. parodiana Munz. Additionally, information on the geographical distribution, photographs of the plant, habitat, and the species' distribution in the world and Iran are provided. Furthermore, this alien species was examined and compared in terms of some invasive aspects in the world and Iran. Introduction Nowadays, adventive invasive species are one of the most important threats to biodiversity (Mikeladze et al., 2017). In recent years, numerous imported plants with high invasive behavior have been reported from the Caspian coasts, especially in Guilan province (Moradi, 2021). Oenothera L. is the second-largest genus in Onagraceae and consists of 145 species (Wagner et al., 2007). These plants grow in temperate to subtropical areas of America, and many of them are widely naturalized in several areas of the earth (Dietrich, 1977). The genus comprises annual, biennial, or perennial herbs, many of which occur primarily or secondarily in open habitats, including old fields, roadsides, stream sides, or dunes (Dietrich, 1977). According to the flora of Iran, two species, including O. biennis and O. laciniata, grow in Iran (Azizian, 2005) and are naturalized alien species in the country. In the present study, O. indecora Cambess. is reported for the first time from Iran. O. indecora is a species belonging to the sect. Oenothera, subsect. Munzia ser. Allochroa, which includes species with cylindrical capsules that are rarely enlarged in the upper third or somewhat petiolate, and is not fused with the subtending bract (Dietrich, 1977). This species is native to South America (Dietrich, 1977) and grows outside its native range. It is now established as a neophyte in several tropical and subtropical areas (Crisafulli et al., 2013). Materials and Methods During a floristic study of the Hyrcanian forests, the species was collected from the Siahkalrud area of Chaboksar in Guilan province and deposited in the Guilan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center. The specimen was examined and identified using the flora and relevant literature (Azizian, 2005; Dietrich, 1977; Crisafulli et al., 2013). Results and Conclusions Oenothera indecora Cambess. Annual or biennial plants are unbranched or have ascending branches arising from the rosette, 20-60 cm tall. The entire plant is sparsely long-villous with erect hairs, densely to sparsely short-villous together glandular hairs. Rosette leaves are narrowly oblanceolate, acute, 4-8 cm long, and 0.2-1.3 cm wide. Cauline leaves are narrowly elliptic to lanceolate, acute, sessile, 2.5-7 cm long, and 0.2-1.2 cm wide. Bracts are narrowly elliptic to elliptic, sessile, and either longer than or about the same length as the capsules they subtend, 1.5-5 cm long, 0.2-1 cm wide; leaves plane or undulate at the margins, irregularly serrate with blunt teeth. The inflorescence is branched. The floral tube is 0.5-1.5 cm long. Sepals are green or yellowish green, often densely flecked with reddish brown; apices of the sepals are 1-1.5 mm long, and erect. Petals elliptic to obovate, yellow, turning reddish with age, 4-10 mm long. Anthers are 1.5-4 mm long. Filaments are 1.5- 7 mm long. The style is short 1-2 cm long. Stigma lobes are 1-2 mm long. Capsules are 2-3 cm long, 1.5-2.5 mm thick; seeds elliptic to rotund in outline. Examined specimens Iran. Guilan, Chaboksar, Siahkalrud forest road, near the river, 36° 58' 55.2" N, 50° 26' 13.83" E, 180 m, 27/07/1401 and 05/08/1401, Moradi & Mahdavi (GILAN-6956, 6966). Habitats The species was collected on the sandy soil near a river, amidst vegetation of Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. subsp. barbata (C.A.Mey.) Yaltirik -Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Poir.) Spach. It is associated with other plants such as Geranium pyrenaicum Burm.f., Clinopodium nepeta (L.) Kuntze subsp. glandulosum (Req.) Govaerts, Sedum hispanicum L., Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop., Oxalis acetosella L., Artemisia annua L., Pimpinella affinis Ledeb., Erigeron canadensis L., Hypericum perforatum L., Eryngium caucasicum Fisch. ex Steud., Phytolaca Americana L., Setaria viridis (L.) P.Beauv. indecora, is closely related to O. parodiana, however, it is distinguished from the latter by certain morphological features. For example, the length of the bracts in the O. indecora is almost the same length as the capsule or longer than it, while in the O. parodiana, they are half of the length of the capsule or shorter. O. indecora has glandular hairs, whereas O. parodiana does not. O. indecora is native to several countries in South America. In Europe, it is known as an alien species in the Netherlands, Hungary, France, Germany, Portugal, Greece, Belgium, and Spain (Yuzbasioglu, 2014), and it was recently reported from Italy (Crisafulli et al., 2013). In a study related to the invasiveness of Oenothera species in South Africa, it was concluded that their propensity to invade undisturbed areas potentially makes them a more serious threat than species that occur exclusively in disturbed areas. According to this, O. rosea, O. Stricta, and O. Tetraptera, as well as O. parodiana and 0. Indecora, are the species that show the greatest potential to become more problematical in the future. O. indecora (native to South America), as a neophyte species that grows in low-altitude Hyrcanian forests, could be more invasive in the future than the two species O. biennis and O. laciniata that originate from North America. There are also previous reports from Iran (Azizian, 2005; Amini & Zare, 2003) that this species grows on the sand dunes of the Caspian Sea. There is a possibility of the presence of this species in other lowland Caspian forest areas under similar vegetation conditions which needs further investigation in this field. Acknowledgment The authors of the study express their deep gratitude to Dr. Filip Verloove, a specialist in alien flora at the Belgian Botanical Garden, for his invaluable cooperation in identifying the species by confirming the photos sent. We are also thankful to Dr. Shahriar Sobh Zahedi, a researcher at the Guilan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, for his assistance in preparing the distribution map of the studied species.

https://tbj.ui.ac.ir/article_27221_c4d047ee454057ebf5eb74fdb581481d.pdf

University of Isfahan Taxonomy and Biosystematics 3115-9001 14 52 2024 01 01 Identification Key for the Hypogastruridae Family (Hexapoda: Collembola) in Iran کلید شناسایی خانوادۀ Hypogastruridae (Hexapoda: Collembola) در ایران 107 126 27299 10.22108/tbj.2023.135818.1217 EN Maryam Salimi M.A. Student of Plant Protection, Faculty of Crop Sciences, Sari University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Sari, Iran Masoumeh Shayanmehr Associate Professor, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Crop Sciences, Sari University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Sari, Mahmoud Mohammadi Sharif Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Crop Sciences, Sari University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Sari, Iran Elham Yoosefi Lafooraki Ph. D. in Agricultural Entomology, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Rasht, Iran Journal Article 1970 01 01 Collembola. This family is characterized by strong mandibles, molar plates, lateral projections, a strong furca, and short dens. Members of the family are found in a variety of habitats, including soil, under the bark of trees, on seashores, and in commercial mushroom beds. The family Hypogastruridae is not well-known in Iran. However, in recent years, the study of this group of arthropods has been increasing, with numerous reports being presented. So far, 37 species and eight genera belonging to this family have been reported or described in Iran. The genera Hypogastrura Bourlet, 1839, and Ceratophysella Bӧrner, 1932 have the highest number of reported species in the family, with 12 and 8 species, respectively. There is no comprehensive identification key for the species and genera of the Hypogastruridae family in Iran. Therefore, this study aims to develop an identification key for the reported genera and species of the Hypogastruridae family in Iran, to facilitate identification by Iranian researchers. Introduction This study presents an identification key for the reported genera and species of the family Hypogastruridae in Iran, aiming to facilitate the identification of Hypogastruridae species for Iranian researchers. The family Hypogastruridae, belonging to the order Poduromorpha, is an important part of the class Collembola. It is characterized by strong mandibles, molar plates, lateral projections, a strong furca, and short dens. Members of the family are found in various habitats, including soil, under the bark of trees, on seashores, and in commercial mushroom beds. The Hypogastruridae family is not well-known in Iran. Recently, research on this group of arthropods has increased significantly, and numerous reports have been presented. To date, 37 species and 8 genera belonging to this family have been reported or described in Iran. The genera Hypogastrura Bourlet, 1839, and Ceratophysella Bӧrner, 1932 have the highest number of reported species in the family, with 12 and 8 species respectively. Currently, there is no comprehensive identification key for the species and genera of the Hypogastruridae family in Iran. Materials and Methods In order to prepare a comprehensive identification key for the Hypogastruridae family, a list of species reported from this family in Iran was first compiled based on published articles. Additionally, to prepare microscopic photos of the important features of the species, the microscopic slides available in the entomology laboratory of Sari University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources were utilized. These samples were collected by various researchers, mostly as part of theses, and mounted on slides using Heuer's liquid. In writing the identification key, references from the book of Thibaud et al. (2004) and some scientific articles for species reported in recent years (Skarżyński & Karpus, 2009; Khanahmadi et al., 2018; Skarżyński et al., 2017; Vahedi Moghadam et al., 2022) were used. The abbreviations and chaetotaxy used in the keys refer to the arrangement of hair on the different segments, as follows: a: anterior transverse row hairs; m: hairs of the middle transverse row (median); p: posterior transverse row hairs; c: central hair. Research Findings The results showed that in total, 37 species and eight genera of the Hypogastruridae family have been reported from different parts of Iran (Shayanmehr et al., 2023). The genera Hypogastrura Bourlet, 1839, and Ceratophysella Bӧrner, 1932 are the most abundant, with 12 and eight reported species, respectively. Additionally, the genus Xenylla Tullberg, 1869 has five species, the genus Willemia Börner, 1901 has four species, and the genera Schoetella Schäffer, 1896, Choreutinula Paclt, 1944, and Triacanthella Schäffer, 1897 each have one species. The genus Acheroxenylla Ellis, 1976, also has a species reported from Iran (Shayanmehr et al., 2020). Following is the key to identifying the genera and species of the Hypogastruridae family in Iran. Results In the present study, 108 plant species belonging to 35 families and 64 plant genera were identified in the areas of Sarab-Niloufer, Sarab Amir, Sarab Zaz, Poldakhtar wetlands, Aligudarz, and Gahar Lakes. According to the habitat and type of life, emergent with 45 species (41.66 percent), marginal with 34 species (31.48 percent), submerged aquatic plants with 24 species (22.22 percent), and floating aquatic plants with 5 species (4.62 percent) were present in the study areas. Discussion of Results and Conclusion The family Hypogastruridae has 741 species described worldwide (Bellinger et al., 2022-2096), but, so far only 37 species have been reported in Iran. Reports related to this family are limited to a small number of the country's provinces, mostly in the northern and western regions such as Mazandaran, Golestan, Gilan, West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad, Zanjan, Kerman, Kermanshah, Lorestan, Khuzestan, Central and North Khorasan. It is expected that more species will be introduced or described with continued study of this family's fauna in other provinces. In this study, the key to identifying the genera and species of the family Hypogastruridae in Iran is presented, along with images illustrating the important characteristics of the species reported so far. This will aid in resolving some identification issues of this family's species in Iran, eliminating the need for Iranian researchers to send samples abroad for accurate identification. The results of the present study could contribute significantly to the fauna studies of Collembola in Iran.

https://tbj.ui.ac.ir/article_27299_3cc830d2a57730387b788359b3e30808.pdf