University of Isfahan Taxonomy and Biosystematics 3115-9001 16 59 2024 08 22 Morphological and molecular identification of the small-scale grouper, Epinephelus polylepis,(Perciformes: Epinephelidae) from the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman شناسایی ریختی و مولکولی گروپر فلس کوچک، Epinephelus polylepis J. E. Randall & Heemstra, 1991 (سوف ماهی شکلان: Epinephilidae) از خلیج فارس و خلیج عمان 1 14 28703 10.22108/tbj.2024.141401.1262 EN Masoumeh Gholipour Gilak Ph. D. Student, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Faezeh Yazdani Moghaddam Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Mehdi Ghanbarifardi Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Sistan and Baluchistan, Zahedan, Iran Ehsan Damadi Ph. D. Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran 0009-0007-4133-8576 Journal Article 2024 05 06 The small-scale grouper Epinephelus polylepis from the family Epinephilidae, is an important commercial species that plays a crucial role in coastal benthic ecosystems. Previous studies have failed to accurately identify this species in the northern region of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The aim of this study is to analyze the samples of E. polylepis collected in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman using a combination of morphological and molecular data. The morphological data include 17 morphological characters and six counting characters. For the molecular study, sequences of the mitochondrial COI were used, which were combined with GenBank sequences. The samples were collected in the sandy areas of two stations, Tis and Qeshm. This species can be distinguished from other congeners by the presence of smaller and closer spots on the fins and spots on the back of the head and body. Analysis of the COI sequences of the mitochondrial DNA and samples sequenced in this study and samples from the vicinity of the typing site (Bahrain) revealed a monophyletic group with a high posterior probability and a low intraspecific genetic distance (0.19%). In addition, molecular analysis completely separated this species from other congeners.

https://tbj.ui.ac.ir/article_28703_454af87f2aa8130e999565135d1f1288.pdf

University of Isfahan Taxonomy and Biosystematics 3115-9001 16 59 2024 08 22 Rust fungi (Pucciniales) from Sistan region, southeast of Iran قارچ‌های مولد زنگ (Pucciniales) از منطقه سیستان، جنوب شرق ایران 15 28 28818 10.22108/tbj.2024.142404.1277 EN Khodabakhsh Narouee M.Sc Student of Plant pathology, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran Mahdi Pirnia Associate Professor of Plant pathology, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran. Shirahmad Sarani Assistant Professor of Plant pathology, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran Mohammad Amini Rad Research Associate Professor, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran. Journal Article 2024 08 09 Rust fungi are belong to biotrophic fungi and are destructive plant pathogens. Due to the lack of consistent research related to rust fungi in the southeast of Iran, especially in the Sistan region, the present research was conducted in order to identify these fungi on vegetation based on the morphological characteristics of teliospore (shape, color, dimensions, presence or absence of pedicel, number of septum, surface ornamentation), urediniospore (shape, color, dimensions, number and position of germ pores, surface ornamentation) and aeciospore (shape, dimensions, surface ornamentation). Based on the results, Melampsora euphorbiae, Puccinia aeluropodis, P. bromina, P. carthami, P. cynodontis, P. isiacae, P. polypogonis, U. polygoni-avicularis, and U. rumicis were reported from Sistan region. Moreover, seven new host species including Bromus gedrosianus, Carthamus lanatus, Polypogon maritimus, Polypogon monspeliensis, Launaea procumbens, Polygonum argyrocoleon, and Rumex sanguineus were recognized for rusts fungi in Iran. The fungus isolated from Launaea procumbens belongs to the genus Puccinia, but its characteristics are different from the previously reported species on this host plant in other countries, including P. butleri and P. launaeae, and more investigations are required to determine the species.

https://tbj.ui.ac.ir/article_28818_121065429e0b9e73fc4204de0e4f6645.pdf

University of Isfahan Taxonomy and Biosystematics 3115-9001 16 59 2024 08 22 The Study of the Morphological Characteristics of the Vicia peregrina L. in the Regions of Western Iran using Univariate and Multivariate Statistical Methods مطالعۀ خصوصیات مورفولوژیکی ماشک (Vicia peregrina L.) در مناطقی از غرب ایران با استفاده از روش‌های تک‌متغیره و چندمتغیره آماری 29 40 28753 10.22108/tbj.2024.142179.1273 EN Mehdi Kakaei Associate Professor, Department of Agriculture, Payame Noor University (PNU), Tehran-Iran. Journal Article 2024 07 18 Vetch is one of the forage legumes of the country, which has been favored by researchers and stakeholders due to its cultivation in many environments. In this study, the morphological and agronomic characteristics of six ecotypes collected in areas of the west of Iran in early June 2024 in the form of randomized complete block design in three repetitions were investigated and the relationships between different traits were analyzed with the help of statistical univariate and multivariate methods. In this study, analysis of variance clearly identified the inherent diversity in ecotypes based on the studied traits. The comparison of average traits regarding ecotypes effectively separate the studied ecotypes. Ecotype 3 (Shahre Bahar) and Ecotype 1 (Tape-Abbas-Abad, Hamedan) were placed in the farthest groups from each other, which can be used in the future studies and researches of these results in plant breeding. It shows the phenotypic correlation between the studied traits positive and significant correlation there was between the total fresh weight of the three plants with the chlorophyll index trait (0.593) the probability level of 1% (P≤1%). There was a positive and significant correlation (0.935) between the total dry weight of the three plants and the total fresh weight of the three plants at the probability level of 1% (P≤1%), that is, with the increase in the total fresh weight of the subsequent plants. Key words: Multivariate Statistical Analysis, Genetic Diversity, West of Iran, Vicia peregrina Introduction The vetch genus (Vicia L.) has about 40 species, 2 subspecies, and 4 varieties in the fields and pastures of Iran, all of which are capable of feeding livestock. In terms of fodder consumption, the vetch genus is among the species of the legume family (Jalilian et al., 2014; Pakravan et al., 2000). Due to the importance of the vetch plant in feeding livestock, its ability to grow in low-yield lands, its tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress conditions, as well as its role in improving soil fertility, this plant was chosen as the focus of this research. Additionally, while collecting this plant from various regions in the west of Iran, its agronomic traits were initially evaluated. Materials and Methods The plant materials used in this research, in the form of six ecotypes, include 1) Hamedan with herbarium number 274, 2) Asadabad with herbarium number 275, 3) Bahar with herbarium number 276, 4) Tuyserkan with herbarium number 277, 5) Kangavar with herbarium number 278, and 6) Sahne with herbarium number 279, which were collected from the western provinces of the country, including the two provinces of Hamedan and Kermanshah, and are kept in the herbarium of the central laboratory of Payame Noor University in Asadabad. The ecotypes of this research were collected on June 1, 2024. The traits studied include the chlorophyll index in leaves, plant height (whole plant including stem and root), total fresh weight of three plants, total dry weight of three plants, number of leaves per plant, length of plant, total fresh weight of five plants per stem, and the total dry weight of five legumes per stem. Statistical analyses of the data include analysis of variance (F test), comparison of trait averages, correlation between traits (Pearson's method) using MSTAT-C software, and cluster analysis (by Ward's method) using SPSS version 26. Results and Discussion Variance analysis and comparison of trait Based on the analysis of variance, the chlorophyll index trait was significant at the 5% probability level (P≤5%), and the traits for the total fresh weight of three plants, the total dry weight of three plants, the total fresh weight of five plants, and the total dry weight of five plants were significant at the 1% probability level (P≤1%). Other traits did not show a significant difference. The significance of the above traits shows the diversity between the studied ecotypes in terms of specific traits, which means that these significant traits can be used in cross-breeding research to select high-yielding genotypes and make selections. Based on the comparison of the mean traits studied in the vetch ecotypes, ecotype 1 (Abbas Abad Hill ecotype, Hamadan) and ecotype 5 (Kangavar ecotype) were placed in different groups in terms of the chlorophyll index trait compared to other ecotypes. The highest mean was related to ecotype 1 (Abbas Abad Hill ecotype, Hamadan), and the lowest mean was related to ecotype 2 (Asadabad). Cluster analysis and grouping of collected masses Based on cluster analysis, the studied ecotypes were classified into three separate statistical groups. Ecotypes 3 and 4 (Bahar and Tuyserkan) were in the first group, ecotypes 2, 6, and 5 (Asadabad, Sahne, and Kangavar) were in the second group, and ecotype 1 (Hamedan) was in the third statistical group. In the grouping of genotypes based on genetic distance, when several traits are examined at the same time, it is effective in breeding programs to produce new genotypes. For this reason, in studies, cluster analysis is used to determine the pattern of genetic diversity, group cultivars, and determine the genetic distance between them. Correlation analysis Correlation between traits is useful in planning and evaluating improvement programs. Based on the phenotypic correlation analysis, there is a positive and significant correlation between the total fresh weight of the three plants and the chlorophyll index trait, which is as high as (0.593) at the probability level of 1% (P≤1%). As the weight of the plant increases, the chlorophyll index increases, which indicates that photosynthesis is active in green plants, and this result is completely consistent and logical. There is a positive and significant correlation (0.935) between the total dry weight of the three plants and the total fresh weight of the three plants at the probability level of 1% (P≤1%), meaning that with the increase in the total fresh weight, the dry weight of plants also increases. There was a positive and significant correlation (0.650) between the dry weight trait of five legumes and the wet weight trait of five legumes at the probability level of 1% (P≤1%). This indicates that with the increase in the wet weight of the five legumes, the dry weight also increased. Conclusion Ecotype 1 (Abbasabad Hill, Hamadan) was able to obtain the highest yield of the whole plant, which can be used and exploited in future breeding programs for propagation and cultivation by conducting preliminary tests. It is also recommended that in future research, more samples should be taken, and related studies should be conducted on a larger scale, so that the results can be judged more confidently. Acknowledgment I especially appreciate the work of Dr. Nastaran Jalilian, a plant systematics expert at the Kermanshah Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, for identifying the species studied in this research.

https://tbj.ui.ac.ir/article_28753_2ed200a72ce8c55380b94bc839eeec7a.pdf

University of Isfahan Taxonomy and Biosystematics 3115-9001 16 59 2024 08 22 Geometric morphometric comparison of northern Caucasian bleak populations (Alburnus hohenackeri) in the southern Caspian Basin مقایسۀ ریخت‌سنجی هندسی جمعیت‌های مرواریدماهی قفقازی (Alburnus hohenacheri) در حوضه جنوبی خزر 41 56 28837 10.22108/tbj.2024.141024.1260 EN Soroor Gholami Ph. D Student of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran Yazdan Keivany Associate Professor of Fisheries Department, Faculty of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran Journal Article 2024 05 05 This study aimed to compare the morphological characteristics of northern Caucasian bleak (Alburnus hohenackeri) populations in the Caspian basin using geometric morphometrics. Geometric morphometrics in fishes examines the changes in their appearance among different groups or under different environmental conditions by using anatomical reference points on their body. The data encompassed 487 fish samples from the Caspian Basin, including the Aras, Shalmanrud, Mazoboon, Noor, Sorkhrud, Goharrud, Kaparbordrud 1, Kaparbordrud 2, Gorganrud 1, Gorganrud 2, Lamir, and Hajibakandeh rivers. Photographs were taken from the left side of the lateral surface of these samples, and then 13 landmarks were digitized using tpsDig2 software. The data obtained from Procrustes analysis were analyzed with multivariate statistical methods such as PCA, CVA, and cluster analysis. The comparison of geometric morphometrics revealed a significant difference between the Aras River population and the other populations. The main differences were related to the shape of the body, the size and shape of the head, the position of the mouth, the position of the fins, the height of the body, and the length of the tail stem. This difference between the Aras River population and other rivers may be due to variations in habitat and geographical separation. Alternatively, it is possible that the observed differences indicate distinct species. On the other hand, the other populations overlapped with each other, and no significant difference was observed between them. This similarity in morphometrics could be attributed to similar habitat conditions. Keywords: Geometric morphometric, Principal Component Analysis, Canonical Variate Analysis, Procrustes Analysis. Introduction The Caucasian bleak (Alburnus hohenackeri), belonging to the Leuciscidae family, is commonly found among aquatic plants in the lower parts of rivers and freshwater lakes. It can tolerate brackish water to some extent and is most abundant in river estuaries. This species inhabits all ecosystems of the Caspian Sea, although human activities have inadvertently introduced it to other water bodies like Zarivar, Maraveh, Hamun, and Sistan. Habitat and river differences significantly impact fish species, making morphological studies of Caucasian sprat across various rivers and water bodies important. Morphological characteristics are essential for differentiating populations within a species and can provide insights into evolution, behavior, conservation, and resource utilization (Nacua et al. 2010; Su et al. 2019). The geometric morphometric method based on landmarks is widely applicable in biological studies and is effective in analyzing morphological changes over time and space (Klingenberg 2017; Adams et al. 2004). This method allows for comparisons between biological forms based on landmark coordinates, which can be visualized in a deformation network. Understanding fish in aquatic ecosystems is crucial from ecological, behavioral, evolutionary, and resource management perspectives (Razavipoor et al. 2014). The primary aim of this study is to investigate the geometric morphological differences of Caucasian sprat within the Caspian Sea basin, which is the largest lake globally, housing around 115 fish species, including economically and ecologically significant species like sturgeon, mullet, carp, and trout (Ghojoghi et al. 2018). Materials and Methods In this study, 487 specimens of Caucasian sprat (from a total of 12 populations across 12 rivers) were collected from the Caspian Sea basin between 2009 and 2010. The identification was based on the 2020 checklist (Jouladeh-Roudbar et al. 2020). The fish studied were not mature, making sex determination impossible; therefore, they were analyzed as a mixed group. However, the samples were sufficiently grown for identification. Some samples were excluded from the study due to inadequate growth for identification, and only recognizable specimens were included. The fish mature at a size of 12 cm, while the specimens studied ranged from 8 to 11 cm. After selecting the target rivers for sampling, Caucasian sprat specimens were captured using a seine net and an electrofishing device. The samples were then fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and transferred to the Ichthyology Laboratory of the Faculty of Natural Resources at Isfahan University of Technology, where they were preserved in 70% alcohol. Geometric morphometric data were extracted using a 14-megapixel Canon digital camera (made in Japan). Landmarks were placed on the images using TpsDig2 software (version 2.10). Morphometric data for the studied species were compared using Tps series software (version 2). Procrustes analysis was used to eliminate non-shape variations, followed by analysis using PAST software (version 2.17). The average shape changes of populations were derived from the overall mean shape. Geometric morphometric data were analyzed using principal component analysis and canonical variable analysis. Figure 2 illustrates a fish sample for landmark determination. Research Findings The results of principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that the first three components were selected as the main factors distinguishing the populations, accounting for approximately 53% of the total variance. The distribution of the studied populations and changes in body shape along the first two principal components were analyzed. The analysis revealed that eleven populations overlapped, indicating no significant differences among them. However, the Aras River population did not overlap with the others, showing significant differences. Changes in body shape patterns indicated that movement in the positive direction of the first principal component was associated with alterations in mouth position, shifts in eye positions, and significant changes in dorsal fin positions, pelvic and anal fin positions, as well as increases in body height and caudal peduncle length. In the positive direction of the second principal component, similar changes were observed, including downward movement of the mouth, shifts in the head end position, alterations in dorsal and anal fin positions, and increases in body height and caudal peduncle length. Canonical correlation analysis demonstrated that nearly all populations overlapped with no significant differences, except for the Aras River population, which was distinct from the others. Cluster analysis indicated that the Aras River population formed a separate branch, showing the greatest distinction from other populations. Two main groups emerged: one including the Aras River and another with the remaining populations. Within the second group, the Marzbon population was notably distinct, while the pairs of populations Golestanrud1 and Haji-Bakandeh, as well as Koper-Bardrud1 and Noor, were identified as sister populations with minimal distance between them. Discussion of Results & Conclusion Fish populations in different habitats exhibit distinct forms due to environmental conditions. Among vertebrates, fish show a high degree of morphological diversity and sensitivity to environmental changes (Mouludi-Saleh et al. 2018). While shape variations were once thought to be primarily genetic, it is now recognized that environmental factors play a crucial role. Numerous studies have demonstrated that body shape correlates with specific environmental conditions, leading to notable adaptations. For instance, research in the southern Caspian Sea basin identified traits such as head size, body depth, and fin positions as key factors distinguishing fish populations (Mouludi-Saleh & Keivany 2019). Similarly, studies on narrow-nosed mullet and stream catfish revealed significant morphological variations influenced by their habitats (Abassi et al. 2023a; Sharifinia & Mousavi 2016). Morphological changes are significant when linked to functional aspects, such as foraging behavior and movement efficiency in aquatic ecosystems (Abassi et al. 2023b). For example, a downward mouth position in the Aras population may indicate feeding from deeper waters, while reduced body height may aid in navigating currents (Hawkins & Quinn 1996). Overall, the evolutionary changes leading to morphological differences in the Aras population appear to be influenced by habitat characteristics and geographical isolation. The distinct shape of the Aras population likely relates to its dietary habits and environmental adaptations, impacting its feeding success and predator avoidance (Langerhans et al. 2003).

https://tbj.ui.ac.ir/article_28837_e10d1216e64544cc6cd74646431ca20b.pdf