Ferdowsi University of MashhadIranian Journal of Animal Biosystematics1735-434X22120260601Exploring Balochistan Coast as key Sea Bird Sanctuaries: New Records of Avian Fauna194799710.22067/ijab.2026.96695.1115ENAsadullahAli MuhammadFisheries and Coastal Development Department, Government of Balochistan0000-0002-4385-9806AlirezaSariSchool of Biology and Centre of Excellence in Phylogeny, College of Science,
University of Tehran, IranJournal Article20251126The study documents two new seabird records for Pakistan, Anous tenuirostris (Lesser Noddy) and Sula leucogaster (Brown Booby) and confirms additional observations of Sula dactylatra (Masked Booby) along the Makran coast of Balochistan. Surveys conducted at Astola Island, Juddi Beach (Pasni), and Gurab Island recorded these species as non-resident visitors primarily using the area for foraging. All three recorded species are currently listed as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List. However, their sporadic presence in Pakistani waters underscores the need for continued monitoring to assess any potential shifts in distribution patterns, possibly related to climate change, marine productivity, or habitat disturbances in the wider Indian Ocean region. Supported by local ecological knowledge, the findings indicate recent seasonal occurrences and potential range extensions into the northern Arabian Sea. The findings highlight the Makran coast as a potentially important seabird sanctuary and emphasize the need for continued monitoring to better assess avian diversity and inform regional conservation planning.https://ijab.um.ac.ir/article_47997_907f872fe100d37c2fd9a9a1a616dc54.pdfFerdowsi University of MashhadIranian Journal of Animal Biosystematics1735-434X22120260601First systematic analysis of marsh frog, Pelophylax ridibundus sensu lato (Pallas,1771) (Anura:Ranidae) in central Iran based on morphological, morphometric and histometric data11214754910.22067/ijab.2025.94815.1108ENFatemehFakharzadehAssistant Professor, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, IranMehranDorostghoalDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.ZahraRanjbariDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.Journal Article20250807Although marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) is spread all over Iran except desert areas, but there is no systematic information about the populations of central Iran. Totally 35 specimens were collected from Aran-Bidgol and Najaf Abad from March 2021 to April 2022. Morphological results revealed high color polymorphism especially on the dorsal surface of their bodies. 15 morphometric characters were measured in this research. The result obtained from the t-test showed that there is no sexual dimorphism. Aran and Bidgol frogs had a larger body size than Najaf Abad. Results of Anova and discriminant analysis represented populations separation between the two regions. Histometric study showed the thickness of the skin on the dorsal surface of Najaf Abad frogs was more than Aran-Bidgol frogs. The number of serous and mucous glands in the dorsal and ventral skin of male and female Pelophylax ridibundus in Aran-Bidgol was significantly higher than that of Najaf Abad. This issue may be related to the desert climate (hot and dry) of Aran- Bidgol. In summary, systematic analysis of marsh frogs based on morphological, morphometric and histometric data showed significant differences between the marsh frogs of the two regions that can be related to the different geographical conditions.https://ijab.um.ac.ir/article_47549_9b9abef7829ab6e15c9670b52e9f0fcb.pdfFerdowsi University of MashhadIranian Journal of Animal Biosystematics1735-434X22120260601Molecular Systematics of Zoantharian species (Cnidaria) and their Endosymbionts in the Bostaneh Bay, the Persian Gulf23414773410.22067/ijab.2025.96455.1114ENSeyedeh NargesNabaviPh.D student of Marine Biology Department, Marine Science and Oceanography Faculty, Khorramshahr University of Science and Technology0009-0003-4781-5995BitaArchangiMarine Biology Department, Marine Science and Oceanography Faculty, khorramshahr university of Marine Science and Technology, Khorramshahr, Iran.Seyed Mohammad BagherNabaviHalal Research Center IRIPargolGhavam MostafaviDepartment of Biology, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.Journal Article20251112Zoantharians or colonial anemones have an important ecological role in marine ecosystems. Despite their worldwide distribution, research on this order of the Persian Gulf has been sparse compared to other regions, with a need for more detailed investigations, especially regarding molecular systematics and phylogeny. For this purpose, 54 samples of zoantharian colonies in three transects of shallow waters of Bostaneh port were collected by snorkeling and scuba diving. 15 extra colonies also were sampled in the intertidal zone of Khark Island for comparison with the sampling areas of BP. All zoantharian specimens were photographed in situ and morphological characteristics of each specimen were recorded, i. e. polyp shape, polyp color, tentacle number and color, external coloration, oral plate color and oral region color. After DNA extraction, mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) and cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Based on obtained 16S rDNA and COI gene sequences, three species were identified: Zoanthus sansibaricus, Palythoa aff. mutuki and Palythoa tuberculosa. We developed quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays to distinguish each of the three genus (Symbiodinium, Cladocopium and Durusdinium) of dinoflagellate endosymbionts through three clade-specific primer sets aiming at ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (for Symbiodinium), partial ITS-1 (for Cladocopium), and LSU (for Durusdinium) of the nuclear rDNA of Symbiodiniaceae from which, (genus Symbiodinium) commonly found in Zoantharia. In this study, the Zoantharia of Bostaneh Port were identified for the first time.https://ijab.um.ac.ir/article_47734_9bf07408529ee8b0a1c52510b6c40e65.pdfFerdowsi University of MashhadIranian Journal of Animal Biosystematics1735-434X22120260601Contributions to the spider fauna (Arachnida: Araneae) of the South-Central Iran: new species and new records from Iran and Fars Province43704817310.22067/ijab.2026.89661.1079ENFatemehNazariDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Jiroft, Jiroft, IranAsiyehMashayekhDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Jiroft, Jiroft, IranJournal Article20240901The spider fauna of Iran is remarkably diverse but remains incompletely documented, particularly in the south-central area. We present here the result of a faunistic survey conducted in Darab County, Fars Province. A total of 28 species representing 23 genera and 11 families were collected and identified. All species represent new records for Darab County, among them a new record for Iran fauna (Langona pallida, Prószyński, 1993), 13 species are newly recorded for the Fars Province spider fauna, including Berlandina artaxerxes Zamani et al. 2021, Cryptodrassus helvolus (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872), C. iranicus Zamani et al., 2021, Cyrba ocellata (Kroneberg, 1875), Filistata maguirei Marusik & Zamani, 2015, Langona pallida Prószyński, 1993, L. tartarica (Charitonov, 1946), Minosiella intermedia Denis, 1958, Zimiris doriae Simon, 1882, Plexippus minor Wesołowska & van Harten, 2010, P. paykulli (Audouin, 1826), Steatoda trianguloides Levy, 1991, and Wadicosa fidelis (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872). Additionally, we discovered three species belonging to the families Dysderidae, Gnaphosidae, and Salticidae as possibly new species, highlighting the region’s unexplored diversity. One of these species belongs to the genus Dysdera (♂, Dysderidae) from the ninni–group, diagnosed by the extremely short stylus and distinctive triangular projection on the anterior side of the posterior apophysis. Another species, Berinda sp. (Gnaphosidae), differs from its congener in the longer and thinner tibial apophysis, shallowly bifurcated retrolateral tibial apophysis, and pitchfork-shaped median apophysis in lateral view. Moreover, Evarcha sp. (♂, Salticidae) is distinguished by a short and thin retrolateral tibial apophysis and a short triangular apophysis in the lateroventral view. This species list is composed of widespread Palearctic elements and Iranian endemics, confirming Fars Province as a biogeographic confluence of diversity and highlighting the need for continuing research. This work establishes a foundational dataset and demonstrates that targeted surveys in poorly explored regions of Iran yield significant faunistic discoveries.https://ijab.um.ac.ir/article_48173_5fb19e8e79a83a8b7b08f88c4562cb82.pdfFerdowsi University of MashhadIranian Journal of Animal Biosystematics1735-434X22120250801Notes on the Heyden’s gecko (Hemidactylus robustus) (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Tunb-e Bozorg and Faror Islands, Persian Gulf, Iran71764737310.22067/ijab.2025.94255.1104ENHamzehOraieDepartment of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran0000-0001-8282-5169NaserSanchooliDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zabol, Zabol, IranJournal Article20250704The Heyden's gecko (Hemidactylus robustus) is a rare taxon in the Iranian herpetofauna, and its distribution range in Iran has remained largely unclear. In this study, we report on relatively recently collected specimens from Tunb-e Bozorg and Faror Islands, Persian Gulf, and compare them with published data. The specimens examined show morphological congruence in the main taxonomic features and colour patterns with those previously described in the existing literatures. This study provides for the first time molecular evidence for the specimens of Hemidactylus robustus on the southern coast of Iran. The results show that the prevailing hypothesis of a recent, possibly anthropogenically favored dispersal of the species in its range is not sufficiently supported.The Heyden's gecko (Hemidactylus robustus) is a rare taxon in the Iranian herpetofauna, and its distribution range in Iran has remained largely unclear. In this study, we report on relatively recently collected specimens from Tunb-e Bozorg and Faror Islands, Persian Gulf, and compare them with published data. The specimens examined show morphological congruence in the main taxonomic features and colour patterns with those previously described in the existing literatures. This study provides for the first time molecular evidence for Iranian specimens of Hemidactylus robustus. The results show that the prevailing hypothesis of a recent, possibly anthropogenically favored dispersal of the species in its range is not sufficiently supported.https://ijab.um.ac.ir/article_47373_5b6e8759af7b231482ca0b70b92ed709.pdfFerdowsi University of MashhadIranian Journal of Animal Biosystematics1735-434X22120260601A preliminary study of the effects of long-term potato monoculture on earthworm community77924766110.22067/ijab.2025.94795.1107ENAtabakRoohi AminjanShahid Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan Street, Bu-Ali Sina University0000-0002-6785-0259RobabehLatifFarzanegan Campus, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran0000-0002-7201-5426Maria J. I.Briones3Departamento de Ecología y Biología Animal, Universidad de Vigo, Spain0000-0002-4051-8117Journal Article20250805Earthworms are widely recognized as ecosystem engineers because their activities significantly modify soil properties and ecosystem functioning. Earthworm community composition is primarily determined by soil characteristics, land use, and climate. In agro-ecosystems, earthworm populations are strongly affected by management practices, particularly tillage intensity, crop rotation schemes, and the application of various agrochemicals. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of intensive potato (Solanum tuberosum) cultivation on earthworm community structure and diversity. Earthworm samples were collected by hand-sorting from long-term potato monoculture farms subjected to ploughing and the application of pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers, as well as semi-natural, non-agricultural habitats used as reference sites. A total of eight anecic, epigeic, and endogeic earthworm species belonging to the family Lumbricidae were identified in the semi-natural habitats, namely Aporrectodea caliginosa, A. longa, A. trapezoides, Dendrobaena hortensis, D. pentheri, D. semitica, Eisenia andrei, and Perelia kaznakovi. In contrast, only a single anecic species (A. longa) was recorded in potato fields. These results indicate that intensive agricultural activities have adversely affected the earthworm community in potato fields, leading to species loss by eliminating epigeic and endogeic earthworms.https://ijab.um.ac.ir/article_47661_edd5ea0b8d1caa171766ec75e1f3afd9.pdf