Nasrullah Rastegar-Pouyani

Neogene climatic oscillations shape the biogeography and evolutionary history of the Eurasian blindsnake.

Typhlops vermicularis is the only extant scolecophidian representative occurring in Europe. Its main distribution area, the eastern Mediterranean, has a complicated geological and climatic history that has left an imprint on the phylogenies and biogeography of many taxa, especially amphibians and reptiles. Since reptiles are sensitive indicators of palaeogeographical and palaeoclimatic events, we investigated the intraspecific genealogy of T. vermicularis in a phylogeographical framework. A total of 130 specimens were analyzed, while the use of formalin and ethanol as preservatives called for a special treatment of the samples. Partial sequences of two mitochondrial (12S and ND2) and one nuclear (PRLR) marker were targeted and the results of the phylogenetic analyses (NJ, ML and BI) and the parsimony-network revealed the existence of 10 evolutionary significant units within this species. In combination with the results of the dispersal-vicariance analysis, we may conclude that the Eurasian blindsnake has encountered a sequence of extinction events, followed by secondary expansion from refugia. Estimation of divergence times showed that severe climatic changes between significantly wetter and drier conditions in the Late Neogene have played a key role on the evolutionary and biogeographical history of T. vermicularis. Additionally, both markers (mtDNA and nDNA) distinguished a largely-differentiated evolutionary lineage (Jordan and south Syria), which could even be reckoned as a full species. Our study reveals the existence of cryptic evolutionary lineages within T. vermicularis, which calls for further attention both on the protection of intraspecific varieties and the respective geographic areas that hold them.

Mitochondrial DNA reveals the genealogical history of the snake-eyed lizards (Ophisops elegans and O. occidentalis) (Sauria: Lacertidae)

The snake-eyed lizards of the genus Ophisops (Lacertidae) have been through a series of taxonomical revisions, but still their phylogenetic relationships remain uncertain. In the present study we estimate the phylogeographic structure of O. elegans across its distributional range and we evaluate the relationships between O. elegans and the sympatric, in North Africa, species O. occidentalis, using partial mtDNA sequences (16S rRNA, COI, and cyt b). All phylogenetic analyses produced topologically identical trees where extant populations of O. elegans and O. occidentalis were found polyphyletic. Taking into account all the potential causes of polyphyly (introgressive hybridization, incomplete lineage sorting, and imperfect taxonomy) we suggest the inaccurate taxonomy as the most likely explanation for the observed pattern. Our results stress the need for re-evaluation of the current taxonomical status of these species and their subspecies. Furthermore, our biogeographic analyses and the estimated time of divergences suggest a late Miocene diversification within these species, where the present distribution of O. elegans and O. occidentalis was the result of several dispersal and vicariant events, which are associated with climatic oscillations (the late Miocene aridification of Asia and northern Africa) and paleogeographic barriers of late Miocene and Pliocene period.

Taxonomy and biogeography of the Iranian species of Laudakia (Sauria: Agamidae)

Abstract At least 5 species of the genus Laudakia Gray, 1845, as one of the representatives of the western radiation of the Agamidae, occur on the Iranian Plateau. Based on extensive field research, collecting material from most parts of the Iranian Plateau, examination of material from museum collections, employing statistical methods, and by referring to almost all the available relevant literature, we discuss the taxonomy and biogeography of the Iranian species of Laudakia. From the standpoint of body stature and scale morphology L. caucasia and L. microlepis are distinguishable based on several species-specific characters. Furthermore, descriptive statistics and ANOVA-based pairwise comparison of metric and meristic data show that in most characters they are significantly different. Based on scale morphology, descriptive statistics as well as ANOVA it is shown that L. nupta nupta and L. n. fusca are at least subspecifically different, and this is also the case with L. melanura melanura and L. m. lirata. Different ideas concerning the nomenclature of the Palaearctic ring-tailed, rock-dwelling agamids are discussed and the generic name Laudakia Gray is adopted as the best-fitted alternative. A summary of regional geology and palaeogeographgical events is presented, and different scenarios for the origin, radiation, and subsequent evolution of Laudakia species are discussed. Both dispersal waves and vicariant events are proposed to be involved in isolation, radiation, and speciation in Laudakia, and the high mountain ranges of northeastern Afghanistan and southeastern Tajikistan (Pamir) are regarded as their hypothetical centre of origin. A key to the Iranian species of Laudakia is provided.

Biometric comparison of two parthenogenetic populations of Artemia Leach, 1819 from the Urmia Lake basin, Iran (Anostraca: Artemiidae)

So far, 18 Artemia sites were reported from Iran of which 16 belong to the parthenogenetic populations. The Urmia Lake basin includes three populations: a bisexual species, Artemia urmiana Gunther, which is endemic to the Urmia Lake, and two parthenogenetic Artemia populations, one from the lake and the other from its lagoons (see ABATZOPOULOS et al. 2006, VAN STAPPEN 2002). Here we compare the two parthenogenetic populations from a morphological point of view. One of them was the population occurring in the Urmia Lake, the other from the lagoon in the Rashakan region in the south-west of the lake. The lagoon is entirely separated from the lake but it is temporarily and seasonal. Biometrical parameters such as diameters of untreated and decapsulated cysts, chorion thickness and length of newly hatched nauplii of the two parthenogenetic Artemia were studied. Cysts were collected in the Rashekan region with the help of a net, and cysts from the parthenogenetic population living in Urmia Lake were taken from AAARI cyst bank (Artemia and Aquatic Animals Research Institute). These two samples were hatched at standard laboratory conditions (LAVENS & SORGELOOS 1996). Nauplii were cultured in 80 ppt salinity. The cysts of adult females were collected and the diameter of untreated and decapsulated cysts and the length of nauplii hatched from these cysts were measured. T-Test was used for analyzing the data. 30 adult females were randomly selected from each population because parthenogenetic populations of Artemia rarely produce male sex (MACDONALD & BROWNE 1986). They were then fixed by using %1 lugol solution. 13 morphometrical characters were measured and the number of setae per furca was counted. There is no significant difference in diameter of decapsulated cyst and the nauplii length between the two samples (p>0.05) but untreated cysts of the parthenogenetic Artemia from inside Urmia Lake are larger in size than the other population (p<0.05) (Table 1). The cyst chorion of the population from inside Urmia Lake (8.31 μm) is also thicker than in specimens from the lagoon (5.53 μm). Ten characters (TL, AL, ED-R, ED-L, LF-R, LF-L, OW, LT, S-R and S-L) show significant differences between the two populations (T-test, p<0.05) (Table 2). According to this analysis, the parthenogenetic population within Urmia Lake is larger in size in comparison eith the parthenogenetic Artemia in the lagoon. On the other hand, the size of furca and number of setae is higher than in the lake parthenogenetic population. In addition, the diameter of decapsulated cyst (embryo) and the nauplii size show no statistical variation between the two parthenogenetic samples, but adult parthenogenetic Artemia from in the lake are larger than those frome the lagoon. This can be ascribed to difference growth rates. Study of Table 2 shows that the mean of ED-R shows statistical variation between the two populations, but ED-L does not show any difference. There are significant differences between the length of right/left branches of furca in specimens from the lagoon and also length of right/left antenna in Artemia originating from Urmia Lake (pair sample T-test, p<0.05). According to these results, there are differences between pair morphometrical characters in Artemia but usually only one of these pair characters is used for morphometrical studies. Here, we suggest using of both pair traits such as length of right/left antenna, diameter of left/right eye, length of left/right branch of furca, and

Modelling the potential distribution of the Bridled Skink, Trachylepis vittata (Olivier, 1804), in the Middle East

The Bridled Skink, Trachylepis vittata, is widespread in the Middle East and eastern coastal Mediterranean areas and inhabits foothills throughout the arid regions of the Middle East. With the help of more than 146 distribution records from Iran, Turkey, Syria, Israel, Jordan, Cyprus, Egypt, Lebanon and Libya, we analysed the influence of climate on the distribution pattern. According to the Maximum Entropy model, the most influential factors that determined T. vittata distribution are: precipitation of coldest quarter, Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and precipitation in the warmest quarter. The model suggests that the western slopes of the Zagros Mountains in Iran and slopes in the southern regions of Anatolia around the Mediterranean Sea are suitable for this species. The species is associated with areas with intermediate NDVI (150-180) (a measure of primary productivity), high winter precipitation (>300 mm) and dry summer (<50mm). The association with rainy winter limits the presence of the species in lowlands. The Zagros Mountains may act as a biogeographic barrier that limits the species dispersal eastward, because of their scarce precipitation.

The genus Artemia Leach, 1819 (Crustacea: Branchiopoda). I. True and false taxonomical descriptions

The brine shrimp Artemia is important for aquaculture since it is highly nutritious. It is also used widely in biological studies because it is easy to culture. The aim of the present study is to review the literature on the taxonomical nomenclature of Artemia. The present study indicates the existence of seven species: three living in the Americas, one in Europe, and three in Asia.

The roles of environmental factors on reptile richness in Iran

Iran is usually considered as a bridge between Oriental and African zoogeographical region, and also the 20th global biodiversity hotspot. Herpetofauna of the Iranian Plateau has a high diversity compared to other areas in the region and has always been interesting for herpetologists in terms of biogeography, ecology and zoogeography. In this study, distribution maps of 215 terrestrial reptilian species (of which 50 were endemic to Iran) were digitized and the species richness patterns were correlated with 13 environmental factors using spatial analyses methods. Our results showed that the hotspot regions for all reptilian species are concentrated on south and southwest of Iran. This result is consistent with the Irano-Anatolian biodiversity hotspot. Based on spatial analyses, species richness in the area is affected by seven environmental variables which are associated with temperature and probably interpreted as the most important factor on reptile richness in Iran.

Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the genus Acanthodactylus Fitzinger, 1834 (Reptilia: Lacertidae) in Iran, inferred from mtDNA Sequences

Phylogenetic relationships of Iranian Acanthodactylus species were investigated using 1407 bp of mitochondrial DNA including 606 bp of cytochrome b and 801 bp of NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4). Analyses done with maximum parsimony, maximum-likelihood, and Bayesian inference included 67 specimens from 27 geographically distinct localities in Iran. Our molecular results proposed three clear and geographically isolated clades by their phylogenetic positions and genetic differences. These three major clades are: (1) A. micropholis+ A. grandis+ A. khamirensis; (2) A. blanfordi+ A. schmidti+ Acanthodactylus sp1; (3) A. nilsoni+ A. boskianus + Acanthodactylus sp2. The phylogenetic analyses of the genus did not group A. grandis with the remaining species of the A. boskianus group and clustered it along with A. khamirensis within the A. micropholis group. In addition, phylogenetic results revealed a monophyletic status for A. schmidti and A. micropholis groups. Molecular clock approach indicated that the most recent divergence event splits A. micropholis from A. khamirensis about 2 MYA and results of dispersal-vicariance analyses showed that this diversification occurred by dispersal event rather than vicariance. Results of Reconstruct Ancestral State in Phylogenies (RASP) showed that Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA) of A. micropholis, A. blanfordi and A. sp1 originated in eastern Iran. The first diversification of the genus in Iran most likely occurred between 8.5-9 MYA corresponding with the hypothesis that the genus has entered Iran long after the complete uplifting of the Zagros Mts. (10-12 MYA) which limited its dispersal only to the Persian Gulf shores and western slopes of the Zagros Mts.

Modelling the potential distribution of Mesalina watsonana (Stoliczka, 1872) (Reptilia: Lacertidae) on the Iranian Plateau

The Persian Long-tailed Desert Lizard, Mesalina watsonana, is one of the most common and most widely distributed lizards on the Iranian Plateau extending from Iran to Pakistan and Afghanistan. The species is frequently encountered in various types of habitats. We collected over 600 distributional records from available literature, museum collections, and our own field work and used bioclimatic and land cover characteristics to develop a model of potential distribution for M. watsonana. According to the model, the most important factors limiting the distribution of M. watsonana are: precipitation in wettest quarter exceeding 250–300 mm, precipitation in coldest quarter lower than 40 mm and exceeding 250 mm, altitudes above 2500 m and slopes steeper than 10.5°. The model suggests that most of the Iranian Plateau is suitable for the species except for some isolated areas such as the Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut deserts in Iran, Helmand basin in Afghanistan, the Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan, the western Chagai-Kharan deserts of Pakistani Balochistan, and Thar and Cholistan deserts in eastern Pakistan. The most important factor in these regions appears to be the extremely low rainfall during coldest quarter of the year. The outer boundary of the distribution of M. watsonana follows important biogeographic barriers that are also clearly delimited by climatic conditions.

The Brahminy Blind Snake, Ramphotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803), a newcomer to Iran (Ophidia: Typhlopidae).

The Brahminy Blind Snake, Ramphotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803),has invaded many parts of the world except for South America. It can live commensally with humans, and is a successful colonist. It feeds mainly on ants and termites and so is beneficial to agriculture. Human activities play a significant role in the distribution of the species (WALLACH 2009). The fact that it is parthenogenetic promotes its distribution: all the specimens collected so far have been females, and a single individual is enough to colonise a new area. They lay eggs or may bear live young, and up to 8 offspring are produced. It is also called the Flowerpot Snake, because it has been introduced into various parts of the world through the plant trade. GASPERETTI (1988) mentioned Ramphotyphlops braminus from Iran with a question mark, but it seems that he only assumed that the species occurred there becausIranit is close to Saudi Arabia, where the species is found (cf. RASTEGAR-POUYANI et al. 2008). The species is also known from Oman and the United Arab Emirates (GARDNER 2009). We can report here on the first records of the species in Iran. We examined a total of four specimens of Ramphotyphlops braminus collected from Iran. All the specimens are preserved in 75% alcohol and are deposited in the International Center for Science, High Technology and Environmental Science Zoological Museum (ICSTZM), and in the Zoological Museum of Gorgan University (ZMGU). The first specimen (ICSTZM7H1066) was collected in the garden of a residential house in Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan Province (27°11’N, 56°18’E) in October 2008. The second specimen (ZMGU.2342) was collected in the garden of an old house in Qeshm city on Qeshm Island, Hormozgan Province (26°57’N, 56°16’E) in August 2009. Two specimens were collected in the garden in an old residential house in Ahwaz city, Khuzestan Province (31°19’N,