جلیل ایمانی

Urbanization is considered the most important extinction driver of various fauna and flora species in the present century due to the degradation of habitat quality and its fragmentation. Therefore, investigation of changes in the land use land cover mosaic can provide useful information about the alteration of ecological processes, especially changes in bird diversity in urban landscapes. Bird survey was carried out from April to May 1400 between 8 and 11 am with three repetitions at 55 points located on 11 transects (5 points per transect). Transects and points were selected by examining land use and land cover changes on the rural-urban gradient. Then, 10 variables related to the area, mean distance and density of green cover, road network and habitat were computed in 4 circular buffers with radii of 750, 1500, 2250 and 3000 at each point of bird observation to assess their relationship with the Shannon diversity index using the multiple linear regression model. 2085 birds belonging to 46 bird species were observed. The domestic sparrow was found as the most abundant bird species with 1381 individuals. Among the independent parameters, percentage of green cover in buffer 1500 m, percentage of road cover in buffer 750 m, area of the nearest green cover, distance to the nearest green cover and mean distance to the nearest green cover in buffer 2250 m as variables were entered in the regression model (r2 = 0.64) as predictors of diversity Shannon. The findings of this study showed that the area of small green spaces, their long distance from each other and the high density of the road network are the most important factors in reducing the presence and diversity of bird species in the urban environment. Although areas close to the urban physical border showed higher bird diversity, their sharp decline toward the city center could be offset by accurate locating of urban green parks and reduction of traffic effects in nearby areas.

The Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) is one of the most abundant and widely distributed species in the world, among ducks. The aim of this study was to investigate the structure and genetic diversity of Aythya ferina in Iran using cytochrome b gene.

For this study, samples were taken from 10 pieces of Aythya ferina that were taken from the north and south of the country. Haplotypic and nucleotide analyzes were performed using MEGA, Papart, DNAsp and Network software.

In general, 7 different haplotypes were identified by examining 8 fragments of 929 pairs of cytochrome b gene of Aythya ferina. Haplotype diversity was calculated 0.818, nucleotide diversity was calculated 0.00149. The value of Nm or the amount of gene flow between the sampling logic was 1.383, which indicates a high gene flow and in other words, a very small gene distance between the populations of this species and its European and Asian populations. Rogers-Harping index, Tajima index and Fu Fs were calculated 0.112, -0.028 and -1.288, respectively. The mismatch distribution diagram is also plotted as a single view, all of which show an indeterminate population history similar to the model of sudden expansion.

According to the results obtained from the haplotype network and the cognitive tree, as well as a slight genetic difference between the studied populations, there is a possibility of migration of this bird from both Europe and East Asia to Iran. Considering the results of the present study, Iranian wetlands should be recognized as important and key areas and the necessary management and protection measures should be taken in these areas.

Today, with the entry of Persian squirrel species by humans into the foothills of Alborz mountain range, especially Qazvin and Alborz provinces, it has caused damage to the environment and local communities. The aim of this study was to provide a structural model of attitudes of gardeners damaged by the infestation of Persian Squirrels in Qazvin and Alborz provinces for efficient management and control of squirrel invasion in the region.

The present study is applied in terms of purpose and in terms of data collection, it is of survey type. In this study, a questionnaire was used in Alborz and Qazvin provinces. Validity of the questionnaire from three methods; Convergent validity, Factor Analysis and Divergent validity was used; And for the reliability of the questionnaire in two methods; Cronbach's alpha and sequential theta were used and the questionnaire was reviewed and validated; The statistical population of gardeners is damaged; Its size was estimated based on the Cochran's formula of 392 people. Then the structural equation model with partial least squares method was used to estimate the Unknown parameters of the model used.

Research findings showed, the degree of agreement with control strategies, Knowledge about squirrels and ethical considerations are the most important determinants of a reliable level 99% P≤0.01 Respectively with effect coefficients 0.330, 0.256, -0.258 has a Meaningful effect on attitudes damaged gardeners. our other findings showed that the damage factor as an independent external factor added to the model had the most significant effect on the 99% confidence level of P P≤0.01 on the attitude of ethical considerations, beliefs, squirrel control feasibility and agreement with control strategies; There is with effect coefficients -0.236, -0.172, -0.175, 0.244.

The results of the study indicate that increasing knowledge and awareness about the effects and harms of squirrel invasion in the region is the main factor in increasing public support for control management or eradication of invasive squirrels.

Abstract. Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea), with 18 subspecies, has a wide distribution in deciduous forests of Eurasia. The subspecies S.e.persica is a resident bird in the Zagros Mountains, from north-west to south-west of Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships of this subspecies to European, Asian, as well as Caucasian clades. For this purpose, 10 individuals of two populations from Zagros forests in Kermansha and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces were captured and blood samples were collected. Furthermore, we used ND2 sequence data (1041 bp) for 136 sequnces from GenBank. were used from Then genetic variations and Genealogical analysis was calculated using complete ND2 gene sequence (1041bp) and TRN+G model, Bayesian trees and maximum likelihood, respectively. Also, median joining algorithm showed the relationships among haplotypes. We found four new haplotypes for the Zagros populations. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed that the genetic distance between Zagros population and Caucasian clade was significantly small, demonstrating Zagros populations are part of the Caucasian clade. FST statistical values, resulted from Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA), represented significant variations in genetic structure among Eurasian Nuthatch populations. Moreover, FCT revealed significant variation among European, Asian, and Caucasian clades. Overall our result suggests that Eurasian Nuthatch populations in Eurasia comprise three phylogenetic species, and likely biological species. Hoewever, the previous nomenclatured subspecies, S.e.caucasian and S.e.persica, can be considered as a common phylogenetic species.

Measurements and delineation of organism’s morphologic characterization is an useful tool for identification and taxonomy of them and also, from the perspective of evolutionary ecology, for describing the adaptation of different populations of a species to local conditions is important. Brown Bear is the largest carnivore of Iran and is widely distributed in mountainous areas of North and West of the country. In this study, a total of 21 skulls (including 11 of the Alborz Mountains and 10 skulls of the Zagros Mountains) were collected and 26 variables for each of the skulls were measured. We log-transformed the measured variables to provide normality and using geometric mean the effect of size and age was removed. Significant Differences in measured variables was examined using t-test and then we performed principle component analysis (PCA) to extract orthogonal multivariate axes describing size and shape of the specimens. The results of t test revealed that between Alborz and Zagros specimens eight variables had significant difference. We found that based on the size, Alborz specimens were larger than the Zagros samples. Also, PCA performed on the eight significant variables, indicated a noteworthy difference in the size, but no in the shape, of the skull of the respected population of two regions, which was led to comprise two quite distinct groups.

Indian Gerbil (Tatera indica Hardwicke، 1807) is from Muridae family and Gerbillinae subfamily. Habitat range of this species involves arid and semi -arid areas. The species has been listed in IUCN (2013) at the lowest level of concern (Lc). This study was conducted using logistic regression approach and all effective factors on habitat suitability of T. indica were identified in Sistan region. Field studies were conducted at five different sampling stations in Zabol during spring 2013. Seven environmental variables including the percentage of vegetation cover، soil، gravel cover (<0/2 mm diameter)، percentage of cover of Tamarix species (Haloxylon sp)، percentage of coverage of Desmatchia-Bipinata، cover of Salsola aucheri and distance from water resources in 60 plots of presence/absence were performed and analyzed using binary logistic regression method. Results showed that variables of soil cover، cover gravel and coverage percentage of Desmatchia-Bipinata and distance from water resources have important role (P< 0. 05) in relation to the distribution of T. indica in Sistan.