نشریه تاکسونومی و بیوسیستماتیک
سال سوم شماره 4 (پیاپی 9، زمستان 1390)

In the present study, two populations of Acomys dimidiatus from different locations of Hormozgan Province (Geno sanctuary and Minab County) were compared according to their morphometric, morphological and ecological characteristics. Fifty eight specimens of adult A. dimidiatus were collected by live traps (Sherman traps, Havahart traps and locally made traps) from these regions. We caught the rodents from the height ranging from <100 to >1500 meters. According to our field observations, the studied species was mostly nocturnal. At first, five external and fifteen cranial- dental characters were measured, then ratios of measured characters to head and body length were calculated. The normality of data was analyzed by Kolmogorov- Smironov test. Descriptive statistics were calculated for characters and ratios. The results showed that the average of 14 out of 20 characters in Minab specimens was greater than Geno specimens. Also, the average of all of the ratios (20 ratios) in Minab specimens was greater than that of Geno region. Independent Sample T-Test was used to test the statistical significance between length and ratios. The results indicated that there were significance differences in five out of twenty characters and nine out of twenty ratios in two regions(P<0.05). In addition, MANOVA test revealed significant differences among the studied populations (P<0.05). Also, intraspecific variations were assessed with the principal components analysis (PCA). The first two principal components accounted for more than 60% of the total variance and the species were fairly well separated by them.

The studied watershed region of Alla and Rudzard rivers is located between Khuzestan (Baghmalek and Izeh) and Kohgiloye va Boyerahmad provinces with the area of 229903.4 hectares. Most of the mentioned area is located in Baghmalek region in Khuzestan province. Flora of this region included 417 plant species which belonged to 284 genera and 79 families. The most important families were Asteraceae, Papillionaceae, Apiaceae, Poaceae, Lamiaceae with the Abundance percentage of 13.90%, 11.99%, 8.87%, 8.39% 5.27%, respectively. Life forms of the plant species included Therophytes 40.52%, Hemicryptophytes 32.67%, Phanerophytes 17.50%, Cryptophytes 8.39% and Chamaephytes 5.03%. From the life form point of view, the plants of this region included: 62.58% Irano-Touranian, 8.63% Irano-Touranian and Mediterranean, 7.67% Irano-Touranian and Europe-Siberian, 6.23% Irano-Touranian and Saharao-Sindian, 6.23% Cosmopolitan, 5.99% Irano-Touranian, Europe-Siberian and Mediterranean, 2.15% Irano-Touranian, Saharao-Sindian and Mediterranean, 0.47% Irano-Touranian, Saharao-Sindian, Europe-Siberian and Mediterranean.

Arjan-Parishan protected area with two very beautiful Parishan and Arjan wetlands is situated in the 60 km west of Shiraz in Fars province; which covers an area of 60000 hectares. In this study, the flora, life form and geographical features of the protected area were investigated. In this area, a total of 393 species including 3 pteridophyta, 2 gymnosperma, 337 dicotyledons and 56 monocotyledons were identified. They belonged to 81 families and 268 genera. The following families had the highest number of species: Asteraceae, Papilonaceae, Poaceae, Brassicaceae, Apiaceae,and Boraginaceae. The following genera had the highest number of species: Astragalus, Juncus, Convolvulus, Anthemis and Plantago. 230 species (58.52%) were Irano-Turanian region. Therophytes with 215 species (54.70%) was the most frequent life form of the protected area.

In this study, the cytotaxonomy of the genus Leucopoa Griseb in Iran was investigated. This genus possesses two speices namely L. sclerophylla and L. pseudosclerophylla in Iran. A total of three accessions belonging to L. sclerophylla and L. pseudosclerophylla were examined in this investigation. So far, no chromosome number has been reported in this genus. The diploid numbers counted in this study were 2n=42 and x=7 for three populations belonging to two studied species. The karyotypic observations and chromosomal parameters showed more or less nonsymmetrical profiles in this genus.

The genus Onobrychis Mill. with about 130 species in 9 sections is one of the most valued legumes distributed mainly in temperate regions of north hemisphere. However, its main centers of diversity are eastern Mediterranean and southwestern Asia. O. sect. Heliobrychis is the largest section of the genus and has nearly 21 species in Iran. In this investigation, the chromosome number and meiotic behavior were studied in 6 populations of O. melanotricha. All taxa were diploid and had the basic chromosome number of 2n=2x=16. Although the taxa represented regular meiosis, some abnormalities such as laggard and fragmented chromosomes in anaphase/telophase I, II and diakinesis/methaphase I, cytomixis in anaphase/telophase I, II, micronucleus in telophase II, multipolar cells in telophase II, bridges in anaphase I and asynchronous nuclei in metaphase II and telophase I and II were observed.

Cynodon dactylon is a perennial herb which has economical and industrial importance and widely used as warm-season turf and forage grass in the temperate and tropical regions. The taxonomic and cytological status of this species is not well documented. In this study, the cytological characteristics of 10 samples collected from different regions of Iran were analysed. Two ploidy levels: tri and tetraploid were counted from the root tips as 2n=3x=27 and 2n=4x=36 with a basic chromosome number of x=9. The karyotypes and the chromosomal parameters showed a nearly symmetrical karyotypes. The presence of triploid populations indicated that the probable existence of the diploid populations in this region hybridized with tetraploid individuals in the past to produce triploids that subsequently stabilized by vegetative reproduction (rhizome).

Fandoghlu forest is located in the north west of Ardabil city. The highest and lowest altitudes of the area are 1500 and 1850 m a.s.l. respectively. The studied flora included 191 species which belonged to 145 genera and 47 families. The families of Lamiaceae, Rosaceae, Asteraceae, Poaceae and Fabaceae were the richest families which constituted 47.6% of the total species. Hemicryptophytes (45.6%), Therophytes (24%) and Phanerophytes (16.8%) were the most important life forms according to Raunkiaer classification. The chorotype studies showed that the plants of the area belonged to Irano-Turanian region (29.8%), Irano-Turanian/ Mediterranean (17.2%), and Irano-Turanian/ Euro-Siberian (16.2%), Irano-Turanian/ Euro-Siberian/ Mediterranean (15.1%).