The first emerging records of a dragonfly in the dark zone of subterranean ecosystems: Exuviae and newly emerged adults of Hyrcanian Goldenring, Cordulegaster vanbrinkae in Danial Cave, northern Iran.

Riverine caves are special habitats that are home to many aquatic and terrestrial species. Some Odonata species and their emerging are recorded at the entrance and in the twilight zones of subterranean habitats around the world. However, the emergence of any Odonata species has not been recorded in the dark zones of caves or other subterranean habitats. We report the first evidence of the emerging of the Hyrcanian Goldenring, Cordulegaster vanbrinkae Lohmann, 1993, as an endemic species of the Hyrcanian biogeographical region, in the dark zone of Danial Cave, in the World Heritage-listed Hyrcanian Forests, northern Iran. During 2020-2023, three newly emerged and three exuviae of the species were recorded in the entrance zone (25 m) and the dark zone of the cave (200-280 m). The main hypothesis of the study is the entry and exit of adults from the cave entrance. However, we still do not know if the newly emerged will leave the cave or not. We still need more study on the biology and ecology of the species inside and around the cave. Danial Cave, with its high biodiversity, is one of the most important caves in the Middle East, and is urgently in need of conservation as a national natural monument.

The effect of probiotics and casein supplementation on aerobic capacity parameters of male soccer players.

BACKGROUND: In the realm of sports science, nutrition is a well-established pillar for athletes' training, performance, and post-workout recovery. However, the role of gut microbiota, often overlooked, is a novel and intriguing aspect that can significantly impact athletic performance. With this in mind, our study ventures into uncharted territory, investigating the effect of probiotic and casein supplementation on the aerobic capacity of male soccer players. METHOD: A double-blinded and placebo-controlled study was conducted with 44 male soccer players (Age: 22.81 ± 2.76 yr, Height: 177.90 ± 6.75 cm, Weight: 67.42 ± 8.44 kg). The participants were subjected to the Bruce test in the beginning; then, they were randomly divided into four groups, each consisting of 11 people: probiotics (PRO), casein (CAS), probiotics with casein (PRO+CAS), and placebo (PLA). PRO group was given one probiotic capsule (containing strains of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BP06, Lacticaseibacillus casei BP07, Lactobacillus acidophilus BA05, Lactobacillus delbrueckii BD08 bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium infantis BI04, Bifidobacterium longum BL03, Bifidobacterium breve BB02 and Streptococcus salivarius thermophilus BT01, with a total dose of 4.5 × 1011 CFU) during dinner, while the CAS group consumed 20 grams of casein powder 45 minutes before bed. The PRO+CAS group was given one probiotic capsule during dinner and 20 grams of casein powder 45 minutes before bed. The participants in the PLA group were given one red capsule (containing 5 grams of starch) during dinner. All participants were instructed to take the supplements only on training days, three times a week for four weeks. The maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), Ventilatory Threshold (VT), Time-to-exhaustion (TTE), Respiratory Compensation Point (RCP), Isocapnic area Time (Time-IC), Isocapnic area oxygen consumption (VO2-IC), and Hypocapnic Hyperventilation area Time (Time-HHV), after the Bruce test were Measured. All data were analyzed using SPSS Windows software, mixed repeated measure ANOVA, and Bonferroni post hoc test at p < 0.05 level. RESULTS: The current study's findings illustrated that, after the intervention, TTE (p = 0.01) and RCP (p = 0.01) were significantly improved in PRO+CAS compared to the PLA group. No significant difference was observed between PRO and PLA (p = 0.52), PRO and CAS (p = 0.999), PRO and PRO+CAS (p = 0.9), CAS and PLA (p = 0.65), CAS and PRO+CAS (p = 0.73) in TTE. In addition, no significant difference was observed between PRO and CAS (p = 0.999), PRO and PLA (p = 0.40), PRO and PRO+CAS (p = 0.999), CAS and PLA (p = 0.263), CAS and PRO+CAS (p = 0.999) in RCP. Time-HHV was significantly higher in PRO+CAS (p = 0.000) and CAS (p = 0.047) compared to the PLA group. However, no significant difference was observed in the Time-HHV between PRO and CAS (p = 0.999), PRO and PRO+CAS (p = 0.25), PRO and PLA (p = 0.12), and CAS and PRO+CAS (p = 0.57). Additionally, all the groups had no significant differences in VO2max, VT1, VO2-IC and Time-IC. CONCLUSION: The findings showed that consuming probiotics and casein could relatively improve the aerobic capacity of male soccer players. Nevertheless, simultaneous consumption of probiotics and casein had a more pronounced effect on aerobic capacity indicators, especially TTE and Time-HHV.

Application of the integrated threat theory to conservation law enforcement.

Interactions between law enforcement agents in conservation (e.g., rangers) and illegal resource users (e.g., illegal hunters) can be violent and sometimes fatal, which negatively affects conservation efforts and people's well-being. Models from social psychology, such as integrated threat theory (ITT) (intergroup interactions shape intergroup emotions, prejudices and perceived threats leading to hostile attitudes or behaviors between groups), are useful in addressing such interactions. Conservation approaches relying mainly on law enforcement have never been investigated using this framework. Using a structured questionnaire, we collected data from 282 rangers in protected and unprotected areas (n = 50) in northern Iran. We applied Bayesian structural equation modeling in an assessment of rangers' affective attitudes (i.e., emotions or feelings that shape attitudes toward a person or object) toward illegal hunters in an ITT framework. Rangers' positive perceptions of illegal hunters were negatively associated with intergroup anxiety (emotional response to fear) and negative stereotypes about a hunter's personality, which mediated the relationship between negative contact and affective attitudes. This suggests that negative contact, such as verbal abuse, may lead rangers to perceive illegal hunters as arrogant or cruel, which likely forms a basis for perceived threats. Rangers' positive contact with illegal hunters, such as playing or working together, likely lowered their perceived realistic threats (i.e., fear of property damage). Perceived realistic threats of rangers were positively associated with negative contacts (e.g., physical harm). The associations we identified suggest that relationships based on positive interactions between rangers and illegal hunters can reduce fear and prejudice. Thus, we suggest that rangers and hunters be provided with safe spaces to have positive interactions, which may help lower tension and develop cooperative conservation mechanisms.

Aplicación de la teoría integrada de la amenaza a la implementación de las leyes de conservación Resumen Las interacciones entre los agentes de la ley de la conservación (p. ej.: guardabosques) y los usuarios ilegales de recursos (p. ej.: cazadores ilegales) pueden ser violentas y a veces fatales, lo que afecta negativamente los esfuerzos de conservación y el bienestar de las personas. Los modelos de la psicología social, como la teoría integrada de la amenaza (TIA) (una amenaza percibida que deriva en prejuicios entre los grupos), tienen un uso potencial para tratar estas interacciones. Nunca se ha usado este marco para investigar las estrategias de conservación que dependen principalmente de la implementación de la ley. Usamos un cuestionario estructurado para recolectar datos de 282 guardabosques en áreas protegidas y no protegidas (n = 50) en el norte de Irán. Aplicamos el modelo de ecuación estructural bayesiano a la evaluación de las actitudes afectivas que tienen los guardabosques (es decir, emociones o sentimientos que forjan la actitud hacia una persona o un objeto) hacia los cazadores ilegales en un marco de TIA. La percepción negativa que tienen los guardabosques de los cazadores ilegales estuvo asociada negativamente con ansiedad intergrupal (la respuesta emocional al miedo) y estereotipos negativos de la personalidad de los cazadores, las cuales mediaron la relación entre el contacto negativo y las actitudes afectivas. Esto sugiere que el contacto negativo, como el abuso verbal, puede causar que los guardabosques perciban a los cazadores ilegales como arrogantes o crueles, lo que probablemente forma una base para las amenazas percibidas. El contacto positivo entre los guardabosques y los cazadores ilegales, como jugar o trabajar juntos, probablemente disminuyó la percepción de las amenazas realistas (es decir, miedo al daño material). La percepción que tienen los guardabosques de las amenazas realistas estuvieron asociadas positivamente con los contactos negativos (p. ej.: daño físico). Las asociaciones que identificamos sugieren que las relaciones basadas en las interacciones positivas entre los guardabosques y los cazadores ilegales pueden reducir el miedo y los prejuicios. Por lo tanto, sugerimos que se les proporcionen espacios seguros a los guardabosques y a los cazadores ilegales para que puedan tener interacciones positivas, lo que podría ayudar a reducir tensiones y a desarrollar mecanismos cooperativos de conservación.

Diet composition of omnivorous Mesopotamian spiny-tailed lizards (Saara loricata) in arid human-altered landscapes of Southwest Iran.

The Mesopotamian spiny-tailed lizard, Saara loricata, is one of the largest lizard species in the Middle East. Here, we report on the diet of the lizard and their potential role in seed dispersal in Southwestern Iran. We analyzed lizard fecal pellet groups (n = 124) for their food item composition and seed content. We calculated the relative frequency of occurrence (FO%), relative volume (V%), and importance value (IV%) for each food item. Moreover, the number of seeds of each plant food item was counted. Our findings reveal the first solid evidence of omnivorous behavior in the lizard. In total, 16 plant food items and 14 animal food items were identified. Herbaceous plants (IV = 110.2%) and invertebrates (4.8%) were the most important food groups. The plant food items with the highest FO% were Poaceae (56.4%), Centaurea sp. (43.5%), and Medicago polymorpha (27.4%); and the V% for these items were 53.6%, 30.9%, and 13.1%, respectively. Most of the seeds that were consumed by lizards were from Poaceae (547 seeds; 47.81%) and Fabaceae (285 seeds; 24.91%). We also found that each individual lizard could play an equal role in the seed dispersal of all plant families identified. Previous studies show that plant species density and richness are important features for the burrow site selection of Mesopotamian spiny-tailed lizard. This study highlights the potential role of lizards in influencing the vegetation communities around their burrows through seed dispersal.

Environmental temperatures shape thermal physiology as well as diversification and genome-wide substitution rates in lizards.

Climatic conditions changing over time and space shape the evolution of organisms at multiple levels, including temperate lizards in the family Lacertidae. Here we reconstruct a dated phylogenetic tree of 262 lacertid species based on a supermatrix relying on novel phylogenomic datasets and fossil calibrations. Diversification of lacertids was accompanied by an increasing disparity among occupied bioclimatic niches, especially in the last 10 Ma, during a period of progressive global cooling. Temperate species also underwent a genome-wide slowdown in molecular substitution rates compared to tropical and desert-adapted lacertids. Evaporative water loss and preferred temperature are correlated with bioclimatic parameters, indicating physiological adaptations to climate. Tropical, but also some populations of cool-adapted species experience maximum temperatures close to their preferred temperatures. We hypothesize these species-specific physiological preferences may constitute a handicap to prevail under rapid global warming, and contribute to explaining local lizard extinctions in cool and humid climates.

Roads threaten Asiatic cheetahs in Iran.

Wildlife-vehicle collisions are an important cause of mortality for many animal species. They also prove extremely detrimental to the critically endangered Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) [1,2]. One to two Asiatic cheetahs are killed by vehicles on Iran's roads annually [3,4]. As such, the Asiatic cheetah could be the next charismatic felid subspecies to go extinct in the near future [5]. We identified one statistically-significant cluster of cheetah-vehicle collisions on the Shahroud-Sabzevar Highway (SSH), in Semnan Province. Because of the extremely small population of cheetahs and the corresponding difficulty of finding statistically-significant clusters, we propose that every single cheetah-vehicle collision should be considered important. We further recommend that wildlife underpasses and associated fencing be constructed in areas of previous cheetah-vehicle collisions.

A phylogenetic assessment of the meadow lizard Darevskia praticola (Eversmann, 1834) from Iran.

The meadow lizard Darevskia praticola (Eversmann, 1834) displays a wide distribution range from the Western Balkans and Caucasus to the Hyrcanian forest in Iran. Based on previous studies, four subspecies have been described (D. p. praticola, D. p. pontica, D. p. hyrcanica and D. p. loriensis), but molecular evidence suggests two main phylogenetic lineages, Balkan and Caucasus. In this study we incorporated geographic records and analysed new samples from Alborz Mountains (Gilan Province, Iran), exploring their phylogenetic affinities using two mitochondrial markers (Cyt b and ND4). For the first time, Iranian samples are included in a molecular phylogeny. Our results meet the previous suggestions regarding the presence of a nuclear mitochondrial DNA fragment (numt) in Cyt b, causing misleading phylogenetic inferences since it renders the species paraphyletic. In contrast, the ND4 genealogy groups the species into a monophyletic clade, as expected. Samples attributed to D. p. hyrcanica (Azerbaijan and Iran) and D. p. loriensis (Armenia) are settled in a single clade with minute genetic distance, suggesting synonymisation.

Embryo transfer in days 2 to 4 following intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Improvement of assisted reproductive technique (ART) results in higher pregnancy rates from positive Beta HCG to take home baby statistics. Despite developments in culture media allowing blastocyst stage transfer, some centers apply second, third and sometimes fourth day post injection for embryo transfer. This study aimed to compare their reproductive outcomes. METHODS: This prospective cohort study conducted on 218 infertile couples with at least 4 oocytes retrieved and 2 good quality embryos. They were divided consecutively into 2nd (ET2) or 3rd (ET3) day embryo transfer. Some patients experienced 4rd (ET4) day embryo transfer due to weekend reasons, so we included them in our comparison as well. There were 98, 97 and 23 patients in the aforementioned groups, respectively. Reproductive and pregnancy outcomes were evaluated by Chi square and t-test with the significance level set at α=0.05. RESULTS: Totally, 73 patients (33%) had positive beta HCG and 39.7 percent of them (n=29) experienced pregnancy loss. Positive Beta HCG was detected in 31(31.6%) of ET2 patients, 38 (39.2%) of ET3 patients and 4 (17.4%) of ET4 group. Abortion or pregnancy loss was reported in 9 (29%) of ET2 patients, 18 (47.4%) of ET3 patients and 2 (50%) of ET4 group. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that there may be a higher pregnancy as well as higher abortion in day 3 embryo transfer.