Exploring nursing students' experiences of blindness simulation: A phenomenological study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of blindness simulation among a group of nursing students. DESIGN: This qualitative study was conducted using an interpretive phenomenological method. METHODS: Using purposeful sampling method, students were informed and invited to participate in the research through the Website of Tehran School of Nursing and Midwifery. We listed the candidates and until data saturation and compilation of the study, 8 students entered the study. They shared their experiences about blindness simulation through individual in-depth and semi-structured interviews. We continued the interviews until the data were saturated. The transcribed interviews were analysed by Colaizzi's approach. RESULTS: The results of data analysis resulted in three major themes and nine sub-themes, which were conceptually named based on their nature. The major themes included abandoned in the labyrinth puzzle, vision of heart and self-alienation.

Reproduction of Limnatis paluda (Tennent 1859) in laboratory conditions.

The reproductive functions of Limnatis paluda were studied in laboratory conditions including imposing of two thermal conditions (T1: 18 ± 2 °C and T2: 26 ± 2 °C) and with there being placement of three bedding substrates (tile, moss, and stone) in the containers specimens were confined. Furthermore, values for reproductive variables of cocoons and hatchlings were recorded. With the T2 treatment, gravid adults had cocoon depositions, whereas those when there was imposing of the T1 treatment did not have cocoon depositions. There was cocoon deposition only on the moss bedding, and it is presumed that moss could provide a robust and stable nursing microenvironment for developing embryos. Frequency (%) of cocoon depositions did not vary during the months of the deposition period. Hatching occurred after 26 ± 2 days when there was imposing of the T2 treatment. There was no correlation between the values for size of the ovigerous cocoons and number of offspring. There was a negative correlation between number and mean weight of hatchlings. There was a difference in cocoon weight for the different months and fluctuation in mortality and hatching rate which is assumed to be related to differences in feeding behaviors.

Integrative taxonomy of some Iranian peregrine earthworm species using morphology and barcoding (Annelida: Megadrili).

Despite the biological and economic importance of earthworms, the taxonomic status and evolutionary relationships of most lumbricid genera are still under debate. Further complications arise from the recognition that earthworms also show a high cryptic diversity. Past and current field studies of Iranian earthworm fauna have resulted in the identification of a total number of 28 earthworm species. However, many specimens do not fully fit into their original descriptions, making the species assignation very difficult. In this study, we evaluated the genetic diversity using mitochondrial markers as a tool to assess the species occurrence of some problematic species in Iran. Four species with high morphological variation were selected: Aporrectodea caliginosa (Savigny, 1826), Aporrectodea trapezoides (Dugès, 1828), Dendrobaena byblica (Rosa, 1893) and Dendrobaena veneta (Rosa, 1886). Morphological identification was contrasted with the molecular information generated through COI and 16S barcoding and the COI and 16S sequences stored in the Genbank. The results of this first integrative taxonomic analysis revealed that D. veneta consisted of two separated clades and that a number of species assigned to D. byblica showed very close relationships with those belonging to the genus Philomontanus. The lack of taxonomic expertise and identification characters providing a clear and unambiguous identification of earthworms highlights the urgent need of new tools to identify species unequivocally. Therefore, it is concluded that more taxonomical studies are needed to clarify the diagnostic characters and taxonomic status of the species belonging to two genera, Aporrectodea and Dendrobaena (Lumbricidae), in Iran.

Insights into the Urogymnid whiprays (Chondrichthyes: Batoidea) in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, with an amendment of their diagnostic characteristics and dispersal range.

Correct identification of elasmobranch species is crucial for taxonomic and parasitological research. Although molecular barcoding may be the fastest choice to determine the identity of a given species, robust and fast species level identification in the field using morphological characters is essential. During this study, 389 specimens representing seven stingray species (Brevitrygon walga, Himantura leoparda, H. uarnak, Maculabatis randalli, M. arabica, M. gerrardi and Pateobatis fai) were examined from the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. A 1044 bp fragment of the NADH2 gene was generated for 50 specimens with representatives of all species. To verify the initial morphological identification and to compare intra- and interspecific differences a Neighbor-Joining analysis was conducted using uncorrected p-distances, whereas the Bayesian Inference was used to examine the relationships among taxa. Two species (M. arabica and M. gerrardi) are documented from the Persian Gulf for the first time. The molecular results provide the first known evidence of the sympatric distribution of M. randalli and M. arabica in the north and northwestern Indian Ocean. The results of the Bayesian Inference support the recent divergence of both species. Based on morphological comparisons and molecular support we suggest that the descriptions of M. randalli and M. arabica have been carried out on heterogeneous type series which has led to inconsistency between molecular identification and diagnostic morphological characteristics. Detailed morphological examination revealed that there is a relation between the type and number of denticles on the mid-dorsal surface of the disc and the color pattern of the tail. To address this taxonomic conflict all type materials should be re-examined. The Bayesian Inference tree showed that all specimens from the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman morphologically resembling B. walga were found to group well outside those of the Indian species (B. imbricata) with an average p-distance of 0.097. The low nucleotide differences among the urogymnid taxa (P. fai and H. leoparda) from the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and their conspecific specimens in the Indo-West Pacific region revealed that philopatric behaviors may cause considerable gene flow among populations.

Five new species of Acanthobothrium (Cestoda: Onchoproteocephalidea) from the long-tailed butterfly ray, Gymnura cf. poecilura (Elasmobranchii: Gymnuridae), from the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.

Five new species of Acanthobothrium Blanchard, 1848 are described from Gymnura cf. poecilura from the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf. They all belong to the Category 1 and can be differentiated from all congeners by a combination of characters, including marginal lappets on the bothridial rim, the lack of spinitrich microtriches on the proximal bothridial surfaces, the position of the genital pore in the posterior one fifth of the proglottid, the direction of the cirrus sac parallel and clinging to the ovarian lobe, the lack of post-vaginal testes, and the interruption of the vitelline follicles by the ovary. The five new species are morphologically similar to each other but differ among each other in their cephalic peduncle length, proglottid and testes number, and the apolysis status. The most similar species to this new group is Acanthobothrium fogeli Gloldstein, 1964 from the Gulf of Mexico. The new species differ from A. fogeli by the muscular pad size, cephalic peduncle length and having marginal lappets on the bothridial rim. the species of Acanthobothrium occurs in three families of elasmobranchs in the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf (Dasyatidae, Rhynchobatidae and Gymnuridae). The true identity of many hosts in the region is ambiguous. Therefore, we designated the sampled elasmobranch as G cf. poecilura in accordance to the previously molecular study on a few individuals from the region.

Multigene phylogeny reveals a new Iranian earthworm genus (Lumbricidae: Philomontanus) with three new species.

Lumbricidae taxonomy is vastly restricted by the morphological simplicity of earthworms and their lack of complex appendices. This has led to confusing results in the Lumbricidae classifications, which in turn, has hindered our ability to identify and assign new and cryptic species to the family. Here we propose the addition of a new Lumbricidae genus from the Zagros and Elburz Mountains of Iran, i.e. Philomontanus gen. nov, including three new species. Our taxonomic inferences were based on the phylogenetic analysis of two nuclear gene regions (28S rDNA and 18S rDNA) and 11 mitochondrial gene regions (16S rDNA, 12S rDNA, NADH dehydrogenase I, cytochrome oxidase subunits I and II and tRNAs Asn, Asp, Val, Leu, Ala and Ser). Philomontanus gen. nov comprises the earthworm species Philomontanus sarii sp. nov., Philomontanus mahmoudi sp. nov. and Philomontanus baloutchi sp. nov. These three species are morphologically similar to each other with only a few characters separating them (e.g. size, pigmentation and position of clitellum). Our findings support the adoption of an integrative approach including molecular information (e.g., DNA sequences) to aid earthworm classification and develop a robust taxonomy.

Comparative studies on reproductive traits of natural populations of Eisenia andrei Bouché, 1972 from Zagros Mountain, Iran (Annelida: Oligochaeta).

Comparative studies were carried out on growth and reproduction patterns of eight populations of Eisenia andrei (Bouché, 1972) from different parts of western Iran along the Zagros Mountains, considered to lie within the natural range of this species. Parameters were gain in body weight, number of cocoon production, hatching success, number of hatchlings, hatchlings growth and survival. There were significant differences in mean numbers of viable cocoons, incubation time, reproductive rate, growth rate and final weight between different populations. The resulting groupings did only partially coincide with genetic clusters established in a previous study. It is nonetheless suggested to include life cycle parameters as an additional set of data to understand the micro-taxonomic structure of variable species.

Two new cestode species of Tetragonocephalum Shipley & Hornell, 1905 (Lecanicephalidea, Tetragonocephalidae) from Himantura randalli Last, Manjaji-Matsumoto & Moore (Myliobatiformes, Dasyatidae) from the Gulf of Oman.

The original description of the genus Tetragonocephalum was published more than one hundred years ago but its taxonomic status was clarified only recently. To date, approximately 30 nominal species of this genus have been described, mostly from the northern Indian Ocean, but nearly half of them are invalid and only 14 species are recognized as valid. In the present study two new species of Tetragonocephalum are described from the spiral intestine of Himantura randalli from off Jod, on the northern coast of the Gulf of Oman. Tetragonocephalum sabaesp. n. is distinguishable from the valid species of Tetragonocephalum based on number of proglottids (43-53), number of testes (42-50), and size of scolex (401-453×328-455), acetabula (87-109×72-116), mature proglottids (802-1,333×226-336), cirrus sac (92-160×103-154), and eggs (16-19×11-13). Tetragonocephalum salariisp. n. can be distinguished from Tetragonocephalum sabaesp. n. and all other valid species of Tetragonocephalum based on number of proglottids (77-86). Furthermore, it differs from its congeners based on a combination of some characteristics, including the number of mature (3-7) and gravid (18-20) proglottids, the number of testes (30-38), and the size of acetabula (84-111×80-96), mature proglottids (497-833×334-403), gravid proglottids (1,036-1,482×440-575), testes (20-34×31-50), ovary (123-215×210-278), and eggs (24-45×13-21).

Four new species of Acanthobothrium van Benden, 1850(Cestoda: Onchoproteocephalidea) from the guitarfish, Rhynchobatus cf. djiddensis (Elasmobranchii: Rhynchobatidae), from the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.

Four new species of Acanthobothrium van Beneden, 1850 are described from guitarfish, Rhynchobatus cf. djiddensis (Forsskål), collected from the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf. Acanthobothrium janineae sp. n., a category 1 species, differs from all congeners in category 1 by having a long vagina extending into the vas deferens and different, proglottid and testis number except Acanthobothrium hypermekkolpos Fyler et Caira, 2010. Acanthobothrium fylerae sp. n., a category 1 species, can be differentiated by a combination of characters including the total length, proglottid and testis number, cirrus sac shape, and the length of the vagina and ovarian lobes. Both new species are similar to A. hypermekkolpos reported from Rhynchobatus laevis (Bloch et Schneider) from Australia in their scolex proper length, hook size and muscular pad, respectively. Acanthobothrium asrinae sp. n., a category 1 species, differs from other category 1 species by the shape of its hooks and the position of the tubercle at the mid-length of the axial prongs; in this respect it resembles A. bartonae Campbell et Beveridge, 2002 reported from Australia. Acanthobothrium jamesi sp. n. is among six category 1 species with post-ovarian testes. It differs from these species by total length, proglottid and testis number and the extension of the ovarian lobes. Although it is thought that R. djiddensis occurs in the region, the identities of the hosts of the newly described Acanthobothrium species await verification. There are two forms of host in the region and were designated as R. cf. djiddensis 1 and R. cf. djiddensis 2. More taxonomic work and the use of molecular techniques are needed to resolve the true identity of the host species.

Cadmium and lead accumulation in three endogeic earthworm species.

The objective of this study was to assess the capability of earthworms from the same ecological group as heavy metal bioindicators. Three earthworm species from the endogeic group were studied: Aporrectodea caliginosa (Savigny, 1826), Perelia kaznakovi (Michaelsen, 1910) and Octolasion lacteum (Örley, 1885). Their accumulation of the heavy metals lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) were studied from three stations in Tehran province, Iran. O. lacteum was used to compare metal accumulations in two sites located next to a highway. A. caliginosa and P. kaznakovi were used at a third site located near the edge of a sewage system to compare metal accumulations between the two endogeic species in this area. At both locations, the concentrations of Cd and Pb in earthworms were higher than in the surrounding soil. The results of the study revealed that P. kaznakovi and A. caliginosa were better bioindicators for Pb, but O. lacteum was a better bioindicator for Cd. These earthworms can therefore be used as Cd and Pb bioindicators in environmental assessment.

Review of the earthworm fauna of Iran with emphasis on Kohgiluyeh & Boyer-Ahmad Province.

Earthworms were collected in forests, damp habitats, springs, orchards and agricultural fields of the Kohgiluyeh & Boyer Ahmad Province, Iran, from April 2009 to April 2010. Specimens were collected at 20 established stations by digging and by diluted formalin methods. Ten species belonging to family Lumbricidae were identified based on morphology: Aporrectodea caliginosa (Savigny, 1826), Ap. rosea (Savigny, 1826), Ap. jassyensis (Michaelsen, 1891), Dendrobaena veneta (Rosa, 1886), D. byblica (Rosa, 1893) complex, D. orientalis orientalis Cernosvitov 1940, Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826), Eiseniella tetraedra (Savigny, 1826), Octolasion lacteum (Örley, 1881), Perelia kaznakovi (Michaelsen, 1910). Ap. caliginosa was the dominant species in this province and D. orientalis orientalis is a new record for Iran. A checklist of all earthworms species form Iran is presented, containing 19 species. Then, in order to show earthworm geographical affinities, hierarchical analysis were applied to available data on earthworm of Iran.

Two new species of Acanthobothrium (Tetraphyllidea: Onchobothriidae) from Pastinachus cf. sephen (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae) from the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.

Two new species of Acanthobothrium van Beneden, 1850 from the spiral intestine of Pastinachus cf. sephen Forsskål from the Iranian coast of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman are described. To analyse the surface ultrastructure the worms were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. Acanthobothrium jalalii sp. n. belongs to the category 1 species of the genus so far including 43 species. This tiny new species differs from the other category 1 species by its small total length (2.18 +/- 0.49 mm), number of proglottids (4.7 +/- 0.9) and testes (24 +/- 3), terminal segments in an apolytic condition and the shape of the cirrus-sac. Acanthobothrium sphaera sp. n. is a small worm that belongs to the category 2 species of the genus so far including 36 species. A. sphaera sp. n. differs from the other category 2 species by its small total length (1.6 +/- 0.2 mm), number of proglottids (9.6 +/- 1.2) and testes (12 +/- 1), the presence of a vaginal sphincter and the shape of the ovary. This is the first report of Acanthobothrium from the cowtail stingray, P cf. sephen, from the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Pastinachus sephen sensu lato has been reported as a common host of species of Acanthobothrium. Most recently, the host genus Pastinachus Rüppell has been split into five nominal species and several Acanthobothrium species infect the newly described congeners but not P. sephen. The real identity of the host studied within the present study is still in question, since sequence data of three specimens from the Gulf of Oman do not correspond to P. sephen sensu stricto.

Two new species of Echinobothrium van Beneden, 1849 (Cestoda: Diphyllidea) from the Persian Gulf.

Two new species of diphyllidean cestodes are described from the Persian Gulf, Echinobothrium persiense n. sp. from Rhinobatos punctifer Compagno & Randall and Echinobothrium hormozganiense n. sp. from Mustelus mosis Hemprich & Ehrenberg. E. persiense is the first record of a species of Echinobothrium van Beneden, 1849 from R. punctifer and these two new species increase the number of diphyllideans known from the Persian Gulf from one to three. The number of apical hooks of E. persiense (hook formula: {5-6 6/5 5-6}) is distinct from all other species in the genus except for E. affine Diesing, 1863, E. harfordi McVicar, 1976, E. bonasum Williams & Campbell, 1980, E. fautleyae Tyler & Caira, 1999, E. syrtense (Neifar, Tyler & Euzet, 2001) Tyler, 2006 (emend), E. chisholmae Jones & Beveridge, 2001, E. tetabuanense Ivanov & Caira, 2012, E. sematanense Ivanov & Caira, 2012 and E. weipaense Ivanov & Caira, 2012. Echinobothrium persiense can be distinguished from all other species of the genus with 11 apical hooks by a combination of the following features: armed cephalic peduncle, testes arranged in a single column, lateral hooklets arranged in two groups, U-shaped ovary, cephalic peduncle length (124-181 µm), genital pore and cirrus-sac position, and by having 10-14 spines per row on the cephalic peduncle. Echinobothrium hormozganiense has a hook formula of {12-15 16/15 12-15} and is similar to E. musteli Pintner, 1889, E. notoguidoi Ivanov, 1997 and E. diamanti Ivanov & Lipshitz, 2006 by possessing additional spines between the rostellum and the bothria. It differs from E. musteli by having an H-shaped ovary and lateral hooklets arranged in two lateral groups, and the number of spines per row on the cephalic peduncle (18-21) readily differentiates it from E. notoguidoi (24-26) and E. diamanti (95-118). With these two new species, Echinobothrium van Beneden, 1849 now includes 45 valid species.