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Background The Anopheles culicifacies complex is one of the most important malaria vectors in Southeast Asia and Southeastern Iran. Although the sibling species within this complex are morphologically indistinguishable, they differ significantly in their disease transmission potential, blood-feeding behaviour, and other biological traits. Cytogenetic and chromosomal studies have identified five sibling species within this complex: A, B, C, D, and E. Understanding the species composition and distribution of this complex is crucial for malaria control strategies. Objectives This study aimed to identify the sibling species of the An. culicifacies complex in Qaleh Ganj County, Kerman Province, Southeastern Iran. Specifically, the study sought to determine the presence of species A, which is known to be a primary vector of malaria in the region. Methods We employed allele-specific PCR and sequencing PCR techniques to identify the sibling species. DNA was extracted from mosquito specimens, and the D3 region of the 28S rDNA gene and a segment of the COII gene from the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) were targeted for amplification and sequencing. Results Data analysis revealed a positive correlation between An. culicifacies s.l. specimens and altitude, with most specimens collected from mountainous areas. Both allele-specific PCR and sequencing PCR confirmed the presence of species A in the study areas of Kerman Province. Conclusions Given that species A is a primary malaria vector, the findings of this study provide valuable insights for guiding malaria control strategies in Southeastern Iran. Further studies are recommended to assess the vector competence and ecological dynamics of other species within the An. culicifacies complex in the region.

Eight species of the medically important scorpion genus Hemiscorpius Peters, 1861 have been reported in Iran, three of which are responsible for most of the severe clinical cases of envenomation. However, morphological similarity complicates species delimitation in this genus, hindering the identification of species implicated in envenomations. The present study integrates morphology, DNA sequences, and ecological niche modeling to clarify the taxonomy and distribution of Hemiscorpius in southern Iran, providing taxonomic insights relevant to public health and biodiversity conservation. Morphometric analyses were performed to evaluate size and shape differences; molecular phylogenetic analyses were conducted on DNA sequences of the mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I gene; and species distribution models, based on occurrence records and bioclimatic variables, were developed. Morphometric analyses revealed significant interspecific differences and sexual dimorphism. A new species was identified and described as Hemiscorpius aratta sp. n. Molecular phylogenetic analysis confirmed the distinctiveness of the new species and revealed intraspecific variation in the type species, Hemiscorpius lepturus Peters, 1861, suggesting possible cryptic diversity. Southern Iran, particularly the coastline of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, represents a diversity hotspot for Hemiscorpius. Topographical barriers such as the Jebal Barez, Makkoran, and Zagros Mountain ranges promoted isolation and speciation, leading to high levels of endemism in the genus. Ecological niche models revealed that the distributions of Hemiscorpius species are strongly influenced by temperature and precipitation. Coastal species are restricted to thermally stable maritime habitats, whereas semi-arid species occupy regions with higher temperature seasonality. Range-restricted species are habitat specialists, vulnerable to environmental change. This study reinforces the importance of integrating morphological, molecular, and ecological data for resolving taxonomic ambiguity.

Diolcogaster Ashmead is a genus of Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) wasps with patchy distribution ranges. This study assessed and predicted the geographical distribution of four Diolcogaster species worldwide using field data and species distribution models (SDMs). The models projected the contemporary and future distributional ranges for the twenty‐first century. Nine informative environmental variables were employed to model the ecological niche with the MaxEnt model. Furthermore, a maximum likelihood phylogenetic estimation tree was reconstructed using IQ‐TREE, with the underlying data being COI‐based. Finally, PopART was used to perform a haplotype network analysis to assess the haplotype diversity and evolutionary distances of the four Diolcogaster species. The MaxEnt models showed excellent predictive performance (AUC > 0.9, TSS > 0.8) for all species. Diolcogaster claritibia occupied the widest and most suitable niches globally, followed by D. mayae, D. alvearia, and D. spreta. Molecular analyses supported the predicted models, indicating that D. claritibia's adaptation to various habitats. Two environmental variables significantly influenced the distribution patterns of the four species. Diolcogaster claritibia and D. mayae are ecologically versatile, adapting to diverse habitats, elevations, and environmental conditions. Thus, their distribution ranges may extend beyond the previously documented limits. The four Diolcogaster species are currently predominantly found in temperate regions, preferring cooler climates. The model predicts that these species will expand into subtropical regions. This study offers a foundational theoretical framework for the practical rearing and strategic use of the wasps, as all Microgastrinae members are important biocontrol agents of caterpillar larvae. We modeled the global distributions of four Diolcogaster wasp species using MaxEnt and evaluated their ecological niches, phylogenetic relationships, and haplotype diversity. All species showed strong model performance, with D. claritibia exhibiting the broadest and most suitable habitats. Environmental variables strongly shaped species ranges, revealing that D. claritibia and D. mayae are highly adaptable across diverse climates and elevations. Although currently concentrated in temperate zones, all four species are predicted to expand into subtropical regions under future climate scenarios. These findings highlight the ecological flexibility and biocontrol potential of Diolcogaster wasps and provide an integrated ecological and evolutionary framework that supports their strategic rearing and targeted use in pest management.

Background: The striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) occurs in a wide range from north and east Africa, through southwest Asia to India, but its distribution is increasingly patchy and many of its populations are in decline due to intense human pressure. Its genetic diversity and structure, phylogeography, and evolutionary history, remain poorly understood. Methods: In this study, we investigated mitochondrial DNA variation in Algerian striped hyenas. Moreover, with the aim of contributing to our understanding of the evolutionary history of the species, we also examined samples from other geographic regions and compared our results with those of the only previous study in which individuals from across the range of the species were analyzed. In particular, we performed a wide range of analyses of demographic history and estimation of the age of the extant mitochondrial DNA variation. Results and Conclusions: The Algerian population sample was monomorphic. Overall, the global patterns of genetic diversity and the results of some demographic history analyses support a scenario of population growth in the species, estimated to have occurred in the Late Pleistocene, but many of the analyses did not detect a significant signal of growth, most likely a result of the limited power provided by a small number of segregating sites. The estimates, from three different methods, for the time to the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) of the mitochondrial DNA variation hovered around 400 ka, coinciding with one of the longest and warmest interglacials of the last 800,000 years, with environmental conditions similar to the Holocene.

Background: Among the blood-sucking insects, Anopheles mosquitoes have a very special position, because they transmit parasites of the genus Plasmodium, which cause malaria as one of the main vector-borne disease worldwide. The aim of this review study was to evaluate utility of complete mitochondrial genomes in phylogenetic classification of the species of Anopheles. Methods: The complete mitochondrial genome sequences belonging to 28 species of the genus Anopheles (n=32) were downloaded from NCBI. The phylogenetic trees were constructed using the ML, NJ, ME, and Bayesian inference methods. Results: In general, the results of the present survey revealed that the complete mitochondrial genomes act very accu- rately in recognition of the taxonomic and phylogenetic status of these species and provide a higher level of support than those based on individual or partial mitochondrial genes so that by using them, we can meticulously reconstruct and modify Anopheles classification. Conclusion: Understanding the taxonomic position of Anopheles, can be a very effective step in better planning for controlling these malaria vectors in the world and will improve our knowledge of their evolutionary biology.

Background: Kerman Province is one of the endemic foci of scorpionism in southeastern Iran. Totally 17 species are reported for Kerman Province fauna. The current study seeks to determine the fauna of medically important scorpions in northern parts of this province. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2019 to March 2021. The specimens were captured from different areas, by rock-rolling during day and using Ultraviolet light at night. The specimens were pre­served in ethanol (80%) and then identified using reliable identification keys for scorpions. Results: Totally, 499 specimens were captured from eight cities in northern Kerman. In total, 11 species belonging to three families were identified. Buthacus sp. is reported for the first time from Kerman Province. Buthacus sp., Hotten­totta cf. juliae, and Hottentotta cf. schach, were the lowest in frequency of occurrence, against Mesobuthus navidpouri as the highest frequency. Conclusion: The results of this study are useful for the preparation of regional or monovalent antivenom for the Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute. Additionally, the obtained data are useful for the effective planning of scorpion control programs in the northern parts of Kerman Province, Iran.

The genus Miscophus Jurine, 1807 (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) was studied in two discrete fragments of the Northern (Alborz, Qazvin, Guilan, Mazandaran and Tehran provinces), and southern (Khuzestan and Hormozgan provinces) inlands of Iran. The specimens were collected using Malaise traps in the years 2010, 2011 and 2017. Twelve species were identified, of which five species are new records for the fauna of Iran: Miscophus ctenopus Kohl, 1885; M. niger Dahlbom, 1844; M. aenigma Honore, 1944; M. irwini Schmid-Egger, 2022 and M. caninus Andrade, 1953. An identification key for all Iranian species of the genus Miscophus and brief diagnoses for the new records are provided.

Fifty-one specimens of small mammals were collected from different locations of Kerman province, southeastern Iran during 2007 and 2009. They constitute six species of rodents (Meriones persicus, Meriones libycus, Tatera indica, Dryomys nitedula and Mus musculus), one species of Erinaceomorpha (Paraechinus hypomelas) and one species of hare (Lepus europeus). The rate of helminthic infection was 45.1 % among all trapped specimens. In 28 out of 51 hunted specimens no intestinal helminth parasite was found. Of all mammals examined, 15 (29.4 %) had nematodes, 5 (9.8 %) had cestodes, and 3 (5.9 %) were infected with Acanthocephala. Five different species of parasites were isolated: Trichuris muris, Moniliformis moniliformis, Hymenolepis diminuta, Hymenolepis nana, and Mastophorus muris. Results of the present study indicate the potential of small mammals in the transmission of zoonotic helminthic infection.

A complete updated checklist of Iranian Eulophidae is presented in this paper. The list is based on a detailed study of all available data and publications and recently collected materials from different parts of Iran. One genus (Quadrastichus) and eight species: Neochrysocharis clara (Entedoninae), Baryscapus bruchivorus, B. szocsi, B. turionum, Oomyzus scaposus, Quadrastichus perissiae, Q. sajoi, Tamarixia monesus (Tetrastichinae) are newly reported from Iran. A total of 176 species belonging to 44 genera and four subfamilies, Entedoninae, Entiinae, Eulophinae and Tetrastichinae were recognized from Iran. Data on Biology and geographical distribution of the species are provided.

Fourteen species of chalcid wasps associated with plant galls, Rosa beggeriana Schrenk, Ephedra major (Host), Salix alba L. and Artemisia sieberi Besser were found in Kerman Province, south-eastern Iran during 2010-2011. The identified wasps belong to four genera consisting of Aprostocetus Westwood, Baryscapus Foerster, Sigmophora Rondani, Stepanovia Kostjukov and Tetrastichinae. Ten species are newly recorded for the Iranian fauna including Aprostocetus arenarius, A. cecidomyiarum, A. diplosidis Crawford, A. epicharmus, A. fabicola, A. fonscolombei Graham, A. lycidas, A. minimus, A. rhipheus and A. zoilus. A. arenarius, A. diplosidis, A. epicharmus and A. fabicola are associated with Diplolepis fructuum on Rosa beggeriana Schrenk. A. lycidas is associated with both D. fructuum on R. beggeriana and Artemisia sieberi Besser. A. cecidomyiarum, A. fonscolombei, A. rhipheus and A. zoilus are associated with Ephedra major Host. A. minimus is associated with leaf galls of Salix alba L. Short taxonomic comments, biological data and geographical distribution of the species are briefly mentioned.