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Crabs of intertidal zone of a muddy shore in Bandar Abbas were studied using monthly examination of Goharshad and Terminal stations during August 2005 to July 2006. Sampling was done by Corer and 14 species from 6 families were identified. Crabs were from Ocypodidae, Pinnotheridae, Pilumnidae, Trapeziidae, Leucosiidae and Varunidae families.

Results showed Ocypodidae, the most abundant and diverse with 1196 individuals/m 2,

was more abundant but less diverse in Goharshad station compared to Terminal which could be attributed to the urban pollution in Terminal station. Pinnotheridae with 64 individuals/m 2 showed an adaptation to organic materials but was not resistant to being out of water. Pilumnidae and Trapeziidae were found in small numbers in the stattions. Genus Ebalia from

Leucosiidae with 27.18 individuals/m 2 showed positive reaction to organic materials and was

resistant to being out of water. Varunidae were present with a  few  specimens  probably because of human disturbance or speed in burrowing and escaping from sampling. Because civic pollution enter Terminal station, The results of this research showed that crabs react to urban pollution and hence are suitable as environmental indicators.

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Silver ion and hydrogen peroxide act synergistically as a strong disinfectant. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of combined hydrogen  peroxide 50% and silver ion 0.05% at four life stages of Indian white shrimp (Fenneropenaeus indicus) and to evaluate the feasibility  of using this substance in shrimp culture. The Trimmed Spearman-karber software was applied for determining ECso/96h and LC5o/96h with 95% confidence limit on the 6000 shrimp based on OECD static method.

The experiments were conducted  in Iran Shrimp Research Center, Bushehr,  during 2005 -2006. The

ECso values of 132.5, 67.89, 55.56, 51.95 and 48.6ppm were obtained in PL 15 stage after 12, 24, 48, 72

and 96 hours, respectively.  Also these were  147.57, 70.83, 60.01,  54.89, 41.19 for PL45 stage, and

306.43, 174.14, 113.62, 78.21, 61.96 for sub adult stage (12±1 grams), respectively. In addition, the EC5o values of243.25, 130.55, 75.56, 61.18 and 51.59ppm were obtained at adult stage (20±2 grams), respectively. The LC50 values of239.81, 101, 74.28, 65.72 and 61.45ppm were obtained in PL 15 stage

after 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, respectively. Also these were 304.56, 160.12, 113.1, 93.69, 79.38 for

PL4s stage, and 712.13, 518.44, 265.29, 145.53, 103.76 for sub adult stage, respectively. In addition, the LC5o values of 827.75, 508.91, 317.3, 139.44 and 85.88ppm were obtained at adult stage, respectively. The statistical results showed that the "no observed effect concentration" (NOEC) of this substance was 20ppm, and the "lowest observed effect concentration" (LOEC) was 40ppm, thus "maximum allowable concentration" (MAC) value was determined 28.8ppm on the Indian white shrimp. Therefore this combined chemical should be used under determined MAC value with a complete precautionary as a disinfectant for Indian white shrimp.

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The effectiveness of pituitary extract from Crucian carp (Carassius auratus Linnaes 1758) in inducing ovulation in Veil Tail Gold Fish (Carassius auratus gibelio Bloch 1783), was examined and the effect of maternal hormone treatment on egg quality in two types of fertilization (fertilization in aquarium and artificial fertilization), were evaluated in 22·c temperature. Fish were injected intrapritoneally with three doses of, 2, 3 and 4mg/kg B.W pituitary extract (PE). With increasing of pituitary dose, practical fecundity also increased from 1775 in control fish to 3201 in fish with 4mg/kg B.W ofPE. Mean time to ovulation was reduced significantly (P<0.05) from 132h in control fish to 13h in fish with 4mg/kg B.W. Ovulated eggs from fish injected with 4mg!kg B.W of PE had lower fertility and hatching rates compared to eggs from fish injected with lower doses and the control fish. The methods of fertilization had no significant effect on the egg quality. In conclusion, the results of this study showed that the pituitary extract of Crucian carp is effective in inducing and shortening of ovulation of Veil Tail Gold Fish and the suggested dose for this species is 3mg!kg B.W.

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The effects of northern pike, Esox lucius, in controlling coarse fish and other pest organisms and enhancing harvest size in carp ponds was investigated. We used two treatments and one control each with three replicates. The pike density was 200 and 500 fish individuals per hectare for the first and second treatments, respectively and the control pond had no pike. The carp density in ponds was 3500 individuals per hectare and  stocking  rates  were  55% silver carp, 20% common carp, 10% bighead carp and 15% grass carp. Survival rate of the northern pike in treatments  1 and 2 was 43.8 and 40%, respectively.

The results showed that the mean (±SO) biomass of unwanted fishes (13 species) in the control treatment was 358.8±55.4kg/h and in the first and second treatments were 74.2±6.3 and 92.2±10.9kg/h, respectively in the end of the trial period. So unwanted fishes biomass reduced by 79.3% and 74.3% in the two treatments, respectively. Stomach  investigation showed that the pike fed mostly on frog juveniles and some pest fishes like Hemiculter leucisculus, Pseudorasbora parva, Carassius auratus, and few Macrobrachium and  aquatic insects. Also, the average biomass of unwanted fishes like Carassius auratus, Hemiculter leucisculus, Alburnus alburnus and Pseudorasbora parva of the first and second treatments in comparison to control showed a reduction of94, 88.9, 62.4 and 56.82 percent, respectively. A significant difference was found in the final mean weight of common carp between treatments and control ponds (P<0.05), as the weight of common carp in treatments ponds was 220% more than the control pond. Also, Esox lucius with controlling coarse fish increased cultured fish (such  as common  carp, grass carp, silver carp and  bighead  carp) production  by  about

17.9%.

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We investigated production of single cell protein (SCP) from stickwater of kilka fish meal factory as medium using Lactobacillus acidophilus and Aspergillus niger. Stickwater was used instead of the standard media of bacterium and fungus in a batch culture method. Amount of biomass, COD, RNA and protein in the bacterium and fungus in control and stickwater treatments were investigated. In maximum growth time, amino acids profile of the bacterium and fungus were measured and compared between treatments. Bacterial biomass production in the control and stickwater treatments were 3.16 and 5.12g/l, COD reduction was 33270 and 53330mg/l, the measured RNA were 15.27% and 15.04%, the amount of protein were 71.13% and 68.37%, respectively. The difference between bacterium and fungus biomass production was slight. We found that the amount of the fungus biomass in control and stickwater were 6.31 and 7.28g/l, COD reduction were 47800 and 55200mg/l, RNA was 9.36% and 9.09%, the amount of protein were 51.36% and 48.66%, respectively. In both bacterium and fungus, the maximum and minimum amount of amino acid of the control and stickwater was glutamic acid and methionin. The amount of methionin in bacterium was not different with fish meal and FAO reference and in fungus was a little lower than FAO reference. According to the results, application of pure stickwater was suitable for production of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Aspergillus niger.

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The present study was carried out to find the probable effects of marine fish cage culture on benthic communities as pollutant and stress indicators. Also, the biotic health condition was assessed using ABC index, in Ghazale creek, Khore-Mussa area in northwest of the Persian Gulf. Monthly sampling from four stations was conducted from June 2007 to March 2008. Stations were selected according to distance from cages in Ghazale creek. The distances were immediately under the cages, 50, 150 and 400m from the cages. At each station, three samples for macrobenthos and one sample for sediment grain size analysis and total organic matter (TOM) were collected by Van Veen grab with 0.0225m2 area. The range of total organic matter percentage in sediments was (6.17-23.26) and the range of silt-clay percentage was (4.76-97.47). We found 12 macrobenthic orders and Polychaets (60.62%), Mullusca (19.67%), Crustacea (16.49%) were the dominant groups. Macrobenthic abundance, biomass and diversity index value under cage station were less than those 400m away from the cages. Capitella sp. as opportunist species was dominant under cage station. This genus is introduced as the pollution indicator in the area. The result of ABC index show that under the cages and distances 50 and 150m away from the cages have average pollution, while the 400m distance from the cage (control site) is unpolluted.

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The probiotic effects of inactive yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus was studied on growth performance, survival and intestinal microbiota of beluga juveniles (Huso huso). The study was done in complete randomize design that included feeding of beluga juveniles with diets supplemented with 0 (control), 1, 2 and 5% yeast (4 treatments with 3 replicates). Beluga juveniles (11.40±0.56g) were randomly allocated in 12 oval tanks at a density of 35 fish per tank and triplicate group were fed with experimental diets. At the end of the trial, growth factors (final weight, weight gain, SGR, CF) as well as feed conversion ratio (FCR), body composition (protein, lipid, ash, moisture) and intestinal microbiota (total viable bacteria and Lactobacillus spp. levels) were determined. Our results confirmed that juveniles fed on diet supplemented with 5% S. cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus had significantly higher final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR) and lower food conversion ratio compared to control and 1% treatment (P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences between SGR of 5 and 2% yeast treatments (P>0.05). The study of body composition showed no significant difference between treatments (P>0.05). Total viable bacteria and Lactobacillus spp. count were significantly higher in 5% treatment compared to control (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between Lactobacillus spp. levels in 5 and 2% treatments (P>0.05).

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Quality of tiger-toothed croaker stored in flake ice was studied for 19 days by sensory, chemical (total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N)), (thiobarbituric values (TBA)), pH and microbial (total viable count, TVC) methods. Sensory scheme was modified according to the panelists perception and a specific schema was created for this fish. Sensory analyses showed that: "gills color and odor", "convexity of eyes", "peritoneum" and "elasticity of flesh" are the best sensory parameters. Results of sensory and microbial analyses had high correlation. Total viable count of flesh was 2.86 log cfu g-1 at first day and reached the limiting level of TVC (106) after 15 days of storage (P<0.05). TVB-N levels were 15.31mg/100 g tissue at the first day of storage and reached 36.52mg/100 g at the end of storage day (P<0.05). Measuring amounts of TVB-N showed that total volatile basic nitrogen is a good quality index for tigertoothed croaker during ice storage. The initial level of TBA was 0.83mg of malondialdehyde per kg flesh (mg MDA/kg) and increased to 3.75mg MDA/kg at the end of storage. TBA levels were less than limiting level (5mg MDA/kg) over the period of storage. According to the results, shelf-life of tiger-toothed croaker was determined 15 days during ice storage

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Presence of hepatopancreatic parvo-like vines (HPV) disease was assessed from June until October 2009 in Litopenaeus vannamei hatcheries and grow-out farms of the Bushehr province. Samples were collected from 6 hatcheries and 6 grow-out farms located in coasted areas. From each hatchery, 100 PL samples with average age PL5-PL8 and 20-30 samples from each grow-out farm with average age 105 to 120 days were collected. The samples were divided into three groups one used for gross sign and wet mount with Gimsa, the second group was preserved in Davidson Fixative and used for histopathology and the third group was fixed in ethyl alcohol 95% and used for polymerase chain Reaction (PCR). In gross sign 30%- 40% of the shrimp showed different sizes and some were smaller than the others. In the wet mount group with Gimsa staining of hepatopancrease, the inclusion body with basophilic color was seen. The histopathology indicated that the hepatopancreatic cell was infected and the basophilic inclusion body observed in many samples. The PCR examined with IQ 2000 Kit was negative. The rate of infection (ROI) was 1.1% for hatcheries and 32% for grow-out farms.

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The changes in density and biomass of macrobenthos were seasonally investigated from winter 2005 till fall 2006 in southern Caspian Sea. Samples were taken with a 225cm2 Van Veen grab from depths of 7 and 20 meters along two transects: Line 8 area (western part) and Radio Darya area (eastern part). Totally, 5 classes of macrobenthos were identified of which the most abundant populations were Polychaeta 68.7%, Oligochaeta 14.6%, Bivalvia 8.5%, Crustacea 8.2% and Gastropoda 0.08%. The maximum density (4251.8 1419 (ME SE) ind/m2) of macrobenthos was observed during summer in the depth of 20m of Radio Darya area, while the minimum density (725.9 64.5 (ME SE) ind/m2) was observed during spring in the depth of 7m in the same area. Between the two studied depths, the mean annual density in 7m depth (2266.7 350.3 (ME SE)ind/m2), was higher from 20m depth (1977.8 290.1 (ME SE)ind/m2). The maximum biomass (475 243.8 (ME SE)g/m2), of macrobenthos was observed during autumn in the depth of 20 meter of Radio Darya area, while the minimum biomass (0.3 0.1 (ME SE)g/m2), was observed during winter in the depth of 7m in the same area. Between the two studied depths, the mean annual biomass in 20m depth (184.8 24.6 (ME SE)g/m2), was higher from 7m depth (73.7 24.6 (ME SE)g/m2). Generally speaking, the eastern part of Chalus coast had more density and biomass compared with the western part. *Corresponding author

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Neogobius caspius is a small benthic fish, native to the Caspian Sea. The fish is highly important as it comprises the main food item of the Caspian Sturgeons. The genetic diversity of N. caspius populations in the Caspian Sea was studied using microsatellite technique. In the study, 115 specimens of N. caspius from two regions (Turkmen Bandar and Anzali Bandar) in south Caspian Sea were collected. DNA was extracted using 12 pairs of microstellite primers for which polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted. DNA bands were analyzed using UVdoct and GenAlex software package. Out of 12 microsatellite primers, 11 loci were produced, of which 9 were polymorphic, 2 monomorphic and one showed smear. The average observed and expected hetrozygosity was 0.749 and 0.638, respectively. Significant genetic differences between the two regions were observed (P 0.01). Deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were in all specimens. These results indicate that at least two populations of N. caspius exist in the south Caspian Sea. *Corresponding author

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Macro-invertebrates play a key role in freshwater lentic and lotic ecosystems. Lake Neor is located in northwest of Iran, southeast of Ardebil city, 2480m above the sea level. Limnological data about lake is incomplete. This tectonic lake is known to have a unique macro-invertebrate fauna. In order to describe the zoo-benthic community of the lake more completely, the present study was conducted during a period of one year from August 2008 to July 2009 with the exception of 3 months during the 5 months the lake is covered by ice. The benthic assemblage was sampled monthly from four sites and these fauna were found to be very limited with a total of 11 species belonging to 10 families, 10 orders, 7 classes and 3 phyla. Eight species were identified and recorded for the first time in the lake and in Iran. Gammarus fasciatus, Pisidium supinum and Quistadrilus multisetosus were the dominant benthic species representing more than 49, 43 and 5 percent of the total benthic fauna. Almost all benthic species showed the same intra-annual, seasonal and spatial pattern. The highest density was found in station 4, near the outlet, in July. The maximum abundance of total population of macro-benthoses in Neor lake was composed of 41872.75 pieces in a sample per square meter in September and the minimum with 28177.08 pieces in March. Dissolved oxygen, temperature and habitat homogeneity seemed to be the main environmental factors affecting community indices in Lake Neor. *Corresponding author

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A month after movement of 1800 pieces of L. vannamei (average weight of 16g) from culture ponds in Heleh region to concrete ponds of Bandargah hatchery (Bushehr province) some shrimps showed symptoms such as decrease in growth rate, loss of appetite, dark pigmentation of cuticle and presence of black foci on it, redness of uropods and white, irregular and circular spots on the eye with 2-5mm diameters. For detection of etiological agent samples were taken for PCR, bacteriological and histo-pathological tests. Nested PCR test using IQ2000 kits for detection of major shrimp viral pathogens (IHHNV, WSSV, YHV and TSV) were conducted and all results were negative. In histo-pathological tests, lesions in eyes were liquefactive necrosis of cone cells and cone crystals with infiltration of hemocyte and formation of micro abscess in the diapteric region of eye. In bacteriological tests, a gram negative pleomorphic bacterium of the genus Aeromonas was isolated. However, it seems that this bacterium is the secondary agent and for detection of the primary agent more research is needed. *Corresponding author

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In this study Astacus leptodactylus were tested for 8 week with three practical diets containing three crude protein (30, 35 and 40%) and isoenergetic level (370kcal/100 g) in fresh water and brackish water of Caspian Sea. In this test, 6 treatments were used with three replicates in 18 fiberglass tank (110 liter). Each tank had 5 narrow clawed Cray fish (mean (±SD) individual weight=17±2.3g) and totally 90 clawed Cray fish were stocking. Result indicates mean weight of Cray fish in fresh water and brackish water were 14.82 and 12.73, respectively, that were significantly different. The highest survival occurred in interaction between protein (30%) and salinity (0) (95.55%) and lowest survival occurred in protein 40 – salinity (12) that were significantly different. The highest specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain (WG), Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER), Net Protein Utilization (NPU) and lowest Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), demonstrated that dietary (protein 30% and fresh water) which had no significantly differences. Result of this study showed that the highest protein of body composition were in practical diet containing 30% protein and 0 salinity (freshwater) that were significantly different with other treatment.

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Ray fishes have spines on their whip-like tails. In this study, histological survey was undertaken to explore venom secretory cells in spines of the 3 species of ray fish in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. Separated spines were preserved in formalin to transfer them to the laboratory, and spines were dip in EDTA 4%, for decalcification and in the end part, histological study were done. Results showed that venom secretory cells occurred in cow-tail stingray (P. sephen) but no venom secretory cell was found in brown eagle ray (A. flagellum) and butterfly ray (G. poecilura) species. This suggest that layers covering spine is similar to common covering structure of fishe body.

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The frequency and distribution of benthic species in the south east coast of Caspian Sea (proposed site for cage and pen culture) were studied. Sampling was carried out in 2 water depths (1, 5) meters and 12 stations were sampled in each depth using VanVeen sampler. Totally, 11 taxa were identified: Pyrgulidae,Ampharetidae, Neritidae, Nereidae, Cardidae, Gammaridae, Naididae, Balanidae, Foraminifera, Ostracoda and Cumaceae. The most abundant taxa were Gastropoda (66.36%), Foraminifera (15.66%), Polychaeta (14.09%) and Bivalvia (1.65%) respectively. The maximum and minimum biomass was 164.1 g/m in summer and 6.56 g/m in spring. Depth, substratum, season, season-depth interaction, season- substratum –depth interaction had significant effects on biomass and had no significant effect on abundance.

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A total of 120 samples of adult common Kilka fish (Clupeonella cultriventris) were collected during spring and summer from the southern coasts of Caspian Sea (Bandar Anzali and Babolsar). Fifteen sets of microsatellite primers were developed from Clupeidae being tested on genomic DNA of common Kilka. Allele frequency, observed and expected heterozygosity, FST, RST, FIS index were determined. Five primer sets as polymorphic loci were used to analyze the genetic variation in adults of the common Kilka population. Results revealed that average alleles per locus was 13.1 (range 5 to 22 alleles per locus in regions, Ne=9.5). All sampled regions contained private alleles. Average observed and expected heterozygosity was 0.348 and 0.877, respectively. Deviations from Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium were observed in most cases. FST, RST and gene flow estimates in AMOVA and the genetic distance between populations indicated that the genetic difference among the studied populations was pronounced. The data generated in this study provide primary information on the genetic variation and differentiation in populations of Caspian common Kilka.

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The present study examined the effects of different levels of plant protein (soybean meal) on biochemical parameters heamolymph of freshwater crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus). For this purpose, the effects of different levels of soybean meal protein including 0%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100% diet on some biochemical parameters and ion heamolymph of freshwater crayfish were evaluated after 60 days of trial. Sampling of 75 samples crayfish with apparently healthy heamolymph was carried out at the end of the testing period. Based on the results, with increasing soybean meal in the diet, the amount of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinin and total protein had a significant decrease compared to the control group. A significant difference was observed in the amount of serum enzymes activities between control group and the other treatments. The amount of Bun, calcium, and sodium were not significantly different between treatments. Also, the amount of K, Fe and P in the diets containing soybean meal had a significant decrease compared with the control group. *Corresponding author

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For the first time, Oriental river prawn Mcrobrachium nipponense were investigated in three international lagoons the (Aalgol, Ajigol and Almagol) in ٢٠٩-٢١٠ sampling take place monthly using collapsible traps (Funnel Trap). In this study the max ٢٣١٠ male and ١٧٧٩ female specimens and min ٥٩٩ male and ٦٦٧ female specimens were caught, and, ٦٦٧ in the Alagol and Ajigol respectively. In the three lagoons, females were smaller than males. Comparing the average mean length males and females showed significant difference among the Ajigol with the other lagoons and the Alagol with the other lagoons respectively.