A recent study (Simon et al. 2019) confirmed that Spirobranchus kraussii is neither a widely distributed tropical species of Indo-Pacific origin nor a Lessepsian migrant to the Mediterranean, but a large complex of species, some of which might be indeed invasive. Thus, a common intertidal gregarious serpulid, previously attributed to S. kraussii in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, is described herein as Spirobranchus sinuspersicus sp. nov., using a combination of morphological and molecular data. The new species differs from S. kraussii by smaller size, fewer abdominal chaetigers, arrangement of abdominal chaetae and shape of opercular endplate talon. Results of phylogenetic analyses of a dataset combining 18S nucleotide and Cyt-b amino-acid sequences of S. sinuspersicus sp. nov. and Spirobranchus spp. available from GenBank supported monophyly of S. kraussii complex (including S. cariniferus) nested within Spirobranchus and thus, provided molecular support for synonymy of Pomatoleios with Spirobranchus proposed based on morphological criteria. The new species forms a well-supported clade with (S. kraussii (sp. 2 Hawaii + sp. 3 Australia)) clade, which in turn forms a clade with Spirobranchus sp.1 from temperate Japan, while S. cariniferus from New Zealand forms a basal grade. Evidence of substitution saturation of Cyt-b nucleotide sequences suggests that using translated amino-acid sequences to exclude non-informative substitutions should provide a better phylogenetic resolution for the genus Spirobranchus. Further studies are required to determine the invasive status of S. sinuspersicus sp. nov. as well as taxonomic and invasive status of S. cf. kraussii populations from the Mediterranean Sea, Suez Bay, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Singapore, and Panama.
Seventeen specimens of Laudakia nupta nupta (De Filippi, 1843), from several locations in central plain of Iran were examined for gastrointestinal parasitic helminths. Nematodes of different families and genera were the only worms found. The nematodes included one Parapharyngodon sp., three Thelandros spp., and one Thubunea sp. All species found in this study are new geographical records and two of the species are new to science. Parapharyngodon thulini sp. nov. and Thelandros karkasensis sp. nov. are, hereby, described and illustrated. To identify some of the fine morphological characteristics, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was carried out for selected specimens. Furthermore, the most important discriminating characteristics for species of Parapharyngodon and Thelandros are described. This study represents the first parasitological study on L. nupta nupta.
As part of a faunistic study on helminth parasites of Iranian lizards collected from localities in the north of Isfahan province in Iran, two new nematode species belonging to two different families, Pharyngodonidae Travassos, 1919 and Physalopteroidae Railliet, 1893, were found and are, hereby, described. Spauligodon persiensis n. sp. from the large intestine of Cyrtopodion scabrum Heyden is characterised by its imperceptible lateral alae, lack of spicule, different shape of the genital curtain, position of last pair of papillae, aspinose tail in males, position of the vulva and excretory pore, and a tail filament with six to nine spines in females. Thubunea mobedii n. sp. from the stomach of Laudakia nupta nupta (De Filipi) differs from the other species in the genus by possessing a vulva at level of the posterior portion of the oesophageal-intestinal junction in females, lacking spicules, and having a different number of papillae in males. The present paper provides the results of detailed morphological examination of the two new nematode species, using both light and scanning electron microscopy. Taxonomically important characteristics for the members of the two nematode genera, Spauligodon Skrjabin, Schikhobalova & Lagodovskaja, 1960 and Thubunea Seurat, 1914, are also reviewed.
This research aimed to compare the perspective of trainers and trainees at agricultural vocational schools in Iran regarding the empowerment of the educational system. It is an applied study in orientation, a hypothesis-testing study in goal, and a comparative causal study in strategy. Data were collected with a researcher-made questionnaire. The statistical population was composed of all trainers and trainees of the agricultural vocational schools in the 2020-2021 educational year amounting to 1119 trainees and 120 trainers, out of whom 169 trainees were sampled by simple randomisation and 120 trainers were sampled by the consensus method to participate in the research. The data were analysed in the Smart PLS3 and SPSS version 23 software packages. In addition to the descriptive statistics, the construct validity and the fit of the model were determined by confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The management process, the educational process, curriculum content, technical teacher training, and the supply of space, equipment, and technology have positive and significant effects on the empowerment of the educational system at the agricultural vocational schools in both the trainers and trainees’ groups. The empowerment of the educational system at agricultural vocational schools is effective in achieving quality assurance in the educational system and subsequently, improving its quality continuously. This paper contributes to developing a theoretical framework by considering the dimensions and components underpinning an empowering educational system. This study is the first attempt to compare the perspective of trainers and trainees about an empowering educational system in agricultural vocational schools. The study provides a framework in which special attention is paid to the empowerment of the educational system at these schools so that the managers and trainers can work with more authority and play a role in improving the educational system of the agricultural vocational schools.
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