ABSTRACT
Objective: To establish a spatial geo-database for scorpions in Iran, and to identify the suitable ecological niches for the most dangerous scorpion species under different climate change scenarios. Methods: The spatial distribution of six poisonous scorpion species of Iran were modeled: Hemiscorpius lepturus, Androctonus crassicauda, Mesobuthus eupeus, Hottentotta saulcyi, Hottentotta zagrosensis, and Odontobuthus (O.) doriae, under RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 climate change scenarios. The MaxEnt ecological niche model was used to predict climate suitability for these scorpion species in the 2030s and 2050s, and the data were compared with environmental suitability under the current bioclimatic data. Results: A total of 73 species and subspecies of scorpions belonging to 19 genera in Iran were recorded. Khuzestan Province has the highest species diversity with 34 species and subspecies. The most poisonous scorpion species of Iran are scattered in the semi-arid climates, at an altitudinal range between 11 m and 2 954 m above sea level. It is projected that O. doriae, Androctonus crassicauda and Mesobuthus eupeus species would be widely distributed in most parts of the country, whereas the most suitable ecological niches for the other species would be limited to the west and/or southwestern part of Iran. Conclusions: Although the environmental suitability for all the species would change under the two climate change scenarios, the change would be more significant for O. doriae under RCP8.5 in the 2050s. These findings can be used as basis for future studies in the areas with the highest environmental suitability for the most dangerous scorpion species to fill the gaps in the ecology of scorpion species in these areas.
ABSTRACT
Cutaneous leishmaniasis or oriental sore has continuously expanded during the recent years in the country. Jask County in the easternmost point of Hormozgan province with 245 cases in 2007 has been the main focus of the disease. The present study was conducted to investigate the role of Gerbillus nanus as the reservoir of cutaneous leishmaniasis in this center. In a cross-sectional study during 2007-2008, rodents were caught from infected villages and after anesthesia, two slides were prepared from each ear of rodents using abrasive grinding and after recording morphometric specifications, their liver and spleen were kept in the 70% ethanol and the rest of the body was kept in 10% formalin for identification. Studies to determine leishmania infection were conducted through microscopic and molecular techniques. DNA was extracted through phenol/chloroform/lsoamyl alcohol method and it was proliferated through Nested-PCR method with primers LINR4, LIN17 and LIN19. A total of 106 rodents were caught. Species Gerbillus nanus [Muridae: Gerbillinae], with 17 heads, included 16.03% of haunting. Leishmania infection was found in a male sample of this species of rodent through microscopic method and two male and female samples [11.76%] through molecular method and specific PCR specified the parasite Leishmania major. Cutaneous leishmaniasis in this center is of zoonotic or damp type with leishmania major agent and therodentGerbillus nanus will be introduced in Hormozgan province for the first time as a possible reservoir host of the disease in this center. Infection of this species with Leishmaniamajoris reported for the first time in the world.