Background: Zoonotic diseases have always threatened humans. They are common between human and many animals. Large numbers of dogs, especially stray dogs, are born every year. In addition, they inhabit around the cities and people's residences. Therefore, they have always been considered as threats for human health and environment. Identification of parasites in stray dogs around Isfahan, Iran would have economic, medical, veterinary, and particularly zoonosis benefits.Methods: In this study, 96 killed stray dogs were collected from several regions of Isfahan. After autopsy in place, the two ends of animal's bowel were closed and the intestines were moved to the laboratory. The intestines were opened longitudinally, washed with water, and examined for the presence of worms. The worms isolated from water were then transferred to a 10% formaldehyde solution. After temporary and permanent staining and transparency of isolates, the appropriate isolates were mounted and prepared for taxonomic study. The shapes of all samples were drawn by a drawing tube. They were then identified by diagnostic keys such as length of large hook, shape of proglottid, and characteristics of mature worms like cirrus sucks and the positions of testis. Nematode body length, the cuticle, cephalic and caudal fins, number of lips, morphology of esophagus, and position of rectum and vagina were also evaluated as crucial properties in taxonomic study. All isolates were identified at genus and species levels.Findings: In this study, 96 dogs were examined. Overall, 60.4% intestinal samples of stray dogs were infected with at least one isolated worm. The isolates included a total of seven species of cestodes and three species of NEMATODES. The identified cestodes consisted of 24%Taenia ovis, 13.54% T. hydatigena, 5.21% T. pisiformis, 5.21% T. multiceps, 27.1% Echinococcus granulosus, 22.92% Dipylidium caninum, 5.21% Mesocestoides lineatus. The NEMATODES were categorized as 21.9% Toxascaris leonina, 6.25% Toxocara canis, 3.13% Rictularia affini.Conclusion: Taenia pisiformis was reported for the first time in the province of Isfahan. Our findings reveal the role of parasites in medical and veterinary aspects. Pet dogs and sheepdogs are thus required to be treated properly. On the other hand, stray dogs should be killed and the infected bodies need to be destroyed.

In a study to identify the plant parasitic NEMATODES of pistachio and vine yards in Qom province, 125 soil samples were collected from different regions during 2008 and 2009. NEMATODES were extracted from soil, fixed and processed to anhydrous glycerin, permanent slides were prepared from the fixed specimens. After microscopic consideration, the morphological and morphometric characters were studied, and identification was done based on these characters. A part of the identified species belonging to Pratylenchidae family including Pratylenchus thornei, P. neglectus and Zygotylenchus guevaraei are presented and their morphological and morphometric characteristics are discussed.

In a survey to identify endoparasitic NEMATODES associated with potato fields 43, 46 and 132 soil and root samples (occasionally tuber samples) were collected from different potato fields in West-Azarbayejan, Tehran and Semnan provinces, respectively. The NEMATODES were extracted by sieving method and sugar flotation technique, mounted in dehydrated glycerin and identified by valid references. Three species of endoparasitic NEMATODES were identified in West Azarbayejan Province i.e. Pratylenchlls neglectlls, P. thornei and P. scribneri. Six species were identified in Tehran Province i.e. P. brachyurus, P. neglectus, P. thornei, Zygotylenchus guevarai, Meloidogyne javanica and Ditylenchus destructor. Five species were identified in Semnan Province i.e. P. neglectus, P. thornei, Z. guevarai, M. javanica and D. destructor. In this study the root lesion NEMATODES were the most frequent endoparasitic NEMATODES as their distribution, abundance and population densities. The percentage of field infestation to root lesion NEMATODES was 62%, 87% and 54% in West Azarbayejan, Semnan and Tehran Provinces and with a mean infestation of 137, 45 and 292 NEMATODES / 500 ml soil, respectively. The percentage of field infestation to D. destructor and M javanica were 2 and 6% in Tehran and 11% and 1.5% in Seaman samples, respectively. Further work is needed to determine the role of root lesion NEMATODES in yield losses on potato in those provinces.

In order to study of distribution and host range of NEMATODES belonging to the family Longidoridae in 3 province, Mazandaran, Golestan and Semnan, during 2010 and 2011 in Spring and Fall seasons, after three stages sampling from the rhizosphere of different crops and counting of some population of this group, the results showed the increasing of these species in the high humus and forest soils, at 40-45 cm deep. This study yielded identification of 5 species, Longidorus iuglandis, Longidorus rubi, Xiphinema index, Xiphinema pachtaicum and Xiphinema mazandaraniense. Among these species, L.iuglandis and L. rubi are reported for the first time from Iran. Most population is belonging to L. iuglandis with 48 NEMATODES from rhizosphere of Apricot in Ahovano village in Damghan city. X.index and X.pachtaicum are found in most regions that shows these species are more distributied than another species.

Background and Objectives: Because of deforestation and reduction of forest areas, plantation is a vital issue for now and the future. The evaluation of planted species is very important to creation of forests with better quality and quantity in the future. Soils, as an important part of the ecosystems, are affected by tree species with differences aboveground and below ground biomass, under same field condition. Biological properties are good indices to assessment of soil quality and health. In this study the effects of different forest covers including natural forest, hardwoods and softwoods plantations, on variability of fine roots biomass, ecological group's earthworm's density/biomass and NEMATODES abundance were considered.Materials and Methods: Soil samples were excavated in sixteen points from 0-15 cm (top soil) depth, for each forest covers including Carpinus betulus (hornbeam) - Parrotia persica (iron wood) as a natural stand, Fraxinus excelsior (ash), Acer velutinum (maple) hardwoods and Pinus brutia(pine), Cupressus sempervirens (cypress) softwoods plantations, located in Wood and Paper Company of Mazandaran. Soil moisture, pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen and biological indices (fine roots biomass, earthworm's density/biomass and NEMATODES abundance) were measured and recorded at the laboratory.Results: ANOVA results for soil physico-chemical properties showed significant statistical differences related to forest covers. So that the highest values of soil moisture, organic carbon and C/N ratio were found under pine plantation. Also the higher values of soil pH and total nitrogen were detected inCarpinus betulus - Parrotia persica natural stand. Greater amounts of fine root biomass (89.68 g m-2), earthworm's density (1.81 n m-2) /biomass (24.17 mg m-2) and NEMATODES abundance (603.37 n m-2) were found in Carpinus betulus - Parrotia persica natural stand. Also maximum epigeic density (1.43 n m-2) /biomass (19.25 mg m-2), were found under Carpinus betulus - Parrotia persicanatural stand and ash plantation. Higher anecic earthworm' s density (0.37 n m-2) /biomass (4.92 mg m-2) recorded in Carpinus betulus - Parrotia persica natural stand. The endogeic species were not observed under different forest covers. Greater amounts of NEMATODES abundance (603.37 n m-2) were recorded in Carpinus betulus - Parrotia persicanatural stand. The finding of correlation between biological indices and other studied properties indicating that biological characters are influenced by soil water content and chemistry under different forest covers.Conclusion: The findings of this study are showing the considerable effect of natural forest covers on soil biological properties and quality. In addition, in degraded areas of northern Iran, planting of Fraxinus excelsior species can be considered due to improvement and conservation of soil biological indices, quality and health.

In order to identify the plant parasitic NEMATODES associated with sugar beet fields in Hamadan province and determining their distribution, 83 soil samples collected Horn different locations, during summer and autumn of 1999. NEMATODES were extracted by the centrifugal-flotation method, killed, fixed, and processed to anhydrous glycerin. The NEMATODES were mounted on slides and studied by light microscope. In this survey, 37 known species belonging to 19 genera of order Tylenchida were identified and their distributions were determined. Results of this survey showed that the most of these species belong to the family of Tylenchidae, which are not economically important. Pratylenchus neglectus, Filenchus vulgaris and Aphelenchus avenae were found in 54.8, 51.2 and 42.9 percent of samples, respectively, and they were the most abundant species in the sugar beet fields of the province.

Potato is one of the most important crops produced in Kurdistan province, western Iran. Although several species of plant-parasitic NEMATODES have been reported in association with these potato fields, no comprehensive nematode community structure has been investigated. The present study reports the frequency, abundance and prominence value of all nematode groups from 40 potato fields across Ghurveh and Dehgolan regions. Bacterivorous NEMATODES showed the highest frequency, abundance and predominance in the region, followed by herbivorous (plant-parasitic NEMATODES), fungivorous and omnivorous NEMATODES. Predatory NEMATODES (carnivores) were not recovered probably because field soils were highly disturbed. Root-lesion NEMATODES were the most predominant among the identified plant-parasitic NEMATODES. The calculation of the indices of ecosystem function, as well as the plotting colonizer-persister (c-p) triangle, food web faunal analysis and metabolic footprint of the potato fields revealed that most of the studied fields had high proportions of c-p1 and c-p2 NEMATODES, but nematode individuals of c-p3-5 counted fewer in the population. According to the present study, 50% of the sampled fields represent either stressed and enriched, 30% could be considered as stable and enriched, and 20% may be described as stressed and depleted in terms of their soil nematode food webs. The current study provides the first known study in Iran on nematode assemblages and their implication in soil health.

Background and objectives: Cereal cyst NEMATODES (CCNs) are acknowledged globally as a biotic constraint for wheat production, particularly under rain-fed conditions and drought stress. Among species of CCNs, Heterodear filipjevi is the dominant species in most cereal growing areas of Iran and is widespread in different regions of the country. The use of resistant wheat cultivars is considered the most effective and economical method for managing cereal cyst NEMATODES. The effectiveness of resistance to CCNs depends on the efficiency and durability of the sources of resistance, and on the correct identification of the nematode species and pathotype(s) present in each region. The objective of this study was to assess the reaction of common accessions of bread wheat to H. filipjevi under greenhouse conditions. Materials and Methods: The reaction of common accessions of bread wheat, including some cultivars and lines (20 accessions) to H. filipjevi was assessed according to used method for screening of wheat accessions under controlled conditions. Single wheat seeds were planted in standard small tubes. After plant emergence, tubes were inoculated with 300 freshly hatched J2 in 3 holes around the stem base. Experimental units were arranged in a randomized complete block design with 5 replicates. Plants were harvested 8 weeks after juvenile inoculation. Extracted Cysts from both root and soil counted under a stereomicroscope. The data were analyzed and the genotypes were divided into different groups based on their reactions. Results: The results showed that Back-cross Rowshan cultivar with mean 30. 2 and Silverstar cultivar with mean 6. 8 had the most and the least number of cysts in soil and root of each plant, respectively. Cluster analysis divided all accessions into 4 groups. Back-cross Rowshan, Pishtaz and Pishgam cultivars were identified as highly susceptible according to higher mean of the cyst number in soil and root, in comparison to Bezostaya cultivar (Susceptible check). Mahdavi, Bam, Dena, Bahar, Sivand, Ofogh, Arg and Bezostaya cultivars were categorized as susceptible. Rowshan, Alvand, Parsi, Es-93-95 and Marvdasht accessions were grouped as moderately susceptible, and, Sirvan, M-90-9, M-90-7 and Silverstar (Moderately resistant check) accessions were identified as moderately resistant. Discussion: This study revealed that Back-cross Rowshan, Pishtaz and Pishgam are highly susceptible cultivars to H. filipjevi. However, the cultivation of these wheat cultivars is common in the country. In order to impeding the damage of this nematode, it is essential to avoid cultivating these cultivars and other susceptible cultivars in infested fields to H. filipjevi.