Persistent organic pollutants are a concern for species occupying high trophic levels since they can cause immunosuppression and impair reproduction. Mass mortalities due to canine distemper virus (CDV) occurred in Caspian seals (Pusa caspica), in spring of 1997, 2000 and 2001, but the potential role of organochlorine exposure in these epizootics remains undetermined. Here we integrate Caspian ...

We compare two methods for making predictions of the climatological distribution of the number of hurricanes making landfall along short sections of the North American coastline. The first method uses local data, and the second method uses a basin-wide track model. Using cross-validation we show that the basin-wide track model gives better predictions for almost all parts of the coastline. This...

Fipronil is an effective insecticide widely used in agriculture with potential ecotoxicological consequences. The median lethal dose (LD50) and concentration (LC50) of fipronil in 16.3 g Caspian white fish, Rutilus frisii kutum fingerlings were determined. To determine the LD50, a total of 133 fish were assigned to 19 tanks (7 fish/tank) including one control and 6 treatment groups (300, 450, 5...

Economic expansion in developed countries coupled with dramatically growing economies in countries such as China and India have precipitated a steady increase in demand for oil and natural gas. The Caspian Sea region holds large quantities of both oil and natural gas. Because the Caspian Sea is landlocked and the region’s nations are distant from the largest energy markets, transportation must ...

The phylogenetic relationship of five sturgeon species in the South Caspian Sea was investigated using mtDNA molecule. Sequence analysis of mtDNA D-loop region of five sturgeon species [Great sturgeon (Huso huso), Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii), Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus), Ship sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris), Stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus)] and DNA sequencing...

In 2010, H14 influenza A viruses were recovered from clinically normal sea ducks in the United States. These are the first H14 isolates recovered in the Western Hemisphere and represent the only documented H14 influenza A viruses isolated since the original isolates were recovered from near the Caspian Sea during 1982.

coastal zone of sri lanka is a key to sustainable development of the country. the erosion of country’s coastal zone has been identified as a long standing problem. therefore, coastal sediment dynamics around the country has to be identified to develop an appropriate coastal zone management plan. remote sensing and gis techniques can be used for quantitative and qualitative analyses of coastal p...