Fine-scale spatial variation in genetic relatedness and inbreeding occur across continuous distributions of several populations of vertebrates; however, the basis of observed variation is often left untested. Here we test the hypothesis that prior observations of spatial patterns in genetics for an island population of feral horses (Sable Island, Canada) were the result of spatial variation in ...

The percentage cover and distribution of scleractinian corals were studied at two Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf. Survey techniques involved the use of 20-m line transects placed at 4-9 m depth interval, parallel to the shore. GIS based maps were employed to show the distribution of hard corals. In Farurgan Island, hard coral cover was concentrated in the west and north-west of the island,...

BACKGROUND CpG islands in hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome are potential targets for methylation mediated gene silencing, and may be involved in the pathogenesis of HBV infection. To date, their characteristics in HBV quasispecies (QS) remain largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of CpG islands in HBV QS. METHODS Forty patients diagnosed as acute hepa...

The concept of optimal size has been invoked to explain patterns in body size of terrestrial mammals. However, the generality of this phenomenon has not been tested with similarly complete data from other taxonomic groups. In this study we describe three statistical patterns of body size in snakes, all of which indicate an optimal length of 1.0 m. First, a distribution of largest body lengths o...

the urban heat island effect refers to the temperature rise of the cities in comparison to the suburbs. this phenomenon which is a consequence of urbanization and has become a major issue in the urban climatology may have serious consequences in the developing countries which are facing a rapid and unplanned urban growth. tehran, the capital and the most populated city of iran, this phenomenon ...

We used mark-resight data and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers to assess movements and gene flow between Central Pacific breeding colonies of the great frigatebird, Fregata minor. Of 715 adult frigatebirds marked on Tern Island and Johnston Atoll, 21.3% were resighted at other frigatebird colonies at least 582 km away. Mark-resight data indicated regular movement of males a...

AIM To describe the recruitment, ophthalmic examination methods and distribution of ocular biometry of participants in the Norfolk Island Eye Study, who were individuals descended from the English Bounty mutineers and their Polynesian wives. METHODS All 1,275 permanent residents of Norfolk Island aged over 15 years were invited to participate, including 602 individuals involved in a 2001 card...

Counts of adult male northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) are obtained each year on St. Paul Island and semi-annually on St. George Island as a factor of population monitoring. In 1995, counts were obtained from 11 to 16 July. A total of 5,154 harem and 8,459 idle adult male seals were counted on St. Paul Island. On St. George Island a total of 1,242 harem and 1,054 idle adult males were co...

The Persian Gulf islands are the nesting regions for the severely endangered hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) species. Therefore, the selection of the nesting habitat of this species in the two islands of Qeshm and Hengam was studied by a five-member working group in the spring of 2013 - 2015. Ultimately, 23 and 17 nests were identified in the south of Qeshm Island and in the south and...

Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations on the basis of rates derived from density-functional calculations are used to investigate the atomic processes in molecular beam epitaxy of GaAs. This approach puts us in a position to describe island nucleation and growth in all relevant atomistic detail by bridging the gap in length and time scales between the mesoscopic scale of growth morphology and the atom...