Geographical distribution and ecological features of the great gerbil subspecies in the main zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis foci in Iran
- Resource Type
- Authors
- Amir Ahmad Akhavan; Mohammad Ali Oshaghi; Leila Tajedin; Yavar Rassi; Mohammad Reza Abai
- Source
- Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine. 3:800-803
- Subject
- Veterinary medicine
Sodalis
food.ingredient
Range (biology)
Rhombomys opimus
Distribution (economics)
Iran
Subspecies
food
Cutaneous leishmaniasis
medicine
Phlebotomus
Leishmaniasis
Reservoir
Medicine(all)
Great gerbil
Ecology
biology
business.industry
General Medicine
medicine.disease
biology.organism_classification
Geography
business
- Language
- ISSN
- 1995-7645
Objective To reveal subspecies composition of Rhombomy opimus ( R. opimus ) in Iran. Methods In this study, field specimens of the gerbil were collected from all its geographical rang in northeast and central parts of Iran and identified on basis of morphological characteristics. Results Results revealed presence of two subspecies of R. opimus sodalis and R. opimus sargadensis in the country. The first subspecies with brown to hazel-nut color and a size bigger than a typical R. opimus was found only in Golestan province, an isolated colony which is located in plains of north slopes of Alborz Chain Mountains of the country, connected with the Turkmenistan. The subspecies of R. opimus sargadensis with a yellowish color and similar size as a typical R. opimus was found in all other areas of the great gerbil distribution in Iran. There was a distinct topographic difference but similar ectoparasites between colonies of the two subspecies in the study area. Conclusions Further ecological and genetic investigations are required for more detailed description of the R. opimus subspecies range and structure. The R. opimus – Phlebotomus papatasi-Leishmania major association and the ZCL severity and outcome in hosts are discussed.