Geophilomorpha from Alborz Mountains and a checklist of Chilopoda from Iran.

This study presents an updated checklist of centipedes (Chilopoda) from Iran based on a review of the literature and recently examined specimens of Geophilomorpha collected from many sites in the Alborz Mountains. The centipedes of Iran comprise 48 species, of which 17 species have so far only been reported from Iran. Many species are known from a single locality, and only from specimens of a single sex.

Comparative studies on reproductive traits of natural populations of Eisenia andrei Bouché, 1972 from Zagros Mountain, Iran (Annelida: Oligochaeta).

Comparative studies were carried out on growth and reproduction patterns of eight populations of Eisenia andrei (Bouché, 1972) from different parts of western Iran along the Zagros Mountains, considered to lie within the natural range of this species. Parameters were gain in body weight, number of cocoon production, hatching success, number of hatchlings, hatchlings growth and survival. There were significant differences in mean numbers of viable cocoons, incubation time, reproductive rate, growth rate and final weight between different populations.

Effects of an aged copper contamination on distribution of earthworms, reproduction and cocoon hatchability.

Contaminated soil is a problem throughout the industrialized world, and a significant proportion of these sites are polluted with heavy metals such as copper. Ecological risk assessment of contaminated sites requires ecotoxicological studies with spiked soils as well as in-situ ecological observations. Here, we report laboratory and field assessment of copper toxicity for earthworms at a Danish site (Hygum) exclusively contaminated with an increasing gradient in copper from background to highly toxic levels (>1000mgkg dry soil).

Cadmium and lead accumulation in three endogeic earthworm species.

The objective of this study was to assess the capability of earthworms from the same ecological group as heavy metal bioindicators. Three earthworm species from the endogeic group were studied: Aporrectodea caliginosa (Savigny, 1826), Perelia kaznakovi (Michaelsen, 1910) and Octolasion lacteum (Örley, 1885). Their accumulation of the heavy metals lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) were studied from three stations in Tehran province, Iran.