Another crack in the Dark Taxa wall: a custom DNA barcoding protocol for the species-rich and common Eurytomidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea).

DNA barcodes are a great tool for accelerated species identification and for complementing species delimitation. Furthermore, DNA barcode reference libraries are the decisive backbone feature for any metabarcoding study in biodiversity monitoring, conservation or ecology. However, in some taxa, DNA barcodes cannot be generated with published primers at a satisfying success rate and these groups will consequently be largely missing from any barcoding-based species list.

Spatial Distribution of Ticks (Arachniada: Argasidae and Ixodidae) and Their Infection Rate to Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Iran.

Background: The Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is one of the most important arthropod-borne viral diseases with a mortality rate of about 30% among humans. The disease, caused by a , is transmitted to humans and animals by hard and soft ticks. This study aimed to determine the distribution of soft and hard ticks in the past three decades in Iran with an emphasis on the vectors of the CCHF virus.

The habitat suitability model for the potential distribution of Ornithodoros tholozani (Laboulbène et Mégnin, 1882) and Ornithodoros lahorensis (Neumann, 1908) (Acari: Argasidae): the main vectors of tick-borne relapsing fever in Iran.

Endemic relapsing fever (RF) is one of the most important arthropod-borne diseases caused by various types of Borrelia and transmitted by soft tick species. The investigation of the distribution of vectors in a region can help control and prevent the disease. This study aimed to investigate the distribution of Ornithodoros tholozani and Ornithodoros lahorensis in Iran and to identify the most influential climatic variables affecting their distribution.

Identification of Forensically Important Flesh Flies Using the Cytochrome C Oxidase Subunits I and II Genes.

Forensically important flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) often are not morphologically distinguishable, especially at the immature stage. In addition, female flies are quite similar in general morphology, making accurate identifications difficult. DNA-based technologies, particularly mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), have been used for species-level identification.