026650   WALI A, BALKHI M H, MAQBOOL R, DARZI M M, BHAT F A, SHAHA F A (Sher-e-Kashmir Univ of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Rangil Ganderbal -190 006, Email: asifawali@gmail.com) : Seasonal histopathological alterations caused by Adenoscolex oreini in Schizothorax niger of Kashmir valley. Indian J Anim Res 2018, 52(6), 911-3.

Fishes infected with Adenoscolex oreini appeared anemic and the abdomen viscera appeared red on opening the abdomen and the abdominal fluid was tinged red. On opening the intestine necrotic debris was present on the surface and numerous parasites were pesent. The histopathological alterations observed in the intestine of fish were (severe degenerative and necrotic changes in the intestinal mucosa as well as edema between submucosa and mucosa). In parasitized Schizothorax niger, hyperplasia of intestinal mucous cells and enhanced mucus secretion were also noticed. Cestode bodies were covered with an adherent mucus blanket. The analysis of the seasonal variation on the histological parameters leads to the conclusion that the distribution or the severity of the lesions observed in the these organs were not related to the seasons. Such information confirms that histopathological alterations are good biomarkers for field assessment, in particular in tropical areas that are naturally subject to a multiplicity of environmental variations. It must be emphasized that histopathology is able to evaluate the early effects and the responses to acute exposure to parasitic infections and chemical stressors.

4 illus, 16 ref

026649   BELSARE S S, DHAKER H S, PAWASE A S, JOSHI V R, MOHITE S A, RATHOD R H (Dr. B.S. Konkan Agriculture Univ, Ratnagiri - 415 629, Email: satyajitbelsare@gmail.com) : Effects of dietary protein and lipid levels on growth, feed utilization and body composition in juvenile goldfish, Carassius auratus. Indian J Anim Res 2018, 52(6), 875-81.

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the optimum dietary protein and lipid levels for growth, feed utilization and body composition of goldfish, Carassius auratus juveniles (1.66 ± 0.018 g). Six diets containing two protein levels (300 and 400 g/kg) and three lipid levels (40, 80 and 120 g/kg) were formulated. Fifteen fish were randomly allotted to 18 aquaria (0.6 × 0.3 × 0.45 m) and fed to apparent satiation. The results showed that weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) increased in response to higher dietary proteins with highest weight gain and SGR recorded in diet containing 400 g/kg protein with 80 g/kg lipid. Both feed intake (FI) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were dependent on dietary protein and lipid level (P < 0.05). Lipid retention (LR) was negatively correlated while hepatosomatic index (HSI) and viscerosomatic index (VSI) was positively correlated with dietary lipid levels. Whole body protein content decreased (P < 0.05) while, lipid content increased with increasing dietary lipid at each protein level. Second-order polynomial regression also revealed diet containing 400 g/kg protein level and 80 g/kg lipid level optimal for the growth and feed utilization of juvenile goldfish, C. auratus.

3 tables, 30 ref

026648   ROKADE J J, KAGATE M, BHANJA S K, MEHRA M, GOEL A, VISPUTE M, MANDAL A B (ICAR-Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar-243 122, Email: jaydeepvet@gmail.com) : Effect of mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) supplementation on performance, immunity and HSP70 gene expression in broiler chicken during hot-dry summer. Indian J Anim Res 2018, 52(6), 868-74.

An experiment was conducted on broiler chicks (n=120), reared in cages on a standard diet up to 14^th day of age and thereafter up to 42^nd day (14-42d) on test diets with or without MOS. The 14^th day old chicks were randomly distributed into three dietary treatment groups viz., T₁ (control diet), T₂ (control diet with MOS @ 0.3 %) and T₃ (control diet with MOS @ 0.5 %). Each dietary treatment comprised of four replicates of eight birds each. Experiment was carried out during hot-dry summer. It was found that production indices improved (P < 0.001) significantly during all phases. Cellular and humoral immunity at 28^th day of age improved significantly (P < 0.05) due to MOS supplementation. The percentage of hemoglobin, protein, AST and ALT increased significantly (P<0.001) in MOS supplemented group at 28^th as well as 42^nd day of age. While H:L ratio, serum corticosterone and cholesterol levels decreased significantly (P < 0.001) in MOS supplemented groups. Supplementation of MOS at the both levels caused significant (P < 0.001) down regulation of HSP70 expression in jejunum tissues during 28^th and 42^nd day. Based on this study it was concluded that supplementation of 0.3 % MOS in broiler diets significantly improved their performance and welfare during heat stressed conditions.

2 illus, 5 tables, 32 ref

026647   CHUDASAMA M M, JOSHI N H, DESAI M C, GUPTA J P, GHULE P M, CHAURASIA S (Veterinary Anatomy and Histology Dep, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural Univ, Gujarat-385 506, Email: milan.chudasama.1989@gmail.com) : Biometry of tongue and its association with various body measurements in prediction of fetal age in Surti goat fetus (Capra hircus). Indian J Anim Res 2018, 52(6), 864-7.

The present study was carried out on tongue measurements in Surti goat fetus to establish the relationship among various biometric measurements of the tongue and body in relation to prediction of fetal age. Total 39 apparently normal Surti goat fetuses were procured and categorized into three groups based on Crown-rump length. The body measurements like Crownrump length, Curved Crown-rump length, height at withers and height at pin of fetuses were taken. The biometrical measurements of the tongue were recorded identically weight, length, width, thickness and circumference. Tongue biometry and body measurement’s association determined by simple linear correlation. Attempts were made for development of prediction equation for prediction of fetal age with tongue and body measurements. All the biometric measurements of tongue increase significantly (p$\le$0.05) with advancement of age. Association among biometric measurements of the tongue and body expressed high degree of positive correlation. Predictability of regression equations is very high for prediction of fetal age. All biometric and body measurement’s correlations are highly significant (p$\le$0.01).

4 tables, 17 ref

026646   ILGÜN R, GÜR F M, BÖLÜKBAS F, YAVUZ O (Anatomy Dep, Aksaray Univ, Turkey, Email: rilgun1980@hotmail.com) : Macroanatomical and histological study of caecum of the guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) using light and scanning electron microscopy. Indian J Anim Res 2018, 52(6), 858-63.

The aim of this study was to investigate the macroanatomy and histology of the caecum in guinea fowl using light and scanning electron microscopy. Six adult male and six adult female guinea fowl were used as the study material. The cavum abdominis of the animals was opened under anaesthesia, and the caeca uncovered. The height and thickness of the villi were smaller in the apex and corpus caeca than in the basis caeci. The SEM image of the guinea fowl caeca showed that the villi send finger like extensions into the lumen, and the height of the villi towards the basis caeca increases and exhibits a tight structure.Thus, in this study, the anatomy and histology of guinea fowl caeca were examined in detail using light and scanning electron microscopy, and the similarities and differences with the caeca of other poultry species were investigated.

3 illus, 2 tables, 30 ref

026645   MISHRA S K, NIRANJAN S K, BANERJEE B, SINGH R, SINGH R V, KUMAR N, KATARIA R S (ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal-132 001, Email: katariaranji@yahoo.co.in) : Genetic diversity at MHC-DRB3 locus suggests distinctness of the Riverine swamp buffalo populations in North-East region of India. Indian J Anim Res 2018, 52(6), 820-3.

Northeast region of India is a transition zone for two genetically distinct types of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) - riverine (Bubalus bubalis bubalis, N=50) and swamp (Bubalus bubalis carabanesis, N=48), wherein, both types of buffalo populations and their hybrids (riverine×swamp, N=49) coexist. In present study, we studied genetic variability of highly polymorphic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II- DRB3 gene in 94 riverine-swamp buffaloes of three different locations - central Assam (ASW; riverine and hybrid types), Silchar region (ASW-SL, swamp and hybrid types), Dibrugarh region (ASW-DB, swamp) of Assam through PCR-RFLP. A total of nine HaeIII restriction patterns HaeIII- A to –I, were observed in overall populations, although only six patterns were present in ASW-DB buffaloes. The HaeIII-A, -C, -F and -H patterns were found to be homozygous, accounting about 48 percent of the total buffalo population. Based on DRB3-HaeIII restriction diversity, the genetic divergence was the highest (0.460) between ASW-SL and ASW-DB buffaloes whereas, the lowest (0.063) between ASW and ASW-DB buffaloes among three populations. In Principle Coordinate Analysis (PCA), these populations were found to be distantly located in different coordinates, indicating their genetic distinctness. Our results support that North-east region of India constitute a transition zone for both riverine and swamp buffalo populations, however, with quite distinctness of these mixed populations derived through different genetic pools. Polymorphic DRB3 locus in these riverine-swamp buffalo populations of North-East region also indicates their genetic richness.

3 illus, 1 table, 22 ref

026644   LUCY K M, INDU V R, LEENA C, FATHIMA R, GEORGE C, PATKI H S, SURJITH S, ANNETH A J (Veterinary Anatomy and Histology Dep, Veterinary and Animal Sciences Coll, Thrissur- 680 651, Email: lucy@kvasu.ac.in) : Gross anatomy of the skull of hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius). Indian J Anim Res 2018, 52(5), 793-5.

Morphological studies were conducted on the skull of a hippopotamus brought to the Veterinary college for postmortem examination. Skull of the hippopotamus was huge and notable for its little brain case and high supra-orbital ridges. The skull had a larger splanchnocranium than the neurocranium. From the dorsal view, the skull had a watch glass appearance because of its narrow middle portion (at the region of maxillae) and wide caudal and rostral portions. Maxilla showed a large Eminenta canina and two infraorbital foramina leading to two separate infraorbital canals. The premaxilla lodged two huge incisors and just above the central incisor, there was a large rough eminence for the elevated nostrils. Three to four large rounded lacrimal bullae were seen on the floor of the bony orbit. Frontal bone presented a strongly convex smooth supra-orbital ridge that formed upper margin of the orbit which projected from the surface of the skull. The median sagittal crest was very high that diverged to accommodate the concave forehead in front. Temporal fossa was very extensive. Caudal surface of the skull showed a concave nuchal surface and the external occipital protuberance was in the form of a crest. The paramastoid process and external auditory process were very short. Bulla tympanica was conical with a pyramidal muscular process. Anatomical peculiarities of the skull and their functional significance are discussed.

3 illus, 6 ref

026643   ROUT M, SUBRAMANIAM S, MOHAPATRA J K, DASH B B, PATTNAIK B (ICAR-Project Directorate on Foot and Mouth Disease, Mukteswar - 263 138, Email: drmrout@gmail.com) : Investigation of foot-and mouth disease outbreak in a pig farm at Kollam District of Kerala, India. Indian J Anim Res 2018, 52(5), 786-92.

The present paper describes the investigation of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in a private pig farm at Kotty in Kollam district of Kerala during October 2013. During the clinical phase, severe vesicular lesions on snout and skin around the coronary bands were observed in pigs. A total of 48 serum samples and 12 clinical samples (ruptured snout epithelia) were collected. All serum samples were subjected to indirect 3AB nonstructural protein (NSP) ELISA and liquid phase blocking (LPB) ELISA. In 3AB NSP ELISA, all serum samples were found positive for NSP antibodies indicating infection. In LPB ELISA, 42 of 48 (87.5 %) pigs were found to have protective log₁₀ antibody titre of $\ge$1.8 against FMD virus serotypes O, A and Asia 1. All the clinical materials were found positive for serotype O in antigen detection ELISA as well as in multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (mRT-PCR). In VP1 region-based phylogenetic analysis, the serotype O isolates causing the outbreak were found to conglomerate within Ind2001 lineage. Pigs infected with FMD may pose rigorous threat to other susceptible domestic livestock as they exhale enormous quantity of virus. As a consequence, they should be included under prophylactic vaccination and surveillance programmes ongoing in the country.

3 illus, 42 ref

026642   MEI H, GAN L (Veterinary Medicine Dep, Southwest Univ, Chongqing- 402 460, China, Email: gl9089@sina.com) : Effects of former acquaintance on aggression, lesion and growth performance in weaned piglets after mixing. Indian J Anim Res 2018, 52(5), 768-73.

Excessive aggression between weaned piglets after mixing is a welfare and production issue resulting in stress, injuries and economic losses. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of former acquaintance (FA) on aggression, lesion and growth performance in weaned, mixed piglets. The results showed that the FA group significantly reduced the number of fights, time spent fighting, number of bullying events, lesions, the average injury scores of the front site and middle site of weaned piglets after mixing. A significant interaction was found between the effects of sex and treatment on the number of fights won and bullying events, between the effects of days post-weaning and treatment on the lesion scores as well as between the effect of the lesion sites and treatments on the lesion score for all three days after mixing. The results suggested a potential welfare advantage to allow litters to have some acquaintance before weaning.

5 illus, 3 tables, 18 ref

026641   TANUJA S, KUMAR A, NAYAK S K, BEHERA S K, SARKAR A (ICAR- Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar-751 003, Email: tanujasomarajan@gmail.com) : Effect of dietary supplementation of acid ensiled fish waste on production performance, egg quality and serum biochemistry in layer Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Indian J Anim Res 2018, 52(5), 740-3.

Five weeks old layer Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) birds (180 nos) were randomly distributed into 4 dietary groups with 3 replicates each for 98 days to study the effect of dietary inclusion of acid ensiled fish waste silage on the production performance, egg quality, feed cost, and serum biochemical profile. Fish meal in control diet was replaced by supplementing fish silage at 3 %, 6 % and 12 % of the diet. Significant increase in egg production (p<0.05) among the treatments and the lowest feed conversion ratio were recorded when birds were fed with 3 % silage. Serum glucose concentration was the highest in birds fed with 3 % fish silage. But the egg production or feed conversion ratio was not adversely affected by 6 % or 12 % inclusion of fish silage. Egg quality attributes like weight, shape index, Haugh score, albumen index or yolk index did not differ significantly with the increasing content of silage in the feed. The yolk concentration increased significantly (p<0.05) among the treatments. Serum glucose concentration was the highest in birds fed with 3 % fish silage. Lowest cost of feed/kg egg mass was obtained by inclusion of 3 % of fish silage in the diet. It was concluded that acid ensilage from freshwater fish waste can replace fishmeal in layer Japanese quail diets without affecting the production of birds besides resulting in reduction of feed cost.

1 illus, 4 tables, 13 ref

026640   MAHFUZ S U, ISLAM M S, CHOWDHURY M R, ISLAM S, HASAN M K, UDDIN M N (Animal Nutrition Dep, Sylhet Agricultural Univ, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh, Email: shaduddin09@gmail.com) : Influence of concentrate supplementation on production and reproduction performance of female Black Bengal goat. Indian J Anim Res 2018, 52(5), 735-9.

A total sixteen female Black Bengal goats (BBG) considering average live weight were randomly divided into four equal treatments to study the effect of different level of concentrates supplementation on production and reproduction performance of BBG. The animals were assigned to adlibitum green grass and supplemented with different levels of concentrates at 150, 200, 250 and 300 g respectively. Live weight gain, Dry matter (DM) intake, Crude protein (CP) intake were increased significantly (p < 0.01) with concentrate supplementation. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein conversion ratio (PCR) were not significant on level of concentrate. The value of services per conception, birth weight of kids and growth rate of kids showed a positive effect on level of concentrate supplementation but not significant. Average daily milk yield of doe were increased significantly (p < 0.01). Supplementation of concentrate mixture with 300 gm could be beneficial for BBG in Bangladesh condition.

2 illus, 4 tables, 28 ref

026639   KUMAR R D, KEWALRAMANI N, MANI V, GUPTA S, PARIHAR D, KUJUR A S T (Dairy Cattle Nutrition Div, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal - 132 001, Email: dhinesh.ramasamy@gmail.com) : Evaluation of bioavailability of selected minerals from maize germ oilcake in crossbred male calves. Indian J Anim Res 2018, 52(5), 730-4.

The objective of this study was to determine the bioavailability of selected minerals from Maize Germ Oilcake. Fifteen Karan Fries male calves of 6-12 months of age were selected and given 1.3, 1.7 and 2.1 kg/d of maize germ oilcake (MGOC) along with 1.7, 1.3 and 0.9 kg/d of wheat straw (WS) in three groups of 5 animals each for 21 days of adaptation period followed by 7 days of metabolism trial. Digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), ether extract (EE) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) varied significantly between the groups. Apparent absorption values of Calcium (Ca), Phosphorus (P), Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Molybdenum (Mo) and Zinc (Zn) for maize germ oil cake were in the range of 51.31-56.32 %, 44.16-46.16 %, 46.09-46.75 %, 8.39-12.73 %, 7.21-9.59 %, 3.38-5.18 %, 25.26-27.84 %, 46.45-48 % and 25.54-26.49 %. Addition of maize germ oil cake at varying levels did not have variations in the apparent absorption of minerals.

3 tables, 23 ref

026638   ZAZHARSKA N, OLEXANDRA BOYKO O, BRYGADYRENKO V (Parasitology Dep, Dnipropetrovsk State Agrarian-Economic Univ, Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, Email: zazharskayan@gmail.com) : Influence of diet on the productivity and characteristics of goat milk. Indian J Anim Res 2018, 52(5), 711-7.

The relationship between the quality of milk of different breeds of goat and their diets was assessed. Anglo-Nubian, German White and Alpine goats were used in the experiment, with 7 goats representing each breed. The influence of two diets viz., a routine diet (hay and concentrates) and a diet improved by introduction of granulated alfalfa hay, cabbage and carrots, as well as mixed feed on productivity and characteristics of goat milk were investigated. Goats were machine milked twice daily and the quantity as well as quality of milk were assessed. Results indicated that the milk yield of the Alpine goats increased 3 times; and that of the German White goats increased more than 2.5 times when fed improved diet. Feeding improved diet resulted in significant increase in fat content of milk irrespective of the goat breed. A significant increase in the protein, lactose, and consequentially the, dry non-fat milk solids was observed in Anglo-Nubian and German White goats when fed the improved diet. However, when compared to German White and Alpine goats, highest fat, protein and lactose contents were recorded in milk of Anglo-Nubian goats both on routine and improved diet. The maximum difference in biochemical parameters of milk upon changing the diet was also found in Anglo-Nubian goats. Further, the freezing point and electrical conductivity of the milk decreased irrespective of the breed when goats were fed improved diet. An inverse relationship was found between the protein content in the goats’ milk and the freezing point: with increase in the protein content, the freezing point was reduced.

4 illus, 23 ref

026637   ZIA W M, KHALIQUE A, NAVEED S, HUSSAIN J (Animal Nutrition Dep, Veterinary and Animal Sciences Univ, Lahore-54000, Pakistan, Email: doctorwsi639@gmail.com) : How growth parameters of sexed native Aseel chickens affected when fed with selenium supplemented diets during three growth phases. Indian J Anim Res 2018, 52(5), 702-10.

In total, 240 three-weeks-old sexed birds (191.06 ± 6.01g), 120♂+ 120♀ from Lakha, Mushki, Peshaweri and Mianwali varieties of local Aseel were used to determine the influence of selenium forms on growth during three growth phases. Birds were divided into four equal groups, 60 birds/variety (30♂+ 30♀), further subdivided into A, B and C treatment groups, 10 bids/ treatment. Each group was allocated starter, grower and finisher diets. Group A was offered the diet supplemented with 0.3 ppm Se-enriched yeast and the diet of group B included 0.3 ppm sodium selenite, while group C was fed with un-supplemented control diet. Birds were maintained individually for 18 weeks. Feed intake was decreased, while, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and body weight gain were improved in males and females of Lakha, while best results detected in males during all growth phases in Se-enriched yeast fed groups. In conclusion, Se-enriched yeast had the positive effect in improving growth parameters of native Aseel.

4 illus, 5 tables, 54 ref

026636   SAXENA N, PATIYAL R S, DUBE K, TIWARI V K (Aquaculture Dep, ICAR- Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai - 400 061, Email: kirandr@cife.edu.in) : Ovarian maturation and histological observations of Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton) in captivity. Indian J Anim Res 2018, 52(5), 695-701.

Fish samples of Indian hill trout Barilius bendelisis, were collected from the Gaula river (29⁰ 17’ 25’’ N Latitude, 79⁰ 32’ 143’’ E) and reared in captive condition at Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Bhimtal (29⁰21´ N, 79⁰34´ E, altitude 1370 m MSL). Gonadosomatic index was found maximum in May for females (13.24 ± 0.92) and males (1.13 ± 0.07) respectively indicating a single spawning period of this species under captivity. Absolute fecundity (total number of eggs) varied from 320 to 4000. The average absolute fecundity was 1661 ± 304.6 at a total length 10.07 ± 0.30 cm and body weight of 11.92 ± 1.23 g. Histological study of the ovary revealed the presence of oocytes at different stages of maturity with a maximum number of the mature oocytes during April to May. Results of the present investigation suggest that B. bendelisis belongs to a category of low fecund fish and spawns during April and May under captive condition.

8 illus, 4 tables, 23 ref

026635   BASUDHA C, SOBITA N, SUSHINDRAJIT N (ICAR- Research Complex for NEH Region, Imphal - 795 004, Email: n_sobita@yahoo.co.in) : Studies on morphological variation in three barbin fishes (Cyprinidae: Barbi nae) from different water areas of Manipur, India. Indian J Anim Res 2018, 52(5), 687-94.

A total of two hundred and seventy samples of three barbin fish species viz. Puntius chola, Puntius sophore and Pethia manipurensis (Cyprinidae: Barbinae) were investigated for morphometric variations from nine different water areas of Manipur. Twenty reliable morphometric characters were measured in each sample and evaluated with individual species and compared same in each study area by various standard analyses of difference to examine the implication of morphometric variations among populations. The species wise and population wise descriptive statistics viz., mean, standard variation, standard error of mean and the Principle Component Analysis (PCA) were carried out. Among the morphometric characters, Pre dorsal length (L_PRD), Orbital length (L_O) and Post orbital length (L_PO) are insignificant having p value of 0.217, 0.259 and 0.215 respectively. The result of first three components by PCA were 69.62 % (1st), 77.627 % (2nd) and 83.214 % (3rd) which are sufficient to describe the variation among the populations. Discriminant function analysis of the first two functions of various measurements of morphometric characters of three fish species under study reveals that specimens of Puntius chola and P. sophore have high morphological variations whereas specimens of Pethia manipurensis have more or less variations among the populations. The detected phenotypical divergence between specimens revealed the fact of existing of morphologically separated stocks within the samples may imply as a possibility among the extent of phenotypic heterogeneity and the geographic distance among the populations. The present study reveals that the population of two species, Puntius chola and P. sophore are separate stock as their geographical sites whereas the population of P. manipurensis is same stock in spite of different geographical sites.

6 illus, 6 tables, 29 ref

026619   SAEMI-KOMSARI M, SALEHI M, MANSOURI-CHOREHI M, EAGERI S, MOUSAVI-SABET H (Fisheries Sciences Dep, Guilan Univ, Guilan, Iran, Email: mousavi-sabet@guilan.ac.ir) : Developmental morphology and growth patterns of laboratory-reared giraffe cichlid, Nimbochromis venustus Boulenger, 1908. Int J Aquat Biol 2018, 6(3), 170-8.

The giraffe cichlid Nimbochromis venustus Boulenger, 1908 is a well-known species in aquarium trade. The laboratory-reared electric giraffe cichlid was studied in terms of early morphological development and allometric growth pattern from hatching until the juvenile stage i.e.51 dph. Total length increased linearly from hatching until 51 dph, with a high regression coefficient.The yolk sac exhaustion completed throughout 15 days. Significant morphological and morphometric variations occurred before the yolk sac absorption and early juvenile stage by evolving the anteriorand posterior body section which improve swimming ability and food capturing. Positive growth coefficient of the body and trunk lengths were occurred after inflexion point coinciding with development of digestive system function. Eye diameter showed negative allometry at the inflexion point of 9.3 mm, continuing with positive growth rate until day 51. Body shape variation in early life history revealed consequent development in anterior and posterior body section in preflexion phase and development of body and trunk length in post flexion phase to support high survival of larvae.The present study emphasizes ontogenic study of different species to interpret biology and ecology of fish in association with evolutionary biology.

4 illus, 1 table, 44 ref

026618   MIRGHAED A T, RAHMATI-HOLASOO H, ARDESHIRI M, MOUSAVI H E, SADEGHINEZHAD J (Aquatic Animal Health Dep, Tehran Univ, Tehran, Iran, Email: mirghaed@ut.ac.ir) : Circulatory system of red tail catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus Bloch & Schneider, 1801): A corrosion cast study. Int J Aquat Biol 2018, 6(3), 114-21.

Red tail catfish, Phractocephalus hemioliopterus, in one of the popular ornamental fish. The present study is aimed to describe and visualizes the cardiovascular system of this species with corrosion cast study method. For this purpose, 10 red tail catfish with 580 gr average weight were obtained and were filled their blood vessels and heart with fluid artificial resin made on the basis of methylmetacrylate after anaesthetizing and euthanizing. For complete polymerization and hardening of the methylmetacrylate, the fish were further submersed for 12-24 hrs in water bath following by 24-48 hrs submersion in a 25 % solution of KOH to full maceration. Based on the results we describe the cardiovascular system i.e. the afferent and efferent vessels of gill, different parts of the heart, ventral aorta, dorsal aorta, intestinal and gastric vessels, liver, anterior and posterior parts of the kidneys, spleen, portal and hepatic vein.

12 illus, 22 ref

026617   BOMZAN D P, BHAVYA M L, CHANDU A G S, MANIVANNAN S, LAVANYA G, RAMASAMY K, PASHA A (CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore - 570 020, Email: manivannan@cftri.res.in) : Potential of pyrethroid-synergised pyrethrum on stored product insects and implications for use as prophylactic sprays. J Food Sci Technol 2018, 55(6), 2270-8.

The study was conducted to evaluate the synergistic effects of 2 % pyrethrum extract with synthetic pyrethroids on the mortality of stored product insects. Contact toxicity was performed at variable concentrations observing mortality at 12, 24 and 48 h durations. The results of the present study indicated that, pyrethrum $+$ deltamethrin combination (25:1 ratio) was effective on the adults of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). On the other hand, pyrethrum $+$ cypermethrin combination proved effective against Sitophilus oryzae (L.). The efficacy of the tested combination showed reasonable increase in mortality response in treated insects over increasing exposures. At 48 h, 450 ppm pyrethrum $+$ deltamethrin combination induced 25, 90 and 97 % mortalities in S. oryzae, T. castaneum and R. dominica adults; while, pyrethrum-cypermethrin combination recorded 75, 45 and 75 % mortalities respectively. On the other hand, it was observed that, among the pyrethrum alone treatments i.e. at 300, 450 and 600 ppm concentrations, maximum mortality (62.5 %) was observed in S. oryzae exposed to 600 ppm pyrethrum for 48 h. The effective LC₅₀ concentrations for pyrethrum (600 ppm) $+$ deltamethrin combination was estimated to be as 0.1987 and 0.7039 $\mu$l/cm² for R. dominica and T. castaneum adults respectively. Contrastingly, for treatments with S. oryzae, a LC₅₀ value of 0.8673 $\mu$l/cm² was recorded for pyrethrum (600 ppm) $+$ cypermethrin mixture. This investigation strengthens the fact that pyrethrum along with pyrethroids is effective against storage insect pests which can be promisingly a safer insecticidal combination.

4 illus, 2 tables, 33 ref

026613   TRIVEDI A, TRIVEDI S P (Zoology Dep, Lucknow Univ, Lucknow- 226 007, Email: trivedi_sp@lkouniv.ac.in) : Histopathological findings in gill tissues of Heteropneustes fossilis (bloch, 1793) sub-lethally exposed to linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS). J Env Bio-Sci 2018, 32(1), 177-82.

In the present study short term static bioassays were conducted under laboratory conditions by exposing the fish Heteropneustes fossilis to different fractions of sub-lethal concentrations of globally accepted anionic surfactant, linear alkyl benzene sulphonate, LAS for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hrs. of exposures. After exposure to the test chemical fishes showed marked behavioral responses like erratic movements, and loss of equilibrium etc. Marked histo-pathological findings of gill tissues, examined after exposure, include distorted appearance of primary and secondary lamellae along with accumulation of lymphocytes and cellular debris. In almost all sets of exposure, having varying doses of LAS, excessive secretion of mucus is a common response to the toxicant.This interrupted the process of gas exchange at lamellar surfaces leading to respiratory dysfunction and disturbed osmoregulation.These findings are, thus, indicate that detergents, which gain access to surrounding lentic and lotic habitats after their use as Land C (Laundry and Cleaning) chemicals, not only appreciably alter physico-chemical profile of water but also adversely affecthealth and maintenance of aquatic fauna. The above patho-morphological changes in gills of H. fossilis can be used as sensitive indicators for contamination of aquatic environment with LAS.

17 illus, 31 ref

026612   KHAMASHON L, JOSHI P C, KAUSHAL B R (Zoology Dep, Gurukula Kangri Univ, Haridwar- 249 404, Email: khamashon@gmail.com) : Life history and feeding behaviour of coccinellid predator, Calvia punctata (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). J Env Bio-Sci 2018, 32(1), 173-6.

Calvia punctata (Mulsant) is a common predator of green peach aphids (Myzus persicae Sulzer). The life history was studiedunder laboratory condition. We evaluated the longevity, consumption rate and larval as well as adult developments of this species.The larval stages last for 13-18 days. The average longevity of adult female and adult male was 79 ± 5.0 days and 67 ± 3.0 days, respectively. Third and fourth instar larvae consumed more aphids (16.7 ± 1.6 aphids day^-1 and 39.08 ± 2.40 aphids day^-1, respectively) as compared to first (2.6 ± 0.5 aphids day^-1) and second instars (5.4 ± 0.9 aphids day^-1). The average consumption by adult female andadult male was 53.4 ± 17.7 aphids day^-1 beetle^-1 and 44.3 ± 14.4 aphids day^-1 beetle^-1, respectively. Female adult consumed moreaphids than male adults.

1 table, 18 ref

026611   PATEL D,RAJPUROHIT A, IMRAN, PATHAN H, GUPTA R K (Zoology Dep, Lachoo Memorial Coll of Science and Technology, Rajasthan, Email: abhiraj_rajpurohit@yahoo.com) : Description of the nest and the immatures of Megachile studiosa Bingham (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Megachilidae). J Env Bio-Sci 2018, 32(1), 115-20.

Three nests of Megachile studiosa Bingham (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Megachilidae) were collected from a natural crevice made amidst stones in a wall in the Department of Zoology, JNV University, Jodhpur, during rainy seasons of year 2017. They had leaf cutting coating outside their nest chambers. Each nest consisted of 3 chambers, making a count of total 09 chambers. They contain larvae, pupae and, two chambers were occupied by pupae of cleptoparasites. Later these also emerged to adults and were identified as those of Brachymeria spp (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae). The paper describes the nest, immature stages and developmental consequences of the broods collected out of the nests of M. studiosa. A pair of adult bees which were reared from the nest shall be deposited at the National Museum of Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata as Lactotypes.

12 illus, 3 tables, 12 ref

026610   GUPTA R K, SAINI J (J. N. V. Univ, Kolkata) : A new species of clepto-parasitic bee genus Sphecodes latreille (Insecta : Hymenoptera) from Almora, Uttarakhand, India. J Env Bio-Sci 2018, 32(1), 113-4.

A new species of the clepto-parasitic bee genus Sphecodes latreille (Apoidea, Halictidae, Halictinae, Halictini) has been described from GBPIHED, Kosi Kataarmal (Almora: Uttarakhand, India). The described female is the smallest (3.86 mm.) among all the known species of this genus. It was collected on the flowering of sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) during the month of May in year 2012. S. almoransis sp. nov. has some close affinities with S. sutor, S. hanuman and S. perplexus all described by Nurse, from neighbouring state of Kashmir.

1 illus, 1 ref

026609   IMRAN, RAJPUROHIT A, DAMAYANTIPATEL, PATHAN H, GUPTA R K (Zoology Dep, Lachoo Memorial Coll of Science and Technology, Jodhpur - 342 001, Email: Imrankhan7114@gmail.com) : Bee visitors (Apoidea) on Allium cepa L. In western Rajasthan. J Env Bio-Sci 2018, 32(1), 77-80.

A study was conducted for determination of bee species composition that visits onion (Allium cepa L.) in Western Rajasthan. It is a biennial plant, best cultivated in fertile soils having good drainage. In Western Rajasthan,the seed yields of A. cepa crops may often be lower than the expected,because of adverse climatic, edaphic or cultural factors, but also because of the inadequate number of bee pollinators. In absence of bee pollination, fruit or seed set is affected adversely evenif all the cultural practices are followed meticulously. Bee pollinators start visiting early flowers of the crop and increase quality andquantity of the seed yield.The collection on flowerings and identificationof bee species revealed that the crop is visited by 16 species of Apoidea. They belong to various families: Halictidae (06 spp.: Nomiaelliotii Smith, Pseudapis tegulata Smith, Lasiogl ossum spp., Halictus spp., Ceylalictus spp., Nomioides spp.); Apidae (06 spp.:Crocisa ramose Lepeletier, Ceratina propinqua Cameron, Ceratina sexmaculata Smith, Amegilla quadrifasciata de Villers, Amegillaniveo-cincta Smith, Epeolus spp.), Megachilidae (04 spp.: Megachiles tirostoma Cameron, Megachile argentata Spinola, Megachile creusa Bingham, Megachile studiosa Bingham), The study concluded that there was no visitor identified in family Andrenidae, Colletidae and Melittidae on this crop in the specified area. Onions are cultivated and used around the world as a food item. They are usually served cooked, as a vegetable or part of a prepared savoury dish, but can also be eaten raw or used to make pickles or chutneys. The paper presents apprehension about the effectiveness of this visitor's on the referred crop for the first time.

1 table, 23 ref

026608   TOMAR D (Zoology Dep, Dr. H. S. Gour Central Univ, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh) : Study of Tetranychus urticae life cycle after essential oil treatment. J Env Bio-Sci 2018, 32(1), 61-70.

Two spotted spider mite (TSSM) is one of the most important agricultural pests that annually destroys 10-15 % of agricultural products. Considering the number of compounds to which resistance has been reported, TSSM is ranked first among arthropod pest species It was reported as the first resistant pest to the pesticides. Developing new acaricides with novel modes of action has been a strategy of dealing with such scope of resistance. Plant extracts contribute to synergism that enhances the joint action of active compounds on the insect and reduces the rate of development of insect resistance. In the present investigation the experimental findings proved the efficacy of Cassia fistula leaf, flower essential oils and Lantana camara leaf, flower and fruit essential oils while control groups showed the high viability rate of larval, nymphal and adult stages of Tetranychus urticae. In the present investigation toxicity levels of essential oil are as follows: Lantana camara fruit > Lantana camara leaf > Cassia fistula leaf > Lantana camara flower > Cassia fistula flower.

10 tables, 26 ref

026607   ARYA M K, TAMTA P, KUMAR K, JOSHI P C (Zoology Dep, Kumaun Univ, Nainital- 263 002, Email: dr.manojkumar19@rediffmail.com) : Bio-spectrum of trophic position and secondary productivity of insects of Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary in the western Himalayas. J Env Bio-Sci 2018, 32(1), 35-43.

The present study deals with the trophic structure, population density, biomass and secondary productivity of insect fauna in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarakhand. A total of 115 species of insects belonging to eight orders was sorted into four categories based on their major feeding habits viz., herbivores, omnivores and predators and saprophagous. During the entire study period, herbivorous insects showed maximum species richness i.e. 84 species (73.04 %), followed by predators (17.39 %), omnivores (7.83 %) and saprophagous (1.74 %), respectively. Similarly, on the basis of total number of individuals of insect population recorded, herbivores constituted the maximum of all the insects i.e. 72.88 %, followed by predators 19.06 %, omnivores 6.85 % and saprophagous 1.21 %, respectively. Across the different seasons, maximum numbers of individuals of herbivorous insects were recorded during the rainy season (54.16 %), followed by summer season (33.23 %) and winter season (12.61 %). Mean net secondary production of herbivorous insects was 13.23 KJ ha^-1 y^-1 and 15.54 KJ ha^-1 y^-1 during the first and second year of study, respectively.

4 illus, 3 tables, 26 ref

026606   TOMAR D (Zoology Dep, Dr. H. S. Gour Central Univ, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh) : Study of Epilachna varivestis life cycle after essential oil treatment. J Env Bio-Sci 2018, 32(1), 1-8.

Epilachna varivestis (Mexican bean beetle) is a serious, injurious, destructive, major, notorious, agricultural pest of beans. The ability of MBB populations to migrate from surrounding areas combined with the inability of insecticides to completely suppress MBB adult populations, dictates the use of a pesticide with a high initial efficacy and long-residual effect to maintain populations below the economic threshold (1-1.5 larvae per plant) throughout the season. The increasing resistance developed by the MBB from repeated and prolonged exposure to certain chemicals has made it even more difficult for organic producers to suppress populations. In the present investigation the experimental findings proved the efficacy of Cassia fistula leaf, flower essential oils and Lantana camara leaf, flower and fruit essential oils in controlling the insect population, while control groups showed the high viability rate in 1^st - 4^th instar larval and adult stages of Epilachna varivestis. In the present investigation toxicity levels of essential oil is as follows: Lantana camara fruit > Lantana camara leaf > Cassia fistula leaf > Lantana camara flower > Cassia fistula flower.

5 tables, 13 ref

026605   CHAKRABORTY S, SHUKLA P S, ARUNKUMAR K P, NAGARAJU J, GADAGKAR R (Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru- 560 012, Email: sc6@nibmg.ac.in) : Genetic relatedness does not predict the queen's successors in the primitively eusocial wasp, Ropalidia marginata. J Genet 2018, 97(2), 429-38.

Ropalidia marginata is a social wasp in which colonies consist of a single fertile queen and several sterile workers. If the queen is removed, one of the workers, potential queen (PQ), becomes hyperaggressive and becomes the next queen. The identity of the PQ cannot be predicted in the presence of the queen. The probability of a worker succeeding the queen is uncorrelated with her body size, dominance rank, ovarian or mating status, but imperfectly correlated with her age. Here, we investigate whether genetic relatedness help to predict the queen’s successors. We constructed models based on successors being (i) most closely related to the queen, (ii) most closely related to the immediate predecessor queen/PQ, or (iii) having the highest relatedness to the majority of the workers; and (iv) having the highest average relatedness to all the workers. We predicted five successors from each of these models using pair-wise genetic relatedness estimated from polymorphic microsatellite loci. We independently performed serial queen/PQ removal experiments and compared the observed sequence of successors with the predictions from the models. The predictions of none of the models matched the experimental results; on an average 5–6 individuals predicted by the models were bypassed in the experiment. Thus, genetic relatedness is inadequate to predict the queen’s successors in this species. We discuss why relatedness sometimes predicts the patterns of altruistic behaviour and sometimes not, and argue that the cost and benefit terms in Hamilton’s rule, i.e. ecology, should be vigorously investigated when relatedness does not have adequate explanatory power.

1 illus, 1 table, 141 ref

026604   DEOBAGKAR D (Zoology Dep, Savitribai Phule Pune Univ, Pune- 411 007, Email: deepti.deobagkar@gmail.com.) : Epigenetics with special reference to the human X chromosome inactivation and the enigma of Drosophila DNA methylation. J Genet 2018, 97(2), 371-8.

Epigenetics confers adaptability and survival advantage to an organism. Most epigenetic processes demonstrate memory and heritability. DNA methylation is an epigenetic process that adds imprints which can be inherited during cell division and across generations. DNA methylation adds an additional level of information to the basic DNA sequence and can influence chromatin organization and the function of the DNA sequence. In bacteria, it works as a defence strategy and preserves genome integrity. DNA methylation in eukaryotes has been implicated in a large number of cellular regulatory processes and is implied in development, differentiation, life style diseases and cancer. Mammals have an intricate DNA methylation machinery with dNMT1, 3A and 3B enzymes. The human X chromosome inactivation, an example of differential regulation of homologous chromosomes, is known to involve many epigenetic processes with intricate interactions of lnc RNAs, miRNAs and DNA methylation. Drosophila possesses very low levels of DNA methylation with only dNMT2 gene. Since Drosophila is an important model organism for study of development and differentiation, the implications of this sparse DNA methylation and the lack of DNA methylation machinery in Drosophila is discussed.

2 illus, 95 ref

026616   BAES M, EHTESHAMI R (Aquatic Animal Health and Diseases Dep, Tehran Univ, Tehran, Iran) : Diagnostic imaging and treatment of Koi abdominal inflammation caused by Dystocia. Asian J Sci Technol 2018, 9(05), 8208-11.

Koi (Cyprinus rubrofuscus) is a domesticated colored variant group of Amur Carps originally found in Asia and Central Europe. The colorful scale pattern has made Koi fishes one of the most popular aquarium fishes worldwide. A case of a female Shusui Koi aging 7 years old was brought to Dr. Fish clinic located in Tehran, Iran. The owner has reported 3 months of abdominal inflammation, no problems with feeding or balance and no sign of sickness. In the clinical examinations and microscopic investigation via wet mount, skin and both gills were found healthy. Lateral and dorsoventral radiographs were taken. Both graphs showed a displacement of swim bladders due to the presence of tumor-like mass surrounding them. Sonography was done in order to further identify the mass. Swim bladder was found to be completely out of place due to the accumulation of eggs (egg binding) in the abdominal cavity. The egg bound Koi had been unable to release the eggs for months. The owner was advised to give the fish a short time to release the eggs naturally. When the natural course did not take place, the fish was brought back to the clinic for the first step of hormonal therapy. An intraperitoneal injection of GnRH (Ovaprim™) was done under the pectoral fin. The first injection dose contained 10 % of the therapeutic amount. The next and final injection containing the remaining amount of the hormone, was done 24 hours later. The Koi was able to release the eggs shortly after the treatment.

3 illus, 1 table, 12 ref

026615   FARHAT J, BALI N P (Zoology Dep, Delhi Univ, Delhi) : Haematological and biochemical anomalies in Heteropneustes fossilis (bloch) Induced by stress due to nickel chloride. Asian J Sci Technol 2018, 9(05), 8075-8.

The increasing use of heavy metals in various industries has lead to an increase in their environmental burden. Nickel represents a good example of a metal which is being widely used in modern technologies, such as nickel plating, ceramics, production of electrodes for making nickel-cadmium batteries, oil refining, and production of wrought stainless steel, nickel based alloys and also in large power units. The accelerated consumption of nickel-containing products, nickel compounds are being continuously released into the environment at all stages of production and utilization. Nickel is added to aquatic environment from these and other sources and is a cause of stress on aquatic life including fish. The fish exposed to stress due to nickel chloride showed statistically a highly significant decrease in amount of haemoglobin, total plasma proteins and serum albumins. The biochemical parameters, such as blood sugar, blood urea, S.G.O.T., S.G.P.T., and lactic dehydrogenase show highly significant increase due to stress of nickel chloride.

1 table, 22 ref

026614   THANGALEELA S, SHANMUGPRIYA V, MUKILAN M, RADHAKRISHNAN K, RAJAN K E (Animal Science Dep, Bharathidasan Univ, Tiruchirappalli - 620 024, Email: emmanuvel1972 @ yahoo.com) : Alterations in microRNA-132/212 expression impairs fear memory in goldfish Carassius auratus. Ann Neurosci 2018, 25(2), 90–7.

Earlier, we showed that nicotinamide (NAM) treatment impairs spatial memory through the down regulation of CREB-Sirt 1-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) signaling cascade. In this study, we examine whether NAM treatment alters CREB-regulated genes through microRNAs.To test this hypothesis, goldfish (Carassiusauratus) were divided into 2 groups: (i) vehicle group (VEH;double distilled water intra-peritoneally [i.p.]) (ii) nicotinamide group (NAM, 1,000 mg/kg, i.p.) and again divided intoVEH untrained/trained, NAM untrained/trained. One hour after receiving VEH or NAM, individuals were subject to contextual fear conditioning (CFC) training. After 24 h, both the groups were tested for contextual fear memory. Subsequently,miR-132/212 levels, regulated immediate-early genes(IEGs: C-fos and EGR-1) and Bdnf but not its receptor. TrkB1 were examined following 0’ and 60’ min after training, and compared with the untrained group. We observed that NAM treatment significantly impaired fear memory. Further, the analysis showed that miR-132 level was not altered, but miR-212 level was significantly upregulated after CFC training only in NAM-treated fish. We also found that NAM treatment down regulated IEGs and Bdnf but not its receptor TrkB1. Present study suggests that NAM-treatment impaired fear memory and control IEGs, Bdnf and TrkB1 expression by differentially regulating miR-132 and 212.

7 illus, 38 ref

025470   SHELLY T E (USDA-APHIS, Waimanalo, HI-96795, Email: todd.e.shelly@aphis.usda.gov) : Sexual selection on leks: A fruit fly primer. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(3), 1-16.

Lek mating systems are relatively rare but occur in a diverse taxonomic array of animals, including birds, mammals, anurans, and insects. Such systems exhibit four features: 1) males provide no parental care and supply only gametes; 2) males are spatially aggregated at mating arenas (or leks); 3) males do not control access to resources critical to females; and 4) females are free to select mates at the arena. Among insects, fruit flies of the families Tephritidae and Drosophilidae display lek behavior that closely resembles the ‘classic’ lek mating systems of vertebrate species. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of empirical findings on lek-forming tephritid and drosophilid flies. The essay is organized around a series of 19 questions, the first six of which provide background information on fruit fly leks. These questions deal with the location, persistence, and size of leks as well as pheromonal attraction of females and the nature of male–male aggression. The remaining questions touch on broader issues that are common to the study of lekking species regardless of taxonomic affiliation. For example, these questions concern skewed mating distributions among males, male signals important in female choice, the importance of male aggression and signaling position in affecting male mating success, the possibility of male choice, costs to males associated with lek displays, and evidence of direct and indirect benefits to females resulting from mate selection etc. Reflecting data availability, emphasis is on precopulatory mate choice, sperm competition and female cryptic choice are briefly addressed.

225 ref

025469   WANG R, ZHANG Z, HU X, WU S, WANG J, ZHANG F (Forestry Coll, Fujian-350002, China, Email: fpzhang1@163.com) : Molecular detection and genetic diversity of casuarina moth, Lymantria xylina (lepidoptera: Erebidae). J Insect Sci 2018, 18(3), 1-9.

The casuarina moth, Lymantria xylina Swinhoe (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), is an important pest in the Australian pine tree, Casuarina equisetifolia, forest in the coastal area of South China. At the same time, as a closely related species of Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), it is also a potential quarantine pest. In the present study, specific primers were designed for identification of L.  xylina based on the COI barcoding sequence between L.  xylina and four other common forest pests. A 569-bp fragment was successfully amplified from 40 L. xylina from five geographical populations in four Chinese provinces. In addition, even through the analysis came from five highly diverse populations of L. xylina, the genetic distances ranged from 0.001 to 0.031. The neighbor-joining tree showed that the species from Hubei and Chongqing were clustered within a distinct group.

7 illus, 4 tables, 31 ref

025468   RAJOS M G, ELLIOTT R B, RAMOS J A M (USDA-ARS National Biological Control Laboratory, Stoneville, Email: guadalupe.rojas@ars.usda.gov) : Mortality of Solenopsis invicta workers (hymenoptera: Formicidae) after indirect exposure to spores of three entomopathogenic fungi. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(3), 1-8.

Mortality caused by indirect exposure to Metarhizium brunneum and Beauveria bassiana (GHA and NI8) to the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), workers was evaluated. Groups of 50 workers were placed in one side of dual-box arenas. The opposite side of the arenas was lined with filter paper squares previously sprayed with unformulated purified spores (106  spores/ml) suspended in 0.2 % Ethal TDA 3, HLB 8 of the three fungal strains, or untreated filter paper squares as the control. Daily observations were done for 1 wk to determine mortality. Dead ants from each treatment and control were collected, surface cleaned, and placed in PDA media and incubated at 27 °C, 60 % RH for 7 d to detect fungal growth. The presence of fungal growth in the dead ants confirmed that fungal spores infected workers while walking on the treated paper. In the M. brunneum and B. bassiana GHA treatments, 51.35 and 56.68 % of the workers died, respectively, during days 1 and 2. However, only 9.47 and 35.96 % of the mortality could be explained by fungal infection by M. brunneum and B. bassiana GHA, respectively. Most of the mortality observed in the B. bassiana NI8 treatment (84.48 %) occurred later (between days 4–6) and most of this mortality occurring during day 4 (89.06 %) could be explained by B. bassiana infection. Overall mortality was significantly higher in the B. bassiana NI8 treatment than the other two fungi tested and control. Potential application of these fungal strains for fire ant control are discussed.

5 illus, 1 tables, 60 ref

025467   KARATAS A, DEMIR E O (Kocaeli University, Turkey, Email: karatasayla@gmail.com) : Dairy products added in media affect the development of Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae). J Insect Sci 2018, 18(3), 1-6.

Due to the increased interest shown in kefir, the present study examined its effects on some developmental characteristics in Drosophila. To compare the results related to kefir, another fermented product, i.e., yogurt, and the raw material of kefir, i.e., milk, were included in the experiment. All three foods were fed to Drosophila by addition to the medium. The results showed that the three foods delayed development in generations F1 and F2. In both generations, the number of adults was lower than that of the control group, but the comparison of the foods among themselves showed no significant difference. Moreover, the negative effect continued in generation F2. Phenotypically abnormal individuals were observed in the experiments, but there was no significant difference. Furthermore, the sex ratio changed in all the groups, including the control group. In the experimental group fed kefir, the sex ratio changed in favor of females, whereas in the other groups, it changed in favor of males. Whether the milk and milk products were fermented did not change the effect on Drosophila, but unexpectedly it delayed development, reduced the number of adults, and changed the sex ratio. It can be concluded that the three foods delayed development and altered the sex ratio in Drosophila.

5 illus, 52 ref

025466   OSBRINK W L A, THOMAS D B, GOOLSBY J A, SHOWLER A T, LEAL B (Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, Kerrville, Texas, Email: weste.osbrink@ ars.usda.gov) : Higher beetle diversity in native vegetation than in stands of the invasive Arundo, Arundo donax L., along the Rio Grande basin in Texas, USA. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(3), 1-10.

Within the cattle fever tick quarantine zone along the Rio Grande, a steady displacement of native vegetation by Arundo donax L. has been occurring for over a century. Arundo rapidly grows to a height of 3–6 m creating a dense wall of vegetation impeding surveillance and interception of stray cattle breaching the cattle fever tick quarantine from Mexico. Additionally, arundo monocultures may decrease the number and diversity of predatory beetles feeding on cattle fever ticks. To compare predatory beetle abundance and diversity within and between arundo and native vegetation, beetles were trapped at 10 locations twice a month for 16 mo (=38,400 trap nights) in the cattle fever tick quarantine zone along the Mexico-American border between Brownsville and Del Rio, TX. In total, 766 beetles were trapped, which included 34 genera and 43 species. Native vegetation provided more beetles, greater species richness, and increased biological diversity. Thus, greater beetle diversity was found in the more complex native vegetation compared with arundo stands. However, because predatory beetle sample numbers were modest, it is unlikely these mostly polyphagous, opportunistic arthropod predators would apply much pressure on tick populations, leading us to conclude that beetle predation would have little effect on tick populations in native vegetation or within stands of arundo.

8 illus, 5 tables, 34 ref

025465   ZENG Z, WANG Y, JOHNSON N A N, WANG G-D, YAO Q, CHEN K-P (Jiangsu Univ, Zhenjiang-212 013, China, Email: ywang@ujs.edu.cn) : Identification and phylogenetic analysis of basic helix-loop-helix genes in the diamondback moth. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(3), 1-11.

Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors play essential roles in regulating eukaryotic developmental and physiological processes such as neuron generation, myocyte formation, intestinal tissue development, and response to environmental stress. In this study, the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), genome was found to encode 52 bHLH genes. All 52 P. xylostella bHLH (PxbHLH) genes were classified into correspondent bHLH families according to their orthology with bHLHs from fruit fly and other insect species. Among these 52 PxbHLH genes, 19 have been annotated consistently with our classification in GenBank database. The remaining 33 PxbHLH genes are either annotated as general bHLH genes or as hypothetical genes. Therefore, our data provide useful information for updating annotations to PxbHLH genes. P. xylostella has four stem cell leukemia (SCL) genes (one of them has three copies), two Dys genes, two copies of MyoR, Mitf, and Sima genes, and three copies of Sage genes. Further studies may be conducted to elucidate functions of these specific bHLH genes in regulating P. xylostella growth and development.

3 illus, 4 tables, 54 ref

025464   ALT J A, LAKES-HARLAN R (Justus-Liebig Univ, Gieben, Germany, Email: reinhard.lakes-harlan@physzool.bio.uni-giessen.de) : Sensing of substrate vibrations in the adult Cicada Okanagana rimosa (Hemiptera: Cicadidae). J Insect Sci 2018, 18(3), 1-6.

Detection of substrate vibrations is an evolutionarily old sensory modality and is important for predator detection as well as for intraspecific communication. In insects, substrate vibrations are detected mainly by scolopidial (chordotonal) sense organs found at different sites in the legs. Among these sense organs, the tibial subgenual organ (SGO) is one of the most sensitive sensors. The neuroanatomy and physiology of vibratory sense organs of cicadas is not well known. Here, we investigated the leg nerve by neuronal tracing and summed nerve recordings. Tracing with Neurobiotin revealed that the cicada Okanagana rimosa (Say) (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) has a femoral chordotonal organ with about 20 sensory cells and a tibial SGO with two sensory cells. Recordings from the leg nerve show that the vibrational response is broadly tuned with a threshold of about 1 m/s² and a minimum latency of about 6 ms. The vibratory sense of cicadas might be used in predator avoidance and intraspecific communication, although no tuning to the peak frequency of the calling song (9 kHz) could be found.

3 illus, 44 ref

025463   GUO X-J, FENG J-N (Northwest A&F Univ, Shaanxi, China, Email: jinianf@nwsuaf.edu.cn) : Comparisons of expression levels of heat shock proteins (hsp70 and hsp90) from Anaphothrips obscurus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in polymorphic adults exposed to different heat shock treatments. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(3), 1-10.

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are prominent proteins that greatly contribute to insect survival under stress conditions. In this study, we cloned two Hsp transcripts (Aohsp70 and Aohsp90) from the grass thrip, Anaphothrips obscurus (Müller) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), which is a polymorphic winged pest of corn and wheat. The cDNA sequences of Aohsp70 and Aohsp90 are 2382 and 2504 bp long, and encode proteins with calculated molecular weights of 70.02 kDa and 83.40 kDa, respectively. Aohsp90 was highly expressed in adults of both brachypters and macropters. Aohsp70 had different expression patterns in brachypters and macropters and was also highly expressed in the pupae of macropters. After adults were exposed to an ascending series of heat shocks, the expression of both Aohsp70 and Aohsp90 were up-regulated. In macropters and brachypters, the maximum induced levels of Aohsp70 (approximately 90-fold and 280-fold, respectively) were higher than Aohsp90 (approximately 2.4-fold and 1.8-fold, respectively). In addition, the up-regulation of Aohsp70 was significantly higher in brachypters than in macropters. Brachypters had a significantly higher Ltem₅₀ (43.2 °C) than macropters (42.5 °C), which implied that brachypters are more tolerant to thermal stress than macropters. This study has shown that the expression patterns of Aohsp70 and Aohsp90 are variable among different life stages and thermal stress induced different levels of expressions in macropterous and brachypterous adults.

8 illus, 2 tables, 57 ref

025462   THOMAS J K, FADUL G J, KELLER G P, CHAUDHURY M F (U.S. Embassy Panama, Clayton, Panama, Email: joshua.k.thomas@aphis.usda.gov) : The use of dried bovine hemoglobin and plasma for mass rearing new world screwworm. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(3), 1-6.

The success of the Screwworm Eradication Program is due to continuous mass rearing and dispersal of large numbers of competitive sterile flies in the field. Spray-dried powders of whole bovine blood, chicken egg, and milk substitute constituted the nutritional components of the traditional artificial larval diet used for mass rearing New World Screwworm (NWS), Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel), Diptera: Calliphoridae. However, due to shifting availability and increasing costs of diet ingredients, it is necessary to investigate alternative products for the diet. Recently, spraydried whole bovine blood became unavailable for purchase in the quantities that the Screwworm Program requires and thus were obliged to purchase bovine blood subproducts. Previous research showed that bovine hemoglobin could be substituted for whole blood with good results in small trials. Here, we report results of NWS larval diets prepared with bovine blood subproducts, hemoglobin and plasma, in 20-liter trays used in mass rearing. Diets were prepared using three separate hemoglobin/plasma ratios. Though all three configurations of hemoglobin and plasma were successful in the larval diet, we found the diets containing 1.5 % total plasma, as opposed to 0.5 and 1 %, produced heavier larvae and pupae, and resulted in more pupae per unit of diet. Considering cost, we determined that the ideal ratio for the blood portion of the diet for mass rearing is 80 % hemoglobin and 20 % plasma.

4 illus, 5 tables, 15 ref

025461   DALEY T B, WENNINGER E J (Entomology Dep, Kimberly Research & Extension Center, Kimberly, USA, Email: erikw@uidaho.edu) : Screening for resistance against the sugarbeet root maggot, Tetanops myopaeformis (Diptera: Ulidiidae), using a greenhouse bioassay. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(3), 1-8.

The sugarbeet root maggot, Tetanops myopaeformis  (von Röder) (Diptera: Ulidiidae), is a major pest of sugar beet Beta vulgaris  L. (Carophyllales: Amaranthaceae) in the United States and Canada. Larval feeding on roots can reduce both stand and yield. Current management practices are heavily reliant on chemical control. However, the carbamate and organophosphate insecticides that are commonly used against T. myopaeformis are being phased out of use. Host plant resistance against this pest shows promise, but difficulties with maintaining T. myopaeformis in culture have largely limited such studies to the field. A primary objective of this study was to develop protocols for rearing a laboratory colony of T. myopaeformis that would expedite assays aimed at screening for host plant resistance. Third (final) instar larvae were collected from the field and reared to the adult stage. These laboratory-reared adults laid eggs and ultimately produced a second generation of third-instar larvae in the lab. Adult flies reared from field-collected larvae were used to examine the modality of resistance of a known resistant variety by performing no-choice and paired-choice experiments alongside a susceptible variety in the greenhouse. Paired-choice tests showed no difference in oviposition rates between the two varieties, whereas no-choice tests showed significantly greater feeding damage and abundance of larvae on the susceptible variety. For the resistant variety examined here, we observed evidence of antibiosis, not antixenosis, as the putative modality of resistance. Our laboratory and greenhouse protocols can be used to expedite the process of developing varieties with resistance to this key pest of sugar beet.

4 illus, 2 tables, 47 ref

025460   BOYLE N K, TRIPODI A D, MACHTLEY S A, STRANGE J P, PITTS-SINGER T L, HAGLER J R (Utah State Univ, Logan, US, Email: natalie.Boyle@ars.usda.gov) : A nonlethal method to examine non-apis bees for mark-capture research. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(3), 1-6.

Studies of bee movement and activities across a landscape are important for developing an understanding of their behavior and their ability to withstand environmental stress. Recent research has shown that proteins, such as egg albumin, are effective for mass-marking bees. However, current protein mass-marking techniques require sacrificing individual bees during the data collection process. A nonlethal sampling method for protein mark-capture research is sorely needed, particularly for vulnerable, sensitive, or economically valuable species. This study describes a nonlethal sampling method, in which three non-Apis bee species (Bombus bifarius Cresson [Hymenoptera: Apidae], Osmia lignaria Say [Hymenoptera: Megachilidae], and Megachile rotundata Fabricius [Hymenoptera: Megachilidae]) were tested for a unique protein marker by immersing them momentarily in saline buffer and releasing them. Results showed that an egg albumin-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was 100 % effective at detecting the protein on bees that were sampled nonlethally. Furthermore, this sampling method did not have an impact on bee survivorship, suggesting that immersing bees in buffer is a reliable and valid surrogate to traditional, destructive sampling methods for mark-capture bee studies.

1 illus, 44 ref

025459   SPURGEON D W, SUH C P-C (Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, Maricopa, Arizona, Email: dale.spurgeon@ ars.usda.gov) : Morphology, diet and temperature-dependent hostfree survival of the Boll Weevil, Anthonomus grandis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). J Insect Sci 2018, 18(3), 1-8.

The boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is an important pest of cotton (Gossypium spp. (Malvales: Malvaceae)) in South America, Mexico, and southernmost Texas in the United States. A key factor in the persistence of the boll weevil is its ability to survive the noncotton season. Mechanisms facilitating this survival in subtropical and tropical areas are incompletely known, and our understanding has been further complicated by recent reports of overwintering on noncotton hosts. In addition, the nature and even existence of the adult dormancy, and validity of the criteria used to distinguish it, have been questioned. We manipulated the boll weevil diet to produce a range of diapause responses and observed the corresponding host-free survival patterns. The estimated proportion of diapause was associated with subsequent survival. In addition, different diets producing similar incidences of diapause resulted in substantially different host-free longevity, and the longest survival was observed for weevils fed bolls as adults. Survival patterns exhibited a negative temperature dependence except for the lowest observed temperature (12.8 °C), where survival was reduced compared with that at 18.3 °C. This suggests chronic chilling injury in response to extended exposure to low, above freezing temperatures. All but the highest temperature (29.4 °C) facilitated survival >6 mo, and survival of >1 yr was observed at 18.3 °C. The temperatures permitting the greatest survival are typical for many subtropical and tropical regions during the noncotton season, indicating that diapausing boll weevils are capable of surviving the noncotton season in these regions without the benefit of presumptive noncotton hosts.

5 illus, 2 tables, 61 ref

025458   BÁLINT Z, SÁFIÁN S, HOSKINS A, KERTÉSZ K, KOÓS A A, HORVÁTH Z E, PISZTER G, BIRÓ L P (Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest, Hungary, Email: balint.zsolt@nhmus.hu) : The only blue Mimeresia (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Lipteninae) uses a color-generating mechanism widely applied by butterflies. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(3), 1-8.

The butterfly Mimeresia neavei (Joicey & Talbot, 1921) is the only species in the exclusively African subtribal clade Mimacraeina (Lipteninae: Lycaenidae: Lepidoptera) having sexual dimorphism expressed by structurally bluecolored male and pigmentary colored orange–red female phenotypes. We investigated the optical mechanism generating the male blue color by various microscopic and experimental methods. It was found that the blue color is produced by the lower lamina of the scale acting as a thin film. This kind of color production is not rare in day-flying Lepidoptera, or in other insect orders. The biological role of the blue color of M. neavei is not yet well understood, as all the other species in the clade lack structural coloration, and have less pronounced sexual dimorphism, and are involved in mimicry-rings.

8 illus, 42 ref

025457   BASNET S, KAMBLE S T (Entomology Dep, Nebraska Univ, Lincoln, UK, Email: skamble1@unl.edu) : RNA interference of the muscle actin gene in bed bugs: exploring injection versus topical application for dsRNA delivery. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(3), 1–5.

Bed bugs are one the most troublesome household pests that feed primarily on human blood. RNA interference (RNAi) is currently being pursued as a potential tool for insect population management and has shown efficacy against some phytophagous insects. We evaluated the different techniques to deliver dsRNA specific to bed bug muscle actin (dsactin) into bed bugs. Initially, stability of dsRNA in human blood was studied to evaluate the feasibility of feeding method. Adult bed bugs were injected with dsRNA between last thoracic segment and first abdominal segment on the ventral side, with a dose of 0.2 µg dsactin per insect. In addition to injection, dsactin was mixed in acetone and treated topically in the abdomens of fifth stage nymphs. We found the quick degradation of dsRNA in blood. Injection of dsactin caused significant depletion of actin transcripts and substantial reduction in oviposition and lethality in female adults. Topically treated dsRNA in fifth stage nymphs had no effect on actin mRNA expression and survival. Our results demonstrated that injection is a reliable method of dsRNA delivery into bed bugs while topical treatment was not successful. This research provides an understanding on effective delivery methods of dsRNA into bed bugs for functional genomics research and feasibility of the RNAi based molecules for pest management purposes.

6 illus, 1 table, 37 ref

025456   ROE A D, DEMIDOVICH M, DEDES J (Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Canada, Email: amanda.roe@canada.ca) : Origins and history of laboratory insect stocks in a multispecies insect production facility, with the proposal of standardized nomenclature and designation of formal standard names. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(3), 1-9.

Laboratory insect colonies are an essential part of experimental insect science. Formalized naming of laboratory stocks is standard practice in model organisms such as mice and fruit flies, but crucial details such as colony origin and standard names are often lacking in nonmodel systems. For institutions involved in rearing multiple nonmodel species, effective monitoring requires standardized naming and nomenclature, from establishment to production, distribution, and publication. Insect rearing has been the cornerstone of the Insect Production and Quarantine Laboratories (IPQL) at the Great Lakes Forestry Centre for over 70 yr, but the histories of the insect colonies in this facility have not been adequately documented and formal, standardized names do not exist. We propose a standardized naming framework that we applied to the eight species reared at the IPQL to rectify these deficiencies. We also present the origin and history of each colony, essential information that is challenging to obtain post hoc. We suggest that other research institutions consider developing similar standards, so they can accurately document, communicate, and track laboratory insect their within the facilities and through the scientific literature.

5 illus, 1 table, 25 ref

025454   TANG Q, DAI Y (Institute of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230031 China, Email: 913678797@qq.com) : Immunomodulatory effects of edible Chinese black ant, Polyrhachis vicina Roger extract by using supercritical CO₂. Indian J Exp Biol 2018, 56(6), 411-8.

The Chinese black ant, Polyrhachis vicina Roger has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine and nutritional ingredient. In order to take full advantage of P. vicina resources, the supercritical fluid CO₂ (SF-CO₂) P. vicina extraction on the immune systems of mice was carried out. The effects of SF-CO₂ P. vicina extraction on spleen index, thymus index and carbon expurgation experiments of mice, indicated that P. vicina extraction did not affect visceral index, but enhanced observably carbon expurgatory index, phagocytic index.P. vicina extraction could stimulate response of delayed hypersensitivity. The proliferation of ConA induced mitogenic reponse for spleen lymphocyte was also increased. The amount of hemolytic antibody in mice serum increased compared with those of the control group mice. The half of hemolysis values, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activity in serum of treated mice increased compared to the control group. Furthermore, serum NO content in all treatment groups was higher than that of the control group. Our findings suggest that SF-CO₂ P. vicina extraction has potential as a health food supplement.

8 tables, 27 ref

025453   VERMA V K, SEHGAL N, PRAKASH O (Zoology Dep, Delhi Univ, New Delhi-110 021, Email: oprakash@svc.ac.in) : Isolation and characterization of immunoglobulin from African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822). Indian J Exp Biol 2018, 56(6), 402-10.

Immunoglobulins are an important aspect of adaptive immune system and tetrameric IgM are the most prevalent immunoglobulins in Pisces.. In this study, we made an attempt to isolate and characterize immunoglobulins from the Afrcian cat fish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822). The immunoglobulins were induced by immunization with BSA. Various methods such as ammonium sulphate precipitation, ion exchange chromatography (DEAE cellulose), gel permeation chromatography and affinity chromatography (Protein A & CNBr-activated agarose conjugated with BSA) were employed for purification of immunoglobulins. But for affinity chromatography involving BSA conjugated agarose, all other methods could purify immunoglobulins only partially, i.e., there was contamination of other proteins. Whereas with affinity chromatography, immunoglobulins could be isolated in purified form. Electrophoresis under denaturing condition resulted in one heavy and two light chain bands of molecular weights of 74.5 and 29.7 & 30.5 kDa, respectively. It resolved into single band on electrophoresis under native conditions. The molecular weight of immunoglobulin was estimated to be 890 kDa by gel filtration chromatography on Ultrogel AcA34. The immunoglobulin was further characterized by western blotting and MALDI-MS and N-terminal analysis. Rat anti-fish Ig generated against heavy chain showed cross reactivity with fish antibody raised against BSA or Aeromonas hydrophila.

8 illus, 1 table, 38 ref

025451   KENDE D R, NIRMALE V H, METAR S Y, PAWAR R A (Marine Biological Research Station, Maharashtra, Email: santoshmetar@gmail.com) : Studies on growth and mortality of moustached thryssa, Thryssa mystax (Schneider, 1801) along the Ratnagiri coast of Maharashtra, India. Indian J Geo-Mar Sci 2018, 47(5), 1065-8.

Growth and mortality parameters of Moustached Thryssa, Thryssa mystax were estimated on the basis of length frequency data collected during March 2015 to February 2016. The asymptotic length (L∞) and growth coefficient (K) were estimated to be 224 mm and 1.0 per year respectively by ELEFAN and 243 mm and 1.0 per year respectively by scattergram. t0 by von Bertalanffy plot was estimated to be - 0.0036 year. This species attains a size of 83, 142, 174 and 194 mm at the end of six, twelve, eighteen and twenty four months respectively. Mortality parameters Z, M and F were estimated at 5.58, 1.03 and 4.55 respectively. Length at first capture for T. mystax was found to be 147.5 mm. The present exploitation ratio was determined to be 0.81. Relative yield per recruit analysis showed Emax at 0.852.

5 illus, 18 ref