005432   Koprowski J L;Nandini R (Wildlife Conservation and Management, School of Natural Resources, Arizona Univ, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA, Email: squirrel@ag.arizona.edu) : Global hotspots and knowledge gaps for tree and flying squirrels. Curr Sci 2008, 95(7), 851-6.

Tree and flying squirrels are important components of forested ecosystems, and are advocated as indicators of forest health. In this global assessment of the distri- bution, endangerment and scientific knowledge of squirrels, Rreveals trends that warrant urgent atten- tion. The tropics, particularly the forests of south and southeast Asia, are hotspots of squirrel diversity; however, this region generates the fewest scientific publications on squirrels. Additionally, the most endangered squirrels occur in tropical countries with high deforestation rates, and flying squirrels are more at risk than tree squirrels. Given the combination of high diversity, extinction risk and lack of knowledge of sciurids in the tropics, we recommend increased effort towards understanding their occurrence and biology in the imperiled tropical forests.

3 illus, 1 table, 53 ref

005431   Kim Y;Lee D W;Hong B K;Chun Y Y (NO, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, Busan 619-902, Republic of Korea, Email: yhkim@nfrdi.re.kr) : First record of three species of octopodidae and gonatidae, cephalopoda in the east Japan sea. J envir Biol 2008, 29(4), 581-4.

Three species of the unrecorded octopus and squids, Octopus mega/ops, Berryteuthis magister and Gonatopsis makko were collected for the first time from the East/Japan Sea in June, 2005. New Korean names proposed for these three species are "Big-eye octopus, Mako gonate squid, Schoolmater gonate squid" for the 0. mega/ops, B. magister and G. makko, respectively. We report detailed taxonomic descriptions of these species.

4 illus, 3 tables, 17 ref

005430   Khan A A;Khaliq I;Choudhry M J I;Farooq A; Hussain N (Institute of Pure and Applied Biology, Bahauddin Zakariya Univ, Multan 6800, Pakistan, Email: aleembzu@yahoo.co.uk) : Status, threats and conservation of the great Indian bustard Ardeotis nigriceps (Vigors) in Pakistan. Curr Sci 2008, 95(8), 1079-82.

The Great Indian Bustard (GIB; Ardeotis nigriceps) is endemic to the Indian subcontinent and is listed as a critically endangered species. The species is a summer visitor and breeder in Pakistan. Due to ineffective law enforcement and human persecution for its alleged aphrodisiac value, the species is close to extinction from its native haunts. Therefore, investigative surveys were done in its potential areas in Cholistan. Forty-four pertinent people and 59 active hunting groups were interviewed in order to assess the status of the species and the problems linked with its exploitation and conservation. The results revealed that the population is on a continuous decline. In about four years, nearly 49 out of 63 birds sighted were killed. The bird is under intense pressure of human persecution and trade. The study further highlights the implications needed to reverse the fast extinction rate of the GIB from the province in particular and the country in general.

3 illus, 2 tables, 18 ref

005429   Karl Marx K (Aquaculture Dep, Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tamilnadu Veterinary and Ani, Thoothukudi-628 008) : Growth and survival of striped murrel, Channa striatus (Blotch) under different stocking densities in the nursery rearing phase. J Inld Fish Soc India 2008, 40(1), 75-7.

^ssc2 tables, 10 ref

005428   Kanoje R S (NO, , Digvaji Marg, Rajnandgaon-491 441, Email: ravi_s_kanoje@yahoo.com) : Nesting sites of Indian giant squirrels in sitanadi wildlife sanctuary, India. Curr Sci 2008, 95(7), 882-4.

The Indian giant squirrel Ratufa indica is distributed in peninsular India, south of the river Ganges. Although several ecological studies have been conducted on the species in India, little is known about its nesting behaviour in central India. The objective of this article is to give a brief account of its nesting sites in the Si-tanadi Wildlife Sanctuary, Chhattisgarh. A total of 224 nests of Indian giant squirrels were located from February to June 2005 and in February 2006. The implications of the results for the conservation and management of the squirrel habitat in this sanctuary have been discussed in this article.

2 tables, 14 ref

005427   Jyothish L K;Shaiju P N;Omanakumari N (Botany Dep, Kerala Univ, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram-695 581) : Cytotoxic effects of endosulfan on root meristems of Allium cepa. J Cytol Genet 2008, 9(1), 21-5.

Cytotoxic effects of the organochlorine insecticide endosulfan were investigated in root tip cells of Allium cepa. The roots of A. cepa were treated with different concentrations (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4% and 0.5%) of endosulfan (Endo 35) for 1, 2, 3 and 4 h treatment periods. The results showed that the mitotic indices gradually decreased with increase in time and concentration gradient. The abnormalities observed include nuclear lesion, chromosome erosion, chromosome clumping, diagonal orientation of chromosomes, tropokinesis, chromosome bridges, micronuclei and nuclear budding.

11 illus, 1 table, 10 ref

005426   Joshi K D;Tyagi B C (Riverine Div, Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR), 24, Panna Lal Road, Allahabad-211 002) : Rearing of carp fry in polyhouse ponds in Uttarakhand Himalaya. J Inld Fish Soc India 2008, 40(1), 78-81.

^ssc1 illus, 2 tables, 16 ref

005425   Jha K K;Roy P K;Ghosh T K (Zoology Dep, Jawaharlal Nehru College, Pasighat-791 103) : Oxygen uptake in the early developmental stages of two Indian major carps, Catla catla (Ham.) and Labeo rohita (Ham.) in relation to body weight. J Inld Fish Soc India 2008, 40(2), 7-12.

Oxygen uptake in the early developmental stages of two Indian major carps C. catla and L. rohita in relation to their body weight have been measured using a cylindrical glass respirometer with continuous water flow system. In C. catla the oxygen uptake increased from 60.736 to 528.324 λlO₂h^-1 with an increase in body weight from 15.0 to 1000.0 mg. Similarly, in L. rohita the oxygen uptake increased from 20.353 to 314.225 μlO₂h^-1 with increase in body weight from 5.0 to 903.0 mg. In both the species the log/log plot of oxygen uptake (μlO₂.h^-1) in relation to body weight gave straight lines with a slope (b) value of 0.5612 for C. catla and 0.5384 for L. rohita. The relationship was found to be highly significant. However, the weight specific oxygen uptake decreased by a power of -0.443 in C. catla and -0.463 in L. rohita for the same weight group of fishes showing a significant negative correlation.

2 tables, 24 ref

005424   Jawahar Abraham T;Sasmal B (Fishery Pathology and Microbiology Dep, West Bengal Univ of Animal and Fishery Sciences, 5, Budherhat Road, Chakgaria, P.O. Panchasayar, Kolkata-700 094) : Incidence of different disease conditions in shrimp culture systems of West Bengal with special reference to white spot syndrome virus infection. J Inld Fish Soc India 2008, 40(2), 1-6.

Incidence of different disease conditions in shrimp culture systems of West Bengal with special reference to white spot syndrome virus infection was studied for a period of five years between 2000 and 2004. The types of shrimp culture practiced in West Bengal include traditional (bheries), improved traditional, stagnant pond culture with or without management, modified extensive and semi-intensive. Twenty-four different disease conditions were noticed in Penaeus monodon. Among the infectious diseases, white spot syndrome viral (WSSV) disease was the predominant followed by red discolouration (disease), shell disease and vibriosis. Among the non-infectious diseases, epicommensal infestation was quite common followed by uneven growth, gill choke and soft shelling. The WSSV infection was the most devastating disease condition resulting in severe economic loss in modified extensive and semi-intensive shrimp culture systems. Four different types of WSSV infection were recorded. Prominent white spots and red discolouration were the dominant clinical signs followed by red discolouration alone, prominent white spots alone and healthy WSSV positive. The shrimp ponds with <60 days of culture were the most severely affected. The details of the culture practices, principal features associated with WSSV disease outbreaks and the management practices followed are discussed.

2 illus, 5 tables, 9 ref

005423   Jathanna D;Samba Kumar N;Ullas Karanth K (NO, Wildlife Conservation Society-India Program and Centre for Wildlife St, No. 1669, 31st Cross, 16th Main, Banashankari 2nd Stage, Bangalore-560 070, Email: devcharan@gmail.com) : Measuring Indian giant squirrel (Ratufa indica) abundance in southern India using distance sampling. Curr Sci 2008, 95(7), 885-8.

Large body of work on the ecology of sciurids is based on comparing patterns of abundance across either space or time. However, in most cases investigators choose to use surrogate measures of abundance, such as indices based on species or sign encounter rates, or trapping rates. This requires the assumption that deflection probabilities are equal at all sites (or time periods) sampled, an assumption that is difficult to meet under field conditions. Demonstrates the applica- tion of line transect-based distance sampling, a tech- nique that explicitly models and accounts for detection probability, to estimate ecological densities of Indian giant squirrels in forested habitats. Line transect sur- veys were carried out at several sites and the number of detections included: 86 (Bandipur), 152 (Nalkeri), 110 (Sunkadakatte), 304 (Muthodi) and 236 (Lakkavalli). The encounter rates ranged from 0.179/km in Bandipur through 0.296/km (Nalkeri), 0.368/km (Sunkadakatte), and 0.625/km (Lakkavalli), to 0.779/km in Muthodi, while the estimated probabilities of detection were 0.517 (Bandipur), 0.532 (Nalkeri), 0.531 (Sunkadakatte), 0.548 (Lakkavalli) and 0.604 (Muthodi). The estimated mean squirrel densities (± standard error of the density) ranged from 2.37 (0.33) squirrels/km^{2 in Bandipur through 4.55 (0.44) squirrels/km2 in Nalkeri, 4.86 (0.62) squirrels/km2 in Sunkadakatte, to 10.20 (0.82) squirrels/km2 and 12.26 (1.10) squirrels/km2 in Muthodi and Lakkavalli respectively, Discusses design, field survey and data analytic considerations for rigorously estimating squirrel density and abundance.}

3 tables, 37 ref

005422   Jana S;Pahari P R;Dutta T K;Bhattacharya T (Zoology Dep, Vidyasagar Univ, Midnapore-721 102, Email: tanmaybhattacharya@yahoo.com) : Diversity and community structure of aquatic insects in a pond in Midnapore town, West Bengal, India. J envir Biol 2009, 30(2), 283-7.

In total 20 species of aquatic insects have been recorded from a weed infested pond. Odonata was numerically the most abundant group constituting of 54% of the total aquatic insects even though these belonged to three species. Coleoptera though constituted only 22% of aquatic insects had 10 species. Urothemis signata and Ranatra filiformes were eudominant and dominant species respectively. Hydrometra butlen is recorded from West Bengal for the first time. Five species of Hemiptera, Ranatra filiformes, Ranatra elongata, Diplonychus rusticus, Micronecta merope, Gem's nitida and Hydrometra butlen; three species of Odonata, Urothemis signata, Agriocnemis pygmoea and Enllagma parvum and one species of Coleoptera viz., Coplatus indicus have been recorded from Paschim Medinipore district for the first time. Species diversity and evenness indices fluctuated from month to month and from one sampling site to other being <60> 1 suggest a stressed and disturbed environment.

6 illus, 4 tables, 33 ref

005421   Jana D;Dasgupta M (Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Regional Research Station (NAZ), Gayeshpur-741 234) : Length-weight relationship and relative condition of the mud eel Monopterus cuchia (Hamilton-buchanan) from West Bengal. J Inld Fish Soc India 2008, 40(1), 54-8.

Length-weight relationship of the mud eel Monopterus cuchia from West Bengal was calculated using the methods of least squares, which can be expressed by the equation, Log W = 0.494 + 3.05 Log L, for sexes combined. A high degree of positive correlation (r = 0.9842) was noted between length and weight of M. cuchia. The exponential value of the length-weight relationship (b) in this fish followed the cube law (3.05), indicating an isometric pattern of growth. The 'b' value of length-weight relationship varied due to sex, size and season. Kn values at different length groups ranged from 0.798 to 1.179, with an average value of 1.046 and the Kn values varied from 0.8 to 1.99 during different months, with an average value of 1.35 which indicated that the general well-being of this fish was good in this region.

2 illus, 1 table, 19 ref

005420   Jagbir Singh Kirti;Goyal T (Zoology Dep, Punjabi Univ, Patiala-147 002, Email: prjagbir2005@gmail.com) : Genitalic structures of six commonly known geometrid species (Lpidoptera) from Himachal Pradesh. J ent Res 2008, 32(2), 161-9.

Studies on genitalic structures of six commonly known Geometrid moths species viz., Heterostegane subtessellata (Walker), Heterostegane bilineata (Butler), Psilalcis inceptaria (Walker), Ascotis imparts (Walker), Dasyboarmia delineate (Walker) and Triplosa dubiosata (Walker) from some localities of Himachal Pradesh have been presented.

15 illus, 5 tables, 14 ref

005419   Inac S;Gorucu O;Pinar A H (Faculty of Forestry, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam Univ-46100, Kahramanmaras, Turkey, Email: sinac@ksu.edu.tr) : Bird species of Kumasir lake (Kahramanmaras-Turkey) and a view of environmental ethics on sustainable wetland management. J envir Biol 2008, 29(3), 411-14.

Kumasir lake is located next to towns of Donuklu and Fatih, nine km west of Kahramanmaras city center, the region of east Mediterranean, Turkey. This lake is of crucial importance from the point of native and immigrant birds. We located 17 bird species in this area during our observations carried out in the spring and autumn of 2005-2006. These were Ciconia ciconia L., Anas platyrhynchos L, Accipiter nisus L, Accipiterbrevipes L, Fulica atra L, Columba palumbus L., Meropsa piaster L, Upupa epops L., Alauda arvensis L, Motacilla flava L., Turdus merula L., Acrocephalus scirpaceus L, Regulus regulus L, Garrulus glandarius L., Corvus corax L., Fringilla coelebs L., Hirundo rustica L., Among observed 17 species; 6 of them were immigrant and remaining 11 of them were native birds. Kumasir lake is surrounded by wetland of Amik and Gavur lake. Since it was greatly dried, it was transformed to farmland. Consequently, the birds lost most of their nests and settlements. However, not taken in the care of environmental ethic values, the wastewaters of the villages drain to lake reservoir; herbicides and insecticides used for agriculture are polluting the water, reeds have been burned, the lake's reeds are getting dry by the irrigation for the farmland. So, the wetland ecosystem is being affected negatively by these factors. On the other hand, the birds are exposed to illegal and unlawful hunting. For this reasons, this lake must be taken into a management regime of sustainable wetland (protection profiting balance) and used techniques of participation planning via the process of sustainable natural resources and planning.

2 illus, 1 table, 12 ref

005418   Hayat M;Khan F R (Zoology Dep, Aligarh Muslim Univ, Aligarh-202 002) : Records of some encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from the northern and north-eastern states of India. Bionotes 2009, 11(3), 77-81.

Deals with a small collection of Encyrtidae made mainly in 2008 in the north-eastern States of Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh, and some specimens earlier collected in 2006 and 2007 in Himachal Pradesh, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Also specimens of two species collected in Haryana and received for identification are included. The authors have considered it necessary to add notes on some species reported here. Citations are given only for species published after 2006, as all other citations are available in Hayat (2006). In all a total of 38 species are recorded, of these 28 species are recorded for the first time from individual States as indicated in the text.

5 illus, 10 ref

005417   Hayat M;Khan F R (Zoology Dep, Aligarh Muslim Univ, Aligarh-202 002) : New records of encyrtidae mainly from Orissa and West Bengal states of India (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). Bionotes 2008, 10(4), 125-8.

2 ref

005416   Gupta S K (Zoological Survey of India, Central Regional Station, 168-169, Vijay Nagar, Jabalpur-482 002) : New records of some grasshoppers and crickets from central India. Bionotes 2009, 11(3), 97-8.

9 ref

005415   Govindarajan D (NO, V.S.S. Government Arts College, Pulankurichi-630 413) : Effect of light on activity patterns of some night flying adult insects. J Ecobiol 2008, 23(1), 37-42.

Activities of various insect species were observed using light at Sholavandan, Madurai district, Tamil Nadu from April 1991 - March 1992. during the period of study, totally 9 species of both Exoptera and Endoptera insects in 9 orders were observed. The total percentage composition was 19, 19, 13, 10, 10, 9, 8, 8 and 4 of A/a/a lividipes, Odontotermes obesus, Camponotus compressus, Gongylus gongyloides, Sitophilus oryzae, Apatura iris, Hieroglyphus banian. Dysdercus cingulatus and Pachydiplosis oryzae, respectively. The female percentage composition was 73, 72, 69, 68, 67, 66, 62, 60 and 59, whereas male 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34, 38, 40'and 41 of H.banian, O.obesus, A.iris, P.oryzae, S.oryzae, C.compressus, Ggongyloides, N. lividipes and D.cingulatus, respectively. The maximum activity was displayed at 22:00 h, while the minimum activity was displayed at 18:00 h.

2 illus, 5 tables, 14 ref

005414   Gong Y;Choi K H (NO, , Korea Fisheries Association, Seoul 120-012, Korea, Email: yeonggondr@daum.net) : Fluctuations in abundance of common squid, Todarodes pacificus in the far east. J envir Biol 2008, 29(4), 449-52.

Long term fluctuations in the abundance of common squid, Todarodes pacificus are taken in the waters around Korea and Japan from 1952 to 2003. The year-to-year fluctuations in the abundance in the Tsushima Warm current (TWC) region (Yellow sea- east China sea-east/Japan sea) revealed the same pattern with that in the Kuroshio-Oyashio Current (KOC) region (Northern Pacific) except for the period of fishing shifts from the KOC to TWC region in the late 1960s and 1970s. Two period of high abundance in the entire fishing regions emerged in the 1950s-1960s and 1990s, in-between there has been a low level in the KOC region for 20-years (1970s-1980s) and in the TWC region for 10-years (1980s). The squid fishery in the marginal zone of the distribution range (KOC region) was mainly based on winter-breed microcohort that collapsed earlier (from the early 1970s) than that of the fishery in the central zone (TWC region), based on autumn and winter-breed microcohorts from the mid 1970s. During the low abundance period (1980s) the catch rates of the autumn microcohort were higher than those of the winter microcohort, while the abundance of the two increased schynchronously from the early 1990, suggesting the possible homogeneity of the population structure during the high abundance period.

4 illus, 22 ref

005413   Giri S;Pradhan P;Chakraborty S K (Zoology Dep, Vidyasagar Univ, Midnapore-721 102) : Studies on hydrobiological status of kansai and dwarkeswar rivers in West Bengal, India. J Inld Fish Soc India 2008, 40(1), 59-64.

Kansai and Dwarkeswar are two freshwater rivers in West Bengal, joining the Haldi and Rupnarayan rivers respective. Study was carried out to assess the physical and chemical characteristics, microbial load, diversity and distribution of macrophytes, phytoplankton, zooplankton and macrobenthos in the two rivers during July 2001 to June, 2003. A total of 84 macrophytes, 29 phytoplankton, 65 zooplankton, 50 macrobenthos (13 molluscs, 6 oligochaetes, 20 insects and 11 decapods) were recorded. The results of Sorensen Similarity Indices revealed differences in distribution of different biota due to different ecological conditions of the rivers. Thepresent study also indicated that the water of these rivers might be good for outdoor bathing, industrial and agricultural use, wild life and fisheries but not safe as drinking water without treatment.

3 illus, 2 tables, 14 ref

005412   Gandotra R;Ravi Shanker;Ahmed S;Sagar S (Zoology Dep, Jammu Univ, Jammu and Kashmir-180 006) : Morphometry of Tor putitora (Ham.) from Jhajjar stream, Jammu (J&K). J Inld Fish Soc India 2008, 40(1), 86-9.

^ssc5 illus, 1 table, 10 ref

005411   Devi O J;Nagesh T S;Das S K;Mandal B (Faculty of Fishery Sciences, W.BU.A.F.S., 5, Budherhat Road, P.O. - Panchasayar, Kolkata-700 094) : Length-weight relationship and relative condition factor of Pampus argenteus (Euphrasen) from kakdwip estuarine region of West Bangal. J Inld Fish Soc India 2008, 40(2), 70-3.

^ssc4 illus, 1 table, 13 ref

005410   Datta A;Goyal S P (NO, Wildlife Institute of India, Pos Bag No. 18, Dehradun-248 001, Email: aparajita@ncf-india.org ) : Responses of diurnal tree squirrels to selective logging in western Arunachal Pradesh. Curr Sci 2008, 95(7), 895-902.

Responses of diurnal tree squirrels to logging were determined by comparing their abundance in recently logged forest, 20-25-yr-old logged forest, unlogged primary forest, a relatively disturbed secondary forest and a plantation in western Arunachal Pradesh. The squirrels recorded were the Himalayan striped squirrel (Tamiops macclellandi), hoary-bellied squirrel (Callosciurus pygerythrus), red-bellied squirrel (Cal-losciurus erythraeus) and the Malayan giant squirrel (Ratufa bicolor). The generalist hoary-bellied squirrel was the most common species overall. Its abundance was highest in logged forest and plantations that are characterized by low canopy cover and reduced tree density. It was the only species recorded in the plantations. The other three species were most abundant in unlogged forest. The abundance of the more arboreal Malayan giant squirrel and red-bellied squirrel was correlated to higher tree density and canopy cover, which are characteristic of unlogged primary forests. The reduced canopy cover, tree density and basal area in logged forest, and low tree species diversity and structural complexity in plantations lead to reduction or total absence of squirrels in these habitats. Degree of arboreality, diet and nesting requirements play an important role in squirrel abundance, with larger-sized or specialist species being more vulnerable to habitat modification due to logging.

3 illus, 4 tables, 35 ref

005409   Chayakumari;Ramesh S R (Drosophila Stock Centre, Studies in Zoology Dep, Mysore Univ, Manasagangothri, Mysore-570 006) : Variability of morphologica traits in wild type and mutant strains of Drosophila nasuta and Drosophila nasuta albomicans. J Cytol Genet 2008, 9(1), 13-19.

By employing two wild type and two mutant strains of two closely related members of nasuta subgroup of Drosophila viz., D. n. nasuta and D. n. albomicans, we have analyzed morphological traits such as wing length, foreleg length and number of sternopleural bristles in both males and females. The study revealed significant variation for all the traits among the strains tested. Significant maximum values for all the traits analyzed were characteristic of brown of D. n. nasuta and purple of D. n. albomicans. Further, significant positive (D. n. albomicans) and negative (D. n. nasuta) correlation was also found among different morphometric traits. The study has revealed that the morphological variation reflects genotypic differences.

3 tables, 34 ref

005408   Chaudhry A;Lovleen (Mosquito Cytogenetics Unit, Zoology Dep, Punjab Univ, Chandigarh-100 614) : Evaluation of mutagenic potential of carbaryl by dominant lethal test on Culex quinquefasciatus. J Cytol Genet 2008, 9(1), 37-44.

Some of the chemical formulations used in modern agricultural practices also cause genotoxic effects in the nontarget organisms including man, therefore their genotoxic evaluation has become crucial by using suitable experimental procedures. In relevance to this, the present paper deals with the evaluation of the genotoxic effects of a pesticide carbaryl on Culex quinquefasciatus taken as an experimental model. The males hatched from larvae treated with LD₂₀ were crossed with normal females and, on the basis of number of hatched and unhatched eggs laid by these females, results were statically analysed. Results for treated groups were 12.3±3.218 as against 4.23±2.766 for control groups (p<60>0.01) which indicated significant dominant lethality in such stocks of Culex quinquefasciatus. It was also observed that in germ cells of male pupae, it caused chromatid breaks, fragments, clumping of chromosomes due to telomeric fusions, heterochromatinization and denaturing of DNA.

17 illus, 1 table, 33 ref

005407   Chakrabarti P;Chowdhury S H (Zoology Dep, Burdwan Univ, Burdwan-713 104) : Histoarchitectural and functional aspects of olfactory rosette of the cyprinid fish, Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus). J Inld Fish Soc India 2008, 40(1), 39-43.

Histological architecture and functions of the different cells lining the olfactory epithelium in Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus) have been studied. The olfactory organ consists of 25-26 lamellae arranged in rostrocaudal orientation. The olfactory epithelium encloses a central lumen called central core. The sensory epithelium is composed of olfactory receptor cells, secondary receptor cells, supporting cells, basal cells, mast cells, secretory and non-secretory mucous cells. The non-sensory epithelium is made up of ciliated supporting cells, stratified epithelial cells, basal cells and mucous cells. Different cells on the olfactory epithelium have been correlated with the functional significance of the fish concerned.

6 illus, 15 ref

005406   Chadha P;Yadav J S (Zoology Dep, Guru Nanak Dev Univ, Amritsar) : Efficacy of vitamin C as A genoprotective agent among gutkha consumers. J Cytol Genet 2008, 9(1), 65-73.

Study the genoprotective effect of vitamin C was investigated in 35 gutkha consumers and in same number of control individuals matched with respect to age, sex, diet and socio-economic status using cytogenetic end points like chromosomal aberrations (CA), sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), satellite association (SA) and micronucleated buccal mucosal cells (MNC) 500 mg tablet of vitamin C was given to volunteers to take once a day for three months. Cytogenetic investigations were carried out before and after treatment with vitamin C. For all the parameters significantly higher values were found among pretreatment gutkha consumers than pretreatment controls and significantly lower values are found among post treatment individuals than pre treatment group (ANOVA).

1 illus, 3 tables, 37 ref

005405   Butchiram M S;Tilak K S;Raju P W (Zoology Dep, Acharya Nagarjuna Univ, Nagarjunagar-522 510, Email: zoology_tilak@yahoo.co.in) : Histopathological changes in the gill, liver and kidney of Channa punctatus (Bloch) exposed to alachlor. J envir Biol 2009, 30(2), 303-6.

Freshwater fish, Channa punctatus was exposed to sublethal concentration of a chloroacetanilide herbicide alachlor technical grade and lasso 50% EC for a period of 10 days. The histopathological changes in the gill include: necrosis, vacuolar degeneration, fusion and atrophy of primary and secondary gill lamellae. The tissue damages like degeneration of cytoplasm in hepatocytes, atrophy, formation of vacuoles, rupture in blood vessels and disposition of hepatic cords are the histopathological changes observed in the liver. The changes in the kidney include: necrosis, swelling of renal tubules, cellular hypertrophy and granular cytoplasm.

9 illus, 30 ref

005404   Borges R M (Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560 012, Email: renee@ces.iisc.ernet.in) : Why are there so many giants, including giant squirrels, in the old world tropics?. Curr Sci 2008, 95(7), 867-70.

Patterns of body size evolution have long intrigued biologists. One striking pattern is that the Palaeotropics have larger-sized vertebrate herbivores, especially frugivores, compared to the Neotropics. Various explanations have been offered for this pattern, among which are historical and ecological processes. However, it is insufficient to investigate body size evolution in single phyla alone; guilds or communities of interacting taxa have to be considered, even extinct ones, in order to understand present-day patterns. Therefore, the spatio-temporal availability of resources, the physiognomy, chemistry and productivity of forests, trophic competitors and predators, as well as available time and space on evolutionary scales, are determinants of extant patterns. Palaeo-community ecology must become an important research focus in body size evolution. Palaeoecology must be brought to bear on present ecology, to explain why vertebrates, including squirrels, are giants in the Old World compared to the New.

34 ref

005403   Biswas B K;Sugunan V V (NO, Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, Kolkata-700 120) : Fish diversity of Brahmaputra river system in Assam, India. J Inld Fish Soc India 2008, 40(1), 23-31.

Fishes from selected sites of the Brahmaputra river system in Assam were collected and identified during 1987 to 2000. A total of 151 species under 93 genera, 35 families and 10 orders were recorded. Important records were: Colisa labiosus (Day), Gagata sexualis Tilak, Hemibagrus microphthalmus (Day), Lepidocephalichthys annandalei Chaudhuri, Nangra assamensis Sen and Biswas, Nemacheilus pavonaceus (McClelland), Pangio pangia (Hamilton), Pillaia khajuriai Talwar, Yazdani and Kundu, Puntius fraseri (Hora and Misra) and Rama rama (Hamilton). Out of the 151 species recorded, 73 were considered as food fish as well as ornamentals, 26 with only food value, 21 as commercially important food fish as well as ornamentals, 10 as only commercially important food fish, 8 with only ornamental value, 7 commercially important exotic food fish, 3 commercially important food fish as well as sport fish, 1 food fish with sport value, 1 commercially important food fish with ornamental and sport values and one did not fall in any of this category. Conservation status of the species was assessed.

1 illus, 1 table, 17 ref

005402   Bhattacharjee S;Verma P;Arunkumar;Sinha D K; Nath A (Cell Biology and Toxicology Laboratory, Zoology Dep, Patna Univ, Patna-800 005) : Role of Withania somnifera against carbofuran induced hepatotoxicity of fish, Clarias batrachus. J Inld Fish Soc India 2008, 40(2), 50-5.

Role of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) root extract as an antidote has been tested on Clarias batrachus pretreated with carbamate pesticide carbofuran. The observation shows that the level of Serum Glutamic Pyruvate Transaminase (SGPT), bilirubin, glucose and percentage of haemoglobin tends towards normal and histopathological study reveal that the hepatic cells showed the distinct regenerative changes when fish fed with W. somnifera root extract mixed pelleted feed for six weeks. The fishes also showed increased rate of food consumption indicating better physiological status of liver.

1 illus, 1 table, 21 ref

005401   Bharti M (Zoology Dep, Punjabi Univ, Patiala-147 002) : Current status of family muscidae (Diptera) from India. J ent Res 2008, 32(2), 171-6.

Family Muscidae (Diptera) has been reviewed from India. At present family Muscidae is represented by 263 species belonging to 35 genera.

8 ref

005400   Baruah I;Borah B C (Zoology Dep, Bahona College, Jorhat, Assam) : Gondal development and fecundity of gangetic mud eel Monopterus cuchia (Hamilton-Buchanan) in Assam. J Inld Fish Soc India 2008, 40(1), 69-74.

Gonadal development and fecundity of commercially important fish species Monopterus cuchia (Ham-Buch) was studied using live samples from natural resources. The gonado-somatic ratio (GSR) and maturity index indicate that the maturity cycle of the fish extends from February to August, while the breeding season is restricted from May to August, with peak during July. Presence of only one batch of maturing ova indicates that the species breeds only once in a year. The relative fecundity value ranges from 0.5 to 1.54 indicating very low fecundity. Low GSR value ranging from 0.30 to 18.08 in female also supports low fecundity of the species.

6 illus, 2 tables, 13 ref

005399   Baghel M;Singh D P;Saxena R S (Zoology Dep, Ganjdundwara (P.G.) College, Uttar Pradesh) : Physico-chemical properties of Sikehara wetland, district Kanshiram nagar, U.P.. Bionotes 2009, 11(3), 103-4.

^ssc1 table, 4 ref

005398   Ashok Kumar;Bipin Kumar;Arora M P (Zoology Dep, Institute of Basic Sciences, Bundelkhand Univ, Jhansi-384 128, Email: ashokhpl@yahoo.com) : Effect of photoperiod on the adrenal activities of male rose ringed parakeet, Psittacala krameri. J envir Biol 2008, 29(3), 339-42.

Adult male rose ringed parakeets were exposed to very long photoperiod (22 hrL: 2 hr D) and very short photoperiod (2 hr L: 22 hr D) daily for 60 days during different phases of the annual testicular cycle. Adrenal activities of the experimental birds were compared with that of parallel held natural photoperiodic birds. Marked atrophy of adrenocortical cells was noted in the glands of long photoperiod (22 hr L:2 hr D) during different phases i.e. post-breeding, quiescent and pre-breeding phases of annual gonadal cycle. The atrophied cells were not uniformly distributed in different groups of long ptoloperiod responsive birds. During pre-breeding, post-breeding and quiescent phases marked atrophy of the adrenocortical cells were restricted to the sub capsular zone of the gland. The cytometric and karyometric studies also revealed significant decrease in the cortical cord width and diameter of nuclei in the cortical cells in either subcapsular zone in the gland of long photoperiodic birds considered for treatment during pre-breeding, post-breeding and quiescent phase or in both the sub capsular zone and the inner zone. The cytometric and karyometric values did not show any change from control birds.

4 illus, 2 tables, 19 ref

005397   Annappaswamy T S;Reddy H R V;Nagesh T S (Fisheries Resources and Management Dep, College of Fisheries, Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fishery Sciences, Mangalore-741 252) : Reproductive biology of Indian sandwhiting, Sillago sihama (Forskal) from estuaries of dakshina kannada, Southwest coast of India. J Inld Fish Soc India 2008, 40(1), 44-9.

Reproductive biology dealing with spawning, size at first maturity, sex ratio and fecundity of Sillago sihama from estuaries of Dakshina Kannada along southwest coast of India has been studied during April 1998 to March 1999. The fish spawns from August to March with peak during September-October and February. Males attain sexual maturity at 212 mm (TL) while females at 226 mm (TL). Studies on sex ratio revealed that females attain larger size than males. The fecundity ranged from 57,685 to 13, 47,340 with an average of 5,24, 714 eggs. Linear relationships were found between fecundity and fish length, body weight and gonad weight.

4 illus, 3 tables, 16 ref

005396   Anjum;Ahmad Z (Zoology Dep, Section of Entomology, Aligarh Muslim Univ, Aligarh-202 002, Email: dzubair@gmail.com) : Taxonomic studies on the genus Pentatermus hedqvist (Hymenoptera: braconidae) from India. J ent Res 2008, 32(2), 155-9.

Three new species of the braconid genus Pentatermus Hedqvist. viz., Pentatermus emarginatus sp. nov., Pentatermus Indicus sp.nov., and Pentatermus subcarinatus sp.nov. are described from India. A key to the Indian species is also provided.

12 illus, 5 ref

005395   Ali A;Rizvi P Q;Khan F R (Plant Protection Dep, Aligarh Muslim Univ, Aligarh, Email: drashadali@yahoo.com) : On the predation of aphids by Ischiodon scutellaris (Diptera:Syrphidae) under natural environment. Bionotes 2009, 11(3), 95-6.

^ssc1 table, 5 ref

004398   Vyas N;Kadela P;Nama P;Deepika Y (Zoology Dep, J.N.V. University, Jodhpur-342 001, Email: raj_kadela@yahoo.com) : Community analysis of plant-parasitic nematodes in and around IGNP region of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. J expl Zool 2008, 11(2), 415-17.

During the survey of IGNP command area some interesting findings were noted. In some area pearl millet and vegetable crop are in very nourishing conditions. The survey was conducted to the nematodes community structure soil and root sample, representing 15 location, were examined. Eight important genera of plant-parasitic nematodes, namely, Meloidogne incognita. Tylenchorhynchus moshhodi, Hoplolaimus indicus, Helicotylenchus indicus, Xiphenema spp., Longidorus spp., Paralongidorus spp. and Paratrichodorus porosus, Tylenchorhynchus moshhodi were found. 13 agriculture field surveyed where mustard (Brassica campestris), jawar (Sorghum vulgare), peart-mjllet (Pennisetum tyhoides), wheat (Triticumae aestivum), castor (Ricinus communis), caner (Nerium indicum), tulsi (Ocimum scanctum), pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata), spinach (Spincea oleracca), lemon (Citrus limon), brinjal (Solanum melongena) and aak (Calotropis procera). The relative density and Relative prominence value of Tylenchorhynchus moshhodi was (56.45) and (61.59) followed by Helicotylenchus Indicus (25.59) and (25.68) Tylenchohrynchus moshhodi most doment in IGNP command area in which nematodes population very highest in Brinjal per 200 cm³ soil the relative densities of Hoplolaimus sp., Meloidogyne incognita were (6.11) and (3.43) relative prominence values were (4.88) and (2.74). Respectively soil samples were collected from crop fields in order to study the community analysis of plant parasitic nematodes community.

1 illus, 2 tables, 7 ref

004397   Verma S K;Tiwari J N;Yadav P R (Zoology Dep, TD College, Jaunpur-222 002) : Changes in the levels of carbohydrate, lipid, protein, free amino acid, ribonucleic acid and deoxyribose nucleic acid in the eggs during embryonic development of Mythimna separata (Walker). J expl Zool 2008, 11(2), 501-4.

Total carbohydrate, glucose, lipid, protein, RNA and DNA were determined in the eggs of the rice ear cutting caterpillar, Mythimna separata during normal embryonic development. Significant increase in total carbohydrate content is evident during early stages (0 - 8 h to 32 - 40 h) and later on (40 - 48 h to 64 -72 h) declines. Glucose content decreases upto 24 h after that its level increases. Age related rise and fall is similar in total lipid and RNA contents. Protein content is highest and amino acid is lowest at 0-8 h stage. At 8-16 h stage a rapid decline and a simultaneously increase in amino acid concentration afterwards there is a slight fluctuation in the amount of both these constituents. Slight increase in DNA content occurred till 40 h then a linear increase in DNA occurs to cope with rapid replication. The RNA/DNA ratio shows up trend till 24 h stage indicating increasing synthetic activity but from 24 - 32 h the ratio begins to decrease and from 40 - 48 h, this fall is very rapid till it reaches to its minimum in the eggs of 64 - 72 h age group, which indicate a declining trend of protein synthesizing capacity per cell during later stages of embryonic development in the eggs.

1 illus, 1 table, 14 ref

004396   Vazirianzadeh B;Rahdar M;Maraghi S (Medical Parasitology amd Mycology Dep, School of Medicine, Joundishapour University of Medical Science, Ahwaz, Iran, Email: babakvazir@yahoo.co.uk ) : Phormia regina (Diptera, Cyclorrhapha: Calliphoridae): Myiasis agent, status and principals of prevention in Khoozestan SW Iran. J expl Zool 2008, 11(2), 473-6.

Myiasis is a condition resulting from invasion of tissue or organs of human and animals by the larvae of dipterous Dies. Two human cases which have been infected with larvae of Phormia regina are described in this paper. Both cases are from Khozestan s w province of Iran. Finally, it is concluded that myiasis is a world wide phenomenon. The cases are increasing as a seasonal range.

2 illus, 25 ref

004395   Tripathi P N;Singh R B;Srivastava A K;Tiwari S K;Singh M P;Raj Narain (Zoology Dep, K.S. Saket P.G. College, Ayodhya, Faizabad-224 123, Email: pntripathiphd@hotmail.com) : Stress on life and productivity in silkworms under indoor and outdoor conditions. J expl Zool 2008, 11(2), 379-82.

Indoor and outdoor rearing was conducted to observe the stress factors on life and productivity in silkworms during different seasons. A remarkable effect was found. Larval survival was poorest during First crops in both the conditions. Rate of rearing and silk content also varied. The favourable climate favoured the production of silk and insect population. The outdoor rearing is prone to natural vagaries and pests and predators. High temperature and rainfall and high humidity also sffected the percentage of larval survival. The findings suggest the suitable crop to rear on large scale in indoor and outdoor conditions.

6 illus, 8 ref

004394   Tripathi P N;Singh R B;Raj Narain (Zoology Dep, K S Saket P G College, Ayodhya, Faizabad-224 123, Email: pntripathiphd@hotmail.com) : Analysis and suggestive approaches to conserve dwindling tasar silkworm biodiversity Bhandara ecorace per se in Vidarbha region in India. J expl Zool 2008, 11(2), 391-400.

Deals with the biology and behavior of Bhandara ecorace of Indian tropical tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta in the Vidarbha region in India. This is a trivoltine ecorace having some positive attributes- it is pebrine free. The region is a traditional tasar culture zone practising Bhandara ecorace but somehow the introduction of Dab a and Sukinda occurred, which consequently resulted in the decline of Dab a ecorace. An analysis is carried out on the annual performance of this ecorace and some measures are suggested to conserve the biodiversity of tasar silkworm in this region.

6 illus, 1 table, 22 ref

004393   Tantray A K;Trivedy K (Silkworm Physiology Lab, Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Mysore-570 008, Email: aabsimda@yahoo.co.in) : Relative efficiency of crude botanical extracts containing vitamin C for improving economic parametrs of the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. J expl Zool 2008, 11(2), 259-66.

Five botanicals rich in vitamin C viz. Emblica officinalis fruit (Bl), Moringa oleifera leaves (B2), Carica papaya leaves (B3), Citrus limon fruit (B4) and Citrus limon leaves (B5) were extracted using three different extraction media viz., water (El), m-phosphoric-acetic acid (E2) and methanol in soxhlet (E3). E2 extracted maximum quantum of vitamin C/g dry weight (17.96, 13.987, 10.59, 9.67 and 4.799) in B1, B2, B3, B4 and B5 compared to El (11.12, 7.90, 4.99, 4.16 and 2.36 mg) and E3 (11.836, 9.13, 5.17, 4.87 and 2.59 mg) respectively. The crude extracts consisting of 10 different concentrations of vitamin C viz., 0.025 37> (C1), 0.050% (C2), 0.10% (C3), 0.15% (C4), 0.20 % (C5), 0.25 % (C6), 0.30 % (C7), 0.35 % (C8) , 0.40 % (C9) and 0.50% (C10) were orally fed to fifth instar Bombyx mori larvae along with mulberry leaves daily once from zero hour till the onset of spinning in order to screen a potential botanical extract and effective concentration. E. officinalis fruit (81) extracted by E-3 recorded highly significant improvement in larval weight (17.43%), pupation rate (10.10%), and cocoon .weight (14.49%) and shell weight (15.62%) compared to the control in 0.050% concentration, whereas, E2 caused significant mortality (4.72-43.16%) in silkworm larvae along with reduction in larval and cocoon traits in all the five botanicals and concentrations.

8 tables, 25 ref

004392   Sukumaran M;Muthukumaravel K;Kumarasamy P (Ancient Sciences Dep, Tamil University, Thanjavur-613 005) : Histopathology of kidney of the freshwater fish Oreochromis mossambicus exposed to cadmium. J expl Zool 2008, 11(2), 359-60.

Oreochromis mossambicus was exposed to 0.25 mg/l cadmium solution (10% sublethal concentration of 96 hr LC₅₀ for a period of 7, 14 and 21 days under laboratory conditions. The kidney of the treated fishes were examined under microscope and noticed significant changes such as enlargement of renal tubules hyperplasia, vacuolation of the epithelial cells of renal tubules, necrosis and shrinkage of glomeruli. Results suggests that a comparatively low concentration of cadmium is enough to elicit pathological changes in O. mossambicus.

5 illus, 1 table, 25 ref

004391   Singh H;Srivastava V K (Biosciences Dep, Barkatullah University, Bhopal-462 026) : Autecology of the lime butterfly, Papilio demoleus demoleus (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera, Papilionidae). J expl Zool 2008, 11(2), 331-3.

Deals with the autecology of lime butterfly, Papilio demoleus demoleus, which is nectar feeder. Total lifespan of adult Papilio demoleus demoleus is almost 7-12 days after emerging from the pupa. However, the total life span of P.d demoleus, from egg to adult is 40-45 days, out of that 26 - 29 days takes for development from egg to pupa. The larvae of this butterfly feeds on the leaves and younger shoots of citrus plants. When the caterpillars occur in high densities, they cause severe attack on plants i.e. defoliation of plants rendering them unfit for fruit bearing, thus damaging the production of fruits.

6 illus, 10 ref

004390   Singh C P;Singh D V;Mishra V K (Entomology Dep, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut-250 115) : Physicochemical parameter variance in vegetative and gravelled tank. J expl Zool 2008, 11(2), 517-18.

Experiment, physicochemical parameter viz. D.O.; Free CO₂, T.D.S. etc. were monitored in vegetative and Gravelled tank during experimental period. D.O. concentration shows the variation from 1.2 ppm to 15 ppm. in Gravelled tank (A) while in Vegetative tanks (B) D.O. varies 0.6 to 15 ppm. Free CO₂ in gravelled tank A ranges 6 to 45 ppm and 8 to 75 ppm in vegetative tanks (B) T.D.S. vary 187-192 ppm in tank A tank Band 186-196 ppm while conductivity in tankA 363-386 ppm and in tank B. 391. were observed during that period.

4 ref

004389   Shendge A N;Mane U H (Zoology Dep, Tuljaram Chaturchand College, Baramati-413 102) : Sex ratio of freshwater fish Puntius sophore (Hamilton). J expl Zool 2008, 11(2), 519-21.

Sex ratio of a freshwater fish, Puntius sophore (Hamilton) has been studied from Bhima river near Bhigwan, Pune District, Maharashtra. The overall sex ratio males to females were 1:1.28. Females dominated males, although the sex ratio showed no significant deviation in the population. Females outnumbered males before spawning (June - July). During peak spawning (August - September) there was no difference between the numbers of two sexes. In length groups 139 -148 mm sex ratio was 1:1. In larger length groups (209 - 218 and 219 - 228 mm) only females were recorded. Males were not recorded above 208 mm length.

2 tables, 6 ref

004388   Sheela S (NO, Zoological Survey of India, M-Block, New Alipore, Kolkata-700 053, Email: sheela_saroj@yahoo.com) : First record of the rare ant Paratopula ceylonica wheeler (Hymen Optera: Formicidae) from Uttar Pradesh, India with a note to the genus. J expl Zool 2008, 11(2), 423-5.

Rare species Paratopula ceylonica Wheeler is reported with description and illustrations, from Uttar Pradesh.

2 illus, 9 ref

004387   Shalini Singh;Ratnam D;Singh A K (Zoology Dep, Kamla Nehru Institute of Physical and Social Sciences, Sultanpur-228 118) : Effect of moisture on the pupation site preference in Drosophila ananassae. J expl Zool 2008, 11(2), 451-3.

Drosophila ananasse flies were cultured in three different types of food with varying amount of moisture. Larvae prefer to pupate close to the surface of food with minimum moisture content. Whereas they pupate at upper level of test tubes when cultured in banana food that contained high water content. Tomato with medium level of water content was also used as culture food and larvae in this food pupate at the middle part of the test tube. Thus moisture content of the food medium strongly in influences the pupation height.

2 tables, 25 ref