007536   Anand M;Reddy P S R (Marine and Coastal Studies Dep, Madurai Kamaraj Univ, Madurai-625 021, Email: anandm21@yahoo.com) : Length-weight relationship of the white-spotted rabbitfish Siganus canaliculatus (Park, 1797) from Gulf of Mannar, South India. J Mar Biol Ass India 2012, 54(1), 91-4.

Length-weight relationship of the white-spotted rabbitfish Siganus canaliculatus (Park, 1797) were taken in fresh condition separately for male, female and indeterminants from the Gulf of Mannar region. Analysis of covariance revealed highly significant difference (P<60>0.05) in the length and weight relationship between both the sexes and indeterminants. Hence, three different logarithmic equations were derived viz., i) Males: log W = -5.0218 + 3.0304 log L; ii) Females: log W = -5.8008 + 3.3990 log L and iii) Indeterminants: log W = -4.1916 + 2.6410 log L. The value of regression coefficient 3.03 and 3.39 was obtained for males and females respectively and 2.64 for indeterminants that departed from the cubic value, 3 at 5% level.

1 illus, 2 tables, 28 ref

007535   Al-Marzouqi A (NO, Marine Science and Fisheries Centre, Ministry of Agriculture and Fishe, P.O. Box 1546, P.C. 133, Muscat, Oman, Email: aa.almarzouqi@ymail.com) : Food and feeding habits of Santer seabream Cheimerius nufar (Val.,1830) from the Arabian Sea coast of Oman. J Mar Biol Ass India 2012, 54(1), 108-12.

Food and feeding habits of the Santer Seabream Cheimerius nufar were studied from the Arabian Sea coast of Oman for two years during April 2005-March 2007. The stomach contents consisted of substantial quantities of semi-digested matter and identifiable items like sardines, crab, squid, cuttlefish and other crustacean remains indicating the fish is an active carnivore. There was not much variation in the food items encountered during various months. Active, moderate and poor feeding observed at various months, maturity stages and size groups of fish suggested no specific trend in feeding intensity. The information gathered would be useful for trophic modelling of marine fishes of Oman.

7 illus, 1 table, 26 ref

006596   Yasmin S;Rai A K (Life Sciences Dep, Dibrugarh Univ, Dibrugarh-786 004) : Lipids in the regenerating skin of a catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) (Heteropneustidae, Pisces): a histochemical investigation. Bull Life Sci 2013, 19(3), 67-87.

Lipids in the process of regeneration and repair of incised wound in the skin of Heteropneustes fossilis have been studied using various histochemical techniques. High amount of lipids in the outermost layer of the regenerating skin during the early stages of healing has been correlated with the protection of the exposed tissue and prevention of entry of water. Intense lipids in the basal cells in the early and late stages of wound repair along with significant amount of cholesterol has been attributed to the metabolically active state of these cells. The decreased amount of lipids in the epidermal cells during certain stages of healing has been correlated with mobilization of lipids to meet the energy requirement of the neighbouring cells and involvement of lipids in the production of surface slime to form a viscous coat over the skin surface. The presence of fat droplets has served as the source of energy. The presence of high amount of lipids in the fibroblasts and in the differentiating muscle bundles has been discussed in relation to its role in the repair of dermis, subcutis and underlying muscles.

8 illus, 9 tables, 40 ref

006595   Yadav S K;Haldar C (Pineal Research Laboratory, Zoology Dep, Banaras Hindu Univ, Varanasi-221 005, Email: chaldar2001@yahoo.com) : Eco-immunology: role of melatonin in avian immune defense. J Endocr Reprod 2012, 16(1), 1-6.

Avian immunology is a fascinating and growing field. Ecologists are now taking an interest in measuring immune-competence and determining its importance as a heritable trait for the survival of the wild species. Seasonally breeding animals encounter different environmental challenges throughout the year. In order to survive in specific environments these animals have developed various strategies that help them to find food, protect themselves from the tough environments, and also reproduce accordingly. Indeed, wild birds are continually challenged with different natural stressors such as shortage of food (during winter and rainy season), lack of water during summer, predator pressure in social system, sudden change in weather, season-bound diseases, infection (like avian influenza), etc. Only a few ecological studies have analyzed the stress and general immunity in wild birds that might have a link with the anti-stress hormone melatonin. Therefore, approaches improving our understanding of the stress-induced immune depression and their interrelationship in birds are most desirable. Unfortunately, our knowledge of the immune system has advanced at a much faster pace for mammals while immunology of wild birds received less attention. The purpose of this review is to bring together the current knowledge on the biological effects of melatonin on avian immune defense with special emphasis on new immerging area of neuro-immuno-endocrinology i.e., eco-immunology.

^iia2 illus, 41 ref

006594   Vinod K;George R M;Thomas P A;Manisseri M K (NO, Mandapam Regional Centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institut, Mandapam Camp-623 520, Email: vinod_kavungal@yahoo.co.in) : Semperella megaloxea sp.nov. (family:Pheronematidae): a new hexactinellid sponge from Andaman waters, India. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(1), 33-6.

Hexactinellid sponge described in this paper, Semperella megaloxea sp. nov. was collected from the eastern side of North Andaman waters off Diglipur at 13° 06' N lat. and 93° 11' E long, during one of the FORV Sagar Sampada expeditions. Critical examination of the specimen indicated that it belonged to the Class Hexactinellida, Sub-class Amphidiscophora and Order Amphidiscosida. Although diactin spicules are present, the presence of large number of pentactin spicules indicates that it belongs to the Family Pheronematidae. The columnar body with atrial surface divided into several areas separated by dermal areas indicates that the specimen belongs to the genus Semperella. The morphology of the whole sponge specimen, the presence of very long diactin spicules of oscular tuft and the pentactins with very long rays do not match well with any of the already described species of the genus Semperella Gray.

4 illus, 4 ref

006593   Vidya K;Joseph S (NO, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi-682 018, Email: vidyakuttikrishnan@gmail.com) : Effect of salinity on growth and survival of juvenile Indian spiny lobster, Panulirus homarus (Linnaeus). Indian J Fish 2012, 59(1), 113-18.

Spiny lobster, Panulirus homarus has recently captured much attention in India for fattening in marine cages due to its high demand in the international market. Water quality parameters play an important role in the production rate of commercial lobster mariculture. In the present study, juvenile lobsters (93.63 ± 0.4 g, mean ± SD; 41.66 ± 0.57 mm CL, mean ± SD) were grown in four different salinities (20, 25, 30 and 35 ppt) over a period of 80 d and significant differences (p<60>0.01) were observed in survival and growth. Growth was highest in 35 ppt salinity and progressively reduced at lower salinities. Although rearing in seawater of 35 ppt salinity has resulted in the best performance for P. homarus, its capacity to tolerate lower salinities would provide greater opportunity to develop commercial aquaculture.

4 illus, 2 tables, 23 ref

006592   Thomas M;Abraham Samuel K;Kurian P (NO, Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences, Vadavathoor P.O. Kottayam-686 010, Email: doctorfungus@rediffmail.com) : Coelomycetous fungal infection in rodents. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2011, 13(3), 487-8.

Authors report skin and hair infection due to S. dimidiatum in R. norvegicus inhabiting Vembanad- Kol wetland agroecosystem. Though several human infections due to this fungus were noticed, to the best of our knowledge this is the first report of animal infection due to S. dimidiatum.

^ssc15 ref

006591   Tarkeshwar Kumar;Chakraborty S K;Jaiswar A K; Sandhya K M;Panda D (NO, Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Versova, Andheri (West), Mumbai-400 061, Email: tarkeshwariac@gmail.com) : Biometric studies on Johnieops sina (Cuvier, 1830) along Ratnagiri coast of Maharashtra. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(1), 7-13.

Length-weight relationship, morphometric and meristic characters of johnieops sina (Cuvier, 1830) from Ratnagiri waters were studied by examination of 874 (454 male and 420 female) specimens collected during December 2009 - November 2011. The male fishes ranged from 100 to 195 mm in length and 8.2 to 80.1g in weight and females ranged from 105 to 232 mm in length and 9.4 to 128.2 g in weight. The length-weight relationship was established as W= 0.000006092 L 3.13429563 for male, W=.0.000005234 L^3.169965 for female and W= 0.000005029 L^3.175118 for pooled, indicating positive allometric relationships. The deviations in the growth rate in present study from that of earlier findings may be result of the influence of the difference in environmental conditions in other geographical areas, apart from difference in the stocks. Correlation coefficient (r) was highest for standard length and total length (0.9841) and lowest for eye diameter and head length (0.7527). Based on the findings of the present investigation on meristic characters, the fin formula can be written as B₇, D 9-11/1/_26-31' P _16-18 V l/5, A 2/_7-8 and C _17-18. Number of gill rakers on the first left gill arch ranged from 13 to 15.

3 illus, 4 tables, 50 ref

006590   Sureshan P M;Narendran T C;Nikhil K (NO, Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats Regional Centre, Jafferkhan Colony, Eranhipalam P.O., Kozhikode, Kerala-673 006, Email: pmsuresh43@yahoo.com) : Parasitoids (Hymenioptera) of xylophagous beetles (Coleoptera) attacking dead wood in Southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India, with descriptions of two new species. J Threatened Taxa 2013, 5(9), 4385-91.

An account is given of four species of Hymenoptera parasitoids probably of the wood boring beetle Clytocera chinospila Gahan (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, southern Western Ghats, Kerala. Two new hymenopteran species, Eurytoma cbinnarensls (Eurytomidae) and Foenatopus idukkiensis (Stephanidae) are described, Solenura ania Walker (Pteromalidae) is reported for the first time from Kerala and Western Ghats with a new host record, and Doryctus sp. (Braconidae) is reported here.

12 ref

006589   Subenthung Odyuo N;Nagesh T S (Fisheries Resource Management, Faculty of Fishery Sciences West Bengal University of Animal and Fishe, 5, Budherhat Road P.O. Panchasayar, Kolkata-700 094, Email: tsnagesh1@rediffmail.com) : Fisheries and management status of Doyang Reservoir, Nagaland, North-east India. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(2), 1-6.

Study was conducted to assess the fisheries and management status of Doyang Reservoir, Nagaland during May 2009 - April 2010. Carps dominated the reservoir fishery followed by catfishes, loaches, mahseers, snakeheads and spiny eels. Majority of fish species found in the reservoir have high ornamental and food value. The reservoir is usually stocked with fingerlings of Indian major carps and exotic carps. Annual fish production during the study period was 2,07,256 kg and the productivity of the reservoir was estimated as 79.53 kg ha^-1 yr^-1. Gillnet accounted for 80% of the total catch. Bulk of the fish catch was from Luxio landing centre and marketed from Wokha and Assam. Addressing the immediate needs and adoption of better management practices could augment the present fish production.

5 illus, 2 tables, 17 ref

006588   Sophia E (Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology Dep, St. John's College, Palayamkottai-627 002, Email: sophiadanie@gmail.com) : Impact of mercuric chloride on bio-control potential and hatchability of Diplonychus indicus (Hemiptera). J Ecotoxic envir Monit 2011, 21(1-2), 175-81.

Effect of sub lethal concentrations of Mercuric chloride on Diplonychus indicus has been studied. The result indicated that their sub lethal concentrations have significantly influenced the predatory potential and hatchability with increasing concentrations and duration of exposure. The predatory potential reduced to 19.6% from 25% and percentage hatchability reduced to 9.4 of 1.00 concentration from 65.2 of the control. There is a significant decrease in both predatory potential and hatchability with respect to increase in concentration.

5 illus, 24 ref

006587   Sivakumar R;Rajasekaran N;Mathialagan R; Arivukkarasi S (P.G. & Research Zoology Dep, Government Arts College, Kumbakonam-612 001, Email: sivaera@gmail.com) : Distribution of bacterial flora in the gastrointestinal tract of some freshwater fishes along Mananjeri sluice, Tamil Nadu. Envir Ecol 2012, 30(3C), 1034-8.

Occurrence and distribution of quantitative and qualitative bacterial flora of seven freshwater fishes namely Catla catla, Mugil cephalus, Ctenopharyngodon idellus, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. Channa striatus and Oreochromis mossambicus collected from Mananjeri sluice, Tamil Nadu were studied during November 2008 to October 2009. A simple pour plant method was used for the study. The results revealed that not much variation in the distribution of bacterial flora in three regions of gut such as fore, mid and hind guts. The maximum 37 x 10⁶ CFU/ml was observed in the mid gut of Ctenopharyngodon idellus followed by Mugil cephalus in fore, gut (34 x 10⁶) and in hind gut (25 x 10⁶). The maximum population of 5 x 10⁶ was observed in Channa striatus both in fore gut and hind gut respectively whereas in the mid-gut of Oreochromis mossambicus it was 9 x 10⁶. Lactobacillus sp. (83.3%) and Citrobacter sp. (66..7%) were predominant out of 49 isolates obtained from all seven species. The consistant distribution of total bacterial load and varying generic composition suggests that the gut content play a important role in the fishes for bacterial population.

3 tables, 27 ref

006586   Sindhe S C S;ButchiRam M S;Naik M J;Pala I (Zoology Dep, Sri Krishnadevaraya Univ, Anantapur-515 003) : Effect of sublethal concentration of ziram on oxygen consumption of the freshwater fish Labeo rohita. J Ecotoxic envir Monit 2011, 21(1-2), 77-81.

Freshwater fish, Labeo rohita were exposed to technical grade dithiocarbamate fungicide, ziram for 96 hours and the LC₅₀ was determined to be 0.66 mg/l. One-tenth of LC₅₀ (0.066 mg/l) was selected as sublethal dose for studies on oxygen consumption for a period of 1,7,15 and 30 days. There was an initial increase in oxygen consumption up to 7 days followed by a decline in the oxygen consumption for a period of 15 days. Later, the oxygen consumption levels reached normalcy at the end of 30 days.

1 illus, 1 table, 17 ref

006585   Shailesh Saurabh;Mohanty J;Garnayak S K;Sahoo P K (NO, Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar-751 002, Email: ssaurabh02@rediffmail.com) : Identification of immunodominant polypeptides of the freshwater fish lice Argulus siamensis (Wilson)- preliminary findings. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(1), 103-6.

Successful development of immunoprophylaxis against freshwater fish lice Argulus siamensis (Wilson) depends on the V proper identification of protective antigens. The present study was undertaken to determine the immunodominant polypeptides of the freshwater fish lice A. siamensis, which causes a major disease problem in freshwater aquaculture. Several polypeptide bands ranging from 130.55 to 16.22 kDa were detected in freshwater fish lice homogenates by SDS-PAGE and two polypeptide bands of 75.78 kDa and 79.6 kDa were found as immunodominant polypeptides in western blotting using hyperimmune sera raised in rabbit. This preliminary observation opened up avenues to look into these protein fractions as possible candidate antigens for immunoprophylaxis development against this dreaded ectoparasitic infection in fish.

2 illus, 16 ref

006584   Sethi S;Pattnaik P (Madras Research Centre, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, 75, Santhom High Road, R.A. Puram, Chennai-600 028, Email: sethisatyanarayana@yahoo.co.in) : Record of the sea slug, Kalinga ornata Alder & Hancock, 1864 from the inshore waters of Bay of Bengal along Chennai coast. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(1), 151-4.

Sea slugs were caught in the trawl net operated off north Chennai at a depth of around 100-150 m during early hours of 24 June 2011. The specimens were classified and identified as Kalinga ornata and deposited in the Marine Biodiversity Museum of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi (Accession code: DB. 40.1.1.). Although sea slugs have been found in these waters, there are limited studies on identification to the species level. Kalinga ornata was reported in India during 1936 from Kolkata and further there are no published reports on occurrence of of this species along the east coast of India.

^ssc3 illus, 2 tables, 19 ref

006583   Sajeevan M K;Sanadi R B (Fishery Survey of India, Botawala Chambers, Sir P.M. Road, Mumbai-400 001, Email: sajeevanfsi@gmail.com) : Diversity, distribution and abundance of oceanic resources around Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(2), 63-7.

Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago is bestowed with rich oceanic resources. Information on its dynamics is essential to evolve an exploitation strategy and therefore an attempt has been made to understand the diversity, distribution and abundance of oceanic resources around Andaman and Nicobar Islands by utilising exploratory tuna long-line survey data. A total of 29 species of fishes including 15 species of pelagic sharks were recorded during the study. Dominance of pelagic sharks over the target species, i.e., tuna was a major characteristic of the fishery. Drastic reduction in the composition of tuna and sharks towards total catch in recent years was noticed. Hooking rates recorded during different months and at different latitudes are presented. Sharks were dominant between lat. 08° N and 12°N, while no significant pattern was observed in the case of yellowfin tuna. Diminishing trend of hooking rates of tuna and sharks since nineties and replacement of a major share of these resources by uneconomical fishes indicates need for stringent management measures for the conservation of oceanic resources.

1 illus, 7 tables, 8 ref

006582   Roy George K;Malini N A;Sandhya Rani G O (Zoology Postgraduate and Research Dep, St. Thomas College, Kozhencherry-689 641, Email: dr.roygeorgek@gmail.com) : Biochemical changes in liver and muscle of the cichlid, Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters, 1852) exposed to sub-lethal concentration of mercuric chloride. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(2), 147-52.

Heavy metals, as environmental stressors, may alter tissue biochemical parameters in fishes. Oreochromis mossmabicus, was exposed to different sub-lethal concentrations of mercuric chloride @ 0.5, 1.0 and 2 ppm to investigate changes in tissue biochemical parameters on 0, 7th and 14th day of exposure. Protein content in the liver and muscle was found depleted due to proteolysis induced by mercury toxicity. The level of liver and muscle glycogen also declined, indicating increased utilisation of glucose to counteract the increased energy demand imposed by severe anaerobic stress of mercury toxicity. The alterations in the alkaline and acid phosphatase activities during exposure period were associated with tissue damage and impaired enzyme activities resulting from toxicity of mercury.

8 tables, 43 ref

006581   Rodrigues P C;Aguiar O;Serpieri F;Lima A P; Uetanebaro M;Recco-Pimentel S M (Anatomia Dep, Biologia Celular e Fisiologia, Instituto de Biologia Estadual de Campi, 13083-863 Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Email: shirlei@unicamp.br) : Chromosome analysis of five Brazilian species of poison frogs (Anura:Dendrobatidae). J Genet 2011, 90(1), 31-7.

Dendrobatid frogs have undergone an extensive systematic reorganization based on recent molecular findings. The present work describes karyotypes of the Brazilian species Adelphobates castaneoticus, A. quinquevittatus, Ameerega picta, A. galactonotus and Dendrobates tinctorius which were compared to each other and with previously described related species. All karyotypes consisted of 2n = 18 chromosomes, except for A. picta which had 2n = 24. The karyotypes of the Adelphobates and D. tinctorius species were highly similar to each other and to the other 2n = 18 previously studied species, revealing conserved karyotypic characteristics in both genera. In recent phylogenetic studies, all Adelphobates species were grouped in a clade separated from the Dendrobates species. Thus, authors hypothesized that their common karyotypic traits may have a distinct origin by chromosome rearrangements and mutations. In A. picta, with 2n = 24, chromosome features of pairs from 1 to 8 are shared with other previously karyotyped species within this genus. Hence; the A. picta data reinforced that the C-banding pattern and the NOR location are species-specific traits in the genus Ameerega. Moreover, the Ameerega mono-phyletism proposed by previous phylogenetic studies indicates that the karyotypic differences among species in this genus result from a long divergence time.

4 illus, 1 table, 31 ref

006580   Prathibha Rohit;Rao G S;Rammohan K (NO, Mangalore Research Centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Instit, Mangalore, Karnataka-575 001, Email: rohitprathi@yahoo.co.in) : Age, growth and population structure of the yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares (Bonnaterre, 1788) exploited along the east coast of India. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(1), 1-6.

Lengths measurements of 6,758 yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), landed by hook and line operators off eastern Indian coast were taken (20-185 cm FL) from 2003 to 2009. Age and growth were estimated using length based methods. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated were L_∝ = 197.42 cm, annual K= 0.30 and t₀= -0.1157. Mortality estimates were M= 0.48 and Z= 0.71 and F= 0.23 with the exploitation ratio E= 0.32. Growth was rapid during the initial years when the annual growth increment was as high as 36.6 cm during the first year which declined to as low as 3.3 cm in the tenth year. The fish attained a fork length of 56.2 cm at the end of one year. Size at maturity (87.5 cm) corresponded to an age of 1.7 years and the oldest individual in the sample was 9+ years (186 cm). The annual mean lengths varied from 80.6 cm to 115.3 cm with an average mean length of 101.9 cm. The fishery comprised of mostly adults with 64% comprising of fishes larger than size at first maturity.

3 illus, 3 tables, 41 ref

006579   Phukan H K;Biswas S P (Life Sciences Dep, Dibrugarh Univ, Dibrugarh-786 004) : Observations on fecundity and gonadosomatic ratio (GSR) of Puntius ticto (Ham) from Dibrugarh, Assam. Bull Life Sci 2013, 19(3), 59-66.

Total of 150 mature female specimens of Puntius ticto were examined for fecundity and gonadosomatic ratio study. The fecundity of the fish ranged from 236 to 1596. The correlation between fecundity and gonad weight was more significant [r=0.967] than that of fecundity with other factors. The relationship between fecundity and total length, body weight and gonad weight is linear and all the parameters were positively correlated to fecundity. The fish was found to spawn for several months with one spawning peak.

4 illus, 4 tables, 13 ref

006578   Philipose K K;Sharma S R K;Loka J;Damodaran D;Rao G S;Vaidya N G;Mhaddolkar S S;Sadhu N;Dube P (Karwar Research Centre, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, P.B. No. 5, Karwar-581 301, Email: kkphilipose@gmail.com) : Observations on variations in physico-chemical water parameters of marine fish cage farm of Karwar. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(1), 83-8.

Investigation was undertaken to study the fluctuations in the water quality parameters in a marine fish cage culture site off Karwar during the period 2009-2011. Two stations viz., one from cage site (Station 1) and the other away from the cage site (Station 2) were selected for the study. Water samples were collected at weekly intervals. Temperature of Station 1 varied from 28.5±0.89°C to 32.5 ± 1.04 °C during the first crop of Asian seabass culture in 2009-10 and it ranged between 26.7 ± 0.83 to 32.5 ± 0.79 °C during the second crop of seabass culture in 2010- 11. The salinity was minimum during July 2010 and maximum in May 2010. There was no significant difference observed between the water quality parameters of the two stations (p<62>0.05). However, difference in salinity was significant between the two culture periods in Station 1 (p<60>0.05). No significant difference was observed in the nutrient levels of the cage and reference sites and also between the two crops. No significant difference was observed between the mean weight of the fish and temperature of both the sites and periods. A positive correlation was observed between the weight gain of fish and salinity of water at cage site.

6 illus, 29 ref

006577   Nieves M;De Oliveira E H C;Amaral P J S; Nagamachi C Y;Pieczarka J C;Muhlmann M C;Mudry M D (Grupo de Investigacion en Biologia Evolutiva (GIBE), Laboratorio 46, 4 piso, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEy, Intendente Guraldes 2160-C1428EGA, Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina) : Analysis of the heterochromatin of Cebus (primates, platyrrhini) by micro-fish and banding pattern comparisons. J Genet 2011, 90(1), 111-17.

Karyotype of the neotropical primate genus Cebus (Platyrrhini: Cebidae), considered the most ancestral one, shows the greatest amount of heterochromatin described among Platyrrhini genera. Banding techniques and restriction enzyme digestion have previously revealed great variability of quantity and composition of heterochromatin in this genus. In this context, we use fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to analyse this genomic region and discuss its possible role in the diversification of Cebus. We used a heterochromatin probe for chromosome 11 of Cebus libidinosus (11 qHe+ CLI probe), obtained by chromosome microdissection. Twenty-six specimens belonging to the families Atelidae, Cebidae, Callitrichidae and Pitnecidae (Platyrrhini) were studied. Fourteen out of 26 specimens were Cebus (Cebidae) individuals of C. libidinosus, C. xanthoster-nos, C. apella, C. nigritus, C. albifrons, C. kaapori and C. olivaceus. In Cebus specimens, we found 6 to 22 positive signals located in interstitial and telomeric positions along the different species. No hybridization signal was observed among the remaining Ceboidea species, thus reinforcing the idea of a Cebus-specific heterochromatin composed of a complex system of repetitive sequences.

2 illus, 1 table, 43 ref

006576   Nathanael P J R;Viveka Vardhani V (Zoology and Aquaculture Dep, Acharya Nagarjuna Univ, Nagarjuna Nagar-522 510, Email: nathanael_pj@yahoo.co.in) : Comparison on the protein and DNA activity in the liver and spleen of one week and two weeks old broilers during chronic aflotoxicosis. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2011, 13(3), 519-23.

The aflotoxins profoundly buffeted the immunological stamina of poultry birds and even causes mortality and various acute and chronic aliments. The present investigation is focused on the comparison of the protein and DNA response in the liver and spleen of 1 week and 2 weeks old broilers suffering with aflotoxicosis. Broilers of one week old (Group A;B) received 0.01 ng/bird and 0.1 ng/bird respectively; where as group C (untreated birds) kept for comparison. Broilers of two weeks old (Groups D & E) received 0.25 ng/bird and 0.5ng.bird of AFB1 and group F is maintained as control. Experimental broilers were necropsied on day 1,3,8 and 11 of infection; controls were also necropsied on same designated days. Liver and spleen of experimental and controls were removed, weighed, homogenized and tissue samples were analyzed for protein and DNA levels. The findings clearly give a firm evidence that AFB1 brought forth morphological, physiological and biochemical changes.

4 tables, 19 ref

006575   Miranda M T P;Sunitha S;Mol J (Zoology Dep, Fatima Mata National College, Kollam-691 001, Email: dallismiranda@gmail.com) : Biochemical composition of certain demersal fishes of Kollam (quilon) in Kerala, Southwest coast of India, with special reference to Mugil cephalus (linnaeus) and Johnius carutta (Bloch). J appl Zool Res 2011, 22(2), 113-7.

Biochemical composition of two edible indigenous marine fishes (Mugil cephalus and Johnius carutta ) commonly found along the Kerala coast was studied. To evaluate their nutritional content the protein, glycogen and lipid were estimated in muscle, liver and gills of the two fishes. The caloric value of each metabolite was also evaluated M.cephalus is herbivorous and J.carutta is carnivorous in diet. The mean value of protein, glycogen and lipid in M.cephalus was found to be 10.91%,0.108% and 5.04% whereas in J. carutta it was 16.23%, 3.173% and 7.34% respectively. The average caloric value for protein, glycogen, and lipid in M. cephalus was 564.0%,4.51% and 474.3% while in J. carutta it was 917.3%,7.0% and 690,0% respectively. Considering the results of the present study, it can be assumed that J.carutta has a richer nutritional value when compared to M.cephalus.

1 table, 11 ref

006574   Mary Anusha M;Marx K K (Aquaculture Dep, Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and A, Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu-628 008, Email: kkmarx@gmail.com) : Induction of meiotic gynogenesis in Indian catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) using irradiated sperm of H. fossilis and Clarias batrachus (Linn.). Indian J Fish 2012, 59(1), 107-12.

Gynogenesis was induced in Indian catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis) to produce all female population. The irradiated spermatozoa from the two species viz.,, H. fossilis and Clarias batrachus were successful in inducing parthenogenetic development and resulted in the production of viable gynogens. The irradiation of sperm was accomplished by exposing them to ultraviolet light (260 nm) for a duration of 60 sec. Both cold shock and heat shock treatments were given at 5 min post-fertilization. The effects of cold shock given for diploidization at 2 and 4°C for a duration of 15 and 30 min and heat shock at 38 and 41°C for 1, 2 and 3 min resulted in diploid gynogens. Cold shock at a temperature of 2 °C was found to be better than that of 4 °C and the duration of 15 min was better than 30 min. Heat shock at 41°C for 1 min was found to be better than 38 °C. The karyological examination of gynogens showed 2n=56 number of chromosomes. The survival of gynogens produced from the irradiated sperm of H. fossilis and C. batrachus sperm after 60 days of rearing was found to be 4.12 and 2.78% respectively.

4 illus, 4 tables, 17 ref

006573   Majumdar J;Baruah B K;Dutta K (Zoology Dep, B. Borooah College, Guwahati-781 007, Email: drkcphilip@gmail.com) : The effect of galvanizing industry effluent on the gills of Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch). J Ind Pollut Control 2012, 28(2), 143-5.

The gills performs many functions in fish, such as respiration, osmoregulation and excretion. Galvanizing industry effluent induces hispathological changes in gills of Heteropneustes fossilis like lifting of respiratory epithelium, fusion of gill lamellae, multiple telangiecetasis and appearance of haemorrhagic areas. These indicate highly toxic nature of the effluent.

3 illus, 10 ref

006572   Madhusudana Rao B;Murthy L N;Mathew S;Asha K K;Sankar T V;Prasad M M (NO, Research Centre of Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Ocean View Layout, Visakhapatnam-530 003, Email: bmrcift@rediffmail.com) : Changes in the nutritional profile of Godavari hilsa shad, Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton, 1822) during its anadromous migration from Bay of Bengal to the river Godavari. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(1), 125-32.

Godavari hilsa shad is a premium priced and highly sought after anadromous fish that annually migrates from Bay of Bengal to the River Godavari during post-monsoon for spawning. The protein content was slightly higher in marine hilsa (22.69%). Wide variation in fat content of hilsa was observed during its anadromous migration. The fat content in the marine hilsa was 12.4% which increased in brackishwater habitat to 17.3% and progressively decreased in river habitat (14.51 to 8.78%). Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content showed an increasing trend with lowest in marine hilsa (11.41%) and highest in Godavari hilsa (26.87%). Tetradecanoic acid (myristic acid) (325.3 mg%) was the most prominent SFA and octadec-9-enoic acid (oleic acid) (816.8 mg%) was the dominant MUFA in Godavari hilsa. Docosa-4,7,10,13,16,19-hexaenoic acid (DHA) (245.8 mg%) was the most significant PUFA followed by eicosa-5,8,11,14,17-pentaenoic acid (EPA) (45.4 mg%) and octadeca-9,12,15-trienoic acid (alpha-linolenic Acid) (42.1 mg%). The results of the study show that nutritional composition of Godavari hilsa changes during its migration and the hilsa from River Godavari appears to be better than the marine hilsa from Bay of Bengal.

4 illus, 5 tables, 47 ref

006571   Madhu K;Madhu R;Retheesh T (NO, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi-682 018, Kerala, Email: kmadhu30@rediffmail.com) : Broodstock development, breeding, embryonic development and larviculture of spine-cheek anemonefish, Premnas biaculeatus (Bloch, 1790). Indian J Fish 2012, 59(1), 65-75.

Broodstock development, breeding, embryonic development and larviculture of Premnas biaculeatus under different feeding and envrionmental conditions are reported for the first time. The influence of enriched rotifer (Brachionus rotundiformis, Brachionus plicatilis) and non-enriched newly hatched Artemia nauplii along with microalgae (Chlorella marina, Nannochloropsis oculata and Isochrysis galbana) on larval rearing and survival was elucidated. Fishes in the length range of 55 to 70 mm (presumptive male) and 120 to 150 mm (presumptive female) were selected for pair formation experiments along with single host sea anemone Heteractis magnifica. All the 10 pairs started spawning with in four months after they were shifted to the breeding tanks. Eggs were laid in round patches or clutches at intervals of 15 to 20 days with an average of 2.09 ± 0.3 spawnings per month per pair giving an annual number of 1752 -11832 eggs per pair. Upon incubation for six days in complete darkness, 95-98% of the eggs hatched with the peak hatching between 1830 and 1930 hrs. On 20th day post-hatch (d.p.h.), most of the larvae metamorphosed to juveniles and began to shift from partially pelagic to epibenthic and the juveniles reached marketable size from 60th d.p.h. onwards.

3 illus, 7 tables, 39 ref

006570   Lalronunga S;Lalnuntluanga;Lalramliana (Environmental Science Dep, Mizoram Univ, Aizawl, Mizoram-796 009, Email: samuellrna@gmail.com) : Garra dampaensis, a new ray-finned fish species (Cypriniformes:Cyprinidae) from Mizoram, Northeastern India. J Threatened Taxa 2013, 5(9), 4368-77.

Garra dampaensis, a new cyprinid fish species, is described from the Seling River, a tributary of the Khawthlang Tuipui (Karnaphuli River), in Mizorarn, India. The species can be distinguished from all other Garra species, except G. abhoyai, G. lissorhynchus, G. nambulica, G. paralissorhynchus and G. rupecula by the presence of a distinct W-shaped black band on the caudal fin. It can be distinguished from the above mentioned five species in having scales on the breast and belly, shorter vent to anal distance, and by having fewer lateral line scales (27-29 vs. more than 29 in all other species). A key to the species of Garra in the Lissorhynchus complex is provided.

1 illus, 2 tables, 24 ref

006569   Kund G C;Mishra G;Satapathy D (NO, College of Fisheries (O.U.A.T.), Rangailunda, Berhampur-7, Odisha) : Length-weight relationship and relative condition factor of Mugil cephalus in chilika lagoon, East coast of India. J appl Zool Res 2011, 22(2), 153-6.

Length and weight data of 842 numbers Mug/7 cephalus collected from Chilika lagoon during Aug'07 to Jan'10 were analysed to establish its length-weight relationship and relative condition factor. The length-weight relation was estimated as W= 0.0405 L2.6050 and W= 0.0162 L 2.8696 during Aug'07 to Oct'08 and Nov'08 to Jan'10, respectively. The monthly 'b' value varied from 2.3 to 3.2. Its relative condition factor (Kn) varied from 1.0 to 1.17 indicating suitable well being of fish during the period of study.

1 illus, 13 ref

006568   Kardong D (Life Sciences Dep, Dibrugarh Univ, Dibrugarh-786 004) : Checklist, utility and status of molluscan fauna of Lesa beel in Dhemaji district, Assam. Bull Life Sci 2013, 19(3), 49-58.

Rapid assessment of molluscan fauna of Lesia beel in Dhemaji District revealed that the wetland harbours about twelve species of mussels and snails belonging to Bivalvia and Gastropoda respectively. Among them, three species of bivalves belonging to family Unionidae and Corbiculidae and nine species of gastropods belonging to the family Viviparidae, Lymnaedae and Thiaridae were recorded. Two species of bivalves and three species of gastropods from the study area were edible. Representatives of Unionidae, Viviparidae and Thiaridae are common freshwater molluscs of the study area. Apart from food values, the rural populace uses certain species of molluscan fauna as interior decorator as well as for medicinal purposes. Indiscriminate fishing and habitat loss were identified as major threats to the molluscan population in the study area. The present investigation listed the types and conservation status of molluscan fauna of Lesia beel in Dhemaji district of upper Assam.

9 illus, 2 tables, 13 ref

006567   Joshi K K;Zacharia P U;Kanthan P (NO, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi-682 018, Email: joshycmfri@rediffmail.com) : Description of a new sand lance species, Bleekeria murtii (Perciformes: Ammodytidae) from India. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(2), 101-7.

New fish species of the genus Bleekeria was collected by trawl nets off Tuticorin from a depth of 20-30 m. Bleekeria murtii is characterized by 34-39 dorsal rays, 12-16 anal rays, 80-108 lateral line scales, high head length (21.1-23.2 in SL), smaller eye diameter (2.45-5.37 mm) and high body height (8.7-19.7 mm). The species-specific characters, colour pattern and morphometric variations are described in detail.

2 illus, 5 tables, 22 ref

006566   Jakhalekar S S;Ghate H V (Post-Graduate Research Centre, Zoology Dep, Modern College of Arts, Science & Commerce, Shivajinagar, Pune-411 005, Email: shriraj.jak@gmail.com) : Note on five freshwater sponges (Porifera:Spongillina:Spongillidae) from Pune, Maharashtra, India. J Threatened Taxa 2013, 5(9), 4392-403.

Reported the presence of five freshwater sponges in ephemera! and permanent fresh water bodies in and around Pune, Maharashtra, India. Field observations, descriptive notes, habitus photographs and SEM photographs of body spicules, gemmule spicules and gemmules of five species are provided. Eunapius carteri (Bowerbank, 1863), Rodiospongilla cerebellata (Bowerbank, 1863) and Corvospongslla tapidosa (Annandale, 1908) are commonly occurring species, whereas Ephydatia meyeni (Carter, 1849) and Dosilia plumosa (Carter, 1849) are rarely found. This report fills a longstanding gap in observations of freshwater sponges near Pune, and it is heartening to note that species reported earlier are still found in these environs.

25 ref

006565   Jagadis I;Shanmugasundaram K;Padmanathan J (NO, Tuticorin Research Centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institu, Tuticorin-628 001, Email: ijagadis@sify.com) : Observations on broodstock maintenance, breeding and early larval development of the common spider conch Lambis lambis (Linnaeus, 1758) in captivity. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(2), 165-9.

Spider conches are common in shallow waters of the Indian coast. Of the eleven species reported from Indian waters, six species of the genus Lambis are categorised under Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Studies on the breeding of Lambis spp. are limited Considering its importance, an attempt was made to breed the common spider conch Lambis lambis, under controlled conditions. The brooders ranged from 152-184 mm/80-400 g in size/weight. They were maintained on macroalgal diet under static as well as airlift recirculation system. The conch shells, after 4 months of maintenance, exhibited mating behaviour and laid eggs under captivity during October-December 2010. The morphology and development of the embryo within the egg filaments, hatching, embryonic and early larval development up to 35 days post-hatch (dph) is detailed and compared with the similar observation made at Majuro atoll, Marshall Islands.

^ssc8 illus, 8 ref

006564   Gurumayum S D;Goswami U C (NO, Zoological Survey of India, Gopalpur on Sea-761 002, Email: santaguru@rediffmail.com ) : Spatial and seasonal distribution of macrobenthic fauna of three rivers of Manipur. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(1), 37-42.

Benthic fauna of three important rivers of Manipur state viz., Khuga, Thoubal and Imphal were studied during 1999 - 2000. Macroinvertebrate zoobenthos population was low in all the rivers and was found between 85-1,255 μm^-2. In Khuga (129-1,255 μm^-2) and Thoubal (173-1,100 μm^-2) rivers macroinvertebrate benthos population were poor to medium where as in the Imphal River all the three stretches studied showed lowered macroinvertebrate population (85-390 μm^-2). During pre-monsoon period there was maximum benthos density in both the stretches in Thoubal, Khuga and Imphal rivers, whereas in the middle stretches of Imphal River, maximum population was observed in post-monsoon. Upper stretch showed richer benthos population both in terms of density and species composition in Khuga and Thoubal rivers. In the Imphal River distinct spatial variation of macroinvertebrate benthos population was lacking, but species composition was richer in lower stretch. Altogether nine macrozoobenthic groups were observed during the study and the details are presented in this paper.

3 tables, 22 ref

006563   Gopakumar G;et.al. (NO, Mandapam Regional Centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institut, Mandapam-623 520, Email: drggopakumar@gmail.com) : First experience in the larviculture of cobia, Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus, 1752) in India. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(1), 59-63.

Cobia aquaculture has been gaining momentum internationally and has spread to more than 23 countries, half of them in the Asia-Pacific region. Envisaging the prospects of cobia farming in India, broodstock development was initiated and the first successful induced breeding was achieved in March 2010. Larviculture was experimented in Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) tanks as well as Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) tanks and protocols were evolved. Green water technique employing the microalga, Nannochloropsis oculata was used. The critical stage for the larvae was from 5 to 9 days post-hatch (dph), when cumulative mortality reached around 90%. Enriched rotifers were fed from 3 to 10 dph and enriched Anemia nauplii from 9 to 18 dph. Weaning with larval inert feed was initiated from 18 dph and grading was carried out once in four days to avoid cannibalism. The study was conducted for 31 days and the final larval survival noted in the FRP and RCC tanks were 2 and 1%, respectively. At the end of the experiment, the specific growth rate of larvae in the FRP system was 30.1% of body weight per day, while the same in RCC tank was 28.3% of body weight per day. The low survival and specific growth rate of larvae in the RCC tanks could be attributed to the low densities of live feed maintained. The present experience indicated that cobia seed production can be successfully practised and by refining the methodology, the survival and growrh can be enhanced to achieve commercial level fingerling production.

3 illus, 1 table, 18 ref

006562   Gopakumar G (NO, Mandapam Regional Centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institut, Marine Fisheries Post, Mandapam-623 520, Email: drggopakumar@gmail.com) : Broodstock development through regulation of photoperiod and controlled breeding of silver pompano, Trachinotus blochii (Lacepede, 1801) in India. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(1), 53-7.

Silver pompano, Trachinotus blochii is recognised as a promising species for mariculture. In India, broodstock development, controlled breeding and seed production of silver pompano was achieved for the first time at Mandapam Regional Centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute. Sub-adult fishes collected from the wild were grown in circular sea cages of 6 m diameter and 3.5 m depth. Twelve fishes were selected from a sea cage and acclimatized to laboratory conditions. Among these, four fishes (1 female and 3 males) were pre-conditioned to sexual maturity in a 10 t FRP tank with photoperiod control facility (2000 lux; 14 L: 10 D). In about 2 months, the gonads reached right stage for spawning. The brooders were administered human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) intramuscularly, at a dosage of 350 IU kg body weight^-1. A total of 5 experiments were conducted and successful spawnings were obtained resulting in the production of fertilized eggs. The time taken for spawning ranged from 30-36 h. The total number of eggs spawned ranged from 0.08 to 0.184 million. The fertilization percentage varied from 75 to 95. Freshly spawned eggs measured above 900 μ. The success obtained in all the consecutive five experiments indicated that predictable spawnings of pompano could be achieved by employing the techniques developed.

7 illus, 1 table, 12 ref

006561   Ghosh S;Mohammed G;Polara J P;Bhint H M (NO, Veraval Regional Centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Matsya Bhavan Bhidiya, Veraval-362 269, Email: subhadeep_1977@yahoo.com) : Monsoon fishery of juvenile ginger prawns at little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat in relation to environmental parameters. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(1), 23-7.

Juveniles of ginger prawn, Metapenaeus kutchensis (George, George and Rao, 1963), form monsoon fishery in shallow estuarine waters of the Little Rann of Kutch. The catch data were collected from Tikar, Mandrakhi, Cherowari and Surajbari landing centres during 2004 to 2009. The annual average catch was 2406 t, of which the bulk was contributed by Mandrakhi and Tikar. The catch correlated well with the amount of rainfall (r = 0.97). The length-weight relationships were expressed as: Log W = -2.367 + 3.1204 log TL for males (r = 0.81) and Log W = -2.868 + 3.7098 log TL for females (r = 0.88). All the water quality parameters including ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen and phosphate phosphorus were within safe limits and congenial for growth of ginger prawn juveniles and post-larvae. The water and sediment bacteriology revealed that both proteolytic and lipolytic bacteria were present in considerable quantities for efficient recycling. The chemical and biological parameters of water apart from monsoon rains, appear to contribute to the rapid growth of this species from post-larvae to juveniles.

5 tables, 13 ref

006560   Ghosh S;et al. (NO, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi-682 018, Email: subhadeep_1977@yahoo.com) : Fishery, population dynamics and stock structure of frigate tuna Auxis thazard (Lacepede, 1800) expoited from Indian waters. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(2), 95-100.

Fishery, population characteristics and stock estimates of frigate tuna Auxis thazard (Lacepede, 1800) from Indian waters was studied during 2006 - 2010. The average annual catch was 11,157 t, which contributed to 13.2% of the total tuna catches. The length-weight relationship showed that growth was allometric for the species. Length at first maturity estimated was 29.7 cm and fecundity 8,07,986. The von Bertalanffy growth equation derived was: Lt = 57.95 [I - e^{-1.2(t+0.0075)}]. Growth performance index was 3.605 and the length at first capture 32.83 cm. The natural mortality, fishing mortality and total mortality were 1.65, 3.24 and 4.89 respectively and with an exploitation ratio 0.66. E_max estimated was 0.778, which is higher than the present exploitation, indicating scope for further exploitation. Maximum sustainable yield estimated was 13,100 t and the yield per recruit 332.3 g. Maximum yield and yield/recruit was obtained by doubling the present fishing effort, but at the increased fishing effort, the increase in yield is only 2.93%which indicates that the present level of fishing can be continued.

9 illus, 20 ref

006559   Ganga U;Rajool Shanis C P;Manjebrayakath H; Akhilesh K V (NO, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, P.B. No. 1603, Kochi-682 018, Email: ganga@cmfri.org.in) : Account on the deepsea shrimp Aristaeopsis edwardsiana (Johnson, 1867) from the Indian EEZ. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(1), 29-31.

Aristaeopsis edwardsiana (Johnson, 1867) is a deepsea shrimp of the continental slope that has not yet been reported in the targeted deepsea crustacean fishery along the Indian coast. An exploratory survey on-board FORV Sagar Sampada in the Arabian sea at a depth of 950 m off Trivandrum (lat. 8 ° 28' N and long. 76 °14' E) yielded a catch of A. edwardsiana at a high catch per unit effort (CPUE) of 14 kg h^-1. The biological aspects of this less known deepsea shrimp species such as length frequency distribution, morphometric relations, sex ratio and the additional sexual dimorphism manifested in the antennal scale of males are reported.

3 illus, 12 ref

006558   Dineshbabu A P;Thomas S;Radhakrishnan E V; Dinesh A C (NO, Mangalore Research Centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institu, Mangalore-575 001, Email: dineshbabuap@yahoo.co.in) : Preliminary experiments on application of participatory GIS in trawl fisheries of Karnataka and its prospects in marine fisheries resource conservation and management. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(1), 15-22.

Geographic information system (GIS) has become a part of day today life in empowering institutions to formulate acceptable solutions in societal issues. More recently, public participatory GIS (PPGIS) and participatory GIS (PGIS) are viewed as more efficient tools in solving social and resource conservation issues, which empower communities those who are often ignored in traditional GIS practices. In fisheries, PGIS concept was first reported from Canada and on these lines pioneering efforts of involving concept of PGIS in fisheries is being attempted in Karnataka, where the geospatial data on fishing, catch and samples of fish caught by commercial fishing vessels were shared with the research organization and the data and samples thus shared were processed by fishery and GIS experts to come out with various tools for fishery management and resource conservation of the region. The study showed that the trawlers from Mangalore carried out trawling operations from sea off Calicut in the south (75 °E, 11 °N) to off Ratnagiri in the north (73.5 °E, 17 °N). Their depth of operation was between 5 m and 167 m, which signify the importance of revalidation of state-wise policies in introduction of mechanized vessels based on the landing in the respective states. The study showed that during the period, 237 species/groups of marine fauna were discarded of which many were juveniles of commercial species and rest were of adult size fishes of low or no market value. Spatio-temportal distribution and abundance of commercially lesser known species, which was not reported earlier from the coast and which have high trophic importance like small crabs, Charybdis hoplites and shrimp species like Metapenaeus andamanemis were brought out as the results of the study. Study also provided information on a unique ecosystem off Karnataka coast and with reef species and there is an immediate need for conserving this ecosystem. Based on the results of distribution and abundance of marine resources, spatial and seasonal restrictions on fishing efforts can be advocated in areas and seasons during which high incidence of bycatch of juveniles and non-commercial biota is being caught. This will help in sustaining marine fisheries from Malabar and Konkan coasts.

8 illus, 2 tables, 13 ref

006557   Cao X J;Zeng C;Luo W;Gul Y;Cui L;Wang W M (NO, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural Univ, No.1 Shizishan Street, Hongshan District, Wuhan, Hubei-430 070, Email: wangwm5911@gmail.com) : Hemolymph profiles of pond-reared and lake pen-cultured adult chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis H. Milne Edwards, 1853. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(1), 95-101.

Levels of seven hemolymph parameters (considered as indicators of physiological and immune status of organisms) in pond-reared (PR) and lake pen-cultured (PC) adult Chinese mitten crabs sampled from three experimental sites viz., a pond at Huangjin Lake area, a net-pen in the Huangjin Lake and a pond at Lu Lake area were analysed. Two sites in the Huangjin Lake area where the pond meets the lake, possessed good water quality whereas at Lu Lake area where the pond was not connected to the Lu Lake, the water quality was relatively poor. Hemocyanin content and total hemocytes count in PR crabs from Lu Lake area were significantly lower than those of PR and PC crabs from Huangjin Lake area, indicating PR crabs from Lu Lake area had relatively poor physiological and immune status. There were no significant differences in hemolymph profiles between PR and PC crabs from Huangjin Lake area. These results indicate that water quality had a significant effect on the physiological and immune status of cultured Chinese mitten crabs. The resuls indicate that pond-rearing is better for culture of Chinese mitten crabs, especially in ponds which are connected to natural water resources.

1 illus, 4 tables, 37 ref

006556   Barat A T;Ali S;Sati J;Sivaraman G K (Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Bhimtal-263 136, Email: abarat58@hotmail.com) : Phylogenetic analysis of fishes of the subfamily Schizothoracinae (Teleostei:Cyprinidae) from Indian Himalayas using cytochrome b gene. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(1), 43-7.

Molecular phylogeny of two genera containing five species fish of the subfamily Schizothoracinae distributed in the north and north-east Himalayas was investigated based on the partial 307 bp cytochrome b gene sequences. The sequence analysis data showed that 48 sites out of 307 (16%) were variable without any insertion or deletion. Rate of transition (4.8%) was higher than transversion (0.65%). A total of 12 haplotypes (h) were identified. No haplotype was shared by the five species. The nucleotide diversity (π) ranged from 0.00561 to 0.06073 with least between Schizothorax richardsonii and Schizothorax progastus. The phylogenetic tree, constructed by neighbour-joining, minimum evolution and maximum parsimony methods revealed similar results suggesting that S. richardsonii and S. progastus were more closely related to each other than the other species in the subfamily, which was also confirmed by the genetic distance data. The results indicate that cytochrome b gene is useful in analysing genetic variation as well as in unravelling phylogenetic relationship in the subfamily Schizothoracinae.

2 tables, 32 ref

006555   Augustine P A S;Jose T M;Anna Mercy T V;Jacob E;Nair J R (Department of Fishery Biology, College of Fisheries, Panangad, Kochi-682 506, Email: seenaaugustine49@yahoo.com) : Reproductive biology of the endemic oranamental barb, Puntius pookodensis Anna Mercy and Eapen Jacob 2007, from the western ghats of India. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(2), 49-55.

Puntius pookodensis is endemic to the Pookode Lake, Wayanad, northern Kerala,, which is a part of Western Ghats of India, a biodiversity hot spot. One hundred and twelve specimens collected from the Pookode Lake during 2007 were used to study the reproductive biology of the species. Six maturity stages could be identified in the females, based on external morphology and ova diameter distribution, examinded microscopically. Size at first maturity was 32.5 mm TL (30-35 mm) in male and 38.5 mm TL (35-40 mm) in female. Ovary showed asynchronous development. Oogenesis was studied using the standard histological procedures. The oocyte development was classified into nine different oogenic stages. P. pookodensis was found to be a multiple spawner with protracted spawning. Absolute fecundity ranged from 426-823 in fishes of size range 35-57 mm TL and 0.555 - 2.267 g body weight. The number and size of eggs were found to be directly proportional to the size and age of the fish, with fecundity showing positive linear relationship with the length and weight of the fish as well as ovary weight.

10 illus, 4 tables, 19 ref

006554   Anna Mercy T V;Malika V;Sajan S (NO, Faculty of Fisheries, College of Fisheries Kerala Fisheries and Ocean, Panangad, Ernakulam, Kerala-682 506, Email: annamercy2002@yahoo.co.in) : Use of tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222) to induce anaesthesia in Puntius denisonii (day, 1865) (teleostei:cypriniformes:cyprinidae), a threatened barb of the western ghats, India. J Threatened Taxa 2013, 5(9), 4414-19.

Anaesthesia is essential to minimizestress and physical damage during handling of fish in captivity. In the present study, induction time in Puntius denisonii (Day, 1865), an endangered aquarium fish exposed to four concentrations of MS-222 (50 mg L^-1, 100 mg L^-1, 150 mg L^-1 and 200 mg L^-1) was determined. MS-222 appears to be highly effective as an anaesthetic with no side effects to both fish as well as humans. An induction time of less than or equal to three minutes, and a complete recovery in five minutes was used a basis to record the anaesthesia stages for different doses. The onsets of individual phases of anaesthesia and recovery stages were also studied. Concentration of 150mg L^-1 (induction 165±10 seconds and recovery time 112±10 seconds) was determined as the lowest concentration that induces anaesthesia in P. denisonii in less than three minutes. Induction and recovery times were dose-dependent. An inversely proportional relationship was observed between concentrations of anaesthetic and induction time. This is the first study to investigate the efficacy of different concentrations of MS-222 in Puntius denisonii and will be helpful to develop standardised techniques for transportation, captive breeding and other ex-situ conservation plans for this endangered and endemic barb.

1 illus, 3 tables, 41 ref

006553   Anil M K;Santhosh B;Prasad B O;George R M (NO, Vizhinjam Research Centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institu, Vizhinjam, Thiruvananthapuram-695 521, Email: mkanil65@gmail.com) : Broodstock development and breeding of black-finned anemone fish Amphiprion nigripes Regan, 1908 under captive conditions. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(1), 77-82.

Due to recent advances in saltwater fish-keeping, there is great demand for marine ornamental fishes, especially for those from the tropical coral reef habitats. Exploitation of wild stock has depleted their availability, thus making it difficult to meet the market demand. This paper describes the development of brood stock and a viable technology for commercial production of black-finned anemone fish Amphiprion nigripes. Fecundity of this species ranged from 350-450 per spawning and continuous spawning could be achieved at 12 to 16 days interval. The incubation period was 6 to 7 days. Larvae were successfully fed with rotifer Brachionus plicatilis, Artemia nauplii and particulate feed at appropriate stages of development survival rate of 72% and marketable size of 25 mm or more was achieved in less than four months time.

6 illus, 1 table, 9 ref

006552   Afsar S;Mali R P (P.G. Zoology Dep, Yeshwant Mahavidyalaya, Nanded-431 602, Email: safsar3@rediffmail.com) : Protein content of selected freshwater fishes from Godavari river, Nanded, Maharashtra. J Ecotoxic envir Monit 2011, 21(1-2), 121-4.

The investigation has been done on the amount of protein content in different tissues of selected freshwater fishes which have shown different nutritive values of proteins. In muscle the amount of protein content is larger than that of gill. The highest amount of protein is present in the muscle of L. rohita (27.7 mg/g wet.wt of tissue) compared to that of C. mrigala (26.3 mg/g wet.wt of tissue) and C. catla (24.6 mg/g wet.wt of tissue), while, in the gill of L. rohita and C mrigala, the amount of protein content was 14.2 mg/g wet.wt of tissue and less in C. catla (10.5 mg/ g wet.wt of tissue), respectively.

1 table, 12 ref

006551   Abraham J;Manisseri M K;Sanil N K (NO, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi-682 018, Email: joiceabraham@gmail.com) : Internal anatomy of the terminal ampoule of Metapenaeus monoceros (Fabricius, 1798) and its role in spermatophore formation. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(2), 109-13.

Internal anatomy of terminal ampoule of Metapenaeus monoceros and the role played by this organ in spermatophore formation were elucidated employing histological and ultrastructural techniques. Terminal ampoule of mature male specimens consisted of an outer layer of connective tissue surrounding a layer of circular and longitudinal muscle fibres. The lumen of terminal ampoule was divided into four chambers lined by basophilic glandular epithelial cells, which showed intense secretary activity. One of the chambers had sperm mass surrounded by primary and secondary spermatophore layers. Formation of an eosinophilic matrix and adhesive globules resulting from secretions by glandular epithelial cells were observed in other chambers. Ultrastructural studies revealed that the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells had numerous free ribosomes, concentric arrangement of rough endoplasmic reticulum with vesicles often discharged into the lumen, and numerous electron dense bodies, all confirming the intense secretary activity taking place in the ampoule.

6 illus, 19 ref

006550   Abraham J;Manisseri M K (NO, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi-682 018, Email: Joiceabraham@gmail.com ) : Histological and morphological changes associated with ovarian development of speckeled shrimp Metapenaeus monoceros (Fabricius, 1798). Indian J Fish 2012, 59(1), 119-24.

Histological techniques and gonadosomatic index (GSI) were applied to validate macroscopic classification of ovaries in Metapenaeus monoceros. The five ovarian maturity stages based on gross morphology were correlated with those based on histomorphology viz., pre-vitellogenic, early vitellogenic, late vitellogenic, vitellogenic and spent. Mean values of GSI increased from 0.353 (immature ovary) to 6.98 (fully mature), thus recording a 20-fold increase. Pre-vitellogenic ovary contained primary oogonial cells, secondary oogonial cells and pre-vitellogenic oocytes. Early vitellogenic stage was characterized by the dominance of perinucleolar oocytes. Folliculogenesis commenced during this stage. Late vitellogenic and vitellogenic ovaries were characterized by rough granular cytoplasm which was fully eosinophilic due to accumulation of yolk and the mean ova diameters during these stages were 170 μm and 230 μm respectively. Cortical rods, which are characteristic features of fully mature oocytes of penaeid shrimp were not encountered during the present study in any of the oocyte development stage.

8 illus, 1 table, 25 ref

006549   Abdussamad E M;et. al. (NO, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi-682 018, Email: emasamad@rediffmail.com) : Fishery, biology and population characteristics of Longtail tuna, Thunnus tonggol (Bleeker, 1851) caught along the Indian coast. Indian J Fish 2012, 59(2), 7-16.

Fishery, biology and population characteristics of the longtail tuna, Thunnus tonggol were studied during 2006-10. There is no targeted exploitation of the species along the Indian coast. T. tonggol was mainly landed as by-catch in gillnets (63.2%), hooks and lines (20.3%), ringseines/purseseines (14.9%) and trawls (1.6%). Annual landings during the period varied between 6,073 and 9,140 t with an average of 7,332 t. About 81.5% of the total catch was realized from north-west coast alone. Fishery was supported by fishes of 23 - 111 cm length range with a mean length of 60.5 cm in gillnets. Size at capture was estimated as 51.3 cm and the optimum length for exploitation (L_opt) was 55.3 cm fork length (FL). The length-weight relationship (W = 0.0147 L^3.01) indicated isometric growth pattern for the species. The species is non-selective in feeding and feed on pelagic finfishes, crabs and cephalopods. Their size at maturity (L_m) is 51.1 cm and spawns round the year with major peak during October-November. Relative fecundity was 1,32,840 kg body weight^-1. Recruitment was almost round the year with peaks during May-June and August-September accounting 53.2% of the total recruitment. Mean size in the catch was larger than optimum size for exploitation; whereas size at capture is much lower, which necessitates caution to increase size at first capture. It can be achieved by increasing the minimum mesh size to 15 cm or more from the present 10/12 cm. Growth parameters of the species were: L_∝ = 123.5 cm(F_L), K = 0.51 year^-1 and t_o= -0.0319 years. Natural mortality (M) was 0.77 y^-1, total mortality (Z) 3.72 y^-1 and fishing mortality (F) 2.94 y^-1. Spawning stock biomass formed 65.4% of the standing stock. Study indicates scope for improving production of the species.

11 illus, 5 tables, 41 ref