UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
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Cellulase Production from Bacillus subtilis CAS PG2 Using Lignocellulosic Wastes: A Statistical Approach
The cellulase producing bacterium Bacillus subtilis CAS PG2 was isolated from fish gut of estuarine common carp (Manakkudi Estuary, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India) and identified through 16S rRNA gene sequences. Optimization of medium components and culture conditions for cellulase production were optimized by response surface methodology using cheap raw material such as Paper Industry Waste (PIW), Tamarind Kernel Powder (TKP), Palm Jaggery (PJ) and Rice Bran (RB). Plackett-Burman tool was used to determine the ideal medium ingredients and culture conditions for increased cellulase production. Utilizing central composite design, the optimal medium components for achieving maximum cellulase production (1124.29 U/mL) were determined as follows: rice bran (7.50 g/L), peptone (5.00 g/L), KH2PO4(0.75 g/L), and NaCl (7.50 g/L). Thus, the cellulase from fish gut-associated Bacillus subtilis CAS PG2 that uses lignocellulosic biomass could be quite valuable in developing industrial value added products
Protective Effect of Portulaca oleracea L. in Cisplatin Induced Oxidative Stress in Chick Embryos: A Study with Reference to Teratogenic Deformities
Cisplatin is a planar platinum complex consisting of two chloride leaving groups in the cis-position around platinum and is one of the most effective anticancer drugs administered to treat a variety of cancers, such as ovarian, testicular, bladder, head and neck, and uterine cervix carcinomas. Cisplatin is an active cytotoxic agent that has proved to be a successful antineoplastic agent in the treatment of various types of solid tumours. This study was conducted to study the effect of cisplatin on morphological and biochemical changes in amniotic fluid and to determine whether Portulaca oleracea L. extract can modulate these alterations at the embryonic level against cisplatin toxicity by using chick embryo as an animal model. All the results were expressed as mean ± standard error (SE) for five groups in each group, and the difference between groups was considered significant when the P value determined by unpaired Student’s t-test and less than 0.05 and 0.01 have been as indicated significant represented in astric mark in tables and figures. The morphological changes, including change in volume of amniotic fluid, body weight and alterations of amniotic fluid (AF) biochemical parameters, were studied after 24 hours of incubation by comparing cisplatin (100 µg) treated groups with their respective controls. It showed a significant dose versus time dependent reduction in volume of amniotic fluid as well as body weight of chick embryos. A dose-related increase in embryo lethality, and gross morphological deformities were observed. There was a significant change in the biochemical levels of glucose, protein, urea, creatinine, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase, alanine and aspartate transaminases with cisplatin treatment. Portulaca oleracea L. extract is also reported as an excellent source of the antioxidant vitamins such as a -tocopherol, ascorbic acid and β-carotene, as well as glutathione. It reveals to test this extract as an embryo protective agent against cisplatin-induced toxicity. In our findings, the main reason for growth retardation may be due to altered properties of the yolk sac, or extra-embryonic vascular network may reduce nutrient transfer to the embryo. Thus, the changes in the gross morphological deformities and biochemical parameters in AF with cisplatin treatment were ameliorated by pretreatment of Portulaca oleracea L. extract (1mg and 3mg) by acting as a potent protective agent at the embryonic level
Effect of Different Host Plant on Biological Parameters and Developmental Dynamics of Spodoptera frugiperda under Laboratory Conditions
A comparative study was conducted to assess the biological parameters and developmental progression of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, when reared on maize, pearl millet, and sorghum leaves under standard laboratory conditions. The incubation period was observed to be shortest for maize (49.67 hours) and longest for sorghum (57.00 hours). Hatching percentage ranged from 74.27 % in pearl millet to 80.49 % in sorghum. Larval periods were maximized on pearl millet (17.67 days) and minimized on sorghum (15.67 days). Growth analysis through successive larval instars revealed that sixth instar larvae attained maximum lengths on maize (29.00 mm) and minimum on sorghum (21.67 mm). Head capsule width also showed considerable increments between instars across host plants. Dyar’s rule applied to average larval length and head capsule width generated consistent growth ratios, with averages from 1.46 to 1.60 for head capsule width and 1.48 to 1.49 for larval length, confirming the regular progression of instar development. Pupation traits and adult morphometrics, such as body length and wing span, varied with host plant, underlining the biological influence of food source. The findings provide clear evidence of host plant effects on major developmental and biometric parameters of S. frugiperda, and validate Dyar’s rule as a robust tool for monitoring larval instar transitions. This research enhances understanding necessary for pest management strategies and facilitates developmental biology studies
Prevalence and Epidemiological Profiling of White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) in Penaeus monodon (Fabricius, 1798) from the Parangipettai Coastal Water
White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) continues to pose a serious threat to shrimp fisheries and aquaculture, yet long-term, seasonally resolved baseline data on its prevalence in wild shrimp populations remain limited, particularly in tropical coastal ecosystems where wild stocks serve as natural reservoirs for disease transmission. To address this fundamental gap, the present study assessed the seasonal prevalence and pathological features of WSSV infection in wild Penaeus monodon collected from nearshore and estuarine environments of the Parangipettai coastal waters during 2023–2025. Shrimp were sampled seasonally and screened for WSSV using a combination of wet-mount examination, histopathology, and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the WSV285 gene region. A total of 4,605 shrimp specimens were analyzed, of which 948 tested positive, yielding an overall WSSV prevalence of 20.6%. Clear seasonal variation in infection levels was observed, with the highest prevalence recorded during the post-monsoon season (25.7% and 25.4%), followed by summer (21.3% and 21.1%), moderate prevalence during the monsoon (18.4% and 19.5%), and the lowest infection rates during the pre-monsoon period (15.6% and 16.3%). Histopathological and wet-mount examinations revealed characteristic WSSV-associated lesions, including hypertrophied nuclei and prominent intranuclear inclusion bodies, confirming active viral infection. These findings identify the post-monsoon period as the most critical high-risk season for WSSV occurrence in the Parangipettai region and provide essential baseline information to support regional shrimp disease surveillance, risk assessment, and the development of seasonally informed management strategies for sustainable coastal aquaculture
A Short Comparative Review of the Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Catharanthus roseus for Antibacterial Activity
The objective of this review give an overview of silver nanoparticles synthesized from Catharanthus roseus, Antibacterial activity from 2013 to 2023. The decade data of the research papers provides a compilation of the significance and activity of silver ions that has been synthesized from C. roseus. This plant, which is widely accessible, has antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antibiotic, and cancer-prevention qualities. By using an aqueous leaf extract from Vinca rosea to reduce the silver ions in a silver nitrate solution, silver nanoparticles were synthesized. Spectroscopic tests demonstrated that these plant extracts function as a reducing agent to efficiently create silver nanoparticles, and the antibacterial efficacy was validated by the use of several antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogenic species. Further, mechanistic insights into the antibacterial activity were highlighted. The activity may be related to the various ways that NPs and surface-functionalized phytoconstituents function
Molecular Validation of Catla catla and Labeo rohita among Morphologically Identified Fish Species in Narmada River of Madhya Pradesh, India
Freshwater ecosystems are crucial for biodiversity, ecological balance, and livelihoods through aquaculture and fisheries. Precise identification of fish species is essential for understanding biodiversity, assessing ecosystem health and guiding conservation strategies. The Narmada River, a biodiversity-rich ecosystem in India, hosts ecologically and economically significant fish species. Morphological identification, though widely used, is often limited by phenotypic and environmental variations, leading to misidentifications. To address this, the study integrates molecular and traditional taxonomic techniques to validate species identification. A total of 20 fish specimens were collected from seven locations along the river. Morphological analysis identified several species, with Catla catla and Labeo rohita selected for molecular validation. DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene confirmed their molecular identity, reinforcing the accuracy of morphological classification. This study emphasizes the value of DNA barcoding in uncovering cryptic biodiversity and enriching molecular databases. The findings offer critical insights into genetic diversity, species distribution, and conservation efforts, highlighting the ecological and economic importance of key species such as Catla catla and Labeo rohita. Moreover, the study provides a replicable framework for biodiversity assessments and sustainable aquaculture practices
Pathological and Immunophenotypic Assessment of Canine Splenic Lymphoma in Biopsy and Necropsy Cases
Aim: This study aimed to characterize canine splenic lymphoma through a comprehensive evaluation of gross, cytological, histopathological, and immunophenotypic features in both biopsy and necropsy specimens, and to distinguish primary splenic lymphomas from splenic involvement in multicentric disease.
Study Design: An observational, descriptive investigation was undertaken on confirmed cases of canine splenic lymphoma submitted for routine diagnostic evaluation.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Department of Veterinary Pathology, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai - 07, for one year (June 2011 to June 2012).
Methodology: Eight canine cases were diagnosed as splenic lymphoma, comprising six multicentric diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL) and two primary splenic B-cell lymphoblastic lymphomas (B-LBL). Specimens were obtained from surgically excised splenic biopsies and post-mortem examinations. Grossly, all spleens exhibited marked splenomegaly, with weights ranging from 120 to 560 g. Patient data revealed a mean age of 8.56 years, with no sex predilection and representation from multiple breeds. Cytological and histopathological classification was performed according to the updated Kiel and World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Immunohistochemical analysis employed a Pan T-cell marker (CD3) and a B-cell marker (CD79a) to determine lineage.
Results: All cases demonstrated a CD3-negative/CD79a-positive immunophenotype, consistent with high-grade B-cell lymphoma. Six cases represented splenic involvement in multicentric lymphoma, whereas two were classified as primary splenic lymphomas. The cytological study of lymphoma revealed homogenous clonal population of lymphoblasts with lymphoglandular bodies with variation in multiple nucleoli and scanty basophilic cytoplasm. Histology showed the white and red pulps were completely substituted by B-LBL neoplastic cells. Cells showed anisokaryosis, prominent nuclei, and chromatin margination. Neoplastic cell showing nuclear indentation with large, single, prominent nucleolus. Histomorphological features corresponded to their cytological classification, and gross lesions were characterized by diffuse enlargement and loss of normal splenic architecture.
Conclusion: The integration of gross pathology, cytology, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry enables accurate subtyping of canine splenic lymphoma, with CD3 and CD79a serving as reliable markers for lineage determination. In this series, high-grade B-cell lymphoma was the predominant subtype, underscoring its clinical relevance and the value of immunophenotyping in routine diagnostic practice
Behavioural Ecology of Terrestrial Mammals under Changing Climate Scenarios: A Review
Global climate systems are undergoing substantial alterations, including increased average surface temperatures, greater variability in precipitation, and more frequent extreme weather events. Climate change presents a profound and accelerating threat to terrestrial mammals, altering the ecological landscapes that shape their behavioural responses. Behavioural ecology of terrestrial mammals under changing climate scenarios. Current knowledge on how mammals adjust their behavioural mechanisms to climatic stressors, focusing on thermoregulatory strategies, foraging shifts, reproductive timing, migration patterns, and social dynamics. Behavioural ecology offers crucial insight into species\u27 resilience, revealing that behaviour often functions as the first and most flexible line of defence against environmental instability. Observed adaptations include increased nocturnality to avoid thermal extremes, altered breeding schedules to align with changing resource availability, and expanded movement to track shifting habitats. While some species exhibit considerable plasticity, others face limits due to physiological constraints or fragmented habitats, highlighting unequal adaptive capacities across taxa. The need for long-term behavioural monitoring, integration of behavioural traits into predictive models, and interdisciplinary research combining ecology, physiology, and climate science may improve the understanding of terrestrial mammal behaviour under climatic changes. Methodological approaches such as GPS tracking, bio-logging, remote sensing, and citizen science have enhanced the ability to capture fine-scale behavioural variation. Conservation implications are significant: behavioural indicators can aid in vulnerability assessment, guide climate-adaptive wildlife management, and inform the design of dynamic protected areas. Despite these advances, major gaps remain, particularly for small-bodied, nocturnal, and tropical species where data are scarce. Future directions include refining models to incorporate behavioural plasticity, identifying resilience thresholds, and enhancing policy engagement through locally grounded behavioural knowledge. As global temperatures rise, leveraging behavioural ecology offers a promising pathway to strengthen biodiversity conservation and enhance ecosystem resilience in an increasingly unpredictable climate context
Molecular Taxonomy of Dichocrocis pyrrhalis (Walker,1859) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae, Spilomelinae) from Kerala, India: First DNA Barcoding Using COXI Gene
The present study reports the first DNA barcode for Dichocrocis pyrrhalis (Walker, 1859), a spilomelinae moth previously known only from morphology. A male specimen (voucher MKP35) collected from Kuruveli, Kannur District, Kerala, India, on 13 July 2023 was sequenced for the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The resulting 658 bp sequence (GenBank ID PV920631) represents the first global molecular record of this species. BLAST analysis revealed a closest match of 92.3% identity to an existing Spilomelinae sequence, underscoring the novelty of the record. Phylogenetic reconstruction placed D. pyrrhalis within Spilomelinae, clustering with Scotogramma gatei with 100% bootstrap support, while showing clear genetic divergence from allied genera such as Glyphodes, Eulepte, and Omiodes. These results confirm species identity, demonstrate its distinct evolutionary lineage, and clarify its placement within a morphologically convergent group. Beyond filling a critical gap in the global barcode reference library, this study underscores the value of integrative taxonomy for biodiversity assessment and monitoring. Importantly, the availability of this barcode provides a baseline for future taxonomic revisions, contributes to conservation of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, and offers practical applications in pest identification and management
Assessment of Bioefficacy of Beauveria bassiana Indigenous Products on Pulse Beetle (Callosobruchus chinenesis) to Minimize Post Harvest Losses
Pulses, notably mung beans, play a pivotal role in Indian agriculture and ensure food security. However, the challenge of post-harvest losses due to storage pests such as the pulse beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis) remains substantial. Conventional synthetic pesticides, while effective, present risks to both human health and the environment. Consequently, there is growing interest in alternative methods such as biological control and botanical extracts. Beauveria bassiana, an entomopathogenic fungus, along with botanical extracts from neem, tobacco, and ginger, show promise in combating these pests. An experiment assessed the effectiveness of botanical insecticides against C. chinensis, a notorious stored grain pest. Prayagraj belongs to sub-tropical climate zone with severe winter and harsh summer along with humid monsoon. Summer lasts from March to September with daily highs reaching up to 48 °C in the dry summer (from March to May) and up to 40 °C in the hot and extremely humid monsoon season (from June to September). The research evaluated different treatments: T1 (Azadirachta indica Leaf Extract 4% + Beauveria bassiana 4%), T2 (Nicotiana tabacum Leaf Extract 4% + Beauveria bassiana 4%), and T3 (Zingiber officinale Extract 4% + Beauveria bassiana 4%). The results demonstrated that T1 exhibited the highest mortality rates across all larval stages of C. chinensis. Specifically, T1 showed 71.07% mortality at 24 hours, 94.51% at 48 hours, and 90.57% at 72 hours for the 1st instar larvae. Similarly, for the 3rd instar larvae, T1 resulted in 70.36% mortality at 24 hours, 75.14% at 48 hours, and 89.24% at 72 hours. The 5th instar larvae also showed significant mortality rates with T1 treatment. Botanical insecticides, particularly those incorporating A. indica, demonstrate significant potential for safeguarding pulses from pest infestation during storage. Plant-based insecticides offer environmentally friendly, biodegradable alternatives that safeguard non-target organisms. To advance the development of novel compounds for sustainable pest management in stored grains, future research should investigate a range of factors, including mammalian toxicity, insecticidal mechanisms, seed viability, and chemical stability. In summary, plant-based insecticides provide a sustainable strategy for grain protection, effectively controlling pest populations while reducing environmental harm