UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
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Seven Pelagic-neritic Fish Species from the Leiognathidae Family at the Sundarban Delta Estuarine Mouth of the Bay of Bengal in West Bengal, India: Condition Factor, Length-weight Correlations and Morphometric Features
No full textAims: First-hand data regarding the length-weight relationship (LWR) and condition factor of seven pony and slipmouth fishes (family: Leiognathidae) from the Sundarbans delta estuarine mouth of the Bay of Bengal in West Bengal, India, with special focus on morphometric relationship, is presented in this study.
Study Design: Established the Length-Weight relationship through Log W = Log a + b Log L and condition factor (K) through K=100*W/L3. Morphometric characters percentage with total length (% of TL) of seven commercially important pelagic pony and slipmouth fishes from the Estuarine mouth of the Bay of Bengal, West Bengal.
Place and Duration of Study: Between January 2024 and July 2025, fish samples were collected at 10- to 20-day intervals from various brackish water islands and fish landing centres in South 24 Parganas and the Sundarbans estuarine islands, West Bengal.
Methodology: The relationship between a fish\u27s body length and its total weight is often described using a length-weight relationship (LWR) equation, typically expressed as W = aLb, where W is weight, L is length, and \u27a\u27 and \u27b\u27 are constants specific to a species. This relationship helps in understanding fish growth, condition, and biomass estimation. The specimens were collected from several fish landing centers using scoop nets (1× 1 mm to 6 × 6 mm), gillnets (4.0–40 mm), and cast-nets (5 × 5 mm to 10 × 10 mm up to 4.5 m2 areas).
Results: Based on our research, the family Leiognathidae exhibited negative allometric development (b < 3), meaning that their length increases more rapidly than their weight. The correlation coefficient (R2) value is between 0.8523 to 0.9582, and the condition factor (K) has respective values between 0.979 to 1.78.
Conclusion: From this Fishery research, stock assessment, conservation, and the assessment of the fish condition of the Sundarbans estuarine islands, West Bengal, India
Vermitechnology: Stewardship towards Sustainable Community Development
No full textDeveloping sustainable cities and communities is the 11th sustainable development goal of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Its aim is to make self-resilient, self-reliable, eco-friendly cities in the world. People have been moving from villages to cities as a result of India\u27s rapid industrialization and population growth, placing an excessive burden on urban public services like municipal solid waste management, sewage waste management, and providing chemical-free organic food due to inadequate resources and the shortcomings of the current systems. In the 21st century, earthworms are considered to play the most important role in terms of biodegradation of sewage wastewater, urban organic municipal waste, agro-industrial waste, and agricultural waste. In view of this, the present study aims to identify sustainable approaches, i.e., vermitechnology, in order to establish sustainable cities and communities that utilize earthworms under several categories like vermicomposting (to manage organic waste), vermifiltration (treatment of industrial and municipal wastewater), vermin-remediation (to recover contaminated soil), vermin-agroproduction (to produce chemical-free organic food), and vermin-industrial production (producing useful raw materials from earthworms) that could provide an eco-friendly and healthy environment to the people. However, there are certain factors that pose a serious threat to earthworm populations, like agricultural practices, climate change, contamination of soil, loss of habitat, and introduction of exotic species of earthworms into the Indian ecosystem. Hence, the Government of India could find suitable solutions to address these issues in order to develop sustainable communities. 
Evaluation of Selective Insecticide Cypermethrin (10% EC) against Notonecta spp. and its Impact on Percent Survival Rate of Indian Major Carps
No full textThe synthetic pyrethroid cypermethrin (10 EC) was used to evaluate the toxicity and its effect on the control of predatory Notonecta insects in experimentation tanks. After the acclimatization of insects and fishes for fifteen days, healthy insects and fishes were selected and distributed into 27 experimentation tanks having 80 litre water capacity. The experiment was divided into nine different groups, control and treatments from T1 to T8. The eight different concentrations of cypermethrin 0.4, 14, 2.4, 3.4, 4.4, 5.4, 6.4, 7.4 µl/l used for control of aquatic insects were further tested on fish seed using static bioassay. The experiment was repeated in triplicates in experimentation tanks. In observation arena, a fix number of Notonecta were released in experimentation tanks carrying IMC seed. The optimum dose of Cypermethrin for the control of aquatic insects viz. Notonecta has been selected on the basis of 100 percent insect mortality and bioassay studies. The cypermethrin concentrations of 7.4 µl/l resulted 0% survivability of Notonecta spp. The LC50 values for Notonecta at different time intervals were recorded between 2.66 and 1.53. The carp seed displayed a varying degree of survivability at different concentrations of cypermethrin
Evaluating the Insecticidal Potential of Essential Oils against Rice Weevil (Sitophilus oryzae L.)
No full textThis study aimed to evaluate the adulticidal potential of five essential oils, garlic (Allium sativum), black pepper (Piper nigrum), lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), galangal (Alpinia galanga), and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) against the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), a major pest of stored grains worldwide. Laboratory bioassays were conducted from 4 August to 27 February under controlled conditions in West Bengal, representing the first comparative assessment of these oils against S. oryzae in this region. Each oil was tested at six concentrations (50, 100, 200, 500, 750, and 1000 ppm) on 20 adult weevils per replication, with three replications per treatment. Mortality was recorded over a 20-day period. Results demonstrated a clear dose-dependent and time-progressive mortality pattern. Garlic and black pepper were the most effective, achieving complete mortality by Day 10 at all tested concentrations, while galangal and lemongrass acted more slowly but showed steadily increasing mortality over time. Eucalyptus was the least effective, causing only 40–60% mortality even at higher doses. One-way ANOVA indicated significant differences among treatments, and probit analysis revealed low LC₅₀ values for garlic and black pepper, confirming their high potency. Grain weight loss analysis further demonstrated that treatments with more toxic oils reduced post-infestation damage. These findings suggest that essential oils, particularly garlic and black pepper, could be effectively integrated into sustainable pest management strategies, reducing reliance on chemical insecticides and protecting stored grains in West Bengal and similar agroecological regions. This study provides the first evidence of the comparative efficacy of these oils against S. oryzae in the region, highlighting their potential impact on local post-harvest pest management practices
Impact of Foraging Patterns and Habitat Utilisation upon Water Bird Diversity in Gaya District, Bihar, India
No full textThe wetlands of Gaya represent diverse aquatic ecosystems ranging from perennial water bodies to seasonal marshes, offering a variety of microhabitats that support numerous waterbird species. Understanding habitat utilisation patterns is crucial not only for ecological knowledge but also for identifying critical habitats that require protection in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressures. The current research offers detailed information on the habitat classification, site preferences, behavioural adaptations, nesting requirements, and the influence of environmental factors on habitat selection among waterbird communities in the study area using resource selection model and Manly\u27s resource selection ratios
An Assessment of the Fish Assemblage in Dolphin-inhabited Areas of Assam
No full textSeveral causes have been identified for the steady decline of the Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica). The Gangetic dolphin is an exclusively piscivorous mammal, and it is well-known that the dolphin prefers the particular riverine habitats where fish assemblage is high, such as stretches where fish congregate. The paper aims to conduct an assessment of the fish assemblage in dolphin-inhabited areas of Assam. As fish are the primary food source of dolphins, an in-depth study was conducted to assess the fish diversity and abundance in selected dolphin-inhabited areas of Assam. Three sampling sites in the Brahmaputra system and five past dolphin-sighting areas were selected for the present study. Water samples were collected from all the sampling sites every month for a consecutive 2 years from December 2021 to November 2023. Ichthyospecies were collected seasonally and identified. Condition factor (K) is used to compare the condition or the well-being of the fish and is based on the hypothesis that fish with a heavier weight for a given length exhibit a better physiological condition. An attempt is made to provide detailed insights into the hydrobiological characteristics, including the major physicochemical parameters, of the Brahmaputra and Barak Rivers in Assam. The various issues about river management and fisheries ecology have been addressed. The K factor was found to be>1.0 in most of the species throughout the year. Among the studied species, Mystus cavasius was in poor condition, and Macrognathus aral, with a K value of 1.807, depicts the excellent condition of the species. Fishing intensity was lowest (0.67±0.20kg) in the monsoon with the cast net, a common fishing net used in the Dibru River and adjoining Maguri Beel. Again, with the cast nets, the catch per unit effort (cpue) was maximum in the post-monsoon season (0.93±0.33 kg), followed by the winter months (0.82±0.45 kg) and the pre-monsoon season (0.61±0.15 kg). The negative impacts of human activities, such as the regulation of water flow, overfishing, and siltation on aquatic habitats and their biota have been pointed out. It also highlights issues such as habitat alteration and calls for urgent conservation efforts to save the aquatic habitats and their associated biota. Therefore, fish conservation strategies must be implemented in conjunction with the strict enforcement of existing fishery laws, particularly in the upstream areas of the Barak River during the fishing ban period, and with the involvement of all stakeholders to maintain habitat quality and the prey base for the Gangetic dolphins
A Modified Elevated Circular Maze Model for Rapid Detection of Anxiolytic Effects of Rhynchosia minima Extract in Rodents
No full textBackground: Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent neuropsychiatric conditions, and the development of effective anxiolytic agents relies heavily on reliable preclinical screening models. Conventional models such as the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) and Light–Dark Box possess limitations related to habituation and restricted exploratory dynamics. To overcome these constraints, a Modified Elevated Circular Maze (MECM) was developed to provide continuous exploratory freedom while retaining anxiety-inducing open vs. closed zone contrast.
Methodology: Swiss albino mice were divided into four groups (n = 6 per group): Control (0.9% saline), Standard (Diazepam 1 mg/kg), Test I (Rhynchosia minima extract 100 mg/kg), and Test II (Rhynchosia minima extract 200 mg/kg). Each animal was placed individually on the MECM apparatus consisting of two open and two closed sectors at an elevated height. The time spent in open areas (in seconds) was recorded at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 hours post-administration. Increased open zone exploration was interpreted as anxiolytic behavior.
Results: Diazepam-treated mice exhibited a 3- to 5-fold increase in open area retention compared to control across all time points, confirming model validity. Rhynchosia minima demonstrated dose-dependent anxiolytic activity, with the 200 mg/kg group showing comparable efficacy to Diazepam at 2, 6, and 8 hours (82.75 s, 95.0 s, 93.0 s, respectively). The 100 mg/kg dose showed moderate anxiolytic activity but remained inferior to the standard. Control animals consistently avoided open areas, confirming inherent anxiety in the elevated setting.
Conclusion: The Modified Elevated Circular Maze successfully differentiated anxiolytic effects in both standard and herbal drug-treated groups, proving its suitability as a rapid and sensitive screening model. Rhynchosia minima extract, particularly at 200 mg/kg, exhibited promising natural anxiolytic potential comparable to Diazepam. Further studies involving neurochemical correlation and chronic exposure models are warranted
Molecular Detection of Salmonella Infection Targeting invA gene in Diarrheic Dogs
No full textThe experiment was conducted from July to December 2024 at the Veterinary Clinical Complex (VCC), PGIVER, Jaipur, to study the occurrence and molecular detection of Salmonella spp. in clinically suspected dogs using PCR-based diagnostics. Salmonellosis remains a significant public health concern and one of the most common zoonotic diseases globally, affecting both animals and humans. A total of 200 faecal swab samples were collected from diarrheic dogs that were presented for treatment at the veterinary clinical complex, PGIVER, Jaipur, between July and December 2024. Genomic DNA was extracted and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the invA gene, a highly conserved and specific marker for Salmonella detection. PCR conditions were optimised using positive and negative controls. Of the 200 samples, 16(8%) yielded the expected 796 bp amplicon, confirming the presence of Salmonella. The findings highlight the utility of PCR as a rapid, sensitive and specific tool for the diagnosis of Salmonella spp. in dogs, particularly in clinical cases where conventional culture techniques may be time-consuming. Early and accurate identification of the pathogen can guide timely therapeutic interventions, reduce the risk of transmission to humans and assist in formulating preventive strategies. Furthermore, the 8% positivity rate observed suggests a notable occurrence of Salmonella in diarrheic dogs, underlining the importance of routine screening in veterinary clinical practice. This study also contributes valuable epidemiological data from the Jaipur region and reinforces the role of molecular diagnostics in veterinary medicine
Multi-Depth Soil–microbe Interactions Influencing Productivity of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) under Conservation Agriculture and Organic Nutrient Management Systems
No full textThe accelerated degradation of agroecosystems driven by intensive tillage and synthetic inputs threatens soil functionality, ecosystem stability, and long-term food security. This two-year field experiment, titled “Decoding Multi-Depth Soil Physicochemical and Microbial Interactions Governing Productivity and Economic Viability in Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) under Conservation Agriculture and Organic Nutrient Management Systems,” evaluated twelve treatment combinations integrating reduced tillage, residue retention, and organic amendments under a randomized block design. Among all, No-till + Egg Amino Acid (1 L ha⁻¹) + Poultry Manure (4 t ha⁻¹) (T₇) emerged superior, recording the highest available nitrogen (242.03 kg ha⁻¹), phosphorus (22.67 kg ha⁻¹), and potassium (470.28 kg ha⁻¹), alongside a 23–28% increase in soil organic carbon and notable reductions in bulk density and electrical conductivity. The same treatment exhibited the maximum bacterial (40.32 × 10⁶ CFU g⁻¹) and fungal (12.00 × 10⁴ CFU g⁻¹) populations, indicating enhanced microbial activity and nutrient mineralization. Economically, T₇ achieved the highest gross return (₹1,22,164.9 ha⁻¹), net return (₹76,654.9 ha⁻¹), and benefit–cost ratio (2.68), outperforming the control by up to 60%. The synergistic influence of conservation tillage and organic inputs strengthened soil biological functions, improved resource-use efficiency, and enhanced mustard productivity, establishing a sustainable pathway toward low-input, carbon-positive, and biologically enriched agroecosystems
Lepidopteran Pests Associated with Safflower: Survey and Taxonomic Redescription
No full textLepidoptera are the most important pest species of safflower and act as either defoliators or capsule borers. In the current paper, lepidopteran pests associated with safflower in North Karnataka are reviewed through roving survey. Totally, five species were collected and reared on the same host. Among these pests, Condica capensis (Guenée) was found to be predominant, followed by Heliothis peltigera (Denis & Schiffermüller). Further, the morphological characteristics of adults of all the five species are redescribed along with images and key