UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
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Effect of Soy Protein and Spirulina as Food Additives on the Growth and Cocoon Productivity of Bombyx mori (L.)
No full textSilkworm nutrition plays a crucial role in determining larval development, survival, and cocoon productivity. This study evaluates the effects of soy protein and Spirulina supplements on the biological and economic traits of Bombyx mori. Fifth instar larvae were fed twice daily with mulberry leaves fortified with soy protein (1%, 2%, 3% 4%) and Spirulina (1%, 2%, 3% 4%). A control group received only mulberry leaves. Parameters measured included larval weight, cocoon weight, pupal weight, shell weight, shell ratio, weight-variable differences. Spirulina supplementation resulted in significantly higher larval and cocoon performance compared to soy protein, with 3% Spirulina showing the best improvements
Integrated Perspectives on Insect–animal Interactions in Agricultural and Natural Ecosystems: A Review
No full textInsect–animal interactions represent a fundamental component of ecological organization, shaping ecosystem structure, functioning, and long-term sustainability across both managed and natural systems. These interactions span a broad continuum of ecological relationships, including mutualism, commensalism, predation, parasitism, and competition, each contributing to essential processes such as energy flow, nutrient cycling, population regulation, and the maintenance of biological diversity. Within agricultural ecosystems, interactions between insects and domesticated or wild animals play decisive roles in determining pollination success, biological control of pests, decomposition of organic residues, regulation of livestock health, and overall system productivity. In natural ecosystems, insect–animal relationships underpin food web complexity, drive habitat modification, enhance ecosystem stability, and influence evolutionary trajectories through co-adaptation and selective pressures. Empirical evidence derived from field surveys, experimental manipulations, molecular approaches, and ecological modelling demonstrates that insects function as key prey organisms, vectors of pathogens, ecosystem engineers, and mutualistic partners, while animals serve as hosts, regulators, dispersal agents, and structural modifiers of insect communities. Anthropogenic forces such as agricultural intensification, chemical inputs, land-use transformation, climate variability, urbanization, and biological invasions have significantly restructured interaction networks, often leading to declines in functional diversity, erosion of ecosystem services, and amplification of disservices including pest proliferation and disease transmission. This synthesis integrates current understanding of the classification, ecological significance, evolutionary dimensions, and management implications of insect–animal interactions across ecosystems, highlighting the need for integrative frameworks that connect agricultural and natural landscapes, address ecosystem service trade-offs, and identify critical methodological and knowledge gaps. Strengthening interaction-based conservation strategies, sustainable management practices, and policy interventions is essential for enhancing ecosystem resilience, food security, and biodiversity conservation under rapidly changing global conditions
Comparative Study of Survival and Growth Performance of Penaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) with Probiotic Supplementation at Higher Salinities
No full textProbiotics are considered as one of the most significant components of shrimp aquaculture due to its several beneficial effects such as disease prevention, water quality maintenance, and growth performance. Present research work was designed to compare the performance of Penaeus vannamei at different hypersaline condition under probiotics supplementation. A 60 days experiment trial was carried out at higher salinities (45, 50, 55 and 60 ppt) with probiotic. All the important water quality parameters such as total ammonia nitrogen, nitrite, total hardness, total alkalinity, pH etc. was found to be in optimum range after few weeks in all treatments and control but the effect was better in control (45 ppt) and T-1 (50 ppt). The growth performance of P. vannamei was found better in control and T-1 compared to the rest of the treatments. FCR was found to be significantly lower in control compared to T-3. A similar trend was observed with survival percentage. Average body weight gain, protein efficiency ratio, feed efficiency ratio and specific growth ratio was found better in control and lowest in T-3 (60 ppt). Hence it can be concluded that 45 and 50 ppt with probiotics is most suitable for culture as compared to other higher salinities
Biological Control Potential of Cheilomenes sulphurea (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) against Aphids on Cashew Trees in Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire
No full textCashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) cultivation, belonging to the family Anacardiacea, represents one of the main economic activities for farmers in the central and northern regions of Côte d’Ivoire. However, despite the numerous advantages associated with cashew production, the crop faces considerable challenges due to the combined effects of several factors, notably aphid infestations. The primary objective of this study is to propose improved mechanisms for controlling aphids on cashew trees through an environmentally friendly biological control approach that also safeguards producers\u27 health. For the biological study, plastic pots with volumes of 300 ml and 10 ml were used as rearing environments for adult and larval lady beetles, respectively. To assess predation, lady beetles were starved for 24 hours before the introduction of aphids. Statistical analyses revealed a significant difference (p = 0.0346) between the two consumption stages of the lady beetles. On the one hand, the study demonstrated that predation by Cheilomenes sulphurea against Aphis gossypii and Toxoptera aurantii aphids was remarkable. Indeed, lady beetles exhibited voracity at all developmental stages, with the highest predation observed in fourth-instar larvae, regardless of aphid species provided. On the other hand, no significant difference was observed in aphid consumption by adult lady beetles according to sex. Furthermore, the study showed that C. sulphurea exhibited virtually no feeding preference between A. gossypii and T. aurantii across all developmental stages
Evaluation of the Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Spinacia oleracea (Spinach) on Alcohol Craving Using the Runway Apparatus in Mice
No full textBackground: Alcohol dependence remains a major public health problem worldwide, and effective therapeutic strategies to reduce alcohol craving are limited. Medicinal plants are increasingly explored as safer alternatives or adjuncts to existing pharmacotherapies. The present study evaluated the anti-alcoholic potential of the ethanolic leaf extract of Spinacia oleracea using a runway self-administration model in mice.
Objective: To assess the effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Spinacia oleracea on ethanol-seeking behavior in mice.
Methods: Alcohol dependence was induced in mice by oral administration of ethanol. Behavioral assessment was performed using the runway apparatus, and ethanol-seeking behavior was quantified by measuring run time to reach the goal box. Animals were divided into control (saline), negative control (ethanol), standard (acamprosate 300 mg/kg, p.o.), and test groups receiving ethanolic extract of Spinacia oleracea at doses of 1 g/kg and 5 g/kg (p.o.). Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni’s post-hoc test.
Results: The ethanolic extract of Spinacia oleracea significantly reduced ethanol-seeking behavior in a dose-dependent manner. The higher dose (5 g/kg) produced effects comparable to acamprosate, as evidenced by increased run time during post-conditioning, extinction, and reinstatement phases.
Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that the ethanolic leaf extract of Spinacia oleracea possesses significant anti-alcoholic activity, supporting its potential role as a natural therapeutic candidate for alcohol dependence. The observed anti-craving effect may be attributed to the presence of bioactive phytochemicals such as flavonoids, saponins, and thylakoids in Spinacia oleracea, which are known to exert antioxidant and neuromodulatory effects and to influence reward-related neurotransmitter pathways involved in alcohol dependence
A Review on Synergistic Impacts of Climate Change and Anthropogenic Stressors on Native Fish Diversity in the Subarnarekha River Ecosystem
No full textThe Subarnarekha River system in eastern India supports diverse freshwater and estuarine habitats that sustain native fish populations and fisheries-dependent livelihoods. Rapid environmental change in this basin is increasingly shaped by interacting drivers rather than isolated stressors. Climate change is intensifying thermal stress, altering hydrological regimes, and increasing the frequency of extreme events, while long-standing anthropogenic pressures—especially mining- and industry-linked metal contamination, urban wastewater inputs, and habitat modification—continue to degrade water and habitat quality. This review synthesises current understanding of how climate-driven changes can interact with local stressors to produce non-linear and sometimes unexpected impacts on native fish species across life stages and trophic levels. A structured literature search was conducted using Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar for publications from January 2000 through December 2025, with additional classic references included where directly relevant to multiple-stressor ecology. Emphasis is placed on mechanistic pathways relevant to the Subarnarekha context, including warming–metal toxicity interactions, flow–pollution coupling, habitat fragmentation effects on migration and reproduction, and food-web restructuring. Evidence from the Subarnarekha and comparable river systems indicates that combined stressors frequently yield outcomes that diverge from single-stressor predictions, with local disturbances often overriding or masking warming effects, yet also amplifying vulnerability when physiological limits are approached. Finally, the review proposes an integrated monitoring and management agenda for the Subarnarekha that explicitly anticipates stressor interactions, prioritises ecological connectivity and pollution control, and strengthens climate resilience through adaptive, basin-scale governance
Impact of Endocrine Disruptors on Reproductive Physiology of Aquatic Fauna: A Review
No full textEndocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have become major pollutants in aquatic environments worldwide, presenting serious threats to the reproductive function, development, and survival of aquatic organisms. They originate from diverse sources such as industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, plastics, and domestic wastewater, and are notable for their persistence, lipophilic nature, and strong tendency to bioaccumulate in organs including the liver, gonads, and brain. EDCs disrupt endocrine homeostasis by mimicking or antagonizing endogenous hormones, modifying receptor activity, interfering with the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, and triggering epigenetic alterations. Consequences include disturbed sex hormone balance, vitellogenin production in males, intersex conditions, compromised spermatogenesis and oogenesis, feminization, masculinization, sex reversal, and developmental deformities across fish, amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, and crustaceans. Such physiological impairments lead to reduced reproductive success, biased sex ratios, delayed development, decreased offspring survival, and, under extreme exposure, population declines. Through biomagnification, EDCs propagate along trophic chains, adversely affecting top predators and disrupting aquatic food webs, as evidenced by reproductive failure in fish exposed to synthetic estrogens, imposex in gastropods caused by tributyltin, and endocrine dysfunction in reptiles exposed to organochlorine pesticides. Advanced analytical tools including LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, ELISA, ER-CALUX bioassays, qPCR, and omics approaches support accurate detection and mechanistic insights. Although international regulations such as the Stockholm Convention, REACH, and EPA guidelines define exposure thresholds, effective control is constrained by low-dose effects, chemical mixture toxicity, and limitations of conventional treatment systems. Current mitigation approaches emphasize advanced wastewater treatment, phytoremediation, bioremediation, green chemical alternatives, and enhanced public awareness. Integrating robust monitoring, strengthened regulatory measures, and sustainable chemical management is essential to safeguard aquatic reproductive health, ecosystem stability, and biodiversity through coordinated, interdisciplinary efforts
New Distribution Record and Range Extension of Humerana humeralis (Boulenger, 1887) in Meghalaya, India with Morphometric and Habitat Insights
No full textThe present study reports the first confirmed distribution record of Humerana humeralis from Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary and the adjoining Reserved Forest of Meghalaya, northeastern India, thereby extending the known range of the species within the eastern Himalayan biogeographic region. This record fills an important distributional gap between earlier reports from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and adjoining Bangladesh. Detailed morphometric measurements were taken from adult specimens, revealing pronounced sexual dimorphism, with males exhibiting relatively larger snout–vent length, head dimensions, tympanum size, and limb proportions compared to females. These measurements are largely congruent with previously published descriptions, confirming the taxonomic identity of the species while also highlighting minor regional variation. Habitat use further indicates that the species primarily occupies perennial streams, marshy pools, and forest-edge wetlands, preferably in semi-evergreen forest, emphasizing its dependence on stable aquatic and riparian microhabitats. This new record underscores the conservation significance of Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, and its adjacent reserved forest highlights the need for continued habitat protection to conserve amphibian diversity in this landscape
Occurrence of mecA-Carrying MRSA within the Bovine Milk Chain of Eastern Uttar Pradesh
No full textMilk is considered as whole food that contains essential nutrients, making it and its products food item a popular globally. The global milk production is estimated to be around 992.7 million metric tons in 2025, with India being one of the largest milk producers, accounting for approximately 25 % of the world\u27s total milk production. In 2023-24, India produced over 239.30 million metric tons of milk, with Uttar Pradesh (37.46 million metric tons), Rajasthan (31.6 million metric tons), Gujarat (17.281 million metric tons) Punjab (13.64 million metric tons) and Haryana (11.53 million metric tons) being the leading milk-producing states.The dairy industry significantly contributes the Indian economy not only to employment generation but also accounting for around 5% of the country\u27s GDP. In Asia, mastitis can be caused by a range of organisms, including bacteria, fungi and algae. The primary bacterial pathogens responsible for mastitis include S.aureus, S. agalactiae, E. coli, S. uberis, Klebsiella spp., Mycoplasma spp., C. bovis, T.pyogenes, P.aeruginosa, Yeasts and Molds. In India the prevalence of bovine mastitis due to S.aureus is around 40- 52 %. The present study aimed to determine the occurrence of mecA-carrying MRSA in the bovine milk chain of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. A total of 200 milk samples were collected from cattle and buffaloes. Isolation and identification of S. aureus were carried out using Mannitol Salt Agar, biochemical tests and PCR targeting the nuc gene. MRSA was screened using oxacillin-supplemented media, cefoxitin and oxacillin disc diffusion tests, and confirmed by detection of the mecA gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and vancomycin MIC determination were also performed. Out of 200 samples, 130 (65.0%) were confirmed as S. aureus, of which 107 (53.50%) were identified as MRSA, with higher prevalence in mastitic milk. All MRSA isolates showed 100% resistance to methicillin, cefoxitin and ampicillin, while moderate resistance was observed against erythromycin, chloramphenicol and fluoroquinolones. The MAR index ranged from 0.25–0.917. Vancomycin MIC revealed 20.56% intermediate and 15.89% resistant isolates. The mecA gene was detected in 74.07% of phenotypically confirmed MRSA isolates
Studies on the Physical and Chemical Parameters of Visapur Dam, Maharashtra, India
No full textA study was conducted over two years on the freshwater ecosystem of Visapur Dam in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra. We examined various physico-chemical parameters at three different sites within the dam. Throughout the study period, the water quality parameters showed significant variations. The pH levels ranged from 6.97 to 8.27, while water temperature fluctuated considerably between 22.3°C and 33.0°C, likely due to seasonal changes. Turbidity levels remained relatively moderate, ranging from 11.4 to 16.2 NTU. Notable changes were observed in Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and salinity, with TDS varying between 95.7 and 156.7 mg/L and salinity ranging from 67.5 to 111.2 mg/L. Other key water quality indicators also varied during the study. Total hardness ranged from 183.3 to 320 mg/L, and total alkalinity fluctuated between 102.7 and 187.7 mg/L. Dissolved oxygen levels, crucial for aquatic life, varied significantly from 4.6 to 6.4 mg/L. Chloride concentrations ranged from 21.1 to 32.8 mg/L. Such studies are important as freshwater zooplankton diversity, distribution and abundance are influenced by physicochemical conditions. Seasonal changes, anthropogenic activities, or natural processes may change water conditions affecting their presence. Thus, it becomes important to study the prevailing environmental conditions and understand how they affect the zooplankton in natural as well as artificial aquatic environments. This may help in generating favourable conditions for the survival and growth of organisms, such as zooplankton and fish, in such kind of aquatic habitats