Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Morphometric studies on the embryonic gall bladder and cystic duct of Gaddi Sheep in different prenatal age groups
Get PDFThe objective in the present study was to reconnoiter the morphological structure and biometrical parameters of embryonic gallbladder and cystic duct during the fetal life of Gaddi sheep. A Total number of 40 Gaddi sheep foetii samples were collected irrespective of sex and without any external anomaly or pathology. The age estimation of each foetus was done and accordingly the foetii were grouped as; group-I (1-60days), group-II (61-90days) groupIII (91-120days) and group-IV (121 –full term). The gall bladder from each foetii were excised hygienically. Gall bladder appeared at Crown Rump Length CRL 6.0 cm (46 days of gestationl age) and was slate blue colour in fresh state and settled into the visceral surface of right lobe of liver. It had single opening which continued as cystic duct. The maximum length and width of gall bladder (1.85 cm and 0.75 cm respectively) and cystic duct (1.68 cm and 0.18 cm respectively) increased with the advancement of gestational age
Conservation of wild silkworm genetic resources through cryopreservation: Standardization of sperm processing
Get PDFConservation of the invaluable sericigenous genetic resources is of prime importance with respect to their utilization and improvement for wider exploitation. Conservation of wild silkworms and its applicability in hybridization have limitations due to incompatibility, less amenability, change of behaviour under ex situ conditions, non-synchronization of moth eclosion and difficulties in mating between variables. In view of this, the newer technologies such as cryopreservation and artificial insemination are offering better strategies for preservation of biologically active samples like semen at sub-zero temperature (-196º C) conditions for longer duration. In this context, under standardization of sperms preservation from wild silkworms, two methods of semen collection were scrutinized for obtaining active and viable sperm for cryopreservation and further artificial insemination. Semen collection from the seminal vesicle of freshly emerged male moth and the other from the bursa copulatrix (BC) and spermatheca of the female moth after mating. The sperms in the semen collected from seminal vesicle are in the form of bundles known as eupyrene sperm bundles and apyrene sperms. The morphology and behaviour of these sperm bundles were recorded through microscopic examination. To study the density and motility behaviour of the sperms, sperm bundles were treated with proteolytic enzyme (~2-3µg/ml) to digest the membrane and release the sperms. The density and motility behaviour of sperms in the semen recovered from the BC and spermatheca of female moth after mating were higher compared to those released after digestion of sperm bundles from seminal vesicle of the male moth
Effect of cadmium chloride on general body colouration and chromatophores of stinging cat fish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)
Get PDFChromatophores, specialized pigment cells in poikilothermic animals, have shown great potential in their use as a cell-based biosensor in the detection of a broad range of environmental toxicants, as structure and number of chromatophores alters significantly under toxicant exposure. Skin coloration of Heteropneustes fossilis is due to melanin containing melanophores. Cadmium, the black listed and non essential heavy metal, is widely used that adversely affects vital activities of aquatic biota. H. fossilis, freshwater Indian stinging catfish, were subjected to exposure of 96 hour LC50 dose (392.92 mg/l) and 25% of 96 hour LC50 dose (98.23mg/l) of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) to evaluate toxic impact of cadmium on colouration and chromatophores. A significant decrease was observed in number of chromatophores after acute (highly significant (F = 70.50; P<0.001) and sub acute (significant (F = 0.29; P<0.05) exposure along with heavy nacrotic, lytic and degenerative changes. Chromatophore gradually changed from reticulate to punctate-stellate and punctuate type as they lost their dendritic processes and aggregation of melanin towards centre. Most of the chromatophores lost their cellular entity due to degenerative changes and melanin was found dispersed in surrounding matrix. Peeling and fading of skin was the common feature in all exposure durations. Fish chromatophores may serve as better biomarkers in reference to metallic pollution and will also be helpful in accessing the health status of economically important fishes as well as worsening status of aquatic bodies
Macroinvertebrates and its impact in assessing water quality of riverine system: A case study of Mahanadi river, Cuttack, India
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to identify the diverse macroinvertebrates present in river Mahanadi, Cuttack in India and to evaluate the role of macroinvertebrates in assessing river water quality and pollution level. We conducted field study of the river at Cuttack (85°46’21.29” E 20°28’15.81” N & 85°49’45.23” E 20°30’50.00” N) during 2013-2014 and collected aquatic invertebrate samples from 12 stations on river basin. The samples were analysed to explore the various families of Macroinvertebrates communities present in river Mahanadi, to examine the status of water quality of the river using biological indicators, to determine whether there are relationships between water chemistry and presence of typical macroinvertebrates and to develop a Macroinvertebrates based index to bio-assessment of Mahanadi River. A total of 484 taxa were identified and about 244 taxa of bivalves and 184 taxa of gastropods were collected. Presence of high number of pollution tolerant taxa and pollution sensitive taxa (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Tricoptera and Chironomidae) indicated increased risk of water pollution and calculated biotic score (8), biological monitoring working party (BMWP) score (52), average score per taxa (ASPT) score (4) and macroinvertebrate-based index (MBI) value indicated moderate pollution level in the river. We recorded pH, total hardness, dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), total nitrite, chloride and total phosphate of water and physico-chemical parameters supported the values of biological assessment of water quality. Studying macaroinvertebrates helped to gain knowledge about aquatic faunal biodiversity in river Mahanadi and to develop a method for diagnosis of the health of river ecosystem and for measuring water pollution level
Daily behavioural activity patterns and reproductive ecology of urban rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in human dominated landscape and its implication in management
Get PDFWe observed behavioural activity patterns, daily movements and reproductive ecology (birth rate, death rate, breeding seasons, mating) of urban rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in man-made environment after their reintroduction in Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, Delhi, India using instantaneous sampling or scan sampling method. The daily activity patterns of rhesus macaques inhabiting in the sanctuary were observed from 6:00 h to 18:00 hrs per day from March 2016 to June 2017. The percentage of each activity was estimated quantitatively and birth rate per female per troop in a year was calculated in total 21 troops of rhesus macaques. Macaques adopted different time slot for maximum utilization of food and space available and we estimated the percent time spent of each activity pattern and their variations in a particular geographic area. Daily average distance travelled was 1.89 km/day and it was restricted to the feeding platforms. Mortality was incredibly low (0.17) and high reproductive success was in females per troop. Number of females per troop was 4.48 on average, mean birth rate was calculated 2.20 per female per troop in a year, gestation length 160 days on average. Breeding seasons were April to June and late August to October, although there was no seasonal variation in daily activity pattern and movement ranges throughout the year in the sanctuary. Our study recommendation will help in reducing human-macaque conflicts in urban areas and will serve as a potential source of information of ecology, behaviour of urban rhesus macaques and their management
Intraspecific morphometric variability in the populations of Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton) from the Alaknanda basin of Central Himalaya
Get PDFThe present study observed variations in the morphological traits of hill trout, Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton, 1807) from Alaknanda basin of Central Himalaya. A total of 124 samples of B. bendelisis were collected from three different tributaries, Dugadda Gad, Khankhra Gad and Khandah Gad of Alaknanda river between March 2015 to April 2016. Ninety morphometric characters were measured for each specimen. Statistical tools, univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA), principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant function analysis (DFA) were used to differentiate the populations of B. bendelisis. PCA extracted eight significant morphometric traits explaining 87.9% of total variation among the three populations. DFA revealed that 83.1% specimens were retained into their original groups. Environmental factors were attributed to phenotypic variations among closely related populations. The present study is a first attempt on stock structure of B. bendelisis from different tributaries of Alaknanda river. The study will help in future conservation and management of this fish species across Uttarakhand region, India
Research article Cultural and morphological variability of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ricini isolates from castor growing areas of Gujarat
No full textCultural and morphological variability in five isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ricini collected from different castor growing areas of Gujarat was studied. Varied cultural characteristics, mycelial colour, substratum pigmentation, growth pattern, dry mycelial weight, sporulation and size of micro and macro conidia of all isolates was observed which were further influenced by all five culture media viz., Rose bengal medium, Potato dextrose medium, Richard\u27s medium, Asthana and Hawker\u27s medium and Glucose asparagine medium. There was a significant variation among all five isolates of F. oxysporum f.sp. ricini in respect of cultural characteristics, mycelial colour, substratum pigmentation, mycelial growth, dry mycelial weight, sporulation, size of microconidia and macroconidia. Each isolate exhibited cultural and morphological variations under influence of different culture media. The findings of present study will be useful for developing Fusarium wilt resistant castor hybrids/varieties. 
Effect of different sources of potassium on yield and quality of apple (cv. Red Delicious) in temperate conditions
Get PDFThe present investigation was carried out to observe the effect of potassium on different parameters of apple in temperate conditions. Randomized block design experiment was adapted for an orchard of 15 years old with collection of soil samples and their analysis for physico-chemical properties under different treatments with fixed quantity of urea (1500g/tree), DAP (750g/tree) and potassium through MOP, K2SO4 and K-Schoenite (2500g/tree) in three, one and two split applications, respectively. The first application of recommended quantity of fertilizers was applied three weeks before expected bloom, Second three weeks after fruit set and third application at the end of July. Sample collection was done in the month of September followed by analysis for different parameters and results revealed that application of potassium through MOP @ 2500g/tree with two foliar applications of MOP @ 1.5 % including vermicompost @ 5kg/tree (T4) improved soil physical conditions, nutrient availability, fruit yield and quality of apple. The combined effect of chemical fertilizer, two sprays and organic fertilizer (vermicompost) showed significantly (P?0.05) higher results of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium magnesium and sulphur but low calcium than other vermicompost added treatments. The work concluded that different potassium sources can have great impact on yield and quality of apple and respond to level of concentrations or dose as applied in current study with different split
Effect of P-alaxin on some neurobehavioural parameters in Swiss white mice
Get PDFThe effect of P-alaxin on some neurobehavioural parameters was studied in Swiss white mice. 21 mice were randomly assigned to three groups (n=7) namely; control group, clinical dose group and high dose group. Animals in control group received normal rat chow and standard feed ad libitum. Animals in the clinical dose group were given P-alaxin at a dose of 0.01mg/kg body weight while animals in the high dose group were given P-alaxin at a dose of 0.02mg/kg body weight. The results obtained showed that, in the open field maze test, the clinical dose and high dose groups showed significant increase (P<0.05) in stretch attend posture compared to control. Conversely, there was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in line crossings of high and clinical dose groups when compared to control. In the light/dark transition box test, the clinical and high dose groups showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the frequency of line crossings when compared to control. In the morris water maze test, the high and clinical dose groups showed a significant inncrease in frequency of swimming latency when compared to control group. From the total analysis obtained, P-alaxin decreases locomotion and exploratory activities, it impairs motivation and the tendency to investigate the environment as well as reduction in visuospartial learning and memory
Prevalence of Vitamin A deficiency among school going children of Jasra block of Allahabad, India
Get PDFThe present study was conducted to find out the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency(VAD) among school going children of district Allahabad in year 2015 to assess the nutritional status of selected school going children (aged 6-12 years). The six months study was based on school going children in four selected village in Jasra block of Allahabad district.A structured Performa was used to collect the information. Out of the 105 children examined, 2 (1.90%) had clinical signs of night blindness. The overall prevalence of VAD was found to be 10.47%. Most of them exhibited dull and lusterless appearance of conjunctiva, non-had bitot’s spot, any corneal xerosis, corneal scare and keratomalacia. The prevalence of VAD was higher in girls rather than in boys. To overcome this problem of VAD persisting in community, nutrition education regarding regular intake of plant food rich in carotene such as green leafy vegetables, yellow fruits, carrots and animal foods containing retinol like fish liver oil, fortified food like vana- spati, margarine should be strengthened