Journal of Applied and Natural Science
Not a member yet
2928 research outputs found
Sort by
Chromium, nickel and zinc induced histopathological alterations in the gill of Indian common carp Labeo rohita (Ham.)
Get PDFDegenerative histopathalogical alterations were seen in gills due to chronic exposure of the fish, Labeo rohita to chlorides of chromium, nickel and zinc for 30 days. However, more severe degenerative changes were observed in case of zinc chloride exposed fish than nickel chloride and chromium chloride treated fishes, indicating more toxic nature of zinc chloride. Mucus secretion over the gill lamellae was seen prominently in all the experimental fishes. However, in zinc chloride treated fish there was excessive mucus secretion after ten days of exposure andafter thirty days, epithelial lifting was seen. In chromium chloride and nickel chloride treated fishes there was basal hyperplasia, which indicated compensatory mechanism in ion regulation to adjust with the toxic stress
Origin and peripheral distribution of the thoracic and abdominal median nerves in the fifth instar larva of the silkworm, Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae)
Get PDFThe origin and peripheral distribution of the median nerves of the prothoracic and sixth abdominal ganglia have been traced using methylene blue staining technique. Each median nerve (MN), after originating from the posterior part of the ganglion, bifurcates into two transverse nerves (TN) that extend laterally into the right and left halves of the hemi- segment. The TN of thoracic median nerve bears two motor branches that innervate spiracular muscles and dorsolateral muscles, while the TN of sixth abdominal ganglion bears five motor branches and two sensory branches. Its motor branches innervate three groups of muscles, namely, musculi laterales interni, musculi dorsales interni laterales and musculi dorsales interni mediales, while its sensory branches extend over the body wall in the ventrolateral and dorsolateral areas of the hemi-segment. The median nerves are connected to ganglionic nerves by median nerve connectives that facilitate intersegmental coordination. The functional role of median nerves in respiration, blood circulation and intersegmental coordination is discussed keeping in view their projections and innervations
Population characteristics of Phthiraptera occurring on Red Whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus)
Get PDFTwo phthirapteran species, Menacanthus eurysternus (Amblycera) and Brueelia sp. (Ischnocera) were recovered from 100 Red Whiskered Bulbuls (Pycnonotus jocosus) during March to December 2006. The occurrence of both the phthirapteran species on the aforesaid host are new host records. The prevalence, intensity of infestation, range of infestation, variance to mean ratio, sex ratio, adult nymph ratio, index of discrepancy (D) and exponent of negative binomial (k) were computed. The frequency distribution pattern of M. eurysternus conforms to negative binomial model. The frequency distribution pattern of Brueelia sp. was skewed but not described by the negative binomial
Bioassay evaluation of toxicity reduction in common effluent treatment plant
Get PDFThis paper investigates the utility and validity of bioassay toxicity testing using Daphnia magna straus as test organism for monitoring the common effluent treatment plant (CETP) receiving both industrial as well as domestic effluent. The average daphnia toxicity (Gd) at inlet, after primary settling tank (PST), secondary settling tank (SST) and tertiary treatment unit were reported as Gd-16, Gd-12, Gd-4 and Gd-1 respectively. However, a cumulative percentage removal in toxicity after PST, SST and tertiary treatment units was observed as 25%, 75% and 100%, respectively, during entire study period. It showed that a complete removal in daphnia toxicity (Gd) i.e.100% had been achieved only after tertiary treatment unit involving Dual Media Filters followed by activated carbon filters. Further attempts have been made to establish the relationship between key wastewater constituents i.e. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Suspended Solids (SS) with respects to daphnia toxicity (Gd). It was observed that COD and SS show a statistically significant correlation (r2) with daphnia toxicity (Gd) i.e. 0.89 and 0.81, respectively. Thus COD and SS can serve as a regulatory tool in lieu of an explicit toxicity standard (to check and improve the operational status of wastewatertreatment plants in time)
Optimization of cultural conditions for anaerobically treated distillery effluent bioremediation by an isolate Pseudomonas putida SAG45
Get PDFThe present study deals with the decolourisation and detoxification of distillery effluent by an isolate SAG45. Soil samples were collected from the affected disposal sites of distillery effluent treatment plant. The isolate showed the highest bioremediation of 79.5% within 4 days of cultivation in the melanoidin pigment broth. The isolate showed higher decolourisation at pH 8.0 and temperature 37 oC. However, it gives 58.9% decolourisation with 5% (v/v) distillery effluent within 8 days. Toxicity test was also carried out to assess the toxicity of distillery effluent on seed germination
Effect of varied calcium concentrations on serum calcium, sodium, potassium and protein value during the different phases of reproductive cycle in Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)
Get PDFThe serum, calcium, sodium, potassium and protein value were measured during different phases of reproductive cycle in Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) due to effect of varied calcium concentrations. The calcium value was higher then and Potassium value Protein during spawning period pointing a more demand of calcium which is necessary for the functioning of a enzyme thereby also helps in hardening of eggs while protein meets an extra energy demand during this period. An increase in serum, sodium level was also observed during spawning period than pre and post-spawning
New record of earthworm Eukerria kuekenthali (Oligochaeta: Ocnerodrilidae) from Sikkim, India
Get PDFThe earthworm genus Eukerria kuekenthali (Michaelsen 1908) is recorded for the first time from the Sikkimese soil. Inter/ intra specific variations have not been observed. Altitude plays a vital role in the distribution pattern of this species. The photographic descriptions with illustrations are provided
Impact of changing ecophysiological conditions in blood urea levels of freshwater fish Wallago attu
Get PDFDefinite cyclic variations were observed in blood urea levels of freshwater catfish Wallago attu. The maximal mean blood urea level (8.44±1.96 mg/100 ml) was noted in the month of June while minimal level in December, revealing a difference of 65.87% between the two levels. Seasonal alterations observed here in W. altu were correlated with ecophysiological factors like temperature, food availability, body metabolism, breeding cycle and hormonal changes which have been essentially found to be involved in fish life
Lichen flora of Surinsar-Mansar wildlife sanctuary, J&K
Get PDFThe present study conducted to enumerate the lichens from the so far unexplored Surinsar-Mansar wildlife sanctuary, J&K, revealed the presence of 30 species belonging to 18 genera from 14 families. The species belonged to different growth forms (21 crustose, 8 foliose and 1 fruticose) and are also growing on various substrata (corticolous-17 and saxicolous-13). Mangifera indica hosted the maximum number (12) while Pinus roxburghii did not host any lichen species in this area
Biochemical and spectroscopic changes in phycobiliproteins of the protein-rich Cyanobacterium, Spirulina fusiformis induced by UV-B radiation
Get PDFThe present study indicated that the Increase in UV-B exposure ( 312.67 nm, 2.5 Wm-2) to Spirulina fusiformis, a highly protein-rich (60-71%) helically coiled, unicellular, polymorphous cyanobacterium not only bleached phycocyanin (PC) but also decreased its content Absorption spectra of UV-B treated culture showed significant decline in the absorbance at the peak 620nm indicating the presence of PC. The absorbance decreased by increasing UV-B exposure. One hour simultaneous UV-B+PAR (Photosynthetic Active Radiation) exposure protected 33 percent damage of phycocyanin