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Pseudoceros vishnui Dixit, Raghunathan & Chandra, 2017, sp. nov.
No full textPseudoceros vishnui sp. nov. Figures 6–8; Table. 1 Type material: Holotype: One specimen (20 x 15 mm) as serial sections of reproductive structures (7 Slides), remainder of animal in 70% ethanol. Collected 19.03.2015, subtidally from 10 m depth, Pongibalu (Lat: 11°30.573’N, Long: 92°39.123’E), South Andaman, India (ZSI/ANRC-16841). Paratypes: One specimen (15 x 10 mm) as serial sections of reproductive structures (5 Slides), remainder of animal in 70% ethanol. Same as holotype (ZSI/ANRC-16842). One specimen (11 x 8 mm) in 70% EtOh. Collected 0 8.09.2015, subtidally from 15 m depth, Pongibalu (Lat: 11°30.573’N, Long: 92°39.123’E), South Andaman, India (ZSI/ANRC-16843). One specimen (11 x 8 mm) in 70% EtOh. Collected 15.12.2016, subtidally from 9 m depth, Rutland Island (Lat: 11°30.119’N, Long: 92°37.112’E), South Andaman, India (ZSI/ANRC-16844). Distribution. Pongibalu, South Andaman, India. Additional photographic record from Burma (Newman & Cannon, 2005). Diagnosis. Body colour cream, solid purple to violet spots all over body. Margin made up of non-continuous dark blue spots of various sizes. Etymology. This species is named after Vishnu Kumar Dixit, father of the first author, in acknowledgment of his support throughout his research on marine flatworms. Synonyms. It is likely that it corresponds to Pseudoceros sp. 38, Newman & Cannon (2005), CD-ROM and to Pseudoceros sp., Kuiter & Debelius (2009), see taxonomic remarks below. Description. Live. Body oval and smooth, margin without any ruffles. Many purple to violet coloured spots, of variable sizes, more or less circular are present all over the body (Fig. 6A, B). Blue pseudotentacles, small, formed by simple folds of the anterior margin with scattered eyespots on each pseudotentacle on either side. Cerebral eyespot cluster with 40–43 eyes (Fig. 6 C). Ventral side cream in colour. Margin made up of small blue coloured discontinuous spots of various sizes. Preserved. Holotype 15 mm long and 12 mm wide at central portion. Translucent due to loss of colour on fixation but some faint purple spots visible in paratype specimen. Dorsal epidermis very rough and uneven with thickens 45 to 55 µm and is twice the thickness of ventral epidermis which is 18–22 µm and smooth. Nucleus present at the base while rhabdites near dorsal surface. A distinct basement membrane clearly separates epithelium from underlying muscles. Distance between pharyngeal mouth and sucker is 4.53 mm. Male and female gonopores 1.03 mm apart. Pharynx small and ruffled with 7 folds. Male pore 1.93 mm from pharyngeal mouth and is situated between last pair of pharyngeal folds. Sucker 1.3 mm from female pore. Reproductive characters. Measurements refer to length in a 15 mm long worm, the holotype. Seminal vesicle (Fig. 7 A) elongate and oval (490 x 421 µm), heavily muscularized, parallel to longitudinal body axis. Prostatic vesicle (Fig. 7 A) located anterior to seminal vesicle and just above male atrium. It is slightly tapering in shape downwards (180 x 168 µm) with thickness of inner wall varying from 30 to 50 µm. Male atrium deep with many folds and stylet 197 µm long. Female atrium 188 µm long while vagina is 384 µm long tube curved towards posterior end. Well defined cement pouches with numerous cement glands present (Fig. 7 B & 8). Taxonomic remarks. The presence of this species is recorded on many occasions from Andaman Islands (Sreeraj & Raghunathan 2013; Sreeraj et al. 2015); however, no attempt had been made in the past to make a formal description. To date, only 4 species under the genus Pseudoceros are described from India: Pseudoceros gamblei Laidlaw, 1902; P. tigrinus Laidlaw, 1902; P. galatheensis Dixit et al. 2017 and P. nigropunctatus Dixit et al. 2017. The general spotted pattern of newly described species P. vishnui sp. nov. resembles with P. nigropunctatus described from same geographical area but the difference in appearance and colour of the spots on dorsal surface and background colour distinguish them from one another. In addition, P. laingensis Newman & Cannon, 1998 described from Papua New Guinea is the most resembled species to P. vishnui sp. nov. in terms of margins, background colour and spots. Both species have purple spots on dorsum but the spots in P. laingensis are smaller and more in number in comparison to P. vishnui sp. nov. with bigger and few spots. Border of P. laingensis is made up of numerous purple spots (same colour as that of spots on dorsum) of different sizes (Bolanos et al. 2016) while the border of P. vishnui sp. nov. is characterised by numerous spots of blue colour and never of same colour as of spots on dorsum. Bolanos et al (2016) mentioned that the purple dots on the dorsal surface of P. laingensis were numerous in some individuals but scarce in others while the frequency of spots in P. vishnui sp. nov. remained almost similar in all the studied individuals. There are few more species under the genus Pseudoceros with presence of spots on their body namely Pseudoceros nipponicus Kato, 1944; P. lindae Newman & Cannon, 1994 and P. scintillatus Newman & Cannon, 1994. P. nipponicus have black spots on the dorsum and a russet brown sub marginal band with a black rim while P. lindae is characterised by golden yellow spots on dorsum. In P. scintillatus the spots are very big, differently coloured, clearly outlined and touching the margin. Newman & Cannon, 2005 reported this undescribed species as Pseudoceros sp. 38 from Burma and mentioned colour of spots as red and margins to be made up of purple spots. Kuiter & Debelius (2009) also reported this species as Pseudoceros sp. from Andaman Sea based on photographic record. But the overall appearance and pattern of the species agrees to the newly described species and existence of both in same geographical area led us to assume that both can be same species. Table. 1 is provided with detailed comparisons between newly described species and similarly coloured species. TABLE. 1. Comparison of Pseudoceros vishnui sp. nov. characters with similarly coloured and patterned species.Published as part of Dixit, Sudhanshu, Raghunathan, C. & Chandra, Kailash, 2017, Two new Pseudoceros (Polycladida: Pseudocerotidae) and a Prostheceraeus (Polycladida: Euryleptidae) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, pp. 495-512 in Zootaxa 4269 (4) on pages 501-503, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4269.4.5, http://zenodo.org/record/58274
Pseudoceros nigropunctatus Dixit, Raghunathan & Chandra, 2017, sp. nov.
No full textPseudoceros nigropunctatus sp. nov. Figures: 5, 6 & 7 Type material. Holotype: One specimen (26× 15 mm) as serial sections (7 slides), remainder of animal in 70% ethanol. Collected 21.11.2015, subtidally from 15 m depth, Hut Bay, Little Andaman (10°37.340’N 92°33.419’E), Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India (ZSI/ANRC-14851). Distribution. Little Andaman Island, India. Additional photographic record from Maldives (Newman & Cannon, 2003 & 2005) and Kenya (http://www.nudipixel.net/pictures/flatworms/24/) Diagnosis. Background body colour mix of light brown and orange shades, margin cream colour interrupted with light brown. A very thin fluorescent yellow rim outlining the body. Numerous black coloured spots of variable sizes present all over body without reaching the margin. These spots are surrounded by cream colour like the margin giving a halo appearance. Ventral surface light orange in colour. Etymology. From the Latin niger —black, punctatus —spotted; for presence of black spots on the body. Synonyms. It is likely that it corresponds to Pseudoceros sp. 15 Newman & Cannon (2003, pg. 80) and Pseudoceros sp. 15 Newman and Cannon (2005), CD-ROM. Description. Live: Body large, smooth, light brown to orange dorsally and light orange ventrally. Margin cream interrupted with light brown shades with a thin fluorescent yellow rim without any ruffles. Numerous black coloured equally spaced spots of variable sizes present all over body without touching the margin (Fig.5.A). These spots are surrounded by cream colour giving a halo appearance. Pseudotentacles small, formed by simple folds of the anterior margin with same colour pattern as that of margin with tentacular eyes present at the tips. Cerebral eyespots cluster horseshoe shaped with 80–85 eyes (Fig.5.D). Preserved: Specimen 26 mm long and 15 mm wide at central portion. Yellow marginal rim not visible after fixation, but black spots and a clear cream margin without any interruptions remains easily visible. Body wall thickness 25-35 µm for ventral epidermis while dorsal epidermis was not clearly visible in the sections. The total distance between pharyngeal mouth and sucker is 7.53 mm. Male and female gonopores 1.7 mm apart (Fig.5.B). Pharynx small and ruffled with 7 folds. Male pore 2.8 mm from pharyngeal mouth. Female gonopore star shaped (Fig.5.C) with numerous easily visible cement glands. A paired vas deferens running towards male gonopore is recognisable. Sucker 40 µm in length and conspicuous. Reproductive characters: Measurements refer to length in a 26 mm long worm, the holotype. Seminal vesicle (Fig.7.A) oval (481×516 µm), muscular wall thickness surrounding the lumen variable (48–114 µm), tapering towards the anterior side and slightly downwards at posterior side. Lumen lined by heavily ciliated epithelium with nucleus at periphery. Prostatic vesicle round (327×220 µm), located anterior to seminal vesicle above last fold of pharynx. Lumen not visible instead numerous glandular fibres are visible (Fig.7.B). Male atrium deep and ciliated, housing a stylet 81 µm long and opening ventrally by a small male gonopore. Some dense cement glands and a highly nucleus populated region is visible but no female gonopore was observed. Taxonomic remarks. With 87 species (Tyler et al. 2006–2015), Pseudocero s is the largest genus in the family Pseudocerotidae. Members of this genus can be differentiated at specific level solely on the basis of colours and patterns (Prudhoe, 1989; Newman & Cannon 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998) because of the similarity in their reproductive structures. This colour based species level identification was further validated by Litvaitis & Newman (2001), supported by a nucleotide sequences based study of Pseudocerotidae. The newly described species Pseudoceros nigropunctatus sp. nov. presented here is very distinctive and unmatched in terms of its colour and pattern within this genus, with the exception of P. nipponicus Kato, 1944 which also possesses a similar background and black spots on the dorsum but differs from the former in having a russet brown sub-marginal band with a black rim and a light coloured median stripe. However, there are a few more species with spots on their body, namely P. lindae Newman & Cannon, 1994; P. laingensis Newman & Cannon, 1998 and P. scintillatus Newman & Cannon, 1994 (Table.2). Both P. lindae and P. laingensis are characterised by small spots but the appearance and colour of spots are very different from P. nigropunctatus sp. nov. P. lindae is characterised by golden yellow spots on the dorsum and elongate spots at the margin while P. laingensis is characterised by the presence of smaller purple dots scattered all over the dorsum. P. scintillatus is another species with spots but these are very big, clearly outlined and touching the margin. Newman & Cannon (2003, 2005) mentioned this species as rare and undescribed.Published as part of Dixit, Sudhanshu, Raghunathan, C. & Chandra, Kailash, 2017, Two new marine flatworms (Polycladida: Pseudocerotidae) from Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India, pp. 111-122 in Zootaxa 4221 (1) on pages 117-119, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.24677
Pseudoceros galatheensis Dixit, Raghunathan & Chandra, 2017, sp. nov.
No full textPseudoceros galatheensis sp. nov. Figure 2, 3 & 4 Type material. Holotype: One specimen (6.6 × 3.6 mm) as serial sections (7 Slides). Collected on 17.2.2016, underneath rubble in intertidal area, Galathea Wildlife Sanctuary (06 0 40.051′′N 93 0 51.583′′E), Great Nicobar Island, India (ZSI/ANRC-14849). Paratype: One specimen (6 × 4 mm) in 70% ethanol. Same as holotype (ZSI/ANRC-14850). Distribution. Great Nicobar Island, India. Additional photographic record from Micronesia (Newman & Cannon, 2003 & 2005) and Indonesia (Newman & Cannon, 2005). Diagnosis. Body colour light blue, darker at rim. One thin bright yellowish-orange median stripe with darker outline, ends without touching posterior margin. Pseudotentacles small and dark blue in colour in continuation with margins. Etymology. Species name refers to Galathea Wildlife Sanctuary in Great Nicobar Island of India, where type specimens were collected (Fig. 1 D) Synonyms. It is likely that it corresponds to Pseudoceros sp. 6 Newman & Cannon (2003, pg. 78) and Pseudoceros sp. 6 Newman & Cannon (2005), CD-ROM; see taxonomic remarks below. Description. Live. Small, smooth, light blue in colour and terminally rounded. Margin dark blue without any ruffles. Thin, bright yellowish-orange median line starting from behind cerebral eyes and ending before posterior margin without touching it. Pseudotentacles small, formed by simple folds of the anterior margin and dark blue with presence of 12-14 scattered eyespots on each pseudotentacle on either side. Cerebral eyespots cluster with 25- 28 eyes. Ventrally light blue in colour. Preserved. Specimen 6.6 mm long and 3.6 mm wide at central portion. Translucent due to loss of colour on fixation. Median stripe faint but visible. Body wall thickness is 30-37 µm for dorsal and ventral epidermis. Total distance between pharyngeal mouth and sucker is 1.6 mm. Male and female gonopores 0.4 mm apart from one another. Pharynx small and ruffled with 8 folds. Male pore 0.87 mm from pharyngeal mouth. Few white spots (blue spots when live) are also visible in the preserved paratype specimen on the dorsal side. Reproductive characters. Measurements refer to length in a 6.6 mm long worm, the holotype. Seminal vesicle (Fig.3.A) elongated and oval (353×236 µm), thick walled, tapering towards anterior side and parallel to longitudinal body axis. Thickness of the wall varies from 33–108 µm. Its lumen is lined by ciliated epithelium with nucleus at periphery. Prostatic vesicle (Fig.3.B) small and round (177×126 µm), located slightly left from median line near base of penis papillae and anterior to seminal vesicle. Lumen is walled by muscular layer which is 24–27 µm dense surrounded by 17–19 µm thick distinct epithelium layer. Male atrium deep with many folds housing a stylet 197 µm (Fig.3.B) long and opening ventrally by a wide male gonopore. Some cement glands are visible very near to posterior end of seminal vesicle but no female gonopore was observed in the sections. This may be due to immaturity of female reproductive structures of the specimen sectioned. Taxonomic remarks. Presence of ruffled pharynx, male copulatory apparatus just behind pharyngeal cavity and free prostatic vesicle (Faubel, 1984) place Pseudoceros galatheensis sp. nov in the family Pseudocerotidae while presence of characters such as one male pore; simple folds forming pseudotentacles; ruffled, round and oval pharynx (butterfly shape); equal distance between sucker and gonopores; and arrangement of eyes on pseudotentacles (Faubel, 1984; Newman & Cannon, 1998) place this newly described species in the genus Pseudoceros. Newman & Cannon (1994) determined that due to intraspecific homogeneity of the reproductive structures in the genus Pseudoceros, the colour patterns can be used to separate species. They separated 39 species under the genus Pseudoceros in 6 groups according to colour pattern. Later in 1998, Newman and Cannon modified the arrangement with 8 groups comprising 56 species. Pseudoceros galatheensis sp. nov. is likely to fall under group 3 comprising 12 species with plain background and longitudinal stripes. However, there are at least 5 species with similar blue or purple background body colour. P. galatheensis sp. nov. differs from all having a distinct yellowish-orange median stripe (Table.1). The species P. perviolaceous Hyman, 1959 is similar in terms of body colour but no median stripe is present. P. gravieri Meixner, 1907 and P. tristriatus Hyman, 1959 also have blue-purple background colour but have multiple yellow orange stripes on dorsal surface. P. bifurcus Prudhoe, 1989 is most similar to P. galatheensis in terms of body colour and margin but it differs having an elongate orange spot posterior to cerebral eyespot which continues to form a white median stripe outlined with dark burgundy (Newman & Cannon, 1994, 2003 & 2005). Sreeraj and Raghunathan (2011) reported P. bifurcus from same geographical area (Andaman and Nicobar Islands) which also contains a dark bordered median stripe and a red spot right behind cerebral eyes which gradually continues in a median stripe. The newly described species differs from P. bifurcus reported from Andaman and Nicobar Islands by having a brighter orange median stripe without any dark colour border and without having any red spot behind cerebral eye cluster. P. violaceus (Schmarda, 1859) is another species resembling our species with a yellow median stripe but it has a yellow marginal band which is not present in the newly described species. Newman & Cannon (2003 & 2005) reported this species as undescribed and rare. TABLE. 1. Comparison of Pseudoceros galatheensis sp. nov. characters with similarly coloured species. Characters Pseudoceros Pseudoceros Pseudoceros Pseudoceros Pseudoceros Pseudoceros gravieri Meixner, tristriatus bifurcus perviolaceous violaceus galatheensis sp. 1907 Hyman, 1959 Prudhoe, 1989 Hyman, 1959 (Schmarda, nov. 1859) Colour Background Background Body solid blue Body colour Body colour Body colour pattern blue-purple, blue-purple with to light mauve, purple or blue purple-blue blue darker medially, three orange sometimes with no stripes. with a yellow intensifying to intensifying to longitudinal cream median stripe dark blue at purple at margin. stripes bordered intensifying to and a yellow margins. One Numerous by purple purple at marginal band. bright orange discontin-uous margin. Orange median stripe yellow stripes on elongate spot dorsal surface after cerebral eyes fading into a burgundy bordered white median stripe. Type locality Djibouti Ella Islet, Ifaluk Benthedi, Palau Islands Ceylon Galathea Atoll, Western Mayotte, Wildlife Carolines Comoro Sanctuary Islands, Great Nicobar Madagascar. Island, India Distribution Australia; Australia; Africa; Ceylon and Red So far only India; Djibouti; Gulf of Indonesia; Australia; Sea known from Micronesia and Oman; Miconesia; Indonesia; type locality. Indonesia Indonesia; Mozambi-que; Japan; (Photograp-hic Micronesia; Papua New Madagascar; record) Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea and Guinea; Philippines Philippines and Thailand.Published as part of Dixit, Sudhanshu, Raghunathan, C. & Chandra, Kailash, 2017, Two new marine flatworms (Polycladida: Pseudocerotidae) from Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India, pp. 111-122 in Zootaxa 4221 (1) on pages 113-116, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.24677
FIGURE 5. A in Two new marine flatworms (Polycladida: Pseudocerotidae) from Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India
No full textFIGURE 5. A. Pseudoceros nigropunctatus sp. nov. ex situ; B. Ventral surface details; C. Star shaped female gonopore; D. Dorsal region showing arrangement of eyes. ce: cerebral eyes; fp: female gonopore; mp: male gonopore; p: pharynx; pm: pharyngeal mouth; su: sucker; te: tentacular eyes; vd: vas deferens.Published as part of Dixit, Sudhanshu, Raghunathan, C. & Chandra, Kailash, 2017, Two new marine flatworms (Polycladida: Pseudocerotidae) from Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India, pp. 111-122 in Zootaxa 4221 (1) on page 118, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.24677
FIGURE 11 in Two new Pseudoceros (Polycladida: Pseudocerotidae) and a Prostheceraeus (Polycladida: Euryleptidae) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
No full textFIGURE 11. Prostheceraeus fuscolineatus sp. nov A. Dorsal surface after preservation B. Tentacular and cerebral eyes; C & D Histological sections of reproductive structures. ce: cerebral eyes; in: intestine; ma: male atrium; mp: male gonopore; p: pharynx; pp: penis papilla; pv: prostatic vesicle; sv: seminal vesicle; st: stylet; t: tentacle; te: tentacular eyes. Scale bars: A, 2mm; B–D, 200 µm.Published as part of Dixit, Sudhanshu, Raghunathan, C. & Chandra, Kailash, 2017, Two new Pseudoceros (Polycladida: Pseudocerotidae) and a Prostheceraeus (Polycladida: Euryleptidae) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, pp. 495-512 in Zootaxa 4269 (4) on page 508, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4269.4.5, http://zenodo.org/record/58274
Writing History: Truth and Ideology
No full textWe carry our history with us. How is this history constituted? Is there an ‘objective’ history? Or is it always ideological? Here is piece that throws light on this question—particularly in the context of India where contesting political groups seek to perceive history through their ideologies of nationalism
Pseudoceros stellans Dixit & Bayyana & Manjebrayakath & Saravanane & Sudhakar 2019, sp. nov.
No full textPseudoceros stellans sp. nov. Dixit (Figs. 6, 7 & 8) Material examined: Holotype: One specimen (13 × 9 mm) as serial sections (16 Slides), remainder of animal in 70% ethanol. Collected on 21.5.2018, 15 m depth, Agatti Island (10°52′28′′N 72°11′11′′E), Lakshadweep, India (Regn. no. IO /IT/POY/00006) Type locality: Agatti Island, Lakshadweep, India. Etymology: From the Latin stellans (adjective) — starry or star studded; for stars like appearance on dorsum Diagnosis: Background body colour brown with numerous small white to yellow microdots on dorsum. Different sized yellow blotches present on dorsum but most of the small white blotches are present on marginal area. Half of the median area is marbled with irregular white shading, thus appearing as depigmented area. A thick black marginal band run around whole body including pseudotentacles. This marginal band is studded with microdots and small yellow blotches. Pseudotentacles are simple folding of the anterior margin, black and spotted with white dots on dorsal side. Cerebral eye cluster horseshoe shaped. Description: Live. Body small, oval and margin without ruffles. Background body colour brown (Fig. 6a). Numerous small white to yellow microdots present all over dorsum. White dots are numerous near median area and gradually turns yellow towards margins. Many yellow blotches of different sizes on dorsum near margins (Fig. 6a). Anterior half of median area is marbled with irregular white shading. Marginal band thick and black with minute yellow microdots and small yellow blotches. Pseudotentacles are simple foldings of the anterior margin, black and spotted with white dots on dorsal side. Cerebral eye cluster horseshoe shaped (Fig. 6b), tentacular eyes hard to recognize due to black colour of pseudotentacles. Ventral surface light brownish in colour. Preserved. Specimen brown in colour after fixation (Fig. 6c). Ventrally dull whitish in colour. Male and female pore are 0.6 mm apart, while female pore and sucker are 2 mm apart (Fig. 6d). Mouth and male pore are 1.2 mm apart while mouth and sucker are 3.9 mm apart. Pharynx ruffled with eight to nine folds and male pore is situated between last pair of pharyngeal folds. Cerebral eye cluster with about 60 - 65 eyes. Reproductive system: Male copulatory apparatus consists of seminal vesicle, free prostatic vesicle (Fig. 7a), penis papilla, penis stylet housed in male atrium which open outside via male pore. An oval seminal vesicle (317 x 157 µm) is present (Fig. 7b). Its rounded part oriented towards prostatic vesicle while tapered part is oriented towards cement glands. A free, small, circular and thick walled prostatic vesicle (80 x 58 µm) is present anterior to seminal vesicle (Fig. 7 a, b). Thickness of prostatic vesicle’s wall varies from 15 to 20 µm. Male atrium conical (283 µm x 187 µm) housing conical penis papilla (170 µm) with a stylet (Fig. 7c). Female copulatory apparatus consists of vagina, cement pouch surrounded by dense cement glands and female atrium. The vagina opens to a short female atrium via cement pouch which receives secretion from cement glands (Fig. 7c). Taxonomic remarks: Presence of ruffled pharynx, male copulatory apparatus just behind pharyngeal cavity, free prostatic vesicle, marginal tentacles formed by upfolding of anterior margin, centrally located sucker behind female pore (Faubel 1984) places Pseudoceros stellans sp. nov. in the family Pseudocerotidae while presence of characters such as smooth dorsal surface, single male copulatory apparatus with seminal vesicle (Fig. 4a) and armed penis papilla, pseudotentacles as simple folds of anterior margin, female pore equidistant from male pore and sucker (Faubel 1984; Newman and Cannon 1998) place this newly described species in the genus Pseudoceros. All of the above mentioned characters can be recognised in the present species from Agatti Island. The newly described species differs from all other congeners on the basis of dorsal colour and spots. Although there are some species under the genus Pseudoceros with spots (Pseudoceros astrorum Bulnes and Torres, 2014 Pseudoceros heroensis Newman and Cannon, 1994; P. josei Newman and Cannon, 1998; P. kylie Newman and Cannon, 1998; P. laingensis Newman and Cannon, 1998; P. leptostictus Bock, 1913, P. lindae Newman and Cannon, 1994; P. nigropunctatus Dixit, Raghunathan and Chandra, 2017 and P. vishnui Dixit, Raghunathan and Chandra, 2017) but the colour, size, arrangement, density and distribution of spots varies from species to species and is used for species identification. Pseudoceros josei, in terms of background colour and spots size and arrangement shows some affinity with the presently described species but it doesn’t have black marginal band. The spots turn white towards the margin (Newman and Cannon, 2005) which is opposite in case of P. stellans sp. nov. where spots turns yellow towards margin. Pseudoceros astrorum is also characterised by dark brown background with spots but it has a white marginal rim which is not present in P. stellans sp. nov. Pseudoceros kylie also possess dark brown background with cream microdots but has bright orange broken band just before the rim while the marginal band is black and continuous in P. stellans sp. nov. Other species such as P. laingensis (purple spots), P. leptostictus (small black and orange spots), P. lindae (golden yellow spots), P nigropunctatus (black spots with cream halo) and P. vishnui (purple to violet spots) possess spots with different types of colours, distribution and different type of marginal bands. Thus, in the light of above mentioned characters and comparisons, P. stellans sp. nov. is reported as a new species to science.Published as part of Dixit, Sudhanshu, Bayyana, Sharad, Manjebrayakath, Hashim, Saravanane, N. & Sudhakar, M., 2019, Polyclad fauna of Agatti Island, Lakshadweep, India: new records and description of two new species, pp. 246-260 in Zootaxa 4657 (2) on page 255, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4657.2.2, http://zenodo.org/record/376911
Pseudoceros stellans Dixit & Bayyana & Manjebrayakath & Saravanane & Sudhakar 2019, sp. nov.
No full textPseudoceros stellans sp. nov. Dixit (Figs. 6, 7 & 8) Material examined: Holotype: One specimen (13 × 9 mm) as serial sections (16 Slides), remainder of animal in 70% ethanol. Collected on 21.5.2018, 15 m depth, Agatti Island (10°52′28′′N 72°11′11′′E), Lakshadweep, India (Regn. no. IO /IT/POY/00006) Type locality: Agatti Island, Lakshadweep, India. Etymology: From the Latin stellans (adjective) — starry or star studded; for stars like appearance on dorsum Diagnosis: Background body colour brown with numerous small white to yellow microdots on dorsum. Different sized yellow blotches present on dorsum but most of the small white blotches are present on marginal area. Half of the median area is marbled with irregular white shading, thus appearing as depigmented area. A thick black marginal band run around whole body including pseudotentacles. This marginal band is studded with microdots and small yellow blotches. Pseudotentacles are simple folding of the anterior margin, black and spotted with white dots on dorsal side. Cerebral eye cluster horseshoe shaped. Description: Live. Body small, oval and margin without ruffles. Background body colour brown (Fig. 6a). Numerous small white to yellow microdots present all over dorsum. White dots are numerous near median area and gradually turns yellow towards margins. Many yellow blotches of different sizes on dorsum near margins (Fig. 6a). Anterior half of median area is marbled with irregular white shading. Marginal band thick and black with minute yellow microdots and small yellow blotches. Pseudotentacles are simple foldings of the anterior margin, black and spotted with white dots on dorsal side. Cerebral eye cluster horseshoe shaped (Fig. 6b), tentacular eyes hard to recognize due to black colour of pseudotentacles. Ventral surface light brownish in colour. Preserved. Specimen brown in colour after fixation (Fig. 6c). Ventrally dull whitish in colour. Male and female pore are 0.6 mm apart, while female pore and sucker are 2 mm apart (Fig. 6d). Mouth and male pore are 1.2 mm apart while mouth and sucker are 3.9 mm apart. Pharynx ruffled with eight to nine folds and male pore is situated between last pair of pharyngeal folds. Cerebral eye cluster with about 60 - 65 eyes. Reproductive system: Male copulatory apparatus consists of seminal vesicle, free prostatic vesicle (Fig. 7a), penis papilla, penis stylet housed in male atrium which open outside via male pore. An oval seminal vesicle (317 x 157 µm) is present (Fig. 7b). Its rounded part oriented towards prostatic vesicle while tapered part is oriented towards cement glands. A free, small, circular and thick walled prostatic vesicle (80 x 58 µm) is present anterior to seminal vesicle (Fig. 7 a, b). Thickness of prostatic vesicle’s wall varies from 15 to 20 µm. Male atrium conical (283 µm x 187 µm) housing conical penis papilla (170 µm) with a stylet (Fig. 7c). Female copulatory apparatus consists of vagina, cement pouch surrounded by dense cement glands and female atrium. The vagina opens to a short female atrium via cement pouch which receives secretion from cement glands (Fig. 7c). Taxonomic remarks: Presence of ruffled pharynx, male copulatory apparatus just behind pharyngeal cavity, free prostatic vesicle, marginal tentacles formed by upfolding of anterior margin, centrally located sucker behind female pore (Faubel 1984) places Pseudoceros stellans sp. nov. in the family Pseudocerotidae while presence of characters such as smooth dorsal surface, single male copulatory apparatus with seminal vesicle (Fig. 4a) and armed penis papilla, pseudotentacles as simple folds of anterior margin, female pore equidistant from male pore and sucker (Faubel 1984; Newman and Cannon 1998) place this newly described species in the genus Pseudoceros. All of the above mentioned characters can be recognised in the present species from Agatti Island. The newly described species differs from all other congeners on the basis of dorsal colour and spots. Although there are some species under the genus Pseudoceros with spots (Pseudoceros astrorum Bulnes and Torres, 2014 Pseudoceros heroensis Newman and Cannon, 1994; P. josei Newman and Cannon, 1998; P. kylie Newman and Cannon, 1998; P. laingensis Newman and Cannon, 1998; P. leptostictus Bock, 1913, P. lindae Newman and Cannon, 1994; P. nigropunctatus Dixit, Raghunathan and Chandra, 2017 and P. vishnui Dixit, Raghunathan and Chandra, 2017) but the colour, size, arrangement, density and distribution of spots varies from species to species and is used for species identification. Pseudoceros josei, in terms of background colour and spots size and arrangement shows some affinity with the presently described species but it doesn’t have black marginal band. The spots turn white towards the margin (Newman and Cannon, 2005) which is opposite in case of P. stellans sp. nov. where spots turns yellow towards margin. Pseudoceros astrorum is also characterised by dark brown background with spots but it has a white marginal rim which is not present in P. stellans sp. nov. Pseudoceros kylie also possess dark brown background with cream microdots but has bright orange broken band just before the rim while the marginal band is black and continuous in P. stellans sp. nov. Other species such as P. laingensis (purple spots), P. leptostictus (small black and orange spots), P. lindae (golden yellow spots), P nigropunctatus (black spots with cream halo) and P. vishnui (purple to violet spots) possess spots with different types of colours, distribution and different type of marginal bands. Thus, in the light of above mentioned characters and comparisons, P. stellans sp. nov. is reported as a new species to science.Published as part of Dixit, Sudhanshu, Bayyana, Sharad, Manjebrayakath, Hashim, Saravanane, N. & Sudhakar, M., 2019, Polyclad fauna of Agatti Island, Lakshadweep, India: new records and description of two new species, pp. 246-260 in Zootaxa 4657 (2) on page 255, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4657.2.2, http://zenodo.org/record/376911
IJCM_112A: Impact of competitive spirit on weight, waist circumference and HbA1c among the followers of Dixit Lifestyle participating in 90 Days weightloss and Diabetes Reversal Challenge
No full textBackground:
Author has initiated World free of obesity and diabetes campaign since 2013. This lifestyle suggests taking only two meals in a day and go for any cardio exercise for 45 minutes at a stretch every day. This lifestyle is showing great results in weight loss and diabetes prevention/remission. Through the campaign 90 days weight loss and diabetes reversal challenge was organized from 1t August to 31st October 2023.
Objectives:
1) To find out the effect of competitive spirit on weight and waist circumference among the participants 2) To find out the effect of competitive spirit on HbA1c and doses of diabetes medicines
Methodology:
Through messages on social media people were informed about the 90 days weight loss and diabetes reversal challenge. To join the challenge it was mandatory to submit there latest HbA1c and fasting insulin report, weight (Kg) and waist circumference (cm). Participants were categorized and added to non diabetic, prediabetic and diabetic WhatsApp groups having senior coordinators who monitored their progress. Members had to post screen shot of daily exercise and photo of daily meals. Weekly quizzes and various competitions were organized. Members filled daily google form and progress tracker at the end challenge with all parameters.
Results:
Out of 648 members 544 submitted all data at the end of three months which included 68 non diabetics, 253 prediabetics and 223 diabetics. Average weight loss was 4.12 Kg and waist circumference loss was 2.29 inches. Average HbA1c reduction was 0.428 gm%. 80 diabetics converted to prediabetic status and 10 to non diabetic status. 53 prediabetics became non diabetics. In 44 diabetics medicines were reduced and in 16 they were stopped.
Conclusion:
Competitive spirit while following Dixit Lifestyle has shown great results as regards weight loss, inch loss and HbA1c reduction
Electrochemically impregnated aluminum-stabilized alpha-nickel hydroxide electrodes
No full textNickel-positive electrodes obtained by electrochemical impregnation of aluminum-substituted alpha-nickel hydroxide are found to deliver a reversible discharge capacity of ca. 450 mAh/g. This is much higher than the capacity of beta-nickel hydroxide electrodes [200 mAh/g: this work; 225 mAh/g: Dixit et al., J. Power Sources, 63, 167 (1996)] prepared under identical conditions and pasted electrodes comprising cobalt-doped nickel hydroxide [345 mAh/g: Faure et al., J. Power Sources, 36, 497 (1991)]. These observations suggest that the theoretical target-capacity for high-performance nickel-positive electrodes must be revised from the currently accepted value of 289 mAh/g (le exchange) to 491 mAh/g [1.7e exchange: Corrigan and Knight, J. Electrochem. Soc., 136, 613 (1989)]. (C) 1999 The Electrochemical Society. S1099-0062(98)08-044-4. All rights reserved
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