27 research outputs found
FIGURE 4. A in Description of a new species of genus Trachischium with a redescription of Trachischium fuscum (Serpentes: Colubridae: Natricinae)
No full textFIGURE 4. A. Lectotype of Trachischium fuscum (ZSI7044), B. Anomalous ventrals of a T. fuscum (ZSI7059), C. Nine eggs in a specimen of Trachischium fuscum (ZSI19120)Published as part of Raha, Sujoy, Das, Sunandan, Bag, Probhat, Debnath, Sudipta & Pramanick, Kousik, 2018, Description of a new species of genus Trachischium with a redescription of Trachischium fuscum (Serpentes: Colubridae: Natricinae), pp. 549-561 in Zootaxa 4370 (5) on page 554, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4370.5.6, http://zenodo.org/record/114735
Trachischium sushantai Raha & Das & Bag & Debnath & Pramanick 2018, sp. nov.
No full textTrachischium sushantai sp. nov. (Figures 1, 2) Holotype. ZSI25651 A, National Zoological Collection, ZSI, Kolkata; adult female; from ‘ Jammu’ (Jammu & Kashmir state, India); collected on 4th August, 1993, during Jammu survey; name of collector is given in register as ‘ Rajtilok’. Diagnosis. Trachischium sushantai sp. nov. can be diagnosed by a combination of the following characters: a single nasal and PF, SL (R/L) 6/6, post-ocular 1, DSCH:M: V 13:13:13; VEN 152; SC 23 pairs of which those on anterior half of tail are as long as wide and regular hexagon/ rhomboid shaped, TAL/TL ratio of 0.11, head and dorsum uniform dark brown, venter brown with cream or yellow border on the trailing edges of VEN and SC. Etymology. The new species is named after Sushanta Kumar Das, father of the second author of present paper. He is an enthusiastic nature observer who have spent a significant amount of time of his life in forested areas of West Bengal (India) and nurtured the same interest in the second author. The specific epithet, a patronym, is a noun in genitive case. Description of holotype. Adult female; incised on underside; SVL and TAL of 276 mm and 35 mm respectively; tail small, TAL /TL ratio being only 0.11; head small (HL 7.8 mm, 2.8 % of SVL); head width (HW 4.7 mm) greater than head height (HH 4.2 mm); head indistinct from neck; eye small (ED 1 mm, 12.8 % of HL); ESN 2.9 mm; rostral slightly wider than high (1.1 mm and 0.8 mm, respectively); internasals paired, much shorter than the single PF; frontal pentagonal, 2.8 mm long, longer than its distance from the posterior edge of rostral (1.9 mm), around two and half times wider than supraocular; parietals, being 4.4 mm long, are longer than frontal; 1 pre- and 1 post-ocular; loreal nearly twice wider than high and is in contact with nasal, internasal, frontal, preocular and 1 st and 2nd SL; very small nostril in single forward directed nasal; SL (R/L) 6/6, 1 st smallest and 6th largest, 3rd and 4th touching eye; IL (R/L) 6/6, 1st, 2nd and 3rd IL touch the anterior genial while the 4th one contacts both the anterior and posterior genials; anterior genials longer than posterior genials; TEMP (R/L) 1+2/1+2; maxillary teeth in life were probably around 16 or 17 (counting for missing teeth which were evident by longer than usual gaps between extant teeth at some places), subequal; dorsal scales smooth, including those around the region of the tail base, DSCH:M: V 13:13:13; VEN 152; anal divided; SC 23 pairs, anterior subcaudals (those on anterior half of tail) are as wide as long (4SCW/L 1.05 and 5SCW/L 1.01), regular hexagonal or rhomboid shaped, SC become slightly wider than long on posterior part of tail; tail tip in a spike like scale. Coloration in preservative: head and dorsum uniform dark brown; edges of scales on lower jaw lighter colored; venter brown with outeredges of VEN cream or dirty yellow; underside of tail light brown with the posterior edges of SC bordered with lighter yellowish cream. Comparisons. T. sushantai sp. nov. differs from T. monticola in possessing 13 rows of dorsal scales (vs. 15 rows in the latter), undivided PF (vs. divided PF in T. monticola), 1 post-ocular (vs. usually 2 in the latter) and 152 VEN (vs. less than 125 VEN in T. monticola [Smith 1943])(Table 2). T. sushantai sp. nov. differs from T. leave in having 6 SL, 1 PF, 23 SC and a brown venter (vs. 5 SL, 2 PF, 29– 39 SC and a yellow venter in T. leave). T. sushantai sp. nov. can be diagnosed from T. tenuiceps by having a shorter tail (TAL /TL 0.11), 1 PF, 1 postocular, 23 SC of which the anterior ones are regular hexagonal or rhomboid and a brown venter (vs. TAL /TL 0.15– 0.18, 2 PF and 2 post-oculars, 28–42 SC of which anterior ones are transversely elongated and yellowish or orange ventral coloration in T. tenuiceps). T. sushantai sp. nov. differs from T. guentheri by having a brown venter and 23 pairs of SC (vs. a coral red venter in T. guentheri and SC more than 30 in T. guentheri [Smith 1943]). The new species most closely resembles T. fuscum from which it can be distinguished by its shorter tail (TAL / TL 0.11) compared to T. fuscum (vs. TAL /TL 0.13–0.18 [± 0.14 in 27 specimens] in T. fuscum), 23 pairs of SC of which anterior ones are regular hexagonal/rhomboid with 4SCW/L 1.05 and 5SCW/L 1.01 (vs. 30–44 SC in T. fuscum [31–41 in females examined by us], SC wider than long and are not regular hexagonal/rhomboid with 4SCW/L 1.33–3 [± 1.6 in 22 specimens] and 5SCW/L 1.27–2.7 [± 1.6 in 21 specimens] in physically examined specimens [specimens of T. fuscum examined from photographs too had SC number within the range given here and were distinctly wider than long]). Distribution. Trachischium sushantai sp. nov. is currently known only from its type locality in Jammu (Jammu & Kahmir, India) (Figure 3). Natural history. Unknown.Published as part of Raha, Sujoy, Das, Sunandan, Bag, Probhat, Debnath, Sudipta & Pramanick, Kousik, 2018, Description of a new species of genus Trachischium with a redescription of Trachischium fuscum (Serpentes: Colubridae: Natricinae), pp. 549-561 in Zootaxa 4370 (5) on pages 550-553, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4370.5.6, http://zenodo.org/record/114735
Trachischium fuscum Blyth 1854, sp. nov
No full textRedescription of Trachischium fuscum Blyth, 1854 (Fig. 4A) Talukdar et al. (1980) designated ZSI7044 as the lectotype of Trachischium fuscum. They provided a redescription but it was brief and contained some ambiguous (such as number of VEN) and erroneous (namely SVL and TAL) information. Moreover, it lacked morphometric details and description of the novel characters used in this paper (such as 4SCW/L and 5SCW/L) used to separate T. sushantai sp. nov from T.fuscum. The aforesaid reasons necessitate the inclusion of a redescription of the lectotype of T. fuscum along with an analysis of variation in paralectotypes and non-type materials of T. fuscum. Redescription was based on the lectotype of Trachischium fuscum (ZSI7044): Adult male; SVL 325 mm and TAL 52 mm (not 305 mm and 49 mm respectively as reported by Talukdar et al. [1980]); TAL/TL ratio is 0.14; head small (HL 9.8 mm, 3.2 % of SVL), wider than its height (HW and HH 6.6 mm and 5.1 respectively); head indistinct from neck; eye small (ED 1.3 mm, 13.3 % of HL); ESN 3.7 mm; rostral slightly broader than high (width and height of rostral 1.2 mm and 1.1 mm respectively); internasals paired, much shorter than the undivided PF; length of the pentagonal frontal shield (3.6 mm) greater than its distance from the end of rostral (1.9 mm), wider than supraoculars; parietals (length 5.6 mm) longer than frontal; 1 pre- and 1 post-ocular; loreal twice wider than high; nasals divided and very small; SL (R/L) 6/6, 1 st smallest, 6th largest, 3rd and 4th touching the eye; IL (R/L) 6/6 of 4 are in contact with the genials; anterior genials longer than posterior genials; TEMP (R/L) 1+2/1+2; dorsal scales smooth except those on the basal region of tail which are keeled, DSCH:M: V 13:13:13; VEN 156; anal divided; SC 35 pairs, those one anterior half on tail around twice wider than long with 4SCW/L 2.46 and 5SCW/L 1.88. Blyth (1854) described the colour as follows ‘Of an iridescent dull black colour throughout, the ventrals slightly margined paler.’ Now the specimen has become uniformly brown, with paler margins at the trailing edge of VEN still being evident. Variations. Range of morphometric and meristic data of paralectotypes and other non-type specimens of T. fuscum are presented in Table 1. Head and dorsal scalation in this species shows almost no variation except that in ZSI18693 there is only one 1 posterior TEMP on right side. Smith (1943) reported the range of VEN as 150–165 (the lowest VEN count reported by Sharma [2007] is 132 which is most probably erroneous). The highest VEN count made by us was 169 in ZSI19120. Range of SC reported by Smith (1943) was 28–42. In ZSI18679, there are 44 pairs of SC. ZSI7059 (collected from Darjeeling) exhibits several anomalous ventral scales (Figure 4B). In this specimen, split VEN, incomplete VEN and fused VEN are present sporadically among normal VEN. This anomaly results from abnormalities on vertebrae and ribs (e.g. Shine et al. 2005; Mebert 2011). This specimen also has divided PF. Wall (1909b) found one specimen from Darjeeling which got 9 of its anterior SCs undivided. We found undivided SC in three specimens, including one paralectotype (ZSI7051). The dorsum coloration (in preservative) varies from dark brown to almost jet black. Juveniles, as reported by Wall (1909b) and Smith (1943), have longitudinal stripes and an incomplete collar over nape. Here we would like to mention that there is another specimen from Jammu deposited in ZSI general collection (ZSI25651 B) with divided nasal, VEN 150, SC 35 (first 4 undivided, rest distinctly wider than long, not regular hexagon/rhomboid shaped), SVL 227 mm and TAL 45 mm (TAL 19.8 % of SVL) and black dorsum. It can be seen that this specimen can be easily distinguished from the holotype of T. sushantai sp. nov. and we currently refer it to T. fuscum as we could not find any differences in characters from other T. fuscum of eastern Himalaya that we have studied. Distribution. T. fuscum was found from the states of Jammu & Kashmir, northern West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Assam and eastern Arunachal Pradesh in India, east and central Nepal and Bhutan border area (Günther 1860; Boulenger 1893; Annandale 1904; Wall 1909b; Smith 1943; Agarwal et al. 2010; Wallach et al. 2014; also see the references contained in Wallach et al. 2014). We currently regard one specimen from Jammu as T. fuscum. Also see comments on Ablabes gilgiticus. Wall (1924) regarded the locality Khasi hills (Meghalaya state) to be questionable. Natural history. T. fuscum is a montane snake and it is found between 920 and 2590 meters above sea level (Wallach et al. 2014). This snake species is semi-fossorial and live under stones and leaf litter in montane deciduous forests (Wall 1909b; Das, 2002; Agarwal et al. 2010). Though Das (2002) stated that these snakes become active after sunset, Wall (1909b) frequently found it during daytime in Darjeeling. They feed on earthworms and are of very gentle disposition (Wall 1909b). T. fuscum has a sex ratio that is skewed toward females. The specimens studied by us contained 14 males and 19 females (ratio 1:1.36). Wall (1909b) reported 37 males and 51 females among 88 specimens of which he determined the sex. A similar type of skewed sex ratio was reported for T. guentheri by Wall (1909b) and Chettri et al. (2009). The clutch size of T. fuscum was reported to be 3–6 (Wall 1909b). We found 9 eggs in ZSI19120 (from Gopaldhara, Darjeeling, West Bengal) (Figure 4C). This is the highest number of eggs reported for any Trachischium spp. to date. Hatchlings of this species were seen by Wall (1909b) in Darjeeling in July.Published as part of Raha, Sujoy, Das, Sunandan, Bag, Probhat, Debnath, Sudipta & Pramanick, Kousik, 2018, Description of a new species of genus Trachischium with a redescription of Trachischium fuscum (Serpentes: Colubridae: Natricinae), pp. 549-561 in Zootaxa 4370 (5) on pages 553-555, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4370.5.6, http://zenodo.org/record/114735
The nature of motive force
No full textIn this monograph Prof. Pramanick explicates the law of motive force, a fundamental law of nature that can be observed and appreciated as an addition to the existing laws of thermodynamics. This unmistakable and remarkable tendency of nature is equally applicable to all other branches of studies. He first conceptualized the law of motive force in 1989, when he was an undergraduate student. Here he reports various applications of the law in the area of thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics and solid mechanics, and shows how it is possible to solve analytically century-old unsolved problems through its application. This book offers a comprehensive account of the law and its relation to other laws and principles, such as the generalized conservation principle, variational formulation, Fermat’s principle, Bejan’s constructal law, entropy generation minimization, Bejan’s method of intersecting asymptotes and equipartition principle. Furthermore, the author addresses some interrelated fundamental problems of contemporary interest, especially to thermodynamicists, by combining analytical methods, physical reasoning and the proposed law of motive force. This foundational work is a valuable reading for both students and researchers in exact as well as non-exact sciences and, at the same time, a pleasant learning experience for the novice
Comparative anatomy and homology of jaw adductor muscles of some South Asian colubroid snakes (Serpentes: Colubroidea)
No full textWe studied jaw adductor muscles in eighteen species of South Asian colubroid snakes and presented a comparative account of their anatomy. The deepest layer of external adductor appears to be a composite of aductor mandibulae externus medialis and profundus fibres and caenophidians are characterized by an attenuation of the former muscle which may be correlated with the development of a derived type of mandible. Our observations further suggest that, though highly reduced, fibres homologous to adductor mandibulae externus medialis may be present in at least some colubroids with a bodenaponeurosis. Some hitherto unreported features pertaining to levator anguli oris and pterygomandibularis of some studied elapid, colubrine colubrid and ahaetuliine colubrid genera are also described
Perspectives and challenges of micro/nanoplastics‐induced toxicity with special reference to phytotoxicity
No full textAnalysing progress of SDG 6 in India: Past, Present, and Future
No full textAbstractHuman endeavors to meet social and economic water needs at national scale might cause negative environmental manifestations and water stress from local to global scale. So, appropriation of Sustainable Development Goals requires a comprehensive monitoring and knowledge base of the water resource availability, utilization and access. Hence, scientific research progression has a significant role to facilitate the implementation of sustainable development goals through assessment and policy implementation from global to local scales. India holds a key position among developing economies with a complex interconnected web of a fast-growing population, coupled with biophysical stress, social deprivation and economic inequality related to water and sanitation. This study addresses some of these challenges related to monitoring and implementation of the targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 in India. Acknowledging the contribution of society and economy in sustainability paradigm, here we have chosen 28 indicators (clustered into eleven dimensions) under two major groups, concerning biophysical and social development aspects of water and sanitation. We have shown declining level of per capita biophysical water resource and slow to rapidly developing social indicators related to Sustainable Development Goal 6 in India. From past trends, we have calculated probable scenario of biophysical consumption of India up to 2050, which shows at least 1.3 times increase. This cumulative assessment framework contributes a tool to prioritize water resource appropriation, management response and policy implementations to national level sustainability of water and sanitation in India. We also advocate the necessity of restraining threats both at source and consumption process levels in order to ensure national water security for both human and biodiversity, keeping in mind the societal and economic development scenario.</jats:p
Regulation of Ovarian Steroidogenesis in Vitro by Gonadotropin in Common Carp Cyprinus Carpio: Interaction Between Calcium- and Adenylate Cyclase-Dependent Pathways and Involvement of ERK Signaling Cascade
No full textMultiple signal transduction pathways mediating gonadotropin-induced testosterone and 17b-estradiol (E2) production
were identified in carp ovarian theca and granulosa cells in short-term co-incubation. Inhibitors of voltage-sensitive
calcium channels (VSCCs) and calmodulin attenuated human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)-induced steroid production,
whereas modulators of adenylate cyclase and protein kinase A (PKA) increased their production, indicating that both
calcium- and PKA-dependent pathways are involved in the regulation of gonadotropin-induced steroidogenesis in carp
ovary. Interactions between these two pathways are evident from the positive effect of elevated intracellular calcium on
HCG-induced steroid production and the reduction of forskolin (FK)- and dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP)-induced
steroidogenesis by inhibitors of VSCCs and calmodulin. In this study, we found the involvement of a third signaling
pathway, a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase), in the regulation of gonadal steroidogenesis in this fish.
An antagonist of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases 1/2 (MEK1/2; also known as MAP2K1/MAP2K2) markedly
attenuated HCG-induced steroid production. Cells treated with HCG stimulated MEK1/2-dependent phosphorylation of
extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERKs1/2) in a concentration and time-dependent manner. Moreover,
ERK1/2 activation in cells was mimicked by FK and dbcAMP suggesting that ERK1/2 transduce signal downstream of
PKA in HCG-induced ovarian steroidogenesis. Evidence for presence of cross talk between calcium-dependent
pathways and this MAP kinase cascade has been shown by demonstrating the inhibitory effects of verapamil and
calmodulin on ERK1/2 activation after HCG stimulation. Our results suggest that activation of ERK1/2 by HCG as well as
other agents may be a key mechanism for the modulation of gonadotropin-induced steroidogenesis in carp ovary.
Journal of Molecular Endocrinolog
Involvement of PI3 Kinase and MAP Kinase in IGF-I- and Insulin-induced Oocyte Maturation in Cyprinus Carpio
No full textPreviously, we observed that in vitro germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in Cyprinus carpio oocytes was
induced by recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and bovine insulin (b-insulin) and
this induction was steroid-independent. To investigate further the early signal transduction components
involved in this process, the possible role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3 kinase) during oocyte
maturation was examined. IGF-I- and b-insulin-induced oocyte maturation was significantly inhibited
by Wortmannin and LY294002, two mechanistically different specific inhibitors of PI3 kinase. IGF-I and
b-insulinwere shown to activate PI3 kinase after 90 min of their treatment. Both IGF-I and b-insulinwere
found to activate cdc2 kinase at 21 h of treatment. We examined the relative involvement of PI3 kinase,
MAP kinase and cdc2 kinase in IGF-I- and b-insulin-induced oocyte maturation in C. carpio. MAP kinase
was rapidly phosphorylated and activated (30–150 min) in response to exposure of the oocytes with
IGF-I and b-insulin. This response preceded the phosphorylation and activation of cdc2 by several hours
(almost 19 h). A potent and selective inhibitor of MEK, PD98059, the protein kinase that phosphorylates
and activate MAP kinase, blocked the phosphorylation and activation of MAP kinase and cdc2 kinase
and GVBD induction. Likewise, PI3 kinase inhibitors strongly inhibited phosphorylation and activation of
MAP kinase, which was increased during oocyte maturation. Taken together, these results suggest that
PI3 kinase is an initial component of the signal transduction pathway which precedes MAP kinase, and
MPF activation during IGF-I- and b-insulin-induced oocyte maturation in C. carpio
