Punjab University Journal of Zoology

1-6

Authors: T. Hussain, H.A. Hashmi, M.S. Khan and A. Tanveer

The study was designed to assess the prevalence of the Lymnaea snails, identification of infected and non-infected snails with intermediate stages of liver fluke and to recommend suitable copper sulphate concentration as molluscicide under laboratory and experimental pond conditions. Prevalence of Lymnaea species was found to be 42% and infection of Lymnaea snails with intermediate stage of Fasciola hepatica ranged between 38% and 69% in five habitats studied during the period from October 1992 to March 1993. Copper sulphate dilution 1 mg/100ml (10ppm) was found to be effective as molluscicide and safe for other aquatic fauna and vegetation.

25-32

Authors: Zahid Hussain Siddiqui and Sajjad Aslam Shami

Percentage distribution and allele frequencies of ABO and Rh-phenotypes are described in the cities of the Sind province, Pakistan. Sex differences and relationship between the distribution of ABO and Rh-phenotypes are discussed. A significant differences in the distribution of ABO-phenotypes in the males and females are seen in Jacobabad, Mirpur Khas, Nawabshah, Sukkur and Thatta. Average allele frequencies for ABO and Rh groups in the population of Sind are A=0.17: B=0.22: C=0.61: d=0.15.

41-50

Authors: Muhammad Akhtar, Asia Naseem and Abdul Rehman

Pilgrim (1937) based this genus upon a collection from the various localities of Pakistan and India. This collection comprised a skull lacking the maxilla and dentition and most of the basicranium (A.M.N.H. No. 19748). Pilgrim (1937) referred all these specimens to the genus Selenoportax Pilgrim and added one species in it, S. vexillarius Pilgrim. Lydekker (1884) described and figured seven different specimens under the name Boselaphus sp. from Punjab, no exact locality has been mentioned by him. These specimens were maxilla, mandible and isolated teeth. Pilgrim (1910) established the species Boselaphus lydekkeri on this material. However, Pilgrim later (1937) transferred all these specimens to the genus Selenoportax and species S. lydekkeri. Gentry (1974) proposed that referred teeth of a supposed species S. lydekkeri must be regarded as of uncertain identity. Recently, more material of the genus Selenoportax has been collected from the Siwaliks. This material consists of two fragmentary crania, mandible and many isolated teeth. These specimens are referred to the genus Selenoportax in three species, S. vexillarius, S. lydekkeri and a third new species S. dhokpathanensis. In general, the main difference seen between two species, S. vexillarius Pilgrim and S. lydekkeri lies in the size of upper teeth, M3 and mandible. There is no difference in the structure of the teeth. The teeth referred to species S. vexillarius are comparatively smaller than those of S. lydekkeri and are somewhat less hypsodont and have comparatively weaker median basal pillars in the upper molars. Selenoportax lydekkeri which was considered doubtful by Gentry (1974) has been regarded as a valid species of the genus Selenoportax Pilgrim.

57-66

Authors: Faiza Sharif and Firdausia Azam Ali

The brain of Musca domestica has nervous and non-nervous supporting and nutritive glial tissue. Neurons are for the most part association neurons forming optic, globuli and general type of association or internmcial neutrons. Motor neurons are confined to dentocerebrum only and are few. Specialized neurons performing secretory function are abundant in the parts intercenebralis region of the brain. Four types of glial cells are found. The characters and the dimensions vary according to the type.

83-88

Authors: Basharat Ahmed and A.R. Shakoori

Twenty-four Shigellae strains were isolated from different clinical sources in Pakistan. These isolates were screened for their resistance to the antibiotics, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, enoxacin, gentamicin, septran, tetracycline, urixin and velosef. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined and the isolates showed the highest frequency of resistance against Septran at 50 and 100 µg/ml whereas at 250 and 500 µg/ml, the highest frequency of resistance was against Urixin. The lowest frequency of resistance was against Enoxacin, followed by gentamicin and Choramphenicol. At 250 µg/ml level, the isolates showed a considerable decrease in the resistance frequency of almost all antibiotics. In the present study, 95.8% of these Shigellae were multi-drug resistant strains. Our results emphasize the urgent need to exercise restraint in the use of oral antibiotics in Shigellosis. The overall incidence of Shigella infections can be decreased by improvement in the levels of environmental and personal hygiene.