INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LIFE SCIENCES

297-305

Authors: Simasiku EK, Mafwila SK, Abah J , Hay CJ and Matengu KK

The feeding ecology of tiger fish, Hydrocynus vittatus (Characidae), in the Kalimbeza Channel on the Zambezi River, Namibia was investigated between February - December 2016. The fish sampling was conducted monthly using cotton multifilament nets with stretched mesh sizes: 12, 16, 22, 28, 35, 45, 57, 73, 93, 118 and 150 mm. A total of 498 specimens of the fish were collected and their stomachs dissected for contents analyses. The findings indicated that large size classes of H. vittatus (>176mm) were largely piscivorous, and showed a diet shift with changes in size. The small size classes of H. vittatus (<140mm) consumed mainly Aquatic insects (21.1%), Synodontis spp (17.8%), and Micralestes acutidens (12.1%). They later shifted to diet in which Synodontis spp (26.1%), Brycinus lateralis (15.2%) and M. acutidens (13.0%) dominated. Seasonal shift in diet were apparent due to changes in seasonal food abundances and distributions. During the wet season, H. vittatus fed mainly on aquatic insects and later showed a shift to diet dominated by fish prey items during the dry season. Hydrocynus vittatus showed no strict food regime and this gives it a better chance of survival. Ratios of prey length-predator length averaged approximately 0.27. The study showed that H. vittatus plays an ecological role with the ability of converting un-exploitable non-commercial species into exploitable protein. Hence their population must be of conservation priority to ensure a balanced fishery in the Zambezi River.

311-322

Authors: Woubshet Demissie, Selamyihun Kidanu and Cherukuri V Raghavaiah

A field experiment was conducted during 2015 rainy season to investigate the effect of integrated nutrient and lime application on soil fertility and productivity of barley at Telecho, Wolmera district in the highlands of Western Ethiopia. The experiment comprised nine treatments namely (t1):control, (t2):compost at 5t ha-1, (t3):lime at 611kg ha-1 , (t4) :compost at 5t ha-1 + lime at 611kg ha-1, (t5): lime at 611kg ha-1 + DAP 150 kg ha-1 and urea 72 kg ha-1research recommendation (60 kg n ha-1and 69 kg p2o5 ha-1), (t6):site specific fertilizer recommendation (npsb at 150 kg ha-1, kcl at 100 kg ha-1, n at 33 kg ha-1), (t7): lime at 611kg ha-1 + npsb at 150 kg ha-1, kcl at 100 kg ha-1, n at 33 kg ha-1, (t8): lime at 611kg ha-1 + compost at 5t ha-1 + npsb at 150 kg ha-1, kcl at 100 kg ha-1, n at 33 kg ha-1, (t9): lime at 611kg ha-1 + 2.5 t ha-1 compost with 50 % of site specific fertilizer recommendation (npsb at 75 kg ha-1, kcl at 50 kg ha-1, n at 16 kg ha-1 ) laid out in a randomized complete block design with 3 replicates. Lime requirement was determined based on exchangeable acidity. Soil analysis revealed that lime application raised soil pH from 3.80 to the pH level ranging from 6.63 to 6.86. Yield and yield components of barley was significantly affected by the treatments. The highest and significant crop yield response was obtained with t8 (5385.6 kg ha-1). Likewise nutrient uptake (n, p, k, s) was significantly higher in plots treated with t8 compared to t1, t2, t3, t4, t6. However, in most cases the difference in yield and yield attributes, nutrient uptake, and soil parameters due to t1, t2, t3,t4, t6, were not discernible suggesting that all elements of soil health and fertility issues should be addressed together. The highest net return (30633 birr ha-1) with MRR (666.81) was obtained with t9. Thus, integrated use of lime at 611kg ha-1 + 2.5 t ha-1 compost together with 50 % of soil test based fertilizer recommendation (npsb at 75 kg ha-1, kcl at 50 kg ha-1, n at 16 kg ha-1) for barley is advocated in the study area and other locations with similar agro-ecologies to maximize barley grain productivity ha-1 and higher economic return.

332-344

Authors: Sammer Marzouk,

Background: Cytochrome C Oxidase Subunit 1 (COX1) is a protein that helps to catalyze the reduction of water into oxygen in Eukaryotes. Through the analyzation of COX1 from online public genetic databases in 16 species of fish, an evolutionary phylogeny of fish was derived from the data. This paper considered three hypotheses: Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) and Tiktaalik (Tiktaalik roseae) share a common ancestor was determined; that A.gueldenstaedtii and P.spathula both share a common ancestor; and that P.marinus and S.acanthias are the outliers of the phylogeny. The evolutionary phylogeny used the percent ID between the two species of fish. From these differences, analysis is done to the data and the data is used to make phylogenies based on the morphological and genetic evolution of these fish. Results: From the data derived from the phylogenies, the results demonstrates the claims that Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) and Tiktaalik (Tiktaalik roseae) share a common ancestor was determined, A.gueldenstaedtii and P.spathula both share a common ancestor, and P.marinus and S.acanthias are the outliers of the phylogeny. Conclusion: The data gathered can be used to connect tetrapods to fish, and contribute to the theory that tetrapods came from fish. The information presented in this paper can be used to make a complete phylogeny of all organisms in the biosphere.

362-378

Authors: Saikia Rajashree, Das Tapati, Gogoi Budhin, Kachari Akash, Safi Vivekanand and Das Debangshu N

The community structure and seasonal dynamics of zooplankton were examined in high altitude rice fish system of Eastern Himalaya. The study was conducted at fortnight interval from field preparation to harvesting of rice during two seasons of 2013 and 2014. All the standard procedures were followed to obtain relevant quantitative and qualitative data on zooplankton showing, a total of five major communities of zooplankton viz., Cladocera, Copepoda, Rotifera, Protozoa, and Ostracoda were encountered. These comprised of 33 taxa of Cladocera, 11 taxa of Copepoda, 17 taxa of Rotifera, 5 taxa of Protozoa and only one taxon of Ostracoda. Cladocera was the most dominant (29%) while Rotifera (12%) was least abundant. Density of zooplankton communities showed significant (p<0.05%) monthly variation during the rice growing seasons. The computed diversity indices confirmed the presence of diversified zooplankton in the rice fish system. Month wise cluster of similarity index revealed very close species composition at initial and mid phases compared to end phase of the rice growing season. The zooplankton therefore becomes natural food sources of fishes concurrently in the flooded rice fields to enhance unit land productivity.

387-393

Authors: Ramya K and Thirunalasundari Thiyagarajan

Lichens form an ideal model to study its bioactive metabolites. A symbiotic association between fungus and a chlorophyll containing partner; the green algae or cyanobacteria, and sometimes both together form lichens. Lichens are important species for several reasons. The unique and biologically active substances present in the lichen thalli contribute to several important medicinal values of lichens like antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, cytotoxic effect and many more. All these manifold activities of lichen metabolites represent the therapeutic potential of lichens that has a great impact in Pharma industries. The present article is a review on the importance of lichens in contributing towards valuable resources emphasising on its medicinal properties.

399-404

Authors: Parvathi D, Rajender Reddy A and Krishna Reddy V

Incidence of mycotoxins is a major problem encountered by poultry industry as in most cases low grade feed ingredients are used in the formulation of feeds. Investigations carried out to assess the incidence of mycotoxins in poultry feeds revealed that aflatoxin followed by ochratoxin A were most common and contaminated large number of poultry feeds and feed ingredients. Most of the samples were found to be contaminated with more than one mycotoxin. Farm mixed feed samples were recorded with highest frequencies of mycotoxin contamination than the commercial brands.

409-419

Authors: Sajjan MB, Jadhav BV and Patil RN

30 species of amphibians were reported during a survey belonging to 19 genera of 9 families and 2 orders from Sangli district, Maharashtra, India, during June 2013 to June 2017. Out of 30 species recorded, 19 species are endemic to Western Ghats. All of the tehsils in this district except Shirala fall under semi arid zone having rich amphibian diversity. Shirala tehsil is flanked by Western Ghats with high rainfall and humidity harbouring highest number of species, while Atpadi tehsils is a drought prone zone with the lowest number of species. The highest numbers of species are reported at 1100m asl and the lowest number of species in the area below 600m asl. Along with checklist, information about the habitat, rainfall, temperature, distribution and status of amphibians in the district are given.

425-438

Authors: Parashare VM, Nikam S Nade VS, Pande Shishir

The present study was aimed to investigate in vivo, in vitro antioxidant activity of the processed curcuma Longa L. turmeric (PT) and unprocessed curcuma Longa L. (UPT). Both the extract are subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening. In in-vitro antioxidant properties total Phenolic content in each extract was determined using Gallic acid as a standard, calibration curve was prepared. The result is expressed as mg of Gallic acid equivalent per gram of extract. For unprocessed turmeric (UPT) and processed turmeric (PT) the values were 2.4 mg of GAE/g and 2.1mg of GAE/g. respectively. In in-vitro antioxidant properties total flavonoid content was determined in each extract using Quercetin as reference standards. Total flavonoid content in methanolic extract of UPT and PT in terms of quercetin equivalent (QE) was 152.25mg/100 g and 37.98mg/ 100 g of dry extract respectively. Total antioxidant activity of UPT and PT extract in terms of ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE) was 6.394 and 3.922 mg/ ml of extract respectively. In- vivo study involved five groups of each comprising six Wistar rats (250 - 300 kg) and labelled as Hyperglycemic, Normal, Standard drug Glipizide, UPT treated and PT treated. Besides the Normal group Alloxan was administered in all animals as a single dose (50 mg/kg, i.v.) to induce diabetes. A dose of 300 mg of processed and unprocessed turmeric/kg of body weight was evaluated using acute toxicity test. It is orally administered daily for four weeks after induction of diabetic. The fasting blood glucose level was measured. The animal whose glucose level did not rise to more than 250mg/dl was rejected. Only animals that presented with glycemic levels equal to or above 250 mg/dl were submitted to treatments, which consisted of a daily administration of the UPT and PT turmeric for 21days. It was considered as a first day and blood samples (Approximately 0.5ml) were collected from rats by puncturing the retro orbital sinus, under mild ether anesthesia on 1st,7th, 14th 21st day for glucose estimations using GOD-POD method. At the same time urine sugar was estimated using Diastic. At the end of the study all groups rats pancreases were removed, labelled, were minced and 10% (W/V) tissue homogenate was prepared using 0.1 M Phosphate buffer (PH 7.4) in a Potter- Elvehjem type homogenizer and used to enzyme assay. The comparison using statistical analysis ANOVA was performed. Decrease level of lipid peroxidase as compare to Diabetic, increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity are statistically analysed.( p<0.05).These findings suggest that the UPT has potent antioxidant and antidiabetic activity, which may be responsible for some of its reported pharmacological activities and can be used as antioxidant supplement. Substances, chemicals rendering anti-oxidative properties can attenuate alloxan toxicity.

447-450

Authors: Parbhankar RL and Mogle UP

Organic manures were prepared from common weeds like Tephrosia and Achyranthus. Spinach seeds was sown at the seed rate 30 kg/ha, frequent irrigation was given as per requirement. In a course of time 3 regrowth’s were studied after 41, 76 and 111 days of sowing. Productivity of spinach shows maximum amount of yield produced by weed vermicompost, weed compost and green manure as compared to chemical fertilizers and control.

455-458

Authors: Kale SS

The present communication deals with description of new species Lytocestus paithanesis n.sp. is reported from Clarias batrachus at paithan Dist. Aurangabad. It difference from all known species of the genus, with the characters like, head is spatulate, narrower than body, broad base and narrow apex; neck medium, wide narrow anteriorly and posterioly wide; gonads located near the posterior end of the worm, testes 220-250 in number, oval, preovarian, scattered in middle of worm; ovary medium H- shaped; large ootype ; utrus tubular and wide.

462-464

Authors: Kale Sanjay S

The new species of the genus moniezia, Blanchard 1891 collected from intestine of Capra hircus at kasgi Tq. Omerga Dist. Osmanabad, M.S india. It differs from all the know species of genus with charactes, scolex small, triangular, auteriorly broad, posteriorly narrow, four suckers towards anterior, oval, long neck, matureproglotttids broader than long, double set of reproductive organs testes 40 to 50 oval, cirrus thin, coiled, protruded within pouch, cirrus pouch near anterior margin of segment, medium cylindrical, curved, thin long vas deferens, ovary bilobed, medium, middle in the segment, vagina thin tube, posterior to cirrus pouch, ootype small, oval, genital pore bilateral, small and oval.

471-473

Authors: Deshmukh Pratap V

Peoples from Burud society are economically poor and there is no any another source for livelihood. From their ancestors they weaves some things useful for daily needs from plant material like Lantana, Ipomoea, Shindi etc. After some working experience they leads for manufacture of articles from Bamboo. Some plants are very soft and some are very strong. Out of these plants one was bamboo which is very high and stem is strength. In our India Bamboo plants are distributed I Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra etc. This plant is very useful and maintains diversity of flora of region. No of peoples and their life style is depends on such plants because they got currency and job for daily maintenance. Dendrocalamus strictus Bamboo have no of uses to human being and also to environment.

481-482

Authors: Thorat MM

The Biochemical contents like minerals & vitamins were studied in clarias batrachus. Minerals constitute 1 to 2 % fish flesh content. The bulk is concentrated in fish bones, muscles & scales. Vitamins A, B & D provides fish, Liver is particularly rich in vit B12 & B-complex.Fish flesh content proteins, moisture, minerals & other constituents. The water content of the fish known to vary inversely as the fat content, other constituents do not vary widely. Vitamins & enzymes are also present.