INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LIFE SCIENCES

207-211

Authors: Kelkar Tushar S | Katdare Ajit S | Bhalerao Satish A

Weeds are unavoidable in any cultivable patch and gardens are also not exceptional case. In absence of weeding as a horticultural practice, weeds can be a big problem which gets more troublesome in case of gardens, as weeds may superpose the beauty of that particular part of garden. Majority of weeds show presence of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) root colonization. This root colonization may be reached to 100 per cent in weeds like Euphorbia hirta. Similar way, many of the ornamentals used in gardens are also known to harbour AM. Thane city is one of the main hubs for Mumbai and Navi Mumbai which facilitates a good ambience for new comers in Mumbai. A number of lakes is one of the characters of Thane City (Maharashtra). Majority of them are in proper city and as a recreation, gardens are developed surrounding to these lakes. One of such garden is Brahmala Talao Udyan (Brahmala Lake Garden), which is under Thane Municipal Corporation. In present investigation, roots of some weeds like Euphorbia hirta, Phyllanthus niruri, Physalis minima, Tridax procumbence, Heliotropium indicum etc and of some ornamentals like Pedilanthus sp, Rosa indica, Duranta racemosa, Cynadon dactylon, Acalypha indica etc were screened for presence of AM fungi association. Care was taken that both the types of plants like weeds and ornamentals were collected on same day. Same time rhizospheric soil samples of respective plants were collected and analysed for physico-chemical properties like soil pH, organic matter, soil moisture etc. Same rhizospheric soil samples were screened for AMF spores (chlamydospores).

217-222

Authors: Aney AK

Mutation breeding by using radiations has been proved to be an important tool in introducing different desirable characters of agronomic values. Irradiation of plant materials by gamma rays is widely used to induce mutations at the genetic level which encounter with number of biochemical processes leading to the desirable changes in the genotype. Seeds of two varieties of Pea i.e. P. sativum var. hortense (garden pea) and P. sativum var. arvense (field pea) were exposed to different doses of gamma irradiation to evaluate the effect on morphological, floral characters and pollen viability. Gamma irradiation mostly has adverse effect on floral characters and pollen viability. It has been apparent from the data that different floral parts in both the varieties are showing dose dependent reducing trends. Lower doses of gamma irradiation are found to be enhancing the number of pollen grains produced in the anther. Pollen-ovule ratio has shown significant increase in var. hortense except in 200 Gy dose. Data on present studies has reveled that genotype of var. arvense is more sensitive to gamma irradiation than var. hortense.

226-228

Authors: Bhosale RS | More AD

The seeds of Withania somnifera, Dunal. Var. nagori were selected and used for following research. The healthy, dry and uniform seeds were treated with different doses of Gamma rays like 10kR, 20kR, 30kR and 40kR. Germination parameters like seed germination percentage, seedling height and seedling injury were studied. Germination percentage in control was 82 %. Germination percentage revealed gradual decrease from lower doses to higher doses in given treatments of Gamma rays. In case of seedling height there was dose dependent deduction after treatment of Gamma rays. In Gamma rays treated seeds seedling height was in the range 1.853 cm to 1.5743 cm and seedling injury varied from 2.4 % to 8.8%. In conclusion it can be said that use of chemical mutagens has succeeded in inducing M1 Biological parameters.

235-238

Authors: Mukherjee Parnashree | Khandelwal Rupali | Tekam Krishna Kumar | Pendro Jagmohan

The present article summarizes an assessment of the biodiversity of different groups of insect population of Dumna Nature Reserve, Jabalpur in correlation with the evaluation of Association index to find out the distribution pattern of the insects in the reserve.

244-248

Authors: Neelima Bagde

The Mawasi tribes of Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh India mostly use invertebrate derived medicine for a whole range of affections like delectation, ulcer, conjunctivitis, leucorrhea, pneumonia, fit, asthma, fever, rheumatism, ear pain, tuberculosis, vomiting, weakness, impotency and stop bleeding. Detailed information has been obtained on the traditional therapeutic use of 15 different invertebrate species. A field survey was conducted from July 2009 to October 2009 by performing interview through structured questionnaire with 10 selected respondents, who provided information regarding use of invertebrate animals and their products in folk medicine. The zoo therapeutic knowledge inherited since time immemorial was mostly based on the use of invertebrate animals as important medicinal resources. It is suggested that this kind of knowledge may be useful to save the life in emergency. The study also gives emphasis on the strategies of conservation and management of faunistic resources. The ethno -zoological practice indicates that traditional knowledge of zoo therapy is a must and to be strengthened in order to discover the new line of resources in pharmaceutics.

256-262

Authors: Bansod DS | Dhamani AA

The thyroid gland showed marked seasonal variations in weight, quantity of colloid and epithelial height during various phases of reproductive cycle. Suggesting the thyroid gland to be inactive during sexually quiescence period and active during breeding period similarly to the testicular cycle. The body weight, thyroid gland weight and testis weight in sexually active bats is higher as compare with sexually quiescence bats. It is suggested that in Taphozous kachhensis the positive correlation between thyroid gland and testicular cycle occurs only during the phases of the reproductive cycle when the body weight and testicular activity are also closely correlated.

268-272

Authors: Pradhan VP

Since times immemorial, fresh water has always been of vital importance to man and it is interesting to note that early habitations were within easy reach of lakes and rivers. Man’s primary concern with water was thought to be for drinking, cooking food and as means of cleaning. But with the passing of time, man realized the inherent mysteries of aquatic phenomenon and that water is the basis of all life activities. The rise in human population exploits more natural resources and its demands are met through the growth of industries. The industries and the urban sprawl discharge their waste in to the rivers. The deforestation process itself aggravates the sedimentation transport into the streams. The use of chemicals in agriculture for better production contaminates water through percolation. All these sporadic degrading activities have led to gradual deterioration in the quality of surface and sub-surface water. Management of lentic water bodies and their ecosystems has become a necessity for mankind’s endeavor to have a better quality of life. With the current development phase, every ecosystem is changing very fast and any such change exerts immense influence on the flora and fauna, hence physicochemical and biological properties of a water body need to be monitored. The present study is aimed to study zooplankton diversity of a fresh water Wunna lake and its impact on the pollution status of the lake.

276-278

Authors: Soman Gauri

Panhala taluka lies in the Sahyadri ranges of Western Ghats of Maharashtra state 16o48’o” N and 78o8’o” E. It is characterized by black rocky basalt to reddish yellow coloured soil, with dense dry semi evergreen to moist deciduous type of forest. It is enriched with lush green hills, diversified flora and fauna. There are 130 villages situated within the taluka,most of them in remote rural areas.The local people dwelling there make use of traditional knowledge to cure local ailments. The paper deals with medicinal plants used by these locals for treatment of snakebites and scorpionbites. The data on ethnomedicinal plants is on the verge of extinction and special efforts are required for documentation, conservation and sustainable utilization of these plants. So a survey was carried out to collect valuable information on traditional medicinal plants. The information regarding use of plants, their botanical names and local names is described in this paper.

13-16

Authors: Swamy Meena

In the present study, it is observed that the acetylcholine show dispersal effect in isolated skin pigment melanophores of Rasbora elenga. The cholinergic blocking agent (atropine) decreases the dispersion rate of acetylcholine, while cholinergic receptors increase the rate of dispersion of acetylcholine. In the present investigation clearly indicated that acetylcholine is more govern the dispersion of skin pigment melanophores, while histamine induced the aggregation of melanophores in the fish scale.

23-29

Authors: Patil SD, Wankhade SJ, Maknikar PP

Cassia tora L. (Family: Caesalpiniaceae) is a wild herb generally distributed in tropical countries. In India, it grows as a wasteland rainy season weed. Traditionally, Cassia tora L. is used for treating various ailments like leprosy, ringworm infection, ulcers and many more. The aim of the study is to develop a HPTLC fingerprint profile of petroleum ether extracts from aerial parts of Cassia tora. The HPTLC method was developed for the separation of phytoconstituents present in petroleum ether extracts using mobile phase of n-Hexane: Ethyl acetate: formic acid: Acetic acid (60:40:2.5:2.5) and scanned under UV at 254 nm, 366nm and under white light. HPTLC fingerprinting of leaf extract displayed 10 constituents, seed (7 constituents) and flower (11 constituents). The HPTLC fingerprinting profile for petroleum ether extract may provide appropriate identification and quantification of non polar marker compounds and in the authentication of this plant.

44-48

Authors: Hedawoo GB, Mishra SA and Maggirwar RC

The spices including black pepper, fennel and cumin are extensively utilized by majority of world’s polulation in response to multifold used as food, medicine, flavouring and colouring agent. In storage, seed borne contaminants not only deteriorate the seeds but also alter the physio-chemical properties of seeds leading to increase the chances of consuming toxic elements, produced by storage mycoflora. In the present investigation, composite samples of black pepper, fennel and cumin were mycologicaly analyzed by standard agar plating technique revealed the prevalence of altogether 15 fungal seed borne pathogens representing 12 genera with maximum four species of Aspergillus. A population of 12 fungal species associated with seeds of black pepper; 11 isolates existed on fennel while eight on cumin. The fungal isolates, Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, Rhizopus nigricans and Cladosporium cladosporioides were predominant on all three test spices. Chaetomium globosum restricted only to black pepper; Syncephalastrum recemosum to cumin while Torula herbarum was existed only on fennel. Aspergillus niger was predominant with greatest 23% incidence on cumin, while excluding Chaetomium globosum, other fungal isolates had moderate to low percent incidence on spices.

53-57

Authors: Deshmukh PM and Ukesh CS

A urinary tract infection predominates commonly in outpatients as well as in hospitalized patients worldwide. Another, health concern problem is multi drug resistance towards antibacterial drugs which is an alarming situation to medical practitioners. Escherichia coli (E. coli) are the commonest causative and etiologic agent in urinary tract infection. Of the total 182 isolated uropathogens E. coli were the most prevalent bacteria which accounts for 29.12% (53/182) and also high percentage was observed in females 69.78% (127/182). All of these isolates were tested against 14 different antibiotics. E. coli showed tremendous resistance towards Amoxyclav 90.56% followed by Ampicillin, 86.79%, Ciprofloxacin, 83.01%, Nalidixic acid, 79.24%, Cefodoxime, 75.47%, Cephalothin, 71.69%, Tetracycline, 69.81%, Gentamicin, 49.05%, Ceftazidime/clavulanic acid, 45.28%, Ceftriaxone, 41.50%, Amikacin, 24.52%, Cefepime, 20.75% and Cefperazone/sulbactum, 13.20%. While Imipenem, is the prominent drug of choice for urinary tract infections.

63-66

Authors: Deotare PW1, Metkar SS, Maggirwar RC and Khodke SP

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) status of Opuntia humifusa (Raf.) Raf. a desert plant, commonly growing throughout the Amravati region of Maharashtra, India was investigated. The rhizospheric soil and feeder root samples from various locations were collected to know the percent colonization, AMF and DSE (Dark septate endophyte) structures, spore densities and distribution of AM fungal species. All the collected plants were greatly colonized by AM fungi and dark septate endophytes. The percent colonization was ranged in between 82 to 91. Colonized roots were associated with vesicles, arum and paris type arbuscules, H-shaped hyphae, intraradical spores, hyphal coils, dark septate hyphae, grouped and linearly arranged microsclerotia. AMF spore count were 140-212 spores per 100g of soil and the highest spore densities were recorded from the plants growing in the cultivated fields. The extracted spores were morphologically identified and all the 18 species found belonging to only two genera as Acaulospora and Glomus. Glomus was recorded as the most dominant genus. The study reported was aimed to assess the influence of AMF on desert succulent plant growing everywhere in non desert region of Vidarbha.

70-74

Authors: Makeswar Jyoti A

The study is based on the examination of 70 male rats Rattus rattus narbadae Collected at Amravati. The size and weight of the first maturity of the rate, Rattus rattus narbadae is computed out to be 14.7 cm and 62.00 gms respectively. In immature group of rat Rattus rattus narbadae, Hb %, R.B.C. count increase steadily as the animal grows but the total W.B.C. count, differential count % decreases. In the post mature group all the concentration of blood does not markedly difference.

79-83

Authors: Harney NV

There are numerous species of bird found in a wide variety of habitats all around the world. Birds are one of the most thriving groups of animals on the planet as they generally have their habitat (the skies) to themselves. Birds are essential animal group of an ecosystem and maintain a trophic level. Therefore, detail study on avifauna and their ecology is important to protect them. The present investigation was carried out to document the avifauna in and around the Ghotnimbala lake near Bhadrawati town located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra State from October 2012 to Septmebr 2013 in which 55 species of birds were recorded of 13different orders and 37 families during the study. Among the recorded species 48 were resident, 06 were resident migrant and 1 is resident migrant common.

90-92

Authors: Khalokar Sapana P

Shahanur reservoir has a diverse assemblage of plankton and zooplanktons and are the most important biotic factor. In aquatic ecosystem, zooplankton and phytoplanktons are extensively studied. Production of zooplankton in co-ordination with organic inputs in the form of supplementary food is essential for optimum growth of fishes. In shahanur dam, specially rotifers, cladocerans, copepodes and protozoans are observed during 2008-2009. Major carps constitute the main fishery of the lake whereas catfishes and minor carps were smallest components of catch during 2008-2009. This paper discusses the various zooplankton population of shahanur reservoir with reference to the fishery activity

101-113

Authors: Bhajbhuje MN

The phytoalexins are both synthesized and accumulated in plants at infection site during compatible plant-pathogen interaction upon exposure to micro-organism and chemicals of diverse groups. The salts of heavy metals, well-known phytoalexin inducers, were used at 10-4 M concentration in different treatments to control Alternaria leaf spot infection in black gram seedlings caused by Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler. Application of foliage spray, root-dip for two hours prior to transplanting and seed soaking for 24 h induced moderate to significant reduction in disease symptoms at different stages of growth after treatment against artificial inoculation of spore suspension of Alternaria alternata, an isolate of virulent pathogen. Seed soaking in aqueous dilute solutions of test chemicals comparatively seemed to provide the most effective and durable protection. The chlorides of barium, copper and mercury were proved most effective in reducing the infection and lesion expression significantly in most treatments after inoculation with virulent race of pathogen. Fungitoxicity in leaf diffusate was recorded decline with age in treated artificially inoculated seedlings. Little fungitoxicity appeared in leaf diffusates from 3- 4week old seedlings that had been treated uninoculated and moderate toxicity in that from untreated, inoculated seedlings. The treated seedlings inoculated at 3-and 4-week stage produced leaf diffusates with significantly greater toxicities which were in proportion to their abilities to resist attack.

119- 123

Authors: Gomashe Ashok V | Pounikar Minakshi A | Gulhane Pranita A

The term single cell protein (SCP) refers to dead, dry cells of micro-organisms. Single Cell Protein production was carried out from liquid whey by using Bacillus subtilis. It was observed that all the whey samples produced the Single Cell Protein (SCP). In the present study, out of the 5 different whey samples, the whey sample-4 has shown high Single Cell Protein production (0.32 mg/ml) followed by whey sample-3 (0.28mg/ml), whey sample-2 (0.24mg/ml) and whey sample-1 and 5 has shown (0.16 mg/ml each) of SCP production. Thus liquid whey can be used for single cell protein production.

127- 133

Authors: Gomashe Ashok V | Sheikh Neha AM | Gulhane Pranita A

Bacillus subtilis has the potential to produce bioactive compound antagonistic against plant pathogenic fungi Sclerotium rolfsii. Bioassay test as well as agar well diffusion tests were performed which showed that Bacillus subtilis has produced the antifungal compound which was inhibitory against Sclerotium rolfsii. Chitin as a carbon source was found to be effective supplement for the effective production of bioactive compound. Another finding was that the bioactive compound produced by B. subtilis remained effective even after treated with different temperature and a wide pH range. The stability test showed that at 72 hours of incubation, at 370C and at pH 7, the maximum antagonistic activity (27mm and 26 mm respectively) was observed against S. rolfsii. The results obtained from the current study concluded that Bacillus subtilis and its bioactive compound can be used as a biological control agent for inhibition of phytopathogenic fungi Sclerotium rolfsii.

143- 147

Authors: Dassharma Kakoli | Ravnang Pratik | Nazia Qureshi

Phytoremediation uses plants to remove pollutants from the environment. The content of heavy metals in the biosphere has been increasing over the past hundred years due to the economic activity of man. Manganese is one of the heavy metals which is toxic but then too necessary in trace amounts for all living organisms. However accumulation of this heavy metal is not ignorable. To maintain the balance of manganese in the environment phytoremediation of manganese is the most cost effective method. Leaves of two aquatic plant species viz. Eichhornia crassipes and Ipomoea aquatica were used as research tool for removal of manganese ions. The removal is dependent on the rate of adsorption by the leaves. Filtrate of leaves was used for various chemical tests and estimation of Mn by Ammoniumpersulphate method and volumetric analysis. Eichhornia gives better results as compared to Ipomoea. This was due to the increase in the adsorption capacity at higher dose of adsorbent. The removal of Mn ions from aqueous solutions using powder of different waste materials viz., Ipomoea leaves and water hyacinth was found to be increased on adsorbent dosage, initial concentration of sorbate, pH and contact time. As far as contact time is concerned Ipomoea showed better results for largest removal of manganese ions in comparison to Eichhornia.

155-159

Authors: Gadekar SS

To study fungal diversity over Jowar crop, aerobiological investigations were carried out for four consecutive seasons. Tilak volumetric air sampler was used to estimate fungal diversity both qualitative and quantitatively with respect to meteorological parameters. Tilak air sampler runs on an electric supply and provides a continuous sampling for eight days. The spore analysis and identification was based on morphological characters, visual identification by comparison with reference slides, prepared from fungal collection in and around the crop fields by exposing culture plates. The meteorological parameters were recorded throughout the period of investigation. They exhibited great deal of variation during different seasons i.e. Rabi and Kharif. In the census 63 fungal spore types have been identified up to generic level, other types included hyphal fragments, pollen, protozoan cyst, insect parts etc. Analysis of fungal diversity after air sampling revealed 63 spore types including 34 from Deuteromycotina, 18 from Ascomycotina, 4 from Basidiomycotina, 2 from Zygomycotina. Percentage contribution of these fungal spore groups to the total airspora revealed that Deuteromycotina (60%) as a dominant group followed by Ascomycotina (19%), Basidiomycotina (16%), other types (2.5%) and Zygomycotina (1.5%).

165-167.

Authors: Khandelwal Puja

The paper reveals the study of Spiders found at Saranpuri Lake (Arvi) and at its adjoining deserted garden, forest and agriculture fields. The survey conducted, recorded 50 Spiders which comprise 7 Families and 16 Species. Although, the spiders of different families were noticed, the most dominant family observed was Araneidae with 5 species. The vegetation and the climate present at Sarangpuri Lake and at its adjoining area ascertain the availability of recorded species of spiders.

173- 178

Authors: Sonawane Amol Raju

Damselflies which belong from order Odonata and suborder Zygoptera which undergoes survey of certain wetlands which includes ponds, streams, grasses and forest area. From 120 specimens quarterly Mansoon month survey from 1 June 2013 to 30 Sept. 2013 reported 15 species of damselfly belonging to 10 genera and 5 families, which include Coenagrionidae (11 Species), Protoneuridae(1 Species), Chorocyphidae(1 Species), Lestidae (1 Species), And Platycnemididae (1 Species). Out of total 15 Pseudagrion rubriceps Sely, 1876 and Ceriogrion coromandelianum (Fabricius, 1798) were abundant or very common species Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur,1842) and Disparoneura quadrimaculata (Rambur , 1842) were common, Pseudagrion decorum (Rambur, 1842) and Pseudagrion microcephalum rare and Lestes viridulus Sely, 1891 and Rhodischnura nersei (Morton 1907)very rare in observation. In Present study reported family Coenagrionidae shows more abundance than other families. Lestes viridulus Sely, 1891 mostly abundantly found in forest region.

185- 186

Authors: Bhogaonkar PY | Dhole PA

Melghat is one of the 9 tiger Reserve Forests, enjoying this status since 1972. Though the forest is of dry deciduous type, there are several valleys and cliffs which remain wet for most of the year. Here two new families’ viz., Hydrophyllaceae (R. Br.) and Lobeliaceae (R. Br.) have been reported for the first time for the Flora of Melghat.

190-193

Authors: Mishra Priti | Shukla Satish

The quail also known as Bater in hindi terminology. It is a small medium size game bird related with pheasant family. In India two species occurs namely Black breasted quail found in jungle (Coturnix Coromandelica) and other one Brown color Japanese quail (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica), which is bred for meat or the one used for commercial quail production. A broiler (meat purpose) quail can be sold at 5 weeks. Quails start laying eggs at about 6 weeks to continue to give high egg production up to 24 weeks of age. Adult Japanese quail weigh up to 250 gm and lays 250 eggs a year. The meat is used as ready to cook meat, pickled meat & tandoori quail. From the quails egg can make different recipes like Boiled egg and egg pickles The egg size is about 10 g. It requires smaller house for rearing. About 10 quails require space is equal to require space for one chicken.

248-263

Authors: BHAJBHUJE, MN

Seed is a symbol and foundation of life as it is a container of embryos of a new generation and vehicle for the spread of new life. The high level seed moisture content, relative humidity and suitable temperature support the fungal microbes to contaminate essential seed components causing multi fold losses. A total of twenty seed samples of five cultivars of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. obtained from various locations of Central India (Vidarbha), were mycologicaly analyzed by standard seed health testing technique revealed the prevalence of 49 diverse fungal species belonging to 29 genera from mixed seed samples, with higher count of species and percent incidence for Fusarium and Aspergillus followed by Curvularia (55%), Alternaria (42%) Rhizoctonia (33%) while others had moderate to low incidence. Deuteromycota contributed highest, 46.9% fungal count followed Ascomycota (38.9%); Zygomycota and Oomycota (6.1%). A least count was recorded with Basidiomycota. Aspergillus nidulans, A. sulphureus, A. ochracious, A. amstelodomi, Fusarium moniliformae, F. semitectum, Geotrichum candidus, Paecilomyces varioti, Penicillium oxalicum and Sporotrichum pulverulentum have been recorded on tomato seeds for the first time in India. Deuteromycota contributed more than half, 52.1% incidence followed by Ascomycota (35.1%); Zygomycota (5.9%) and Oomycota (5.2%) while Basidiomycota contributed little incidence. A total of 28 to 36 isolates belongs to 19 to 23 genera were confined to individual cultivar seeds. Alternaria porri, A. solani, Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, Botrytis cinera, Cladosporium tenuissium, Colletotrichum dematium, Curvularia lunata, Didymella lycopersici, Fusarium moniliformae, F. lycopersici and Phytophthora infestans were appeared to be common on seeds of all cultivars as external and internal seed borne pathogens. Drachslera rostrata, Fusarium culmorum, F. equiseti, Rhizopus stolonifer, Rhizoctonia solani were confined to blotter paper while Chaetomium globosum, Curvularia ovoides, Fusarium solani, Geotrichum candidum were restricted to agar plating. Greatest count of fungal isolates and percent incidence was recorded by blotter test against agar plating. The standard blotter technique proved superior over agar plating.

270-272

Authors: Ulhe SK, Narkhede SD

Anisomeles indica plant was collected from Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krushi Vidyapeeth Agriculture Farm, Nagpur district (Maharashtra state). This plant belongs to family -Lamiaceae and is commonly known as “Gopoli” which is an evergreen aromatic, perennial, erect herb and measuring about 1.5cm in height. The stem is quadrangular, the leaves are covered by hairs and inflorescence is of verticillasters type. In the present study anatomical characters and phytochemical analysis of the leaves are reported. Anatomical characters reveal the study of leaf anatomy. Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of alkaloids, tannin, glycosides, carotenoids and saponin in leaves. Alkaloids showed high scores while tannins showed moderate scores but saponins indicated low scores. Aromatic oil is found in 6% in 3gm of dry weight of powder of leaves of Anisomeles indica. The present investigations concluded that the leaves of Anisomeles indica contains alkaloids>tannins> saponins >Glycosides>Carotenoids>Polyuronoids in this order, and contains double percent amount of aromatic oil. These chemicals are widely used in Ayurvedic traditional medicinal system

278-283

Authors: Neelima Bagde, Shampa Jain

This paper documents zootherapeutic practices in adjoining area of Pench National Park of Chhindwara district. The ethnozoological study was mainly conducted in the villages surrounding the Park area. It is primarily based on field survey carried out in villages, where dwellers provided information on animal species used as medicine, body parts used to prepare the remedies, and the illnesses to which the remedies were prescribed. The document tribes and rural involved in using animal parts as medicines. The animal parts namely- blood, excreta, urine, feather, fat, hair, spins, skin, flesh, bones, secretions, shell etc. were used in raw or cooked forms for the treatment of burn, fracture, sunstroke, pneumonia, rheumatism, asthma, drug addiction, antidote, fever, acidity, fit, cough and cold, tuberculosis, ear pain, allergy, diabetes, jaundice, impotency, diarrhea and dysentery, cataract, paralysis, leprosy, goiter, wound, whooping cough, stomachache, back pain. A total of 30 animal species were recorded and they are used for 41 kinds of different ethno medical purposes. Fauna is the cheapest way for cure of various health disorders

288-290

Authors: Jogdand SB, Ingole AC

Fortnightly intramural dust sample study, for two consecutive years from June 2011 to May 2013, at Pune, encountered 700 specimens of house dust mites included young ones, adult males & females and few larvae & nymphs. In all 10 genera and 12 species have been identified using authentic literature. Most of them have been found to be proved allergens causing allergy (health hazards) among sensitive persons. These investigations explored interesting findings. Some HDM like Dermatophagoides, Blomia, Acarus, Cheyletus etc. have been found to be delicate and exhibited tremendous impact of environmental parameters like temperature, relative humidity and rainfall. Moderate temperature around 25 0 C and relative humidity (RH) around 80%, indirectly aided by frequent rains played significant role in hatching of eggs, larvae and nymphs growing into adults, subsequently leading to breeding and increase in mite load of intramural environment at Pune. Colonization and in crease of mites had been found to be continued as long as optimum conditions prevailed during rainy season. These HDM have been found to be thermo sensitive and their population decreased at low (10-15 0 C) or high temperature (35 0 C& above) and low relative humidity below 25% found during winter and Summer, with little or no rain fall exhibiting adverse effects on HDM proving their thermo sensitivity and seasonal fluctuations of population dynamics following the concept of seasonal variations. While rat mites like Echinolaelapse chidninus (Berlese1887) and common rodent mite like Haemolaesaps glasgowi (Ewing,1925) (Fa:-Laelaptidae) have been recorded round the year in abundance, with minimum fluctuation in the mites population dynamics irrespective of seasons and fluctuations in environmental factors, thus disobeyed the concept of thermosensitivity. Dermatophagoides (Hughes) was dominant followed by Haemolaesaps glasgowi (Ewing, 1925), Cheyletus (Schrank), Acarus, Blomia (Bronswijk, Oshima), Caloglyphus (Zachvakin) etc. Tyrophagus was reported as fungal culture contaminant, Proctolaelaps in Drosophila culture and Dermanyssus gallinaeas poultry mite

294-296

Authors: Diwan RK

Ailanthus excelsa commonly known as ‘Mahaneem’ belongs to family ‘Simaroubaceae’ found all over India; is also a medicinal plant used as insecticides. 3% concentration of extracts of Ailanthus excelsa is found lethal toCallosobruchus maculatus Insecticidal activity, Ailanthus excelsa, Callosobruchus maculatus, chromatography

303-307

Authors: Gadekar GP

The study was conducted to determine the changes in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) of an Indian major carp, Labeo rohita. The fish has only one spawning season of short duration, running from July to August as indicated by the peaks of GSI and the diameter of oocytes and testicular lobules. Both males and females mature simultaneously. The minimum GSI for female was 0.74±0.12 in resting phase and maximum was observed in the spawning phase (16.49±1.70). The GSI for males was minimum in resting phase (0.087±0.004) and maximum in spawning phase (2.02±0.181).

313-316

Authors: Vasanth Kumar B, Roopa SV, Gangadhar BK

The present work was mainly focused on this typical biotope for the period of thirteen months from January 2008 to January 2009. An attempt has been made to describe the faunal composition, distribution and abundance at different study sites of mangrove ecosystem of kali estuary during the study period. In the present study, fourteen taxa have been identified and are grouped as follows. Foraminifera, Coelenterata, Polychaeta, Gastropoda, Bivalvia, Harpacticoida, Cumacea, Tanaidacea, Isopoda, Amphipoda, Mysidacea, Shrimps, Decapoda and Pisces. In macrobenthos, the polychaete (13–99/m2) and bivlavia (25 – 60 /m2)group contributed much to the total density of macrobenthic community at all study stations. Seasonally, this faunal community has shown greater density during the post and premonsoon seasons (953.9 & 1137.1/m2) but it was very less during the southwest monsoon season (850.9/m2).

321-327

Authors: Lihitkar Ramdas S, Lihitkar Shalini R, Waghmare Pranali

The Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) listed open access scientific and scholarly journals, that meet high quality standards by exercising peer-review or editorial quality control and are free to all from the time of publication based on the Budapest Open Access Initiative. Total 105 free online journals on Zoology were accessed through DOAJ and analyzed based on Country, Languages, Subject Headings, keywords, their accessibility and availability of Archives of online journals in Zoology. 9183 journals 4685 journals searchable at article level 119 Countries 1083902 articles 2013-05-12 DOAJ celebrates 10 years at the heart of Open Access 2013-05-02 DOAJ sponsors Accelerating Science Award Program 2013-03-12 DOAJ hits the 1 MILLION mark!

331-342

Authors: Jatinderpal Singh

The cuticle of Haemonchus contortus has on its outer surface a highly resistant epicuticle-exocortex complex possessing a substantial amount of acid mucopolysaccharides in the epicuticle and lipid in the outer cortical layer forming a permeability barrier. The longitudinal ridges found in both the sexes, pertaining to the anterior region of the body, are supported by tough resistant struts. The median layer of the cuticle from where these struts arise is well developed, whereas the basal layer is less developed and its striated nature is also not evident. Histochemically, the carbohydrates and lipids are found in high quantities in the cuticle in general. The protein is restricted to the outer cortical and median layers only. The hypodermal areas are positive for lipids and carbohydrates. Large amount of glycogen is present in the non-contractile part the muscle cells except the perinuclear spaces whereas the contractile portion contains large concentration of proteins. However, both these areas of muscle cells are negative for nucleic acid activity.

165-181

Authors: Bhajbhuje MN

Solanum melongena L., a highly preferred vegetable amongst the weight-conscious consumers and a cash crop for poor farmers originated from healthy seed, is vulnerable to attack by diverse group of fungal pathogens in storage and spread of diseases in crop plants that adversely affect economy of poor farmers. Fungal isolations were made from twenty stored mixed seed samples of five different cultivars and individual cultivar collected form eggplant growing farmers of Vidarbha, yielded total 54 fungal species of 30 genera, including eleven species of individual genus Aspergillus, four of Fusarium, three each of Alternaria, Curvularia, Helminthosporium and Penicillium, two each of Chaetomium, Rhizopus and Trichoderma while others had single species. Deuteromycota dominated with 44.7% isolates followed by Ascomycota (39.9%). Basidiomycota had single isolate. A total of 33 to 36 isolates were confined to seeds of individual cultivar. Aspergillus nidulans, A. sulphureus, A. sydowi, A. terreus, Sporotrichum pulverulentum, Stachybotrys atra and Syncephalastrum racemosus have been recorded for first time as new records in India. Aspergilli encountered in seeds with 4 – 14% incidence excluding Aspergillus fumigatus (28%) and A. parasiticus (18%). Curvularia, Alternaria, Drechslera and Helminthosporium were detected as predominant pathogens with 11-13% incidence while Aureobasidium, Colletotrichum, Pythium and Trichothecium had little count of incidence. Of the total count of incidence, Deuteromycota dominated with 47.2% followed by Ascomycota (42.1%). Greatest count of fungal isolates and frequency incidence was recorded on blotter paper against agar plates. The standard blotter technique proved superior over agar plate. Cultivars Pusa Purple Cluster and Vaishali are moderately susceptible to fungal diseases.

190-192

Authors: Thiyam Benkee,Sharma GD

An investigation was carried out to study the post harvest diseases of fruits in Cachar district. Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium expansum and Rhizopus stolonifer were found to exhibit the most common fungi during storage. Among them Aspergillus niger, was dominant among isolated fungi, followed by Aspergillus flavus. There is a need to undertake the storage practices and conditions that will minimize the growth of fungi on stored fruits.

198-201

Authors: Pradhan VP

For many years research in the field of contraception or the application of contraceptive methods has been exclusively limited to female as compared to male fertility control. The most highly effective reversible contraceptive method for men with no side effects has yet to be developed. Administration of several progestational compounds has been shown to inhibit spermatogenesis. Although progesterone is studied extensively, the exact mechanism of action of this compound has not been proven. The present experiment was designed to determine the exact relationship between the pituitary-gonad and adrenal following the intramuscular injection of Depo-Provera to male squirrels Funambulus pennati (Wroughton). The proposed investigation will contribute to the understanding of pituitary-gonad-adrenal relationship and the results will be of considerable importance in contraceptive study.

207-215

Authors: Bhandarkar SV, Bhandarkar WR

In the present investigation an attempt was made for assessment of Seasonal Variation in Physico-chemical properties in three different lotic ecosystems in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra during the year 2006 and 2007. The study reveals that most of the properties of all the sites show moderate variation in their concentration for all seasons. All the three sites have more or less similar ecological status. The site-I and site-II have greater nutrient concentration. The region of the site-I and site-II are somewhat disturbed by the anthropogenic activities while site-III with less or undisturbed by the same. Having a glimpse of values of physico-chemical properties such as BOD, COD, Nitrate, Phosphate, Alkalinity, DO, Free CO2 etc. disclosed that all the three ecosystems under investigation are mildly polluted.

221-225

Authors: Meshram SM, Narkhede SD, Bhowal M

A well preserved dicot fruit was collected from Jamsavli (Lat 21°, 30' to 22°, 55'N and Long 78°, 15 to 79°, 20 E) in Chhindwara District, M.P. The fruit is hexagonal shape, without stalk. The fossil fruit is unilocular and is characterized by presence of uniitegmic seed. The fruit is capsular and indehiscent. The fruit though shows some characters of the present day families like Amaranthaceae, Sapindaceae, Meliaceae, Menispermaceae, Tiliaceae, Burseraceae. It has close affinities with the members of the family Tiliaceae. It could not conclusively be traced to any particular genus but it broadly placed under Tiliaceae.

228-232

Authors: Kaushik Dipshikha, Srivastava Seweta, Nath Bharat Chandra, Chauhan VB, Singh RN

Pigeon pea Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh, is one of the major pulse crops of the tropics and subtropics also popularly known as red gram, tuar or arhar is a primary source of protein for millions in India. Sterility mosaic disease (SMD) caused by mite (Aceria cajani) is a major disease limiting the pigeon pea production in the Indian subcontinent. Effect of abiotic factors like temperature, relative humidity and rainfall on mite population was observed during the experiment. Out of theses abiotic factors strong significant correlation was observed with relative humidity. Average temperature of about 20-30°C was found to be congenial for the multiplication of mite. But very high temperature is not suitable for the growth of mite. Heavy rainfall is also not suitable for the growth of mite. Wind velocity is also a very important factor responsible for spreading of disease. The effect of SMD on plant height along with their branches was also observed and can be concluded that severe mosaic affect the plant height, and branches of the pigeon pea plants. The disease severity was high in the early stage of infection causing severe mosaic disease where flower and pod formation was ceased resulting in complete crop failure.

239-240

Authors: Dhande Abhishek R

This document reports an observation of courtship behavior of Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus in Maharashtra. This occasional observation was made in the region of Chalisgaon Tehsil, Dist. Jalgaon. It was noted that the species prefer open areas near water bodies to perform courtship, also the time extent to which the courtship was displayed varied from previous reports.