Bio Bulletin

1-6

Authors: M. Kamalakannan and Gaurav Sharma

ABSTRACT: The dorsal guard hairs of two antelope species Blackbuck, Antelope cervicapra (Linnaeus, 1758) and Indian Gazelle or Chinkara, Gazella bennettii (Sykes, 1831) were examined using optical and scanning electron microscopes. Both morphological and microscopic characters of hairs had shown a significant variations between the species. The profile of dorsal guard hairs were straight in A. cervicapra and slightly wavy in G. bennettii. The measurement data of the species observed as (mean value): scale count per millimetre length of hair- 205.1±26.2 and 149.1±3.7 mm; length of cuticular scales- 64.4±3.8 and 58.6±2.2 µm; width of cuticular scales: 10.6±1.5 and 11.7±2.5 µm in A. cervicapra and G. bennettii, respectively. The structure of medulla of the species was observed as ‘wide aeriform lattice’ in A. cervicapra and as ‘reversed cloisonné’ in G. bennettii. The shape of the cross-section was observed as: ‘Concavo convex’ in A. cervicapra and ‘oval’ in G. bennettii. Based on a combination characters of dorsal guard hairs, the two Indian antelope species can be identified. The micro-photographs and characters of dorsal guard hairs are presented here can be used in forensic science as well as prey-predator food analysis as an appropriate reference for the species identification.

5

Authors: Dinesh K. Dabhadkar*, Varsha Zade**, Ajay Charjan*** and Vaibhao G. Thakare*

ABSTRACT: In the review, we have discuss the current research done on the most popular natural aphrodisiac agent of plants origin and also examined the weight of evidence to support the use of any of these substances to enhance sexual function in male. A variety of natural sex drive enhancing agents of plants origin are known to have a potential effect on the sexual dysfunctions, supporting older claims and offering new hopes. The available synthetic drugs and treatments have limited efficacy, unpleasant side effects and contraindications in certain disease conditions. The present review, describes the detail information about the major constituents and their medicinal importance found in naturally occurring plants, which are helpful to further development of pharmaceutical formulations. In the present investigation total 3 plants were examined for their aphrodisiac activity in male albino rats as claimed by tribal of Yavatmal and Amravati districts.

6

Authors: Yogesh Kumar Walia* and Dinesh Kumar Gupta**

ABSTRACT: Periodate oxidation reaction is used in carbohydrate chemistry and is also applicable to wood polysaccharides. Periodic acid is mainly capable of cleaning alpha and beta glycols quantitatively from wood polysaccharides. Compounds containing an aldehyde or ketonic group adjacent to an alcoholic group are also attacked by periodic acid in similar manner as glycols. The estimation of the periodic acid used and the formic acid or formaldehyde produced will indicate the number, in pairs, of free oxidizable groups (-CHOH, -CHO or =CO). Since periodic acid can easily be estimated volumetrically, oxidations with H5IO6, or HIO4.2H2O are very useful in analytical chemistry.

11

Authors: Adesh Kumar* and Rakesh Kumar**

ABSTRACT: Amblyceran as well as ischnoceran lice species exhibited hair like structure known as setae. Setae are species specific and vary in number, length and arrangement on particular body regions from one lice species to other. The present study was undertaken to describe the correct position and arrangement of setae on taxonomically important body parts of life history stages of amblyceran louse, Menacanthus cornutus infesting domestic fowl. All stages of M. cornutus vary to each other in body shape, dimensions, colour and sclerotisation of different body parts. The first instar nymph has less number of tergal and sternal setae as compared to the second instar nymph. The gular plate of first instar nymph wanting of setae but second instar nymph has four setae. The anterior tergal setae in second instar nymph found absent but 2-3 anterior sternal setae are recorded on IV-VII segment whilst in third instar nymph sparsely beset anterior tergal and sternal setae was recorded. The gular plate of second instar nymph has 4 setae but gular plate of third instar nymph bear 6 setae. The gular plate in adult has 8 setae but the gular plate of third nymph instar showed 6 setae. The numbers of setae in sternal ctenidial patches remained less in third instar nymph in comparison to adults. The sexual dimorphism limited to male with smaller dimensions, less number of abdominal chaetotaxy and differences associated with genital features of posterior abdomen. The sexual dimorphism has shown by female as more elliptical and long abdomen, densely beset abdominal chaetotaxy and anal fringe with dorsal and ventral setae. A row of setae on subgenital plate of female was also present.