Biological Forum-An International Journal

4

Authors: Sundar Singh, Vandna and Abdul Rahman

ABSTRACT: Entomological survey was carried out in different income group communities of selected localities in Dehradun, Uttarakhand during January to December 2012 with a view to study the prevalence, distribution and stratification of areas for Aedes mosquito species. In HIG colony HI were above the critical level during August and September and BI were during June, September and October indicating the risk of dengue outbreak in transmission season. In all the localities surveyed the plastic containers were maximum followed by tin containers, earthen pots, desert coolers and cement tanks. In LIG colony earthen pots were less in number (19.91%) but it forms highest positive breeding containers for Aedes mosquitoes but in MIG colony desert coolers were the most preferred breeding container. In HIG colony plastic and tin containers were the primary breeding containers but the desert coolers and discarded tyres were the most preferred breeding containers and contributing maximum for the breeding of Aedes aegypti.

5

Authors: Ravi R. Yadav and Manoj D. Rokade

ABSTRACT: High sensitive rapid gas chromatography method has been developed for the determination of three carcinogenic and Genotoxic mesylate esters viz. Methyl methane sulphonate (MMS), Ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) and isopropyl methane sulphonate (IPMS). The optimum separation was achieved between methyl methanesulfonate, ethyl methanesulfonate and isopropyl methanesulfonate on a DB-5 (60 m×0.32 mm×5.0 μm) capillary column under programming temperature. Carbon tetra chloride was used as diluent. This method was validated as per International Conference on Harmonization guidelines (Q2R1). The limit of quantitation of methyl methanesulfonate, ethyl methanesulfonate and isopropyl methanesulfonate is 2.5 ppm with respect to 1g/ml of Imatinib mesylate.

5

Authors: Kisan D. Thete* and Laxmikant V. Shinde*

ABSTRACT: A survey on container breeding sites of mosquito larvae was conducted in the Jalna city. Survey was car r i ed out dur ing rainy s eason in June 2012 to De c embe r 2012.Sampling was carried out by dipping using pipette or dipper depending on container types. All breeding sources of mosquito larvae were examined different container types: indo o r a nd o utdo o r i . e . plastic container, earthen pot, natural container, tiers, coconut shell, vase, can and concrete tank. Containers w e r e identified as potential breeding sites. Survey was carried out in outdoors and indoors were found containing larvae. Among all types of containers of total surveyed c o n t a i n e r s were positive with mosquito larvae, followed by plastic containers, concrete tanks, vases, bottles, cans and earthen pots. A total of 1893 mosquito larvae were collected of which morphological identification of the larvae by use of microscopy yielded, we identified four species those of Aedes aegypti n = 1514 (79.98%), Aedes albopictus n = 9(1%), Culex quinquefasciatus n = 265(14%), Culex vishnui n = 95(5.02%). This study indicated that Aedes and Culex was capable of breeding in a wide range of container types. To control these mosquitoes, the elimination of artificial and natural containers or alteration of breeding sites in c ity should be taken into consideration.

6

Authors: S. Suma, R.K. Rajeshwari and M. Shanta Kumar

ABSTRACT: Moirang river is one of the most important river which drains into the Loktak lake. Physicochemical parameters like temperature, pH, DO, CO2, BOD, COD, hardness, chlorides, calcium, sodium, potassium, nitrates and phosphates were analysed during January 2010 to December 2010 and indicates high value of BOD and COD, nitrates and phosphate in downstream area of the Moirang river. Fishery resource potential of this river includes 42 fish species under 30 genera, 15 families and 6 orders. Some of the fish species are having high fishery potential. There are 20 species, 16 genera representing 10 families of macrophytes in the river.

6

Authors: M.H. Patil* and M.D. Rokade*

ABSTRACT: An isocratic reversed-phase HPLC method with PDA detector has been developed for the assay evaluation of Pramipexole in bulk drug. The analysis was performed using peerless Basic AQ C18 (250 x 4.6mm, 5μ) as a stationary phase with column oven temperature 40°c and UV detection at 254nm. The separation was achieved using isocratic program of buffer ( Buffer used was prepares as dissolved 4.5 gm of potassium phosphate and 2.0 gm of 1-Octane sulphonate sodium salt in to 2000 ml of water and pH adjusted to 3.0 with diluted orthophosphoric acid) and Acetonitrile in the ration 70:30. The method was optimized based on the peak shapes and resolution of Pramipexole impurity A, Pramipexole impurity B, Pramipexole, Pramipexole impurity E and Pramipexole impurity D. The method was validated as per International Conference of Harmonization (ICH) guidelines in terms of linearity, precision, accuracy, specificity, robustness and solution stability. The sample concentration were injected was 2 mg/ml for Pramipexole. The method is linear within the range of 100 to 300 μg/ml for Pramipexole.

8

Authors: Krishna Kumar Verma*, Dr. Pierre Jolivet** and Dr. Mrs. Rashmi Saxena***

ABSTRACT: Speciation refers to genetic divergence among related populations, leading to new species. The divergence is a continuous phenomenon, and the level, chosen by a taxonomist in the continuum, is a new species. The generally accepted species concept is the Biological Species Concept (BSC), which takes reproductive isolation from related forms a necessary feature of a species. During speciation reproductive isolation, among sister lineages, gradually develops. Hence the need to assess the extent of the isolation makes delimiting a species a difficult problem. Generally the extent of phenotypic deviation along a lineage is taken to assess reproductive isolation. This obviously involves some arbitrariness. To reduce the level of the arbitrariness various methods have been suggested, viz. a quantitative approach, molecular genetic criteria, phylogenetic approach etc. But, in spite of these different approaches, some arbitrariness may remain in species delimitation. Several recent authors have pleaded for an integrative approach (i.e. including phenotypic approach, phylogeny, molecular sequence study etc.) in discovery and description of new species to come closest to the species criteria set by BSC.

10

Authors: Paramita Saha Sarkar* and Joy Krishna De**

ABSTRACT: Tricho-taxonomic studies of dorsal guard hairs of different mammals have often been carried out by various workers around the world including India. But few works are available on animals belonging to Order—Rodentia. Although a few species of rodents and some small groups in particular have been studied by scientists both outside and within India, but proper and systematic study to develop an identification key for identification of parts of skin of wildlife animals seized from illegal trade is still wanting. The key is prepared on the basis of combination of characters such as transverse section, medullary configuration, medullary index, scale margin distance, scale pattern, scale count, Side to Side cuticular scale length, Proximo-distal scale length, etc.

11

Authors: Bhagat S. Chauhan*and S.K. Sagar*

ABSTRACT: The present study involves physico-chemical analysis of water samples collected monthly from three sites near Nangal wetland for a period of one year. The main purpose of study is to provide baseline data regarding potability and self purification of water along the industrial belt. Hydrobiological parameters include water temperature, colour, turbidity or total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, pH, free CO2, DO, free ammonia, nitrates, phosphates, sulphates, BOD and population dynamics. The present investigations showed that water was crystal clear with high values of pH and DO at upstream Nangal dam (S1) while at effluent nallah of NFL (S2) has high values of BOD, free ammonia, nitrates, sulphates, chlorides, free CO2, turbidity, TDS, but low values of DO with more alkaline nature of wastewater. This site is mesosaprobic with eutrophic conditions. After confluence with NFL at (S3) all parameters were slightly beyond desirable limits may be due to self purification capacity of water. Water is not potable along downstream course but can be used for other activities.

12

Authors: Harvinder Singh* and Charn Kumar**

ABSTRACT: The present study investigates the harmful effect of electromagnetic radiations emitted from VDU (video display unit) of CRT monitoron white blood cells of male Balb/C mice, 20 cm away, at power density of 0.295 w/cm2. The white blood cells were evaluated for morphology, physical nature of blood smear, Differential leukocyte count (DLC), total leukocyte count (TLC), mortality and scanning electron microscopic studies at the interval of 7, 14, 28 and 42 days of irradiations. The result showed altered blood smear, morphology, apoptosis rate andscanning electron micrograph of WBCs. Lymphocytes (L) and TLCin exposed groups were increased while monocytes (M) and neutrophils (N) reduced at various interval of experiment. Collectively these findings indicate that EMF issuing from VDU adversely affects immune system.

3

Authors: Anubha Arora

ABSTRACT: Phytochemical are the dependable sources for the treatment of different health problem. The present investigation deals with the phytochemical studies of leaves of different medicinal plants like Alstonia scholaris, Catharanthus roseus, Nerium oleander, Tabernaemontana divaricata, Thevetia neriifolia, Withania somnifera , Adhatoda vasica , Cannabis sativa , Solanum nigrum, Plumeria alba and Achranthus aspera etc. Methanolic (90%) extracts of leaf powders have been screened for qualitative determination of different secondary metabolites like, cardiac glycoside. alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, glycoside, reducing sugar, saponin and terpenoids etc. All plant materials were collected during the period 2012 from Haridwar District.

3

Authors: Vivek Srivastava* and Dr. Aditya Kumar**

ABSTRACT: Rhizosphere and rhizoplane of most of the plants is always rich in various populations of microorganisms. The microorganisms, on a continuous scale forms parasitic to mutualistic association with plants. The present study deals with the investigation of fungal population in the roots vicinity of Aloe vera, Argemone maxicana, Abutilon indicum, Amaranthus polygamus and Achyranthus aspera. All these five species found to grow in wild and northern plains of India. A total number of 37 species of fungi were isolated and the number of fungi was found to be maximum in rhizosphere region than the non-rhizosphere region. Maximum number of fungal species were found in Abutilon indicum (11) followed by Aloe vera (9), Achyranthus aspera (9), Amaranthus polygamus (8) and Argemone maxicana (7). Though, some common genera were reported in both rhizosphere and rhizoplane region, yet a few forms like Chaetomium spirale, C.globosum, Stachybotrys atra and Royella albida were confined only to rhizoplane. Furthermore, Glomus mosseae and Acaulospora laevis were found dominant mycorrhizal species in the rhizospheric soil of all five medicinal plant species. The study confirmed that the biodiversity of mycoflora differs in rhizosphere and rhizoplane of selected medicinal herbs.

4

Authors: Ghanshyam Singh Soni, Raj Soni and Jyoti Puri

ABSTRACT: To assess the effect of Neutral Immersion Bath on circulatory and thermogenic changes. Neutral Immersion Bath (NIB) is a hydrotherapeutic procedure involving immersion of an individual in water (Temp: 92 – 97degree Fahrenheit) upto manubrium sterni (head out immersion) in supine position It is unclear whether this bath has any circulatory or thermic reactions on human body. There are no reported studies of NIB on Respiration Rate (RR), Body Temperature (BT), Pulse Rate (PR), and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR). This is a prospective longitudinal randomized study. 20 healthy male volunteers (age range 18 to 35 years) were randomly selected from the 60 male subjects enrolled for wellness program from the inpatient department of Smt. Jammuna Devi SDM Yoga and Nature Cure Hospital, Ambala. All the 20 subjects were assessed for the following parameters. Respiratory Rate – Close observation of the chest wall and abdominal wall movements; Body Temperature – Infra red ear thermometer (Braun & Co, UK); Pulse Rate – palpation method; Peak, Expiratory Flow Rate – standard PEFR apparatus. The above mentioned parameters were recorded before the treatment and 60 minutes thereafter (during and post treatment) for every 5 minutes. All the 20 subjects were subjected to 20 minutes of Neutral Immersion Bath at the temperature range of 92 – 970 F, where the subject was made to lie in the Immersion Bath tub immersing the body in supine position upto the neck region exposing only the head and maintaining the same surrounding conditions for all the volunteers. Pulse rate was insignificantly varying during the bath (first 20 mins), however after the bath it significantly dropped (P<0.005) and remained stable at that level. PEFR showed a significant decrease at the 5th minute of immersion compared to the baseline (P< 0.05). The results showed that the post treatment effect is sedative as indicated by the reduction thus support the idea that Neutral Immersion Bath does not induce any significant circulatory or thermic reactions in human body. This is a first study to explore into the concept, hence it is desirable to develop more extensive studies on larger samples to understand and apply the same in clinical use.

4

Authors: Sajna Haneef and Mary Anithalatha Sadanandan

ABSTRACT: The paper embodies the results of a survey conducted on the predatory mite fauna associated with 32 species of economically important plants belonging to 27 genera and 21 families grown in three districts of North Kerala. The results yielded 15 species of predatory mites belonging to 6 genera viz., Amblyseius, Typhlodromips, Euseius, Neoseiulus, Phytoseius and Paraphytoseius which comes under the sub order Mesostigmata.

5

Authors: R. Tewari* and G.S. Rawat**

ABSTRACT: The Jhilmil Jheel Conservation Reserve is located between Haridwar-Najimabad highway and river Ganges in Uttarakhand. The spectacular terai landscape of the study area is a mosaic of short and tall grasslands, tropical mixed moist deciduous forests, and secondary scrub. This Conservation Reserve was recently rediscovered (2005). This happens to be the first ever sampling of butterfly fauna of the area. Based on the study of butterfly diversity in the said reserve and adjacent area, a checklist has been prepared. The list includes 134 species belonging to 81 genera and 8 families.

6

Authors: G.T. Ojo, and I. Umar

ABSTRACT: Laboratory and screen house experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of two botanicals- Oil palm fibre and cocoa bean testa in the control of root knot nematode (M. javanica) on tomato. Approximately 100 eggs and juveniles were dispensed into petridishes containing both the crude and diluted extracts of the botanicals except the control which contained only distilled water. .In the screen house 10, 20 and 30 g (equilvalent to 5.7, 11.4 and 17.1 t/ha respectively) of powdered plant material was applied on top of soil in form of mulch to each pot except the control which received no treatment. Carbofuran a chemical nematicide was used as a check and applied at the rate of 1 g/cm3 of soil. The results in both experiments indicated that cocoa bean testa crude extract gave the best egg hatch inhibition (only 8 % of eggs hatched after 96 hrs), recorded highest juvenile mortality of 100 %, and recorded the highest growth parameters and least nematodes population. It is recommended that Cocoa bean testa extracts and powder be tried in the field before recommending to tomato farmers for the control of M. javanica.

7

Authors: T.C. Srijaya*, P.J. Pradeep**, A. Hassan***, A. Chatterji*** and F. Shaharom***

ABSTRACT: Peri-vitelline fluid (PVF) from horseshoe crab embryos has been found to contain molecules that stimulate growth and differentiation of specific organs in vertebrate models. Using red tilapia fingerlings, we have made an attempt to study the early development of gonads using PVF. From four different concentrations of PVF tested (100ul, 200ul, 300ul and 500ul), the best concentration was screened based on highest specific growth and successful spawning initiation in red tilapia fingerlings. A concentration of 200ul PVF injected intramuscularly to the red tilapia fingerlings showed high significance in terms of gonad enhancement and Gonado-somatic index for both sexes as compared to controls within 7 days of the study. Results suggest that PVF from horseshoe crab have the ability to enhance the gonadal maturity in red tilapia. This study discusses the impact of PVF treatment on growth performance, spawning and gonadal enhancement and their future applications.

7

Authors: D.M. Gangrade*, Dr. R.K. Nema** and Prof. I.J. Singhvi**

ABSTRACT: A simple simple, short and accurate UPLC method was developed on Waters Acquity UPLC for the quantification of the reagent, Dihydro dicyano benzoquinone (DDQ) which is employed for the conversion of 6-methylideneandrosta-4-diene-3, 17- dione to the drug substance, Exemestane is presented. The unreacted or the remnant DDQ from the synthesis appears as a carry-over impurity in the final product. The Method was developed on a Zorbax Eclipse Plus C18 column, using a mobile phase consisting of Water and Acetonitrile, each containing 0.02 % Trifluoroacetic acid, and using a linear gradient. The method was validated as per International Conference of Harmonization (ICH) Guidelines in terms of Specificity, Limit of detection (LOD), Limit of Quantitation (LOQ), Linearity, Precision, Accuracy and Solution Stability. The LOD and LOQ values were found to be 0.002 mg/mL and 0.004 mg/mL, respectively for 0.4μL injection volume. The sample concentration were injected was 10 mg/mL. The method is linear within the range of 0.004-0.03 μg/mL for DDQ.

9

Authors: A.B. Sarwade and G.P. Bhawane

ABSTRACT: The digestive tract of adult Platynotus belli. is anatomically divided into short foregut, long midgut and hindgut which opens outside through anus. Histologically foregut and hindgut showed outer circular and inner longitudinal muscle layers followed by basement membrane and epithelium. Inner most layer is intima. Midgut consists of outer muscularis and inner columnar epithelium with peritrophic membrane surrounding gut content. Malphigian tubule shows single layer of cuboidal epithelium. Crop and salivary glands are absent in this beetle.

10

Authors: Shweta Thakur*, Pawan Kumar** and V.K. Mattu*

ABSTRACT: Subfamily Noctuinae are distributed in Great Plains and Deccan Peninsulas. They can be well examined and identified by their wing venation and genitalia. In the present study, four species Agrotis ipsilon Hufnagel, Agrotis segetum Denis and Schiffmuller, Xestia c-nigrum Linnaeus and Xestia renalis Moore were collected from different conifer forests of Himachal Pradesh. An account of genitalia, wing venation and relative abundance of these species are given and key has been furnished for interspecific discrimination by dwelling upon different morphological and genitalic characters.

3

Authors: Dr. Mukesh Kumar Napit

ABSTRACT: Studies on the toxicity of common pesticides and some industrial pollutants on fishes have been reviewed. Pollutants such as pesticides cause diseases, behavioral abnormalities, cancer and gene mutations in fishes. Physiological malformation, histological, haematological and biochemical changes have also been observed in fishes, Pesticides significantly affect the early life stages of fishes. Toxic effects of pesticides vary in different organs of the fish. Liver, gill, kidney are tissues that can accumulate high level of pollutants as well as other factors, such as salinity temperature, hardness etc.

3

Authors: Reena Saxena* and Pramod Patil**

ABSTRACT: In the present study of phytochemical screening of the seed extract of Myristica fragrance essential oil using standard method of photochemical analysis. The solvents used for extraction of essential oil were methanol, dichloromethane, hexane and chloroform. The preliminary phytochemical investigation showed that Myristica fragrance essential oil to contain some secondary metabolites such as of alkaloids, steroids, tannins, flavonoids, phenolics and glycosides. The result justified the use of plant in medicine to treat various infectious diseases.

4

Authors: M.O. Mulajkar* and S.P. Zambare**

ABSTRACT: The present communication deals with effectiveness of caffeine (1,3,7-Trimethylexanthine) in lead induced toxicity in an experimental model, the freshwater bivalve, Lamellidens corrianus. The effect on bivalve was studied under five groups. Group A bivalves were maintained as control, B group bivalves were exposed to chronic dose (LC50/10) of lead nitrate (6.81 ppm) for 20 days. Group C bivalves were exposed to respective chronic concentration of lead nitrate along with caffeine (5mg/l). Protein contents in selected tissues from each group were estimated after 10 and 20 days. Bivalves from group B were divided for recovery into two groups D and E after 20 day exposure to lead. D group bivalves were allowed to cure in normal water, E group bivalves were exposed to caffeine (5mg/l) up to the 9 days. From each of recovery groups, some bivalves were removed and protein contents in selected tissues of bivalves were estimated after 3, 6 and 9 days. The protein level was significantly decreased on exposure to lead while the decrease in presence of caffeine was less when exposed simultaneously than when exposed individually. During recovery protein contents recovered and the rate of recovery was faster in caffeine exposed bivalves as compared to those recovered in normal water. The probable role of the caffeine (1,3,7-Trimethylexanthine) is discussed in the paper.

5

Authors: Alaka Patil

ABSTRACT : The paper reports significance of man made reservoirs in agricultural productivities and fishery in arid tahsils of Sangli district of Maharashtra. Cropping pattern was found changed from rainfed crops to cash crops like wheat grapes and grams. Water is also useful for inland fishery by some community as a income source. Fishery is one of the important extractive uses of the wetlands. It is one of the additional economic dimensions of farmers having wetland availability.

7

Authors: B.C. Sharma and Dipen Ghimiray

ABSTRACT : We have studied the sequenced chloroplast genomes from the three species of Cryptophyta (Cryptomonas, Guillardia and Rhodomonas). In our study we find that the typical introns are absent in their genome; though it has been observed in other chloroplast genomes. Considerable number of genes of photosystem II and I and also genes for ribosomal proteins and other protein genes were observed, which may be due to their transfer into the nuclear genome was not completed in due course of evolution.

7

Authors: Aditya Kumar*, Sayeeda Kousar Bhatti* and Ashok Aggarwal**

ABSTRACT: Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) are the important mutualistic symbionts of the soil edaphon in most agro-ecosystems. The present experiment was conducted in 2011-2012 to investigate the AM fungal status (AM root colonization, AM spore count and AM diversity) of fifteen ornamental flowering plants. AM root colonization ranged from 14.28 ±2.08 to 100.00 ± 0.0 percent and AM spores in the rhizospheric soil of different ornamental plants also varied significantly. Maximum AM root colonization and spore count was observed in Senecio cineraria (100.00 ± 0.0) and Gladiolus grandiflorus (172.00 ±4.35) respectively. Twenty three different species of AM fungi belonging to five genera i.e. Glomus, Acaulospora, Sclerocystis, Gigaspora and Entrophospora were reported. Glomus was reported to be dominant genera followed by Acaulospora. The study confirmed that biodiversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi differ in different plant species.

9

Authors: Dr. K.K. Verma

ABSTRACT: Selection in evolution of sexual features, including sexual behaviour, has been referred to as sexual selection, of which three modes are: (a) Sperm Competition, (b) Cryptic Female Choice, and (c) Sexual Conflict. Examples of the three modes have been included. Difference between sexual selection and natural selection has been made out, but it has been inferred that it is difficult to draw a firm line between the two types of selection. West-Eberhard’s concept of social selection, evolution of female ornaments, and mechanism of exaggerated development of male ornaments and weaponry have been briefly reviewed.

10

Authors: Harvinder Singh*, Charn Kumar** and Upma Bagai***

ABSTRACT: The present study investigates the harmful effect of electromagnetic radiations emitted from VDU (video display unit) of CRT monitor on white blood cells of male Balb/C mice, 20 cm away, at power density of 0.295 w/cm2. The white blood cells were evaluated for morphology, physical nature of blood smear, Differential leukocyte count (DLC), total leukocyte count (TLC), mortality and scanning electron microscopic studies at the interval of 7, 14, 28 and 42 days of irradiations. The result showed altered blood smear, morphology, apoptosis rate and scanning electron micrograph of WBCs. Lymphocytes (L) and TLC in exposed groups were increased while monocytes (M) and neutrophils (N) reduced at various interval of experiment. Collectively these findings indicate that EMF issuing from VDU adversely affects immune system.