First report of Lividin and Spinulosain peptides from the skin secretion of an Indian frog

Here, we report two novel peptides identified from the skin secretion, having homologies to Lividin and Spinulosain, of an endemic frog, Hydrophylax bahuvistara, of Western Ghats. This is the first report of these peptides from Indian frogs and first identification of Lividin from the Hydrophylax genus. Both peptides exhibited weak antimicrobial activity but very low haemolytic activity. The problems of naming amphibian host defense peptides (HDPs) are also discussed

A qualitative appraisal of the soft corals (Octocorallia: Alcyonacea) off Mandapam, South India

The discovery of rare prostaglandins in soft corals has initiated a general interest in this group as an easily available source of several 'wonder drugs'. During the present study four species of soft corals from the family Alcyoniidae are described in the light of scanning electromicrographs of the sclerites to facilitate easy identification. Although 28 species are recorded earlier, three species listed in the present account are new records to the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve

Cross-species testing and utility of microsatellite loci in Indirana frogs

Background Microsatellite loci are widely used in population and conservation genetic studies of amphibians, but the availability of such markers for tropical and subtropical taxa is currently very limited. In order to develop resources for conservation genetic studies in the genus Indirana, we tested amplification success and polymorphism in 62 previously developed microsatellite loci, in eight Indirana species - including new candidate species. Developing genomic resources for this amphibian taxon is particularly important as it is endemic to the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, and harbours several endangered species. Findings The cross-species amplification success rate varied from 11.3 % to 29.0 % depending on the species, with 29 - 80 % of the amplifying loci being polymorphic. A strong negative correlation between cross-species amplification success (and polymorphism) and genetic distance separating target from source species was observed. Conclusions Our results provide additional genetic support for the existence of genetically divergent cryptic species within the genus Indirana. The tested markers should be useful for population and conservation genetic studies in this genus, and in particular, for species closely related to the source species, I. beddomii.Peer reviewe

Modulation of selected hemolymph factors in the Indian edible oyster Crassostrea madrasensis (Preston) upon challenge by Vibrio alginolyticus

Juveniles of Crassostrea madrasensis (mean weight 85.5 ± 2.3 g) were exposed to live cells of Vibrio alginolyticus (1.2 x 106 cells g-1) by intramuscular injection. Hemolymph samples were collected at different time intervals to study the modulations in the cellular and humoral factors. There was an increase in total hemocyte count, percentage granulocytes, serum protein, serum acid phosphatase, serum phenol oxidase and serum lysozyme in response to bacterial challenge upto three to five days post-injection. A decrease in the ability of hemocytes to phagocytose yeast cells was also noted. The hemolymph parameters of the test group became similar to that of control animals within two weeks of exposure to live bacterial cells

Characterization of haemocytes of the Indian edible oyster, Crassostrea madrasensis (Preston)

The haemocytes of the Indian edible oyster Crassostrea madrasensis were characterized using light and electron microscopy. The light microscopic study was conducted by staining a monolayer of the haemocytes with Geimsa. Cells without granules and with a large nucleus occupying much of the cytoplasmic area were grouped as hyalinocytes. Those with lesser amounts of basophilic cytoplasmic granules were characterized as semigranulocytes and those with large amounts of a mixture of acidophilic and basophilic granules were termed as granulocytes. Ultrastructural studies also revealed the presence of three types of haemocytes. Scanning electron microscopic studies were used to study the spreading behaviour of the haemocytes. Cytochemical studies revealed the presence of acidphosphatase, peroxidase and prophenol oxidase in the cells

Smallest lectin-like peptide identified from the skin secretion of an endemic frog, Hydrophylax bahuvistara

Lectins are sugar-binding proteins and considered as attractive candidates for drug delivery and targeting. Here, we report the identification of the smallest lectin-like peptide (odorranalectin HYba) from the skin secretion of Hydrophylax bahuvistara which is being the shortest lectin-like peptide identified so far from the frog skin secretion, with 15 amino acid residues. The peptide is the first report from an Indian frog and lacks antimicrobial activity but strongly agglutinate intact human erythrocytes. The sequences at the L-fucose recognizing region is conserved as in other lectins reported from frog skin secretion and could be exploited for specificity and drug targeting properties

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