Study on sex steroid-binding proteins (with emphasize on 17β-estradiol) in plasma of female and juvenile kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum)

A sex steroid-binding protein (SBP) that binds to 17β-estradiol with high affinity and moderate capacity was identified in the plasma of female and juvenile of kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) sampled during the early stage of gonadal maturation in October and prior to spawning in March. Mean maximum specific binding (Bmax) and equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of the fish were as follows: In early stage of gonadal development (October), Bmax= 5800±970 fmol E2/mg protein, Kd 4.1±0.6nM, and prior to spawning (March) Bmax= 4000±895 fmol E2/mg protein, Kd 2.9±0.3nM. In juvenile sampled in October Bmax= 1600±130 fmol E2/mg protein, Kd 2.1±0.2nM and in March samples Bmax= 3500±780 fmol E2/mg protein, Kd 2.2±0.2nM. Plasma estradiol binding characteristics of the adult samples in October and March differed from the juvenile samples in having both Bmax and Kd significantly higher than juveniles. Plasma SBP levels displayed a moderate correlation with GSI (r2= 0.52) and CF (r2= 0.51) and a weak correlation with HSI (r2 = 0.28). Affinity was moderately correlated with CF (r2 = 0.68) and HIS (r2 = 0.50). A strong correlation was obtained between Bmax and Kd, high Bmax values coincided with high Kd values and vice versa

A first record of <i>Oplatocera halli</i> Lepesme, 1956 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from western India

Oplatocera halli Lepesme, a rare cerambycid beetle, is redescribed with the help of a series of colour illustrations. The photographic illustration is in fact the first such illustration of this beetle. We also place this beetle in the proper subgenus and tribe

First record of the genus Gomesius (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae) from India, with description of a new species

Ghate, H.V., Mathew, Mirjoy (2018): First record of the genus Gomesius (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae) from India, with description of a new species. Zootaxa 4461 (3): 421-428, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4461.3.

SEM study of gemmules and spicules of Indian <i>Trochospongilla latouchiana</i> Annandale and Chinese <i>T. latouchiana sinensis</i> Annandale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Spongillina: Spongillidae)

Gemmules and spicules of Trochospongilla latouchiana Annandale, 1907 from India and its subspecies T. latouchiana sinensis Annandale, 1919 from China have not been studied under SEM so far, as only optical microscopic illustrations are available. These illustrations are now provided using material from the Smithsonian Institution, USA. T. latouchiana sinensis has already been treated as a synonym of T. latouchiana. SEM observations reveal identical morphology of gemmules and spicules and it seems that synonymising the subspecies with T. latouchiana is justified, however more material must be studied to understand the variability of characters in these species

A note on five freshwater sponges (Porifera: Spongillina: Spongillidae) from Pune, Maharashtra, India

We report the presence of five freshwater sponges in ephemeral and permanent fresh water bodies in and around Pune, Maharashtra, India. Field observations, descriptive notes, habitus photographs and SEM photographs of body spicules, gemmule spicules and gemmules of five species are provided. Eunapius carteri (Bowerbank, 1863), Radiospongilla cerebellata (Bowerbank, 1863) and Corvospongilla lapidosa (Annandale, 1908) are commonly occurring species, whereas Ephydatia meyeni (Carter, 1849) and Dosilia plumosa (Carter, 1849) are rarely found. This report fills a longstanding gap in observations of freshwater sponges near Pune, and it is heartening to note that species reported earlier are still found in these environs

Redescription of <i>Hierodula coarctata</i> Saussure (Mantodea: Mantidae) from Maharashtra, India

In the current study a mantid species, Hierodula coarctata (Saussure, 1869) is redescribed. The study is based on 15 male and 5 female specimens (live and preserved) collected from different parts of Maharashtra, India during 2002-2004. Striking color variations, structure of male genitalia and other important morphological characters are discussed and illustrated. The species is redescribed as the previous reported description was insufficiently short and does not provide any information on color variations and character-based differences between the sexes

New locality record and additional information on the habitat of <i>Cyclestheria hislopi</i> (Baird, 1859) (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Cyclestherida) in India

The paper reports the presence of the branchiopod Cyclestheria hislopi (Baird) in one permanent and one temporary fresh water pond near Pune City, Maharashtra

First record of the Long-horned Beetle <i>Apiocephalus lichens</i> Gahan from western India (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lepturinae)

Apiocephalus licheneus Gahan, a lepturine cerambycid beetle, is reported from the western part of India for the first time. It is briefly described and all the important characters are illustrated to help subsequent identification

New locality records and additional information on habitats of three species of clam shrimps (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) from a region in northern part of Western Ghats (Sahyadris), India

Sampling in two freshwater bodies near Pune City, Maharashtra State located in the northern region of the Western Ghats revealed the presence of three species of clam shrimps. In this paper we provide new locality records of genera Caenestheriella sp. and Lynceus sp. from the northern region of the Western Ghats in Maharashtra State, India. We also provide some habitat description and information on ecological parameters of the water bodies