Genetic divergence in lobsters crustacean palinuridae and scyllaridae from the Indian EEZ

The management of exploited species requires the identification of demographically isolated populations that can be considered as independent management units failuring in which can lead to over fishing and depletion of less productive stocks By characterizing the distribution of genetic newlinevariation population sub structuring can be detected and the degree of newlineconnectivity among populations can be estimated The genetic variation can be newlineobserved using identified molecular markers of both nuclear and mitochondrial newlineorigin Hence, the present work was undertaken to study the genetic diversity newlineand population stock structure in P homarus homarus and T unimaculatus newlinefrom different landing centres along the Indian coast using nuclear RAPD and newlinemitochondrial DNA marker tools which will help towards developing newlinemanagement strategies for management and conservation of these declining newlineresources newlin

Mitogenomic architecture of the multivalent endemic black clam (Villorita cyprinoides) and its phylogenetic implications

The Indian black clam Villorita cyprinoides (Family: Cyrenidae), an extractive commercially exploited species with aquaculture importance contributing more than 70% of clam fishery in India, is endemic to the Indian peninsula. Currently, there is very sparse information, especially on the molecular data of Villorita. The present study aims to provide a comprehensive knowledge of mitogenome architecture and assess the phylogenetic status of Cyrenidae. This has resulted in reporting the first complete mitogenome of V. cyprinoides using next-generation sequencing technology. The A+T circular mitogenome was 15,880 bp long, exhibiting 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) including ATP8 (absent in several bivalves), 22 transfer RNA, and two ribosomal RNA genes residing in the heavy strand in a clockwise orientation and a gene order akin to Corbicula fluminea. The molecular phylogeny inferred from a concatenated multi-gene sequence [14 mitochondrial (12 PCGs, rrnS and rrnL) and two nuclear genes (Histone H3, 18S rRNA)] from 47 representative species of superorder Imparidentia, clustered V. cyprinoides and Cyrenid clams to a single clade supporting the monophyly of Cyrenidae. The subsequent mitochondrial gene order analysis substantiates the close relationship of V. cyprinoides and C. fluminea, analogous to phylogenetic output. The multilocus tree topology calibrated with verified fossil data deciphered the origin and diversification of Cyrenid clams during late Triassic-early Jurassic. The data derived from this study shall contribute remarkably for further insights on cryptic species identification, molecular characterization of bivalve mitogenomes and mitochondrial evolutionary history of genus Villorita. Moreover, complete mitogenome can aid in potential marker development for assessing the genetic health of black clam populations

No waste in Universe- Nature recycle all the waste

Since my father was a book binder, from my early days I got a chance to assist in the work around fifty years back. He has fabricated own equipments for the industry. Having completed my graduation in Botany from Maharaja`s college in 1969, I got a chance to study Pulp and Paper Technology, Saharanpur, U. P. donated by the Swedish Government for transfer of technology

Tidings from the Tides–De novo transcriptome assembly of the endemic estuarine bivalve Villorita cyprinoides

The Indian black clam Villorita cyprinoides Gray, 1825, is an economically valuable estuarine bivalve that faces challenges from multiple stressors and anthropogenic pressures. However, limited genomic resources have hindered molecular investigations into the impact of these stressors on clam populations. Here, we have generated the first transcriptomic reference datasets for V. cyprinoides to address this knowledge gap. A total of 25,040,592 and 22,486,217 million Illumina paired-end reads generated from two individuals were assembled using Trinity and rnaSPAdes. From the 47,607 transcripts identified as Coding Domain Sequences, 37,487 returned positive BLAST hits against six different databases. Additionally, a total of 14,063 Single Sequence Repeats were identified using GMATA. This study significantly enhances the genetic understanding of V. cyprinoides, a potential candidate for aquaculture that supports the livelihoods of many people dependent on small-scale fisheries. The data generated provides insights into broader genealogical connections within the family Cyrenidae through comparative transcriptomics. Furthermore, this transcriptional profile serves as baseline data for future studies in toxicological and conservation genetics

Occurrence of Japanese sponge crab Lauridromia dehaani

L. dehaani belongs to the suborder Pleocyemata and the family Dromiidae. The species is distributed in the Indowest Pacific region and in India distribution is along both east and west coasts. Crab is known to camouflage itself by carrying something above it such as a piece of sponge, a shell of similar dimensions or leaves with a clear preference for sponges (Morton, 1989) and hence are commonly known as sponge crabs

Book of Abstracts & Success Stories National Conference on Marine Debris COMAD 2018

Marine debris has become a global problem with considerable threats to the habitat and to the functions of marine ecosystem. One of the first reports of large areas of plastics in the ocean has been by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 1988 about the Great Pacific Garbage patch or the Pacific trash vortex, where the density of litter is estimated as four numbers per cubic meter. Globally, this shocking information led to initiation of new research programs on marine litter and in India, the ICAR-CMFRI started an in house research program on this theme in 2007.Understanding the significance of this ecological problem which is purely a direct impact of anthropogenic activity, the Marine Biological Association of India decided to organise a National Conference on Marine Debris (COMAD 2018 ) with an aim to bring together researchers, planners, NGOs, entrepreneurs and local governing bodies working on this theme. Thus, this conference was planned with three main componentsunderstand the research outputs, get first- hand information on the various activities carried out by the public to reduce or recycle non degradable waste generated at various levels and also to have an exhibition of eco-friendly activities and products which would help to reduce marine debris in the long run. The response to all the three themes has been very encouraging. We have received about 50 research articles on themes ranging from micro-plastics to ghost nets and the same number of success stories which are actually details of the diverse activities carried out in different maritime states of the country to solve the issue of solid waste generated in the country. The section on success stories includes attempts by eco-clubs, individuals, schools, colleges, local governing bodies, district administrations, Institutions and NGOs. Activities by some Panchayats like banning plastics in public functions and mechanisms to collect sold waste from households are really commendable. Similarly, the efforts put in by various groups to remove marine debris from the coastal waters is something which should be appreciated. The message from these success stories is that, this problem of increasing marine debris can be resolved. We have got success stories from almost all states and these leaders of clean campaign will be presenting their work in the conference. It is well known that visuals such as photographs and videos are powerful tools of communication. In COMAD 2018, we have provided an opportunity for all across the nation to contribute to this theme through photographs and videos. Am very happy that we have received more than 300 photographs and nearly 25 videos. The MBAI will place these on the web site. It is really shocking to see the quantity of litter in the fishing ground and in the coastal ecosystem

Population genetic structure of the shovel-nosed lobster Thenus unimaculatus (Decapoda, Scyllaridae) in Indian waters based on RAPD and mitochondrial gene sequences

Thenus unimaculatus is one of the most important commercially exploited lobster species in India. The declining trend in catches as well as collapse of fishery in some localities necessitated assessment of the stock structure to manage this resource sustainably. We ascertained the genetic stock structure of T. unimaculatus along the Indian coast, using molecular markers. RAPD and concatenated dataset of mitochondrial DNA genes (partial sequences of Cytochrome Oxidase I and Cytochrome b) were used to detect population differentiation. RAPD markers showed moderate genetic variability with an overall GST value of 0.0442, which indicated low genetic differentiation among subpopulations. The mtDNA dataset revealed high haplotype diversity coupled with very low nucleotide diversity that suggested recent population expansion after a period of low effective population size. The median-joining haplotype network showed no geographical clustering of haplotypes. The low levels of genetic differentiation with non-significant P values (FST =0.0593) may be due high connectivity among shovel-nosed lobster populations and resultant panmixia. This may be due to the planktonic phyllosoma larval phase that extends for[1 month in wild and their transport and dispersal by monsoon currents of Northern Indian Ocean. The results of this study will aid in better management of this dwindling resource

New Distributional Record of Deep Sea Snake Fish Acanthocepola indica (Day, 1888) from the Southwest Coast of India

Deep sea snake fishes or band fishes belonging to the Family Cepolidae are widespread in eastern Atlantic, but rare in the central Indo-Pacific Ocean.A specimen of Acanthocepola sp. measuring 556mmin total length (TL) weighing 139 g was collected from a multiday trawler, operated off the southwest coast of India and landed at Beypore Fisheries harbour, Calicut, Kerala on 9th November 2017. The species was identified as A. indicus based on morphometric and meristic characteristics which was later confirmed by DNA barcoding

Molecular phylogeny of commercially important lobster species from Indian coast inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences

Lobsters constitute low-volume high-value crustacean fishery resource along Indian coast. For the conservation and management of this declining resource, accurate identification of species and larvae is essential. The objectives of this work were to generate species-specific molecular signatures of 11 commercially important species of lobsters of families Palinuridae and Scyllaridae and to reconstruct a phylogeny to clarify the evolutionary relationships among genera and species included in this study. Partial sequences were generated for all the candidate species from sampling sites along the Indian coast using markers like Cytochrome oxidase I (COI), 16SrRNA, 12SrRNA, and 18SrRNA genes, and analyzed. The genetic identities of widely distributed Thenus species along the Indian coast to be Thenus unimaculatus and the sub-species of Panulirus homarus to be P. homarus homarus were confirmed. Phylogeny reconstruction using the individual gene and concatenated mtDNA data set were carried out. The overall results suggested independent monophyly of Scyllaridae and Stridentes of Palinuridae. The interspecific divergence was found to be highest for the 12SrRNA compared with other genes. Significant incongruence between mtDNA and nuclear 18SrRNA gene tree topologies was observed. The results hinted an earlier origin for Palinuridae compared with Scyllaridae. The DNA sequence data generated from this study will aid in the correct identification of lobster larvae and will find application in research related to larval transport and distribution

Report on crested hair tail Tentoriceps cristatus (Trichiuridae) from Goa

A single specimen of ribbon fish Tentoriceps cristatus (Klunzinger, 1884), commonly called the crested hair tail, was landed in Cotbona jetty, South Goa on 26th November 2021. The specimen was collected from a mechanized purse seiner which operated at a depth of 60-80 meters off west of Cotbona