4 research outputs found
Diversity and population dynamics of phytophagous scarabaeid beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in different landscapes of Himachal Pradesh, India
Scarabaeid beetles constitute a major group of defoliators of cultivated and wild plants. Therefore, it is important to understand their diversity, abundance and distribution for planning effective pest management programmes. We surveyed scarabaeid beetles from 8 landscapes from different zones in Himachal Pradesh (N 32o 29' and E 75o 10'), India. In 2011 and 2012, surveys were conducted during 4 months period (May-August) by using UV light traps. A total of 13,569 scarabaeid adults of 20 genera and 56 species belonging to subfamilies Melolonthinae, Rutelinae, Cetoniinae and Dynastinae were recorded. The five most common species were Brahmina coriacea, Adoretus lasiopygus, Anomala lineatopennis, Maladera insanabilis and Holotrichia longipennis. They comprised 9.88-10.05, 7.18-7.76, 7.13-7.27, 6.80-7.62 and 5.22-5.30 % during 2011-12, respectively. Anomala (10 species) was the most dominant genus in the present study, whereas Melolonthinae was the most dominant subfamily accounting 53.23 percent of total scarabs collected from the study sites. Among different landscapes, Palampur had maximum diversity and abundance, while Shillaroo had least diversity but more abundance of single species B. coriacea. The value of alpha diversity indices viz. Shannon index was maximum (H'=3.01-3.03) at Palampur. This indicates maximum evenness and abundance of species at Palampur. Shillaroo had lowest Shannon index (H'=1.12-1.17) and Pielou's evenness index (J'=0.46-0.49). This showed least species diversity and higher unevenness of scarabaeid beetles at Shillaroo. The results of beta diversity analysis revealed poor similarity of scarabaeid species between different sites confirming that the scarabaeid community in the north western Himalayan regions is much diverse
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Impact of infectious diseases on sustainability of cultured fisheries- understanding relationship between host, pathogen and environment
Despite current advances in aquaculture practices, microbial diseases are still being increasingly incriminated as a significant constraint to regulate sustainable aquaculture production, trade and economic development of this sector. A systematic research to identify various infections which induce morbidity and mortality among trout and carps was undertaken in Himachal Pradesh, a northern state of India lying in the foothills of Himalayas. In total, 415 samples comprising of 275 carps and 140 trouts; either dead, dying, moribund or apparently healthy were microbiologically processed. The bacterial and mycobiotic involvement was revealed in 381 and 118 of these samples, respectively. Altogether, 549 isolates of microbes were identified. Histopathological and pathogenicity studies were also carried out. Among bacteria, Aeromonas spp. predominated whilst in mycobiota it was Aspergillus spp. followed by Cladosporium spp. Oxytetracycline, tetracycline, chlortetracycline, gentamicin and norfloxacin were adjudged best in vitro, whereas ampicillin, erythromycin and penicillin-G were least effective. The findings of this investigation are co-related with those of several other workers related to the impact of environmental stress and ecological disturbances on aquabiota and fish diseases. Likewise for mycobiotic isolates malachite green and sodium chloride were best, whereas, potassium permanganate was least effective. Comparative to previous year’s studies the increased incidence of microbial involvement is being suggestive of host of factors like deteriorating environmental factors and poor water quality resulting from increased effluent discharges, movement of aquatic animals, rapid proliferation of farms and their inadequate management. This study emphasized the need for, inter alia, broader ecosystem management approaches to control environmental deterioration and to take preventative measures against the introduction of pathogens to aquatic system as suggested by (ADB/NACA, 1991) and Phillips (1996).KEYWORDS: Carp, Aquaculture, Trout, Bacteria, Fisheries economics, Fungus, Environment, Stres