Morphological differentiation of closely resembling ariid species, Arius venosus and A. sumatranus

In Indian waters ariids (Siluriformes/ Ariidae) are represented by 9 genera and 25 valid species. The genus Arius is the most diverse with eight species reported from Indian waters which can be categorised in two broad groups. One having elongated teeth patches with globular teeth comprising of five species- A. jella, A. maculatus, A. gagora, A. malabaricus and A. arius is clubbed under maculatus complex. Other group included species like A. subrostratus, A. sumatranus and A. venosus having smaller teeth patches with villiform teeth (non-maculatus complex) (Dhanze and Jayaram. 1982). The non-maculatus complex does not contribute much to the commercial fishery barring A. subrostratus which forms minor fishery along southwest coast of India. A. subrostratus can be easily differentiated from rest of the con-generic members by smaller barbels and long snout with small mouth

Oil Spill Occurrences along Indian Exclusive Economic Zone

Oil Spill Occurrences along Indian Exclusive Economic Zon

Synthesis and Characterization of Methyl Ammonium Lead Halide Perovskite MAPbI3 for Applications in Photodetector Devices

Methyl ammonium lead iodide (CH3NH3PbI3) Perovskite was synthesized by a mixing method in one and two steps. The ethanol solvent was also used to dissolve CH3NH3I that is compared with isopropanol solvent. The characterizations of synthesized perovskite samples include the structural properties, morphological characteristics, and optical properties. The intensity and orientation in X-ray diffraction patterns appear clearly in ethanol solvent. Additionally, the ethanol solvent increases the grain size of perovskite which is homogeneous of the surface morphology. It causes a decrease in the wavelength of absorbance edge in addition to an increase in the energy bandgap value. The photodetector parameters for MAPbI3 perovskites cover the PbS nanocrystal which was prepared on the FTO glass dissolved by Isopropanol and DMF where the responsivity Rλ= 0.0037 and the quantum efficiency QE=1.016% was under λ nm =650 nm and Vbias=0V. These values were decreased by using Ethanol solvent

Taxonomic note on the Indian species of genus Netuma

In Indian waters, genus Netuma is represented by two species namely N. bilineata and N. thalassina (Order: Siluriformes, Family: Ariidae). Rounded shout, thin lips, inconspicuous median longitudinal groove, and higher anal fin ray count (16-19) are characters of N. bilineata while N. thalassina has conical snout, clearly visible median longitudinal groove and lower anal fin ray count (13-15). Prior to the erection of N. bilineata (earlier considered as synonym of N. thalassina) as valid species, Indian workers had difference of opinion regarding the representation of species under this genus from Indian waters

Stranding of whale shark off Madhavpur, Gujarat

A dead male whale shark (Rhincodon typus) was found off Madhavpur coast, near the fish landing centre on morning of 28th September, 2017. The investigations were covered at the joint team of ICAR-CMFRI and Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), Veraval, Gujarat. The carcass showed an injury below the first dorsal fin but cause of its death could not be ascertained. Some measurements of the stranded whale shark were recorded before it was burie

Case study on dol net fishing operation and its economic analysis off Gujarat, north-west coast of India

Dol net is traditionally used for fishing along the north-west coast of India. In this study, the operational as well as economic aspects of dol net operation off Navabandar, Gujarat was studied. Dol nets operations from mechanised boats locally called as Van along Navabandar coast were considered for the present study. The overall length (OAL) of the mechanised vessels were in the range, 10-12.8 m with 2.4-3.6 m breadth and 1-1.8 m height. The total capacity of vessels was in the range 15-20 t and average fish holding capacity was 2.5 t. The fishing vessels had six cylinder engines of 87 to 105 hp. Fishermen themselves fabricated the nets for the dol net, which had seven different parts with various lengths. Kaba-sus system using steel pipes was the method of dol net fishing off Navabandar. They were locally known as Bochi, Patiya, Aor, Trijo, Bangu, Chothi and Jalo. The study indicated that the profit of a dolnetter at Navabandar in a year was `2,88,122

Early diagnosis of pseudopregnancy in goats by ultrasonography and response to treatment using cloprostenol sodium

Pseudopregnancy is a state of temporary infertility in goats characterised by the accumulation of sterile fluid in the uterus in the absence of a foetus with persistent corpus luteum. B-mode ultrasonographic examination of goats on day 60 post-breeding was conducted for differential diagnosis of pregnancy, non-pregnancy and pseudopregnancy. Pseudopregnant does diagnosed on day 60 (day 0) post-breeding (Group I, n=8) were treated with three doses of 125μg of cloprostenol sodium (i/m) 10 days apart and were bred by natural service on induced oestrus after the third dose of treatment. The response to treatment was evaluated and compared with normal cycling does (Group II, n=8) which were mated on spontaneous oestrus. The uterine wall thickness measured ultrasonographically on day 0 in group I and on day 60 post-breeding in pregnant does of group II were 0.63 ± 0.02 and 0.66±0.03 cm, respectively (P >0.05). Serum progesterone concentration estimated on day 0, day of the evacuation of uterine fluid, days 10 and 20 in group I and on day 60 post-breeding in group II were 2.73 ± 0.19, 0.78± 0.19, 1.67 ± 0.10, 1.72 ± 0.19 and 3.64± 0.16 ng/mL, respectively. A statistically significant difference was observed between day 0 in group I and day 60 in group II; within group I, between day 0 and the day of evacuation and between the day of evacuation and day 10. Pregnancy diagnosis on day 60 post-breeding revealed a conception rate of 50 and 75 per cent in groups I and II, respectively (P>0.05)

Structural mechanism of synergistic activation of Aurora kinase B/C by phosphorylated INCENP

Aurora kinases B and C (AURKB/AURKC) are activated by binding to the C-terminal domain of INCENP. Full activation requires phosphorylation of two serine residues of INCENP that are conserved through evolution, although the mechanism of this activation has not been explained. Here we present crystal structures of the fully active complex of AURKC bound to INCENP, consisting of phosphorylated, activated, AURKC and INCENP phosphorylated on its TSS motif, revealing the structural and biochemical mechanism of synergistic activation of AURKC:INCENP. The structures show that TSS motif phosphorylation stabilises the kinase activation loop of AURKC. The TSS motif phosphorylations alter the substrate-binding surface consistent with a mechanism of altered kinase substrate selectivity and stabilisation of the protein complex against unfolding. We also analyse the binding of the most specific available AURKB inhibitor, BRD-7880, and demonstrate that the well-known Aurora kinase inhibitor VX-680 disrupts binding of the phosphorylated INCENP TSS motif

GIS based mapping of spatio-temporal distribution pattern of ribbonfish Trichiurus lepturus (Linnaeus, 1758) along Saurashtra coast, India

Identification of spatio-temporal distribution of fish species represents fundamental information for stock assessment which in turn is essential for formulation of fishery management plans as well as for GIS based decision making. This study investigated the spatio-temporal distribution and abundance of different life stages of ribbonfish, Trichiurus lepturus (Linnaeus, 1758) off Saurashtra coast. Geographical coordinates of fishing and allied information on the time of fishing, depth of the fishing area as well as catch details were collected using a structured schedule, from selected trawlers operated from Veraval. Information was mapped using a GIS software to get the spatio-temporal distribution of the species. It was observed that juveniles were more abundant along the south Saurashtra coast whereas subadults and adults showed a discontinuous distribution with abundance in the waters off south Saurashtra as well as north Saurashtra coasts

Dead Bryde's whale washed ashore at Veraval, Gujarat

Bryde’s Whale (Balaenoptera edeni Anderson, 1879) measuring 10.4 m in length and weighing about 7 tons was found washed ashore on the beach of Veraval on 4th august 2017. Locally called as “Machchh” it was found in dead condition with small injuries in the caudal peduncle and genital region. With the intervention and supervision of forest officials, it was towed ashore and a veterinary officer conducted post-mortem after which it was buried on the shore. Occurrenc