A preliminary study of the fish populations along the Malabar Coast

The study on the inshore fish population of the Malabar Coast was undertaken with a view to ascertaining the species of fishes occurring in the coastal waters, their relative intra- and inter-specific fluctuations at different times of the yea.l'j their sizes, sex proportions, maturity, life histories and their behaviour in relation to the biological and physico chemical environment. It is intended to form an introduction to the detailed investigations on the biology and bionomics of individual species of food fishes of this coast

Iodine Uptake Restoration in Thyroid Cancer

A method of expressing a tumor specific therapeutic response element in a cancerous cell is disclosed in which the response element was previously blocked from expression. The method comprises the step of administering an unblocking agent to the cancerous cell harboring a gene encoding the response element, thereby resulting in the expression of the response element

Age specific acceptance of unrelated conspecifics on nests of the primitively eusocial wasp, Ropalidia marginata

To investigate the possible role of the age of an individual on its acceptance onto unrelated colonies, several individually marked foreign con specifics that had been isolated immediately upon eclosion from their natal nests, were introduced into laboratory cages containing apparently healthy colonies of R. marginata, Foreign conspecifics, if less than or equal to 8 days of age, had a finite probability of being accepted onto unrelated colonies, Young wasps appeared to be accepted preferentially over older ones, both because young individuals made more attempts to join as well as because they met with greater success per attempt, The resident wasps vigorously nibbled and groomed young foreign conspecifics once they were accepted onto nests, just as they did for newly eclosed wasps from their own nests, In both cases, this may result in the transfer of nestmate discrimination odours from mature to young wasps. Three confirmed records of unrelated accepted foreign conspecifics becoming foragers in their foster colonies are presented. We hypothesize that although young foreign conspecifics may be accepted for the proximate reason they may not be efficiently discriminated from newly eclosed nestmates, such acceptance may have an ultimate adaptive value, or at least may not be detrimental to the accepting colony. If the basis of social life is mutualistic interaction among individuals with varying levels of relatedness, as has been postulated for such primitively eusocial wasps, then the advantage of accepting a young foreign conspecific who can be subdued into a subordinate worker role with relative ease, is not difficult to appreciate

Implications for Conservation of Coral Reefs in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands comprised of 306 Islands and 226 rocks covering about 948.8 km2 coral reefs and 762 km2 mangrove areas. There are 106 protected areas in these Islands, 96 designated as wildlife sanctuaries, 9 national parks and one biosphere reserve. Among the 9 national parks, 2 are marine national parks which have not yet inventoried thoroughly. There are about 6540 species of fauna, 2500 species of flora reported from these islands. About 4% of marine species are endemic. Natural and human impacts on coral reefs have been increasing in recent years. The Indian Ocean tsunami on December 26, 2004 caused severe damage to coral reefs of these Islands. About 4000 ha of North Andaman, 1211 ha of South Andaman and 3500 ha of Nicobar Island reefs were damaged due to tsunami. All corals and important associated animals are protected under Indian Wildlife Act, 1972 and Biodiversity Act, 2002. The tribal people of Nicobar Islands are exempted from the wildlife act and it cause extensive damage to coral reef associated fauna. Nowadays poaching and tourism developments are the major threats to reefs. There are 1,10,000 tourists are visiting the islands during the calm weather season from October to February. Paddy field of these Islands covers about 10,517 ha with the usage of 32 kg fertilizers per hectare. Fertilizers discharges into sea cause algal over growth on reefs. Most of the coral reefs monitoring works are restricted to South Andaman reefs only. There is an urgent need for establishment of permanent monitoring site in each reef, increase of awareness campaign, sea patrolling and strict enforcement of law. The conservation strategies for coral reefs of these Islands are discussed in the paper in detail