Genetic analysis of east and west coast populations of Penaeus monodon from India based on random amplified polymorphic DNA

The east and west coast populations of wild Penaeus monodon in India were genetically characterized by RAPD analysis using six highly polymorphic primers reported earlier. The average genetic similarities within populations, based on profiles generated by all the six primers, were 0.828 and 0.851 for the east and west coast populations, respectively, values with individual primers ranging from 0.744 to 0.889. The average genetic similarity between populations across all the primers was 0.774. The number of bands found to be polymorphic were 38 (51.35%) and 37 (50.68%) in the east and west coast populations, respectively. Primer 5 yielded the highest level of polymorphism (63.63%) in the east coast population whereas primer 3 yielded the lowest level of polymorphism (36.36%) in the west coast population. The study reveals the existence of genetic variation in P. monodon stocks providing scope for genetic improvement through selective breeding. It also provides baseline data for future work on population structure analysis of P. monodon

Development of cell culture from caudal fin and heart of Tor tor (Hamilton-Buchanan)

Tor mahseer (Tor tor), possess high commercial and recreational value as they are potential game as well as food fish of India. Two cell culture systems were developed from fin and heart of T. tor (Hamilton-Buchanan). The explants excised aseptically from fingerling of T. tor were cultured in Leibovitz-15 (L-15) medium with 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Radiation of cells started after 72 hours and 48 hours of explant attachment from caudal fin and heart respectively. Confluent monolayer of cells with heterogeneous morphology around fin explants was observed after 7-10 days, where as a homogenous confluent layer of fibroblastic cells from heart explant was observed after 12-13 days. The establishment of cell culture systems from different organs and tissues of commercial important species would facilitates in vitro research

Not Available

Not AvailableIndia is one of the mega biodiversity hot spots contributing to the World’s biological resources from the long stretches of Eastern Ghats on the East, the greater Himalaya range on the Northern Plains and Western Ghats on the west. The Eastern Ghats range is unique in its own way to host many valuable flora and fauna from time immemorial. The Eastern Ghats are located between 77o 22’ and 85o20’ longitude and 11o30’ and 20o00’ N latitude(Fig.1). The Eastern Ghats, unlike the Western Ghats, are not a continuous range of mountains but a series of broken and weathered relicts of the Peninsular Plateau represented as a series of isolated hills and much of the Ghats is of lower altitude than Western Ghats. Beginning in North Orissa, they pass through the coastal region of Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu cutting across Karnataka. Their average elevation is about 610 m. The Eastern Ghats are spread over four states from the Northeast to southwest along the east coast, covering an area of about 75,000 km with an average width of 200 km in the north and 100 km in the south (Bhairavamurthy, 1982). The average rainfall ranges from 1200 mm to 1500 mm, which is less than that in Western Ghats. The mean minimum temperature varies widely from 210 C and 26 0C (Dani 1982). Because of their lower elevation and their broken character, traversing across the Eastern Ghats is much easier.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableKnowledge on life history traits of fish and habitat requirements are very important in implementation of fishery management programmes, domestication of species under captive conditions, stock identification, population dynamics, development of captive breeding technology, assessment of conservation status, utilization of fishes as biological control,in situ and ex situ conservation. Life history characteristics of fish, including maximum size, growth rate, size at maturity,fecundity and migratory behaviour, have important implications for populations as well as their risk of extinction. Though phenotypic differences in life history parameters do not provide direct evidence of genetic isolation between stocks, but can indicate the prolonged separation of fish and also provide a firm basis for separate management units. The variation in life history traits of fish indicate phenotypic plasticity of the species which could be an important adoption trait, allowing them to respond to ecologically/habitat changes during their life time. Review of literature indicates that information on the life history parameters of most of the freshwater fishes from different lotic and lentic waters is rather fragmentary and understudied. The present paper reviews the relevance of the studies on life history traits of fish population and their implications in biodiversity conservation, synthesis of latest developments, knowledge gaps, research priorities and highlight important issues related to conservation and management of freshwater fishes.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableExplorations and germplasm inventories of fish biodiversity in the aquatic water bodies of India are being progressively updated and analysed with several new discoveries however; a well-defined number of existing fish species at regional/state level remains to be determined. Of the total freshwater fish diversity of the country, imperilment ranges from 10-13% indicates widespread and pervasive degradation of aquatic freshwater fish habitats. The State of West Bengal is endowed with 7.5% of the water resource of the country and that is becoming increasingly scarce with the uncontrolled growth of population, expansion of irrigation network and developmental needs. Concern over declining harvests and an obvious reduction in biodiversity of fish species has led to a more holistic approach to fisheries management and research. The state is endowed with vast aquatic resources in the form of rivers, ponds/tanks, reservoir, beel and boar, brackish water fishery and also predominated by several wetlands. Perusal of literature reveals that several scattered information on fish biodiversity of West Bengal is available. In the present review, altogether, 190 native freshwater fish species were recorded from the West Bengal contributing nearly 23% of the Indian freshwater fishes. The presented review highlighted a concise review of Indian fish biodiversity, analyse the threats, challenges, conservation programmes and offer hope for the future of the nation’s imperilled freshwater fish sustainability of the West Bengal. Conserving the biodiversity of these fishes and at the same time managing their exploitation in a sustainable way is a difficult exercise. The diverse assemblages of freshwater species of the state should be targeted by all who have a stake in our freshwater heritage. This paper highlights the pattern of freshwater fish biodiversity in many perspectives, utilization, threats and discusses the management strategies to be implemented for the conservation of freshwater fish diversity in the state.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableOf the 200 taxa of freshwater prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii is the most preferred species due to its suitability for aquaculture on account of fast growth rate, omnivorous feeding habit, hardy nature, compatibility for polyculture, resistance to certain diseases, unique appearance and high price in domestic as well as in international markets. In natural system, it attains a size of 30-35 cm with 400-450 g weight thus being the largest prawn available for culture. It grows well in almost all freshwater and low-saline water bodies such as lakes, rivers, swamps, irrigation ditches, canals, ponds and small dams. While cultured in earthen ponds, the marketing size of 70-80 g is obtained over a period of 8-10 months under the tropical climate. Polyculture with compatible species of carps facilitate better utilization of pond resources and also control excessive growth of algae and zooplankton. The grass carp, silver carp, catla, rohu, milkfish and green chromids can be used for polyculture with scampi, however, the bottom feeders like mrigal, common carp and tilapia are not advisable as they compete for food and space.Not Availabl

Invasion of an exotic fish—common carp, Cyprinus carpio L. (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)in the Ganga River, India and its impacts

Background. The Ganga River (Ganges) is known of its rich fish diversity which is adversely affected by degrading environmental and ecological conditions. There are more than 300 exotic fish species in India.  Many of them (particularly Cyprinus carpio) escaped from confinement and are now present in the Ganga River, challenging its ecological equilibrium.  The aim of this project was to study the population characteristics of Cyprinus carpio (i.e., the abundance, size range, food and feeding, gonado-somatic index (GSI), gonad maturity stage, maturity and breeding) and the altered fishery dynamics. Materials and methods. The commercially caught fishes, including the exotic ones, were identified, examined and measured. Important indices such as: the abundance index of exotic fishes, the gonado-somatic index (IG), as well as the gonad maturity stage of the escapee C. carpio were determined. The gut content was also analyzed to identify food items and thereafter the food richness, diet breadth, and gut repletion index (GRI%) were calculated using the Simpson’s diversity index. Results. C. carpio introduced about sixty years ago for aquaculture has now been found to invade into the Ganga, the largest river of the country contributing significantly to the fishery. The abundance index of C. carpio ranged from 12.2% to 45.5 % in 250 km long river stretch of the Ganga River flowing along Kanpur to Varanasi in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The gut content analysis revealed the presence of Eichhornia (9.8%), Pistia (11.6%), Nymphaea (8.5%), annelids worms (7.8%), algae (20.2%), mud and detritus (14.8%). The calculated diet breadth ranged from 0.82% to 0.91%; food richness ranged from 12 to 16, and the gut repletion index (GRI%) was 100% at different sampling sites. Mature females represented all the six reproductive stages with varying gonado-somatic index (IG) (0.5 to 30) in different catches. Presence of spent, ripe, and mature females was recorded. Conclusion. Abundance of exotic fish primarily C. carpio and Oreochromis niloticus in the fishery of the Ganga River was observed. The gonado-somatic index (IG) and the presence of all the six gonadal stages confirmed that C. carpio established its breeding population. The dominant catch of exotic fishes negatively impacted on the important indigenous fishes particularly Indian major carps (Catla catla,Labeo rohita,and Cirrhinus mrigala). The change in dynamics of the fishery due to the presence of common carp attracted attention to conserve rich indigenous germplasm facing threats of shifting from their natural habitats

Morphometric and phylogenetic analysis of Portunid crabs, <em>Portunus reticulatus </em>(Herbst, 1799) and <em>Portunus pelagicus </em>(Linnaeus, 1758) from the west coast of India

2094-2099Present article consists the studies of two species from the Konkan coastal region of Maharashtra for comparative analysis using different morphometric ratios as well as phylogenetic analysis with Cytochrome C Oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Morphometric ratios were found to be significantly different between P. reticulatus and P. pelagicus. Phylogenetic analysis differentiated P. reticulatus from P. pelagicus producing separate clades in the neighbor joining tree. The study was helpful in corroborating the occurrence of Portunus reticulatus (Herbst, 1799) from the west coast of India

Not Available

Not AvailableCellular levels of specific transcripts or proteins are often measured in relation to a variety of biological events, using a selection of qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Changes in expression levels, measured in a native sentinel species may serve as biomarkers for the effects of environmental perturbations. A quantitative real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction study was conducted using freshwater air-breathing fish, Channa punctata (Bloch) as a test model for observing metallothionein mRNA expression pattern under the influence of varied concentrations of heavy metal, cadmium for an exposure span of 14 days. The findings revealed that metallothionein gene expression is a tissue specific phenomenon in C. punctata and liver is a prominent site for first-line defence during early exposure phase to cadmium, whereas kidney metallothionein mRNA indicates prolong presence of metal in the body.University Grants Commission, New Delhi, Indi

Not Available

Not AvailableRandom amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was applied to individuals of Horabagrus brachysoma sampled from three geographic locations of Western Ghat river systems in India. Of the thirty-two 10-mer RAPD primers screened initially, ten were chosen and used in a comparative analysis of H. brachysoma collected from Chalakkudy, Meenachil and Nethravathi river systems. A total of 124 RAPD fragments were amplified, out of which 49 (39.51%) were found to be shared by individuals of all three river systems. The remaining 75 fragments were found to be polymorphic (60.48%). This confirms the suitability of RAPD markers for the study of population genetic structure in yellow catfish stocks.The Indian Council of Agricultural Research- National Agricultural Technology Project (ICAR-NATP