An international journal on animal taxonomy, diversity, ecology and zoogeography
ISSN: 0973-7871 (online)
ISSN: 0973-9955 (print)
An international journal on animal taxonomy, diversity, ecology and zoogeography
ISSN: 0973-7871 (online)
ISSN: 0973-9955 (print)
Volume: 2, Number: 2
ISSN: 0973-7871 (Online Edition)
Date of Publication: December 30, 2008
Abstract: Five hundred and sixty one Macrognathus aculeatus collected from river Godavari during 2005-2007 were examined for the presence of metazoan parasites. 386 (68%) fishes were parasitized by at least one or more metazoan parasite species. Eight species of parasites were collected: 4 Digenea, 1 Monogenea, 1 Copepoda, 1 Nematoda and 1Isopoda. Endoparasites predominated the majority of the components of the infracommunities analyzed and represented 70.5% of the total parasites collected. The digenean, Allocreadium aculeatum was most prevalent in the parasite community of M. aculeatus but occupies the position of satellite species. M. bam occupies the position of secondary species. The metazoan parasite species, Allocreadium aculeatum, Tetracotyle larva and M. bam exhibited over-dispersed distributions within the fish population. Parasitization increased with increase in host size. Host sex had no influence on overall parasitization. However, individual parasites, L. cyprinacea mastacembeli
Abstract: The present study describes the characteristic features of the Primary guard hair (PGH) of Malabar civet, Viverra megaspila civettina Blyth, a species considered Critically Endangered and endemic to the Western Ghats, India. The study is based on morphological features of primary guard hair i.e. medulla type, cuticular pattern and cross- section types. Medullary index and scale index are also calculated to figure out the combination of features from all body regions i.e. dorsal, ventral, head and tail PGH. The result was compared with characteristics of PGH of other species of viverrids present in India. While the medulla feature was found common in all viverrids, the cross section types and cuticular characteristics were found to have combination of features which are species specific.
Abstract: This paper present three new records of mangrove brachyurans belonging to the Family: Sesarmidae, Ocypodidae, Portunidae collected from Mayabunder, which was found to be new records to India. A total of 3 species belonging to three genera of Chiromantes obtusifrons, Macrophthalmus japonicus and Thalamita coeruleipes inhabit the mangrove region of Mayabunder were recorded during the survey. Species taxonomy and distribution are described.
Abstract: A new genus, Podagriomicron and a new species Podagriomicron wayanadense are described from the Western Ghats of Kerala, India.
Abstract: Two new species of the whitefly genus Minutaleyrodes Jesudasan & David viz., M. pearlis sp. nov. breeding on Syzygium sp. and M. tricolorata sp. nov. breeding on Strychnos sp., and Salacia fruticosa are described and illustrated. The species of Minutaleyrodes so far described from India are listed and a key to the Indian species of the genus is given.
Abstract: An interesting species of Duta Nixon (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae), D. serraticeps (Priesner), an Egyptian species possessing a denticulate carina on the lower post orbit, is reported for the first time from the Oriental region as well as from India. The species is a member of the guild of egg parasitoids of the paddy ecosystems of south India and is presumed to attack the eggs of Gryllid pests of paddy.
Abstract: Psix robustus Rajmohana (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae), an egg parasitoid of a heteropteran bug, is described as new to science from India and its affinities are discussed. A key to species of Psix Kozlov & L� of the Indian Region is also provided.
Abstract: Observations were made on the occurrence, abundance, and richness of waterbird species in 15 lakes of Bangalore city during 2008 - 2009. During the study period 34 species of aquatic birds were recorded. There was a significant difference in the mean percent abundance, percent frequency and species distribution ratios of waterbird species in different lakes (P<0.05). The abundance and richness of aquatic bird species among different families was significantly different (P<0.05). Of the 34 waterbird species, Pelecanus philippensis (Spot-billed Pelican) and Mycteria leucocephala (Painted Stork) were near threatened species and rest of the species were least concerned. Both species-wise and family-wise dendrograms formed two major clusters, which showed significant negative affinity.
Abstract: Andaman & Nicobar group of islands are the most biologically diversed area with variety of marine organisms. Scleractinian corals are the important baseline of marine environment with calcareous skeleton structural conformation. Thirteen species of scleractinian corals belong to four families are identified from Durgapur, Smith Island and Ross Islands of Diglipur associated areas in Middle and North Andaman, reported as the new records to Indian waters. Among them Acropora plantaginea (Lamarck,1816) , Acropora inermis (Brook,1891), Acropora sekiseiensis Veron, 1990, Acropora kimbeensis Wallace,1999, Acropora haimei (Milne Edwards & Haime, 1860), Montipora hemispherica Veron, 2000, Montipora grisea Bernard, 1897, Montipora delicatula Veron, 2000, Astreopora ocellata Bernard,1896 belong to Acroporidae family, Pavona danai Milne Edwards & Haime,1860 belongs to Agariciidae family, Lithophyllon lobata Horst,1921 belongs to Fungiidae family and Favites micropentagona Veron,2000, Platygyra