Applied Zoology

Vermiwash is coelomic fluid and vermicasting filtrate due to earthworms (Eudrillus eugenie) activity, collected through vermiwash model. For investigation of bacterial diversity and its quantity four different samples of vermiwash used. The samples are VM1- of Horse, VM2- of Pig, VM3 - of Elephant and VM4 - of Cow dung. The bacterial strains are isolated from above samples by using serial dilution, screening and spread plate method of Jensen’s, CRYMA and Nutrient agar medium. They are characterized and identified by observing morphological characters, microscopic examination and enzymatic activity. Purification of colony done by streak plate and slant streaking method. The bacterial strains identified are: From VM1- sample Pseudomonas aeroginosa ,VM2- Rhizobium spp. and Azobactor spp., VM3- Pseudomonas aeroginosa and VM4- sample Rhizobium spp. and Azobactor spp. respectively. The maximum bacterial count VM1- sample- 42 X 103 SPC/ ml, VM2- sample - 33 X 101 SPC/ ml, VM3- sample - 76 X 101 SPC/ ml, VM4- sample- 54 X 102 SPC/ ml. The bacterial flora in vermiwash very useful to regulate growth of plants with respect to nitrogen fixation and white root proliferation.

Soil microinvertebrates are important agents of soil functioning through their bioturbation effects. Termites are found to be distributed with high species diversity in tropical ecosystem. They perform several activities that qualify them as soil engineers. Termite involves in mound building, subterranean tunneling and soil feeding thereby improving soil quality and nutrient fluxes. Subterranean termites Odontotermes obesus and Trinervieus trinervoides modify their environment, increasing the clay and organic matter content ensuring the soil fertility. Free living N2 fixers are found to be associated in termite mound materials. The TMM can be used as biofertilizers and it can improve maize production and economic yield.

Brachyuran crabs used in the present study were collected from the Salem fish market (Lat. 110 39 NS and Long. 780 12 EW) on south east Tamil Nadu, India. A random collection of berried crabs Portunus sanguinolentus were taken and their fecundity were studied from the year of 2013. The number of eggs in Portunus sanguinolentus ranged from 1, 42,413 to 6, 44,533eggs the lesser number of eggs observed in small size group of carapace width 50-59mm and more number of eggs in large size group of carapace width 120-129mm. The study indicated that with an increase in carapace width there was a definite increase in the total number of eggs. There was a direct a relationship noticed between the weight of the animal and diameter of the ovary. Variation in number of eggs was observed within the same class probabily indicating synchronous spawning within the same reproductive period. The present investigation suggested that the ovigerous female of large size is suitable for brook stock collection and maintenance for production of more number of seeds in aquaculture practice.

Mosquito-borne disease, especially malaria and Dengue fever causes serious public health problems in district Dehradun, one of the most populous district of Uttarakhand states after Haridwar. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes act as the major vector of Dengue fever in this city. The present study on prevalence of dengue in Dehradun city was undertaken between January 2012 and December 2012 to assess the distribution pattern of dengue vectors and their seasonal variations. Indoor resting mosquitoes were collected from four selected localities by aspirator and torch light in morning hours (06:00-08:00hr). A total of 971 houses were searched during house to house larval and adult survey. Aedes breeding could be detected in 226 houses. In all, a total of 684 domestic water containers were searched, out of which 93 were found positive. The overall house index (HI), container index (CI), Breteau index (BI) and pupal index (PI) were 23.27%, 13.60%, 9.58% and 5.87% respectively. The study revealed that Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are well established in Dehradun city with most of the areas showing high adult and larval indices.

A cross-sectional study was carried out from April 2018- May 2018 to determine the prevalence of Haemonchus contortus in sheep slaughtered at Shambu municipal abattoir, south west Ethiopia. Appropriate procedure was applied for postmortem examination and sample collection. A total of 384 sheep abomasums, collected from randomly selected sheep, were examined on postmortem. The overall prevalence of H. contortus was found to be 29.9%. It was noticed that high prevalence was recorded in animals with poor body condition (37.6%), followed by good body condition (23.07%) and the lowest was recorded in animals with medium body condition (22.6%). The occurrence of haemonchosis was more frequently recorded in youngest (less than one year) (28.5%) than in older (above one year) sheep (25.9%) but there was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05) observed with the risk factor (age) in relation to the prevalence of H. contortus. However, there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) observed among the risk factor (body condition) in relation to the prevalence of H. contortus.

Macro benthic invertebrates are an important and integral part of any aquatic ecosystem as they form the basis of the tropic level and any negative effects caused by pollution in the community structure can in turn affect tropic relationships. These can include those that feed on them directly or indirectly such as fish and bird populations, respectively. In addition, aquatic invertebrates have the ability to clean rivers as they utilize the organic and detritus matter. According to Carlisle etal., 2007 macro-invertebrate populations in streams and rivers can assist in the assessment of the overall health of the stream. During the present Survey of at Mansarovar talab 32 species of Macro invertebrates were recorded which belong to represented 11(eleven) species of oligochaeta, 2(two) species of Hirudinea (Leeches), 8 (eight) species of Gastropoda, 3 (three) species of pelecypoda (Bivalvia), 4 (four) species of insect 2 (two) species of ostracoda and 2 (two) species of Branchiopoda. The Present study was carried out at Mansarovar Talab of Jeerapura, Dhar (M.P.) during a Jun 2014-July 2015.

Fluoxetine is an antidepressant which is also known as the trade names Prozac, and Sarafem. It is used for the treatment of depressive disorders such as depression, obsessive–compulsive disorder, alcohol dependence and panic disorder. In this study, histopathological effects of fluoxetine on zebrafish gill tissue were investigated. 150 ng/L fluoxetine were exposed to adult individuals and after 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes and 8 days fishes were dissected. In 15, 30 and 60 minutes experimental groups, minimal defects were defected. In the 8 day exposure group, thinning at secondary lamellae of gill tissues were observed. Growth were detected in the cell nuclei. Expansion were monitored at the central vena of gills.

The word guano originated from the “Quichua language” of the Inca civilization and means the droppings of bat. The bats forage at night for insect over a particular area, and they return to the old temples during the day to sleep and care for their young’s. They attach themselves to ceiling, and their excrement accumulates on e floor below. In some situation the guano can reach a depth of feet in many years and appeared as guano-hip, and it has a valuable importance. Bat guano was collected from the temple of Lonar crater Lonar, Buldana District, Maharashtra. The bat guano, it dissolved in water of Purna River, (10:100) concentration was prepared and kept undisturbed till 30 days and parameters was noted at an interval of 2 hour and thereafter 5 days for about 24 hour and 30 days respectively. Resulted into increasing in the pH content of Purna water after the addition of bat guano. Our investigation results indicate that bat guano used for bioremediation of aquatic ecosystem. 

In present study shows the seasonal biochemical variations in different tissues of M. meretrix. In summer and monsoon seasons the glycogen content was decreased as compared with winter season. Glycogen level fell during spawning and later recovered with gametogenesis. Protein content in different tissues in winter and monsoon season was high as compared with summer season. Protein contents values observed high during the period of spawning. In summer and monsoon seasons, the lipid content was increased but decreased in winter season. The lipid content level was high at the period of spawning.

Butterfly variety in Akathiyur village, Thrissur, Kerala, India, was studied in various regular aspects. Species diversity was observed and analyzed. Based on different parameters species richness was analysed. An aggregate of 110 butterfly species under 5 families are listed.The village proves itself as a home for myriads of butterflies. Families Nymphalidae, Lycaenidae, Hesperidae, Pieridae and Papilionidae, were distinguished. Maximum number of butterflies recorded in this study was in the family Nymphalidae (3587 sightings; 39.14%), followed by Lycaenidae (2326 sightings; 25.38%), Hesperiidae (1557 sightings; 16.99%), Pieridae (1004 sightings; 10.95%) and Papilionidae (690 sightings; 7.52%). The findings unveil that the comparatively small study area constitutes high richness of butterfly species.