Assessing the distribution pattern of otters in four rivers of the Indian Himalayan biodiversity hotspot

1. The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), smooth‐coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata), and Asian small‐clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) have all been reported previously from the Indian state of Uttarakhand. However, little information is available about their current distribution in a mountainous region that is subject to increasing human‐induced stressors (such as hydropower plants, pollution, sand and boulder mining, destructive fishing techniques, poaching).
2. Owing to important roles played by these otters in structuring riverine food webs (particularly taking account of their roles as top carnivores), it is critical that they receive suitable protection in the face of projected temperature rise, change in precipitation patterns, and associated river flows in this Himalayan biodiversity hotspot. This study assesses otter distribution in four rivers of Uttarakhand as a basis for informing future conservation actions.
3. Field surveys were conducted (October 2018–January 2019) in reaches of the Kosi, Ramganga, Khoh, and Song rivers, supported by semi‐structured interviews (N = 379) conducted with members of local communities to collect qualitative data on views and perceptions of otter species. In addition, community‐based otter awareness camps were organized for local youths (N = 105), adults (N = 115), and schoolchildren (N = 256 covering 10 schools).
4. Habitat suitability maps were created using remote‐sensing data, survey findings, and a geographic information system to provide information about priority reaches of river to be targeted for future conservation efforts.
5. This study provides critical interdisciplinary baseline information to guide decision‐makers towards developing a targeted, otter‐specific conservation programme for this important Himalayan biodiversity hotspot.
6. The otter conservation education programmes conducted during this study resulted in a proposal to set up a community‐based conservation initiative to monitor and report otter sightings from the area, potentially representing a way forward for achieving simultaneous otter conservation and associated ecosystem benefits for local communities.

     

PALLIATIVE RADIATION THERAPY OUTCOMES FOR CATS WITH ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA (1999–2005)

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) accounts for approximately 10% of all feline tumors. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe outcomes for a group of cats with oral SCC that were treated with palliative radiation therapy. Fifty‐four cats met the inclusion criteria of nonresectable, oral SCC treated with coarse fractionated megavoltage (MeV) radiation therapy. Radiation therapy for all cats was delivered with a 6 MeV linear accelerator. Total radiation doses of 24 Gray to 40 Gray were administered in three to four fractions, once‐per‐week over 4 to 5 weeks. Concurrent chemotherapy protocols varied and were administered at the discretion of the clinician and client. Forty‐nine patients completed the planned treatment protocols. Overall mean and median survival times for cats completing the planned treatment protocols were 127 and 92 days (n = 49). Mean and median survival times of cats receiving palliative radiation therapy alone were 157 and 113 days (n = 12). Mean and median survival times of patients receiving both radiation therapy and chemotherapy were 116 and 80 days (n = 37). Patients with sublingual tumors had a median survival time of 135 days (n = 15), compared to mandibular tumors that had a median survival time of 80 days (n = 26). For the majority of patients that completed the planned treatment protocol (65%), owners reported a subjectively improved quality of life. Findings from this uncontrolled study supported the use of palliative radiation therapy for cats with nonresectable oral squamous cell carcinoma.     

Genetic analysis of apical lethality in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.

Investigations were carried out to determine the nature and number of genes governing apical lethality (apical death) in a number of intervarietal crosses of wheat. Genetic analysis of data in segregating generations of the cross WR95/HW2041 and its reciprocal cross revealed that WR95 carries a recessive gene that leads to the death of certain individuals when combined with another recessive gene derived from HW2041. The phenomenon, which is denoted here as “apical lethality”, is controlled by two complementary recessive genes coming together from two different parents in certain F₂ individuals. The gene symbols apd ₁ in WR95 and apd ₂ in HW2041 are proposed for these genes of apical lethality, respectively. Uniculms observed in the F₂ generation are heterozygous (apd ₁ apd ₁ Apd ₂ apd ₂) and, therefore, the uniculmness trait does not breed true. Of the wheat genotypes tested, the gene apd ₂ was found to be present in CL983, CL1019, Lok-1, HW2041, HD2329, HW2011, WH147, HW2042, HW2047, WR196, WR544, WR798 and WR936, while the remaining genotypes, including some of the exotics such as Atila, carried both Apd ₁ and Apd ₂ in the homozygous condition.     

Natural daylight restricted to twilights delays the timing of testicular regression but does not affect the timing of the daily activity rhythm of the house sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Background  

A stable and systematic daily change in light levels at dawn and dusk provides the most reliable indicator of the phase of the day. It is likely that organisms have evolved mechanisms to use these twilight transitions as the primary zeitgeber to adjust their circadian phases. In this study, we investigated under natural illumination conditions the effects of daylight exposure restricted to twilights on the timing of testicular regression and locomotor activity of the house sparrow (Passer domesticus), which possesses a strongly self-sustaining circadian system.     

Non‐gelatinized starch influences the deposition of n‐3 fatty acids in the muscle of a tropical freshwater fish,Labeo rohita

A 60‐day feeding trial was conducted to study the influence of gelatinized (G) to non‐gelatinized (NG) starch ratio in the diet on fatty acids profiles and oxidative status in Labeo rohita fingerlings. Two hundred and thirty‐four fingerlings (average weight: 2.53 g) were distributed in six treatment groups with each of three replicates. Six semi‐purified diets either containing NG and/or G corn starch (42.43%) viz., T₁ (100% NG and 0% G starch), T₂ (80% NG and 20% G starch), T₃ (60% NG and 40% G starch), T₄ (40% NG and 60% G starch), T₅ (20% NG and 80% G starch) and T₆ (0% NG and 100% G starch) was fed to respective groups. Catalase, superoxide dismutase and malic enzyme activities decreased linearly with the increasing level of G starch, whereas reverse trend was found for glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase. Total saturated fatty acids in muscle increased with the increasing level of G starch in the diet. Total n‐3 fatty acids decreased linearly with the increasing level of G starch in the diet. Among the n‐3 fatty acids, linolenic acids content was more in NG starch fed group. Similarly, eicosapentaenoic acid contents gradually decreased with increasing level of G starch content. The n‐6/n‐3 ratio was higher in G starch fed group. This suggests that dietary starch type may be manipulated for quality improvement of fish flesh.     

Effect of dietary microbial phytase supplementation on growth and nutrient digestibility of Pangasius pangasius (Hamilton) fingerlings

A feeding trial was conducted for 60 days to study the effects of exogenous microbial phytase supplementation on the growth and nutrient digestibility of Pangasius pangasius fingerlings. Eight isocaloric and isoprotein experimental diets (35.67% crude protein and 3870 kcal kg^?1) were prepared with graded levels of phytase, e.g., 0 (T₁), 150 (T₂), 250 (T₃), 350 (T₄), 500 (T₅), 1000 (T₆) and 2000 (T₇) FTU (phytase units) kg^?1. Three hundred and fifteen fingerlings of P. pangasius (1.97–2.05 g) were randomly distributed in seven treatments with three replicates each. Maximum weight gain (350.72%), specific growth rate (2.51%), protein efficiency ratio (2.1), apparent net protein utilization (27.85%), energy retention value (88.47%) and feed conversion efficiency were observed in T₅ group supplemented with 500 FTU phytase kg^?1 diet. Apparent dry matter and protein digestibility in phytase‐supplemented groups were significantly (P<0.01) higher at a minimum supplement of 500 FTU kg^?1 or higher. Liver alkaline phosphatase activity increased significantly in treatment groups. Supplementation at 500 FTU kg^?1 of phytase is optimum in the diet of P. pangasius fingerlings.     

Suitability of Lime,Green Leaf,and Farm Yard Manure and Inorganic Fertilizers for Sustaining Green Gram Yield and Rainwater Use Efficiency Under Moist Sub-Humid Alfisols in India

Field experiments were conducted to assess the effect of nutrients management practices on yield and rainwater use efficiency of green gram (Vigna radiata), and soil fertility under moist sub-humid Alfisols at Phulbani, India, during 2005–2008. Ten treatment combinations of lime @ 10% and 20% of lime requirement (LR) @ 8.3 t ha^?1, farmyard manure (FYM) @ 5 t ha^?1, green leaf manure @ 5 t ha^?1, and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N–P–K) (20–40–20 kg ha^?1) were tested. The analysis of variance indicated that treatments differed significantly from each other in influencing yield and rainwater use efficiency. Application of lime @ 20% LR + FYM @ 5 t/ha + 40 kg P + 20 kg K ha^?1 was superior with maximum mean yield of 531 kg ha^?1, while lime @ 10% LR + FYM @ 5 t ha^?1 + 40 kg P + 20 kg K ha^?1 was the second best with 405 kg ha^?1 and maintained maximum soil fertility of nutrients. The superior treatment gave maximum sustainability yield index of 67.5%, rainwater use efficiency of 0.49 kg ha^?1 mm^?1, improved soil pH, electrical conductivity, and soil nutrients over years.     

Metabolic and digestive enzyme activity of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878) fingerlings in response to alternate feeding of different protein levels in the diet

A feeding trial was conducted for 90 days to assess the metabolic and digestive enzyme activity in response to alternate or mixed feeding of different protein levels in the diet of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus fingerlings. One hundred and forty four fingerlings with an average weight of 5.0–5.5 g were distributed into four experimental groups each with triplicate. Four iso‐caloric diets with varying level of crude protein viz., 35%, 30%, 25% and 20% were made and designated as diet 35P, 30P, 25P and 20P respectively. Four treatments were maintained based on four different feeding schedules such as continuous feeding of diet 35P (35P/35P), alternate feeding of 1 day diet 35P next day diet 30P (35P/30P), alternate feeding of 1 day diet 35P next day diet 25P (35P/25P) and alternate feeding of 1 day diet 35P next day diet 20P (35P/20P). As a result, specific growth rate (SGR) and weight gain percentage were relatively higher in treatment (35P/25P) followed by (35P/35P) and (35P/30P). The metabolic enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), Glucose‐6‐phosphatase (G6Pase), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were expressed better in (35P/35P) group followed by (35P/25P) and (35P/30P) groups. The digestive enzymes, protease and lipase activities were higher in (35P/35P) and (35P/25P) groups. The present study revealed that the better nutrient utilization and growth of 35P/25P group is because of their balanced digestive and metabolic enzyme activities through alternate level of higher and lower protein diet.     

Contribution of microbial phytases to the improvement of plant growth and nutrition: A review

Phytases belong to the class of phosphohydrolases that begin the step-wise hydrolysis of phosphates from phytates. Phytates are a derivative of myo-inositol, which is the primary storage form of organic phosphorus in plant cells. Phytase has been used globally to diminish phosphorus pollution and to enhance nutrition in monogastrics. In this review, the classification, sources, and diversity of microbial phytases, and their practical applications, as well as supplementation of the soil with transgenic and wild types of microbial strains, which can release phytase to enhance phosphorus availability for plant uptake and reduce the need for fertilizers, are discussed. The overexpressed microbial phytases in transgenic plants enhance the growth capacity of co-cultivated plants and can therefore be employed in agricultural and biotechnological practices, such as intercropping. The introduction of phytases into the soil for improved plant growth and enhanced crop yield can be accomplished without extra cost. A diverse group of photoautotrophic microalgae can synthesize phytase and will likely be useful in many human food and animal industries.