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In fishes, gills remain in close contact with the surrounding aquatic environment and are essential for respiration, osmoregulation, and the excretion of nitrogenous waste products. [...]the kidneys play an important role in the maintenance of homeostasis in an organism by regulating extracellular fluid volume and the acid-base balance (Bernet et al. 1999, Pal et al. 2012). The entire experiment was continued for a period of 28 days. [...]20% of the test medium was renewed every seven days with a pulse treatment of chlorpyrifos 20% EC at 20% of the initial nominal concentration. The tissues were washed in distilled water after fixation, dehydrated in a graded ethanol series, and cleared in xylene.

Insects typically host substantial microbial communities (the ‘microbiome’) that can serve as a vital source of nutrients and also acts as a modulator of immune function. While recent studies have shown that diet is an important influence on the gut microbiome, very little is known about the dynamics underpinning microbial acquisition from natural food sources. Here, we addressed this gap by comparing the microbiome of larvae of the polyphagous fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (‘Queensland fruit fly’) that were collected from five different fruit types (sapodilla [from two different localities], hog plum, pomegranate, green apple, and quince) from North-east to South-east Australia. Using Next-Generation Sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform, we addressed two questions: (1) what bacterial communities are available to B. tryoni larvae from different host fruit; and (2) how does the microbiome vary between B. tryoni larvae and its host fruit? The abundant bacterial taxa were similar for B. tryoni larvae from different fruit despite significant differences in the overall microbial community compositions. Our study suggests that the bacterial community structure of B. tryoni larvae is related less to the host fruit (diet) microbiome and more to vertical transfer of the microbiome during egg laying. Our findings also suggest that geographic location may play a quite limited role in structuring of larval microbiomes. This is the first study to use Next-Generation Sequencing to analyze the microbiome of B. tryoni larvae together with the host fruit, an approach that has enabled greatly increased resolution of relationships between the insect’s microbiome and that of the surrounding host tissues.

Bioassays were conducted with technical grade and commercial formulation of cypermethrin using freshwater fish Oreochromis niloticus as the test fish. The technical grade cypermethrin contained 92% active ingredient (a.i.) and the commercial formulation was an emulsified concentrate (EC) containing 10% a.i. (10% EC). Based on the actual concentration in water (2 h), the commercial formulation was found to be more acutely toxic to O. niloticus (96-h LC 50  = 4.85 μg/L) than the technical grade cypermethrin (96-h LC 50  = 9.74 μg/L). Exposure to sub-lethal concentrations (1.25, 2.5 μg/L) of commercial cypermethrin for 96 h produced stress on the fish, which was evident from the reduction of hepatic glycogen, reduction in the activities of alkaline phosphatase, acetylcholinesterase and catalase in liver and elevation of plasma glucose level and activities of hepatic acid phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. Exposure to these concentrations of cypermethrin for 14–28 days produced anaemia in fish. Long-term exposure (90 days) of the fish to these concentrations reduced the growth and deposition of protein and lipid in the body of fish as compared to control. It is concluded from this study that even minute concentration (1.25 μg/L) of cypermethrin (10% EC) in water can produce stress on fish. Long term exposure to such concentration of cypermethrin may also affect growth of the fish.

Chlorpyrifos is among the most widely sold organophosphates in the agriculture sector worldwide. Static bioassays were performed in the laboratory to compare the acute toxicity between the technical grade (94% a.i.) and commercial formulation (20% EC) of chlorpyrifos to four freshwater organisms: the crustacean zooplankton Cyclops viridis, the oligochaete worm Branchiura sowerbyi, the gastropod Pila globosa, and tadpole larvae of Duttaphrynus melanostictus. The recovery of actual chlorpyrifos concentrations in water after 2 h of exposure to the nominal concentrations ranged from 82.98% to 88.56%. The commercial formulation (F) of chlorpyrifos was found to be 1.94 to 2.76 times more toxic than the technical grade (T). Based on 96 h LC50 values of T and F chlorpyrifos, C. viridis was found to be most sensitive (0.56 and 0.25 μg/L) and P. globosa as most tolerant (1482 and 536 μg/L) to chlorpyrifos. Changes in LC50 values of both T and F chlorpyrifos were noted in respect of exposure hours for the three aquatic invertebrates and the tadpole larvae of the toad. In conclusion, the acute toxicity of chlorpyrifos to some non-target freshwater organisms differs between technical grade and commercial formulations.

Chlorpyrifos is widely used across the world as an organophosphate insecticide and frequently contaminates freshwater bodies through runoff from agricultural fields. In the laboratory, static bioassays were undertaken to examine differences in acute toxicity caused by exposure to the technical grade (94% a.i.) and an emulsifiable concentrate (20% EC) of chlorpyrifos to two species of freshwater fish, Labeo rohita and Mystus vittatus. The recovery of actual chlorpyrifos concentrations varied from 83% (technical grade, T) to 89% (emulsifiable concentrate, F) after two hours in water. The susceptibilities of the two fish species to the two types of chlorpyrifos varied. The 96-h LC50 values for T and F chlorpyrifos in L. rohita were 68 and 36 µg/L, respectively, and 120 and 62 µg/L in M. vittatus, respectively. As the exposure period was extended, the LC50 values gradually decreased. LC50 values between the technical grade and formulation were compared following the criteria of Mayer et al. (1986), Schmuck et al. (1994), APHA (1995), and Demetrio et al. (2014). It was concluded from the study that the emulsifiable concentrate (20% EC) of chlorpyrifos was more toxic than technical-grade chlorpyrifos.

Abstract An attempt has been made to analyze the temporal and spatial patterns of human-elephant conflict (HEC) and mitigation measures adopted in West Bengal, a thickly populated and agrarian state of India. West Bengal supports only 2% elephant population of India but contributes to the highest human casualties due to HEC. A total of 726 human deaths, 1233 human injuries, 51,542.027 ha areas of crop loss, 34,446 hut damage, and 136 unnatural elephant deaths were reported in West Bengal during April 2010 to March 2019 due to direct HEC. Electrocution was the leading cause of unnatural elephant deaths, followed by train accidents and poaching. South Bengal witnessed maximum crop raiding by elephants. About INR 59.09 crores were compensated by the government to the victims of wild elephant depredation during the same period. Both human and elephant population is increasing and resulting in higher HEC. Natural elephant habitats become fragmented and even degraded due to rapid urbanization and human intervention. Increasing HECs not only cause a negative impact on the agro-based and forest-based household economy of rural people living in conflict prone areas of almost thirteen districts of the state, but also pose a major threat to elephant conservation. Apart from traditional short-term elephant driving practices, several long-term cost-effective and innovative mitigation measures should also be taken involving local communities and other stakeholders for proper management of natural elephant habitat, restoration of elephant corridors, protection of elephants, reduction of HEC, and sustainable development in the state of West Bengal.

The present study reports on the potential of greener Biocomposite designed by living cells of mutated Bacillus sp. integrated passively with alginate to decontaminate Nickel(II) from aqueous medium by continuous column process in order to ascertain its actual environmental application. The impact of working parameters was investigated, showing better execution at a low flow rate (4 mL min−1) and highest bed depth (25 cm). The percentage removal was found to be 80.76% at saturation with a sorption capacity of ~ 54 mg g−1 using an influent concentration of 50 mg L−1. The dynamic behaviour of the processes was well defined by Yoon–Nelson and Thomas kinetic model. Special emphasis was directed to mass transfer phenomenon using suitable mathematical expressions while different kinetic models have their limitations. The resistance of mass transfer initially depended on porous diffusion (PD) prior to the proportion of outflow being 3%, ~ 8% and 12% and subsequent metal removal were controlled by both film mass transfer and PD for Nickel(II) solution 100, 50 and 20 mg L−1, respectively. Biocomposite was characterized by FTIR, SEM-EDXA and elemental analyzer which conveniently ascertained the interactions of metal to composite through electrostatic, complexation and/or chelation. Nickel(II) was recovered to the extent of 92% using 0.1 M HCl as eluant in six consecutive cycles. The Biocomposite was also efficient to decontaminate Nickel(II) from simulated effluent, where breakthrough modeling and mass transfer kinetics revealed a similar trend to the monometallic solution, thereby ensuring its prospect for industrial practice.

In this study, the authors investigated the anti-melanogenic effects of 3,8-dihydroxyquinoline (jineol) isolated from Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans , the mechanisms responsible for its inhibition of melanogenesis in melan-a cells, and its antioxidant efficacy. Mushroom tyrosinase activities and melanin contents were determined in melan-a cells, and the protein and mRNA levels of MITF, tyrosinase, TYRP-1, and TYRP-2 were assessed. Jineol exhibited significant, concentration-dependent antioxidant effects as determined by DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, and FRAP assays. Jineol significantly inhibited mushroom tyrosinase activity by functioning as an uncompetitive inhibitor, and markedly inhibited melanin production and intracellular tyrosinase activity in melan-a cells. In addition, jineol abolished the expressions of tyrosinase, TYRP-1, TYRP-2, and MITF, thereby blocking melanin production and interfering with the phosphorylations of ERK1/2 and p38. Furthermore, specific inhibitors of ERK1/2 and p38 prevented melanogenesis inhibition by jineol, and the proteasome inhibitor (MG-132) prevented jineol-induced reductions in cellular tyrosinase levels. Taken together, jineol was found to stimulate MAP-kinase (ERK1/2 and p38) phosphorylation and the proteolytic degradation pathway, which led to the degradations of MITF and tyrosinase, and to suppress the productions of melanin.

Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Queensland fruit fly, or “Qfly”) is a highly polyphagous tephritid fruit fly and a serious economic pest in Australia. Qfly biology is intimately linked to the bacteria and fungi of its microbiome. While there are numerous studies of the microbiome in larvae and adults, the transition of the microbiome through the pupal stage remains unknown. To address this knowledge gap, we used high-throughput Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to examine microbial communities at each developmental stage in the Qfly life cycle, targeting the bacterial 16S rRNA and fungal ITS regions. We found that microbial communities were similar at the larval and pupal stage and were also similar between adult males and females, yet there were marked differences between the larval and adult stages. Specific bacterial and fungal taxa are present in the larvae and adults (fed hydrolyzed yeast with sugar) which is likely related to differences in nutritional biology of these life stages. We observed a significant abundance of the Acetobacteraceae at the family level, both in the larval and pupal stages. Conversely, Enterobacteriaceae was highly abundant (>80%) only in the adults. The majority of fungal taxa present in Qfly were yeasts or yeast-like fungi. In addition to elucidating changes in the microbiome through developmental stages, this study characterizes the Qfly microbiome present at the establishment of laboratory colonies as they enter the domestication process.

A short-term field study was conducted to document the species diversity and abundance of ants in a deciduous forest in the South Western Ghats (Chinnar, Idukki, Kerala), India. In the present study, 22 species from 18 genera and 06 subfamilies of ants were recorded. The Myrmicinae subfamily had the most species (09), followed by Formicinae (07), Ponerinae (03), Dolichoderinae (01), Dorylinae (01), and Pseudomyrmicinae (01). The genus Camponotus had the most species (3), followed by Monomorium (2) and Pheidole (2), with the remaining genera each having one species. Camponotus compressus , Solenopsis geminata , and Oecophylla smaragdina were the three most common ant species, with Technomyrmex elatior , Leptogenys chinensis , and Odontomachus sp. being the least common (0.4%). The most abundant functional group of ants was the Tropical climate Specialists (6 species), followed by Opportunists and Generalised Myrmicinae (5 species each). Subordinate Camponotini (4 species), Specialist Predators (1 species), and Hot climate Specialists (1 species) were detected as other functional groups of ants in the study area. Overall, the study area holds good ant species diversity, which is even in composition. The present study provides useful information on the composition of the ant community in the South Western Ghats in India.