High-resolution analysis of Y-chromosomal polymorphisms reveals signatures of population movements from central Asia and West Asia into India

Linguistic evidence suggests that West Asia and Central Asia have been the two major geographical sources of genes in the contemporary Indian gene pool. To test the nature and extent of similarities in the gene pools of these regions we have collected DNA samples from four ethnic populations of northern India, and have screened these samples for a set of 18 Y-chromosome polymorphic markers (12 unique event polymorphisms and six short tandem repeats). These data from Indian populations have been analysed in conjunction with published data from several West Asian and Central Asian populations. Our analyses have revealed traces of population movement from Central Asia and West Asia into India. Two haplogroups, HG-3 and HG-9, which are known to have arisen in the Central Asian region, are found in reasonably high frequencies (41.7% and 14.3% respectively) in the study populations. The ages estimated for these two haplogroups are less in the Indian populations than those estimated from data on Middle Eastern populations. A neighbour-joining tree based on Y-haplogroup frequencies shows that the North Indians are genetically placed between the West Asian and Central Asian populations. This is consistent with gene flow from West Asia and Central Asia into India.     

Cytogenetical survey of black rats,Rattus rattus,in southwest and Central Asia,with special regard to the evolutional relationship between three geographical types

A chromosome survey of the black rat, Rattus rattus, was made from animals collected at different localities in Southwest and Central Asia. Asian type black rats (2 n=42) were distributed in northern India, northern Pakistan, while the Oceanian type rats (2 n=38) were found in southern India, southern Pakistan and Central Asia. A border line of distribution of rats with Asian and Oceanian types can be drawn dividing India and Pakistan into northern and southern parts. A hybrid type between Asian and Oceanian types was found in Karachi, Pakistan. Rats with 40 chromosomes, probably a transient type from Asian to Oceanian type, were found in Sri Lanka (Ceylon). It is suggested that these three geographic variants have developed via sequential events of Robertsonian fusion of acrocentric chromosomes in Asian type black rats. This fusion probably took place somewhere in southern India. The Oceanian type black rats that thus developed in southern India migrated widely to the rest of the world through Central Asia and Europe accompanying the movement of mankind.     

Parataxonomy and palaeobiogeographic significance of dinosaur eggshell fragments from the Upper Cretaceous strata of the Cauvery Basin,South India

Abstract

In the past, fossilised dinosaur eggshells have been extensively documented from the Upper Cretaceous Lameta Formation of Central India and as many as nine oospecies are known at present from this formation. Compared to this, only one dinosaur oospecies has been described from the Cretaceous succession of the Cauvery Basin. However, the first fossil egg from India, identified as a chelonian egg, was documented from the Aptian – Albian Karai Formation of the Cauvery Basin in 1957. Following this, a solitary titanosaurid dinosaur egg was described from the Upper Cretaceous (Lower Maastrichtian) Kallankuruchhi Formation, Cauvery Basin in 1996. More recently, we have recovered isolated eggshell fragments from the marine part of the Upper Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian) Kallamedu Formation. Based on eggshell morphology, microstructure and ultrastructure, these eggshell fragments are assigned to the oospecies Fusioolithus baghensis. The new find from the Cauvery Basin is important from palaeobiogeographic point of view as the oofamily Fusioolithidae is found in the Upper Cretaceous strata of India, France, Argentina and Morocco. Based on the common occurrence of similar oospecies in South America, Africa, Europe and India, a Late Cretaceous palaeobiogeographic connection between India and South America as well as Europe via Africa is suggested.     

Genetic basis of a-b,b-c and c-d ridge counts on human soles

The mechanism of inheritance of ridge count of plantar inter-digital areas has been studied among Brahmans of Sagar town of Central India. The correlation coefficient between ridge counts in various family relationships lend support to the concept of an additive genetic model.     

Multi-source and multi-date mapping of deforestation in Central India (1935-2010) and its implication on standing phytomass carbon pool

Information on the historical distribution of Indian forest cover change and carbon stocks is scarce and far from comprehensive. Geospatial methods were used to study changes in forest cover and above ground carbon stocks over seven decades in Central India, which covers over a tenth of India (13.5%) and accounts for almost a fifth of its forest cover (19.27%). Changes in the above ground phytomass carbon pool were computed. There is a significant contribution of deforestation to the reduction in the C pool. The overall loss of forest cover was 2.5 Mha (16%), while the reduction in carbon stock was 343.5 Tg C (42%) since 1935. The overall rate of deforestation in Central India (0.23 from 1935 to 2010), has been on decline in recent years. In order to increase the amount of carbon accumulation, open forests which are occupying about 45.8% of forest area must be considered for improvement of carbon stocks. The above results indicate that the forests of central India could act as important carbon sinks in India.     

Genetic basis of a-b, b-c and c-d ridge counts on human palms

The mechanism of inheritance of ridge count of palmar interdigital areas has been studied among Brahmans of Sagar town of Central India. The correlation coefficients between ridge counts in various family relationships lend support to the concept of an additive genetic model, especially for the b-c or second interdigital area.     

Genetic distance and gene diversity among ten endogamous groups in Chhattisgarh,Central India

A genetic survey has been conducted among the Rawats and Telis, two endogamous caste populations of Chhattisgarh, Central India. Using the gene frequency data for three genetic loci, genetic distance among ten population groups have been calculated. The gene differentiation among these population groups is only about 2 per cent.     

A genetic survey in the Bhil tribe of Madhya Pradesh,Central India

Examination of blood groups, plasma proteins and red cell enzyme types (23 loci), in a sample of 145 Bhils, a tribal group of Madhya Pradesh, Central India, demonstrates their genetic uniqueness. They differ in a number of systems from the nearby nontribal groups both of Hindus and Muslims. The results suggest that the Bhil frequencies include vestiges of the ancestral genepool of a more widespread aboriginal population whose influence is detectable in the gene frequencies of some other populations in India.     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
ETHNOLOGY: Caste and Kinship in Central India: A Village and its Region . Adrian C. Mayer
ETHNOLOGY. Aspects of Caste in South India, Ceylon and North-west Pakistan . E. R. Leach     

A shared Y-chromosomal heritage between Muslims and Hindus in India

Arab forces conquered the Indus Delta region in 711 AD and, although a Muslim state was established there, their influence was barely felt in the rest of South Asia at that time. By the end of the tenth century, Central Asian Muslims moved into India from the northwest and expanded throughout the subcontinent. Muslim communities are now the largest minority religion in India, comprising more than 138 million people in a predominantly Hindu population of over one billion. It is unclear whether the Muslim expansion in India was a purely cultural phenomenon or had a genetic impact on the local population. To address this question from a male perspective, we typed eight microsatellite loci and 16 binary markers from the Y chromosome in 246 Muslims from Andhra Pradesh, and compared them to published data on 4,204 males from East Asia, Central Asia, other parts of India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Iran, the Middle East, Turkey, Egypt and Morocco. We find that the Muslim populations in general are genetically closer to their non-Muslim geographical neighbors than to other Muslims in India, and that there is a highly significant correlation between genetics and geography (but not religion). Our findings indicate that, despite the documented practice of marriage between Muslim men and Hindu women, Islamization in India did not involve large-scale replacement of Hindu Y chromosomes. The Muslim expansion in India was predominantly a cultural change and was not accompanied by significant gene flow, as seen in other places, such as China and Central Asia.Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at and is accessible for authorized users.Ramana Gutala and Denise R. Carvalho-Silva contributed equally to the article.     

A comparative study of physico-chemical characteristics of river and lake water in Central India

The present paper deals with a comparative study of the physico-chemical characteristics of river and lake waters in Central India. The surface water has been analysed for pH, turbidity, conductivity, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen and chlorides. The results of analyses of river water have been compared with those from lake water.The study reveals that the lake water is highly turbid, rich in organic matter, contains more of chlorides and has a higher pH value as compared to river water.     

On the trophic status and conservation of Kashmir Lakes

The lakes of the Kashmir Valley are generally shallow and situated in the flood plain of the river Jhelum. Thermal stratification is fairly uncommon, and stable stratification occurs in deeper lakes (12 metres, Manasbal lake). The waters are mostly low in dissolved solids, medium hard and slight to highly alkaline.The eutrophic typology of the lakes has been developed by using various physico-chemical and biological parameters. Greater habitational influence and tourist traffic seems to be a major factor contributing towards higher trophic levels of these lakes. Certain methods for conservation of these lakes have been suggested.Cold Water Fisheries Research Unit of the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (I.C.A.R.), Harwan-Kashmir, India     

On ruttnera pringsheimii sp. nov. (Chrysophyceae) from the Coastal Waters of India

Summary A new species of Chrysophyceae, Ruttnera pringsheimii, occurring in the coastal waters of India, is described in detail. The alga forms large colonies with cells embedded in amorphous mucilage. Vegetative cells globose or ellipsoid with two chromatophores and a nucleus and a few unidentified glistening globules. Reproduction by vegetative division and swarmer formation. The latter are globose, have the same structure as the vegetative cells and in addition possess two equal flagella. The swarmers settle down on the setae of some diatoms and develop into colonies. The alga, at times, discolours the water yellow when in bloom.Published with the kind permission of the Director, Government of India Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Mandapam Camp, S. India.     

Biological resources of the Ganga River,India

The Ganga River in northern India is of great importance because its water is used for human and cattle consumption, power generation, fish production and irrigation and for pilgrimage. A total of 40 species of zooplanktons, four crustaceans, 15 molluscs, 51 insects, 83 fishes, 12 freshwater turtles, two crocodiles, 48 aquatic birds and two mammal species have been identified in the upper Ganga River. The river has been under constant threat of pollution by sewage and industrial wastes, disposal of dead bodies, deforestation, excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, bathing, pilgrimage and water development programmes. The pollution of the river has become a matter of concern for all. Any change in aquatic environment will alter the structure and composition of the biotic community. For biological restoration in the Ganga River, the government of India has taken up an Action Plan. Several agencies for example, the Central Ganga Authority, several research establishments, government and non-government organizations have done considerable work under various projects. Local participation in various programmes has contributed much to the biological restoration in the Ganga River. This paper presents species lists and highlights the major issues for resource management in the upper Ganga River.     

印度小圆胸小蠹的一种新寄主植物

自然条件下印度小圆胸小蠹Euwallacea fornicatus(Eichhoff,1868)在茶树枝条虫瘿内取食,是茶的重要害虫之一,以茶蛀虫著称.2010年5-8月,在印度Muga Eri研究中心3号农场(Lahdoigarh,Jorhat-Assam)的黄心树Persea bombycina Kost.(樟科)...     

A simple method for isolation of high-molecular-weight DNA from Rhodotorula gracilis

Unsheared DNA has been isolated from Rhodotorula and Rhodosporidium yeasts using a cell-wall-digesting enzyme preparation from Paecilomyces lilacinus. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis indicated that at least 11 chromosomes were present in Rhodot. gracilis ATCC 90950. The DNA was amenable to digestion with restriction enzymes.The authors are with the Department of Microbiology, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore-570 013, India.     

Molecular probes of phylogeny and biogeography in toads of the widespread genus Bufo

Genetic relationships among 25 species of Central and South American Bufo and among representative North, Central, and South American, Asian, and African Bufo were probed, using the quantitative immunological technique of microcomplement fixation (MC'F) which indicated a clear separation of North, Central, and South American lineages of Bufo. The South American lineage likely diverged from the Central and North American lineages in the Eocene; the latter two lineages diverged later, probably in the mid-Oligocene. Some species groups of South American toads, defined on the basis of traditional morphological studies, are genetically quite similar within groups, whereas others are genetically divergent. The amount of albumin evolution does not appear to parallel the amount of karyotypic, morphological, ecological, or behavioral evolution documented. Comparisons suggest that the African lineages separated from the American and Asian lineages in the late Cretaceous, corresponding to the time of the final separation of Gondwanaland, the southern supercontinent including the modern continents of South America, Africa, Australia, Antarctica, and India. The Asian lineages diverged from the lineage giving rise to all of the American species in the early Paleocene.      

Antibody response to purified chick embryo cell vaccine in equines for production of equine rabies immune globulin

Rabies is endemic in India. The post exposure treatment of class three bite cases, as recommended by the World Health Organization, must involve the use of rabies immunoglobulin as soon as possible and up to the seventh day of start of anti rabies vaccination. The annual requirement in India as projected by the Ministry of Health, Government of India is about 1500 liters of purified anti rabies serum (ERIG). Central Research Institute (CRI), Kasauli, being the sole producer of ERIG in India, an effort was made to increase the production of ERIG by the use of tissue culture vaccine (Human) for primary immunization of equines. It also involved changing the vaccine from horse brain suspension to tissue culture vaccine by eliminating horse sacrifice for antigen preparation. A better immune response was obtained.     

Characterization and distribution of esterase electromorphs in the whitefly,Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Esterase profiles were examined for over 40 populations of the whitefly,Bemisia tabaci, obtained from native and cultivated plant hosts worldwide. Twelve unique electromorphs were identified from distinct populations concentrated largely in Central America, Africa, and India. One electromorph, type B, has recently been proposed as a separate species,Bemisia argentifolii, and has recently spread throughout much of the world. When considered with evidence from mating studies and the ability to induce phytotoxic disorders (squash silverleaf disorder), our data suggest that the single taxonBemisia tabaci may actually represent a species complex.     

Estimating the Impact of Reducing Under-Nutrition on the Tuberculosis Epidemic in the Central Eastern States of India: A Dynamic Modeling Study

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) and under-nutrition are widespread in many low and middle-income countries. Momentum to prioritize under-nutrition has been growing at an international level, as demonstrated by the "Scaling Up Nutrition" movement. Low body mass index is an important risk factor for developing TB disease. The objective of this study was to project future trends in TB related outcomes under different scenarios for reducing under-nutrition in the adult population in the Central Eastern states of India.

Methods

A compartmental TB transmission model stratified by body mass index was parameterized using national and regional data from India. We compared TB related mortality and incidence under several scenarios that represented a range of policies and programs designed to reduce the prevalence of under-nutrition, based on the experience and observed trends in similar countries.

Results

The modeled nutrition intervention scenarios brought about reductions in TB incidence and TB related mortality in the Central Eastern Indian states ranging from 43% to 71% and 40% to 68% respectively, relative to the scenario of no nutritional intervention. Modest reductions in under-nutrition averted 4.8 (95% UR 0.5, 17.1) million TB cases and 1.6 (95% UR 0.5, 5.2) million TB related deaths over a period of 20 years of intervention, relative to the scenario of no nutritional intervention. Complete elimination of under-nutrition in the Central Eastern states averted 9.4 (95% UR 1.5, 30.6) million TB cases and 3.2 (95% UR 0.7-, 10.1) million TB related deaths, relative to the scenario of no nutritional intervention.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that intervening on under-nutrition could have a substantial impact on TB incidence and mortality in areas with high prevalence of under-nutrition, even if only small gains in under-nutrition can be achieved. Focusing on under-nutrition may be an effective way to reduce both rates of TB and other diseases associated with under-nutrition.