The demography of the lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus) in rain forest fragments in the Anamalai Hills, South India

We examined demographic consequences of habitat fragmentation in the lion-tailed macaque in the Anamalai Hills in southern Western Ghats. The parameters examined were group size, age/sex composition, and birth rate, in relation to various habitat parameters. Demographic parameters were estimated for 11 groups in 8 rain forest fragments, during January to May 1996. Area, tree density, canopy cover, canopy height, and tree basal area were estimated for these fragments. As fragment area decreased, there was a decline in birth rate and proportion of immatures in the group, and an increase in the number of adult males, and the variability in group size and adult sex ratios. A similar pattern was also observed with decreasing values of other habitat variables. Differences in the founder population size and age structure, demographic randomness, and history of poaching have caused greater variability in group size and adult sex ratios in the small fragments. The lack of dispersal in the small fragments is another reason for the high variability.     

Monitoring luteal function in the lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus) through urinary progesterone metabolite measurements

A direct radioimmunoassay for measuring urinary 20-hydroxyprogesterone cross-reactivity to monitor and assess luteal function and detect pregnancy in the lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus) is described. Urine samples were collected daily during ten nonconceptive and five conceptive ovarian cycles of five dult female lion-tailed macaques. Urine was analyzed for concentrations of 20α-hydroxypro-gesterone cross-reactivity, estrone conjugates, and creatinine. The strength of the luteal phase in normal nonconceptive cycles (n = 8) is characterized by a maximum sevenfold increase (day 9) in mean 20α-hydroxyprogesterone cross-reactivity over follicular phase levels; the duration, by a 13-day sustained elevation of mean 20α-hydroxyprogesterone cross-reactivity levels. Pregnancy is detectable from 20α-hydroxyprogesterone cross-reactivity values approximately 20 days after the periovulatory estrone conjugate peak (n = 4). Apparent anovulation (n = 1), extended follicular phase (n = 1), and early abortion (n = 1) also are detectable using 20α-hydroxyprogesterone cross-reactivity measurements.     

Monitoring ovulation and implantation in the lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus) through urinary estrone conjugate evaluations

Urine samples were collected daily during ten nonfertile and four fertile ovarian cycles of four adult female lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus). Urine was analyzed for concentrations of total immunoreactive estrogen (Et), estrone conjugates, and bioactive luteinizing hormones (LH). The estrone conjugates of selected samples were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to evaluate the relative proportions of estrone glucuronide (E1 G) to estrone sulfate (E1 S) contributing to the sum total of the conjugate measured in the samples. The estrone conjugate profile was found to accurately reflect the preovulatory estrogen peak in both nonfertile and fertile cycles as well as the early pregnancy increase which was found to be statistically significant on Day + 14 postovulation (P = 0.003). Estrone conjugate levels rose in the early follicular phase from 126.00 +/- 24.07 (SEM) ng/mg creatinine to a preovulatory peak of 471.90 +/- 62.95 ng/mg creatinine. Fertile cycles exhibited a postovulatory climb to a peak of 515.00 +/- 38.00 ng/mg creatinine on Day + 19, in contrast to the secondary rise observed in nonfertile cycles that peaked at 148.11 +/- 13.80 ng/mg creatinine on Day + 10. Bioactive LH evaluations confirmed ovulation and, in the fertile cycles, reflected the subsequent elevation of chorionic gonadotropin on Day + 18. The estrone conjugate profile of fertile cycles and early pregnancy compared favorably to the Et profile: both showed the same time course and increases in estrogen excretion.     

Infant development in the lion-tailed macaque,Macaca silenus (Linnaeus): The first eight weeks

Infant development in lion-tailed monkeys was observed during the first eight weeks after birth. A rapid decrease in the time spent in the closest association by the mother and the infant was seen between the first and second weeks. Between the second and fifth week there was a somewhat steady state with only marginal decrease in the time spent by the infant out of lap of the mother. However, during this time, a rapid decline in maternal cradling and restraining behaviour was seen. From the sixth week onwards, there was a rapid increase in the time spent by the infant out of contact with the mother. Independence of the infant during troop progression was seen only towards the eighth week, that too only marginal. Among the troop members the subadult females and the juvenile females showed the maximum interest in the infant. The former spent much more time than the juveniles interacting with the infant. The adult females showed only little interest in the infant while the adult male showed no interest at all. Infant snatching by subadult females and juvenile females was seen on many occasions. The infant remained in the possession of them from less than 1 min to more than 2 hr. This behaviour tended to decrease towards the sixth week.     

Population dynamics of a group of lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) inhabiting a rainforest fragment in the Western Ghats, India

We observed the overall population dynamics and number of births and deaths in identified individuals between January 2002 and October 2005, in a large group of lion-tailed macaques in the Anaimalai Hills of the Western Ghats in the south Indian state of Tamilnadu. The group inhabited an isolated rainforest fragment located inside a private tea/coffee garden. The group size increased from 56 in January 2002 to 84 in October 2005. All females reproduced, and the interbirth interval was 23.18 months. Of the 37 infants born between 2002 and 2005, only 1 died providing an infant survivorship rate of about 97.3%. Although births occurred in all months, most of the infants were born between February and March, and this pattern of births was consistent over the years, indicating a major birth peak in this species. The population growth rate in this unusually large group was found to be higher than even in those groups of lion-tailed macaques that inhabit large and relatively undisturbed rainforest complexes. This high growth rate could be attributed to the availability of abundant cultivated fruit plants including commercial crops such as coffee seeds. The observations provide a perspective for the management of other groups of this endangered species inhabiting rainforest fragments.     

Distribution,population structure,and conservation of lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) in the Anaimalai Hills,Western Ghats,India

The lion-tailed macaque is an endangered species, and hence it is necessary that the remaining populations in the rainforests of the Western Ghats, India, be located and their habitats assessed for effective conservation. The Anaimalai Hills in the state of Tamil Nadu harbor 31 groups of lion-tailed macaques. However, the rainforest in these hills is highly fragmented. Since lion-tailed macaques are typically arboreal, the groups have become isolated. Two large rain-forest complexes in these hills harbor 12 and seven groups, respectively, and the remaining 12 groups inhabit small, isolated forest fragments. Group size ranges from six to 53 individuals, with a mean size of 16.3. In the small forest fragments, the standard deviation (SD) of group size was considerably higher than it was in the larger forest complexes. The disturbed fragments also had a higher variability in group size than the relatively undisturbed habitats. It is believed that fragmentation may impede male migration. We suggest that the fragments be managed in such a way that male migration among groups can be facilitated to overcome the potential effects of isolation.     

Behavioural responses of lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) to a changing habitat in a tropical rain forest fragment in the Western Ghats, India.

This study reports critical changes in the behaviour patterns of lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) inhabiting a continuously changing and deteriorating rain forest fragment in the Western Ghats, India. The study area, a privately owned rain forest patch in a tea/coffee garden called Puthuthotam, has suffered two massive selective logging episodes. Over the years, the native rain forest trees have been largely replaced by non-native/pioneer species resulting in loss of canopy contiguity and significant changes in other vegetation parameters. The almost wholly arboreal lion-tailed macaque now spends a considerable amount of time on the ground in this area. The species has also experienced a major shift in its diet, ranging patterns and other activities.     

Four new species from the Agrilus wittemani species-group (Coleoptera: Buprestidae: Agrilini) from Silent Valley National Park,Southern Western Ghats,Kerala, India

The Agrilus wittemani species-group comprising six species from South and Southeast Asia; two of these are endemic to south India. Four new species of A. wittemani species-group Jendek & Nakládal, 2017 are described in this paper: Agrilus keralensis Seena, Anand and Shibu-Vardhanan sp. nov.; A. palakkadensis Seena, Anand and Shibu-Vardhanan sp. nov.; Agrilus sahyadriensis Seena, Anand and Shibu-Vardhanan sp. nov.; A. silentvalleyensis Seena, Anand and Shibu-Vardhanan sp. nov. A key to all species is provided and complemented with illustrations of habitus and genitalia.     

Cold tolerance and plant growth promotion potential of Serratia marcescens strain SRM (MTCC 8708) isolated from flowers of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo)

Aim: To determine the cold tolerance and plant growth promotion potential of Serratia marcescens strain SRM (MTCC 8708). Methods and Results: Serratia marcescens strain SRM was isolated from the flowers of summer squash plants, showing no apparent symptoms of yellow vine disease. It was evaluated for growth and plant growth promotion attributes at 15 and 4°C. At 15°C, the isolate was able to solubilize 76·6 μg ml^?1 of P and produce Indole Acetic Acid, IAA (11·1 μg ml^?1). HCN and siderophore production were also detected at 15°C. The isolate retained all the plant growth promotion traits at 4°C. Seed bacterization with the isolate significantly enhanced plant biomass and nutrient uptake of wheat seedlings grown in cold temperatures. Conclusion: Serratia marcescens strain SRM is a promising cold‐tolerant isolate that can significantly influence wheat seedling growth at cold temperatures. Significance and Impact of the Study: This strain can be employed as a bioinoculant in cold temperature conditions.     

N-Acetylglucosaminidase (chitobiase) from Serratia marcescens: gene sequence,and protein production and purification in Escherichia coli

The chitobiase (Chb) encoding gene (chb) from Serratia marcescens (Sm) has been cloned, sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli (Ec). Sequencing has revealed an open reading frame encoding a protein of 885 amino acids (aa). Ec cells harbouring plasmids containing chb can produce enzymatically active Sm Chb protein which is secreted into the periplasm. An efficient purification scheme using cation-exchange chromatography is presented. This yields about 3 mg of >95% pure Sm Chb per litre of Ec culture. The deduced aa sequence is 27-aa longer at the N terminus than that determined by sequencing of the purified protein, suggesting that a leader sequence is removed during transport of the enzyme across the cell membrane. Comparison with the other members of the family 20 of glycosyl hydrolases revealed that Chb has a conserved central region which aligns with almost all members of this family. According to the crystal structure of Sm Chb, this region comprises the catalytic domain of Chb which has an α/β barrel fold     

Roadside monkeys: anthropogenic effects on moor macaque (Macaca maura) ranging behavior in Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park,Sulawesi, Indonesia

Primates - A growing body of research focuses on how anthropogenic factors affect the behavior and ecology of primates and their ecosystems. Infrastructural development, such as roads, is an...     

Structural studies of a neutral polymer (the putative O10 antigen) isolated from the lipopolysaccharide of Serratia marcescens strain C.D.C. 1287-54 (O10:H8)

A neutral glucorhamnan has been isolated from the lipopolysaccharide of the O10 reference strain (C.D.C. 1287-54) of Serratia marcescens. By means of n.m.r. spectroscopy, methylation analysis, and degradative studies, the polymer (the putative O-specific antigen) was found to have the branched, pentasaccharide repeating-unit shown. (formula; see text).     

Characterization of cytotoxin-producing Aeromonas caviae (strain HT10) isolated from a sulfur spring in Orissa, India

During a study of microbial diversity, a bacterial strain designated HT10, was isolated from sediment collected from an unexplored sulfur spring at Athamallik, Orissa, India. Various biochemical tests and 16S rDNA sequence analysis revealed that strain HT10 is Aeromonas caviae. The growth temperature of this strain ranged from 12 to 43 degrees C and the optimum temperature was 30 degrees C. The strain HT10 showed cytotoxic and alpha-hemolytic activity. This is the first report on the isolation of Aeromonas caviae from sulfur spring.     

Biomass production and fatty acid accumulation in Chlorella sp. (strain DEC1B) isolated from a petrol refinery in Huelva (Spain)

A microalgal strain was established from Cepsa's refinery wastewater treatment plant in Huelva (southwest of Spain). Genetic analysis of the chloroplastic rbcL gene encoding for the large subunit of the ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase enzyme (Rubisco) showed the strain had high homology with other known rbcL sequences of the genus Chlorella. The strain grows well autotrophically in minimum mineral medium, with a growth rate of 0.28 ± 0.012 day^?1 and a biomass productivity of 138.9 ± 6.7 mg L^?1 day^?1. N‐starvation and/or over illumination with 650 µmol photons m^?2 s^?1 of PAR light on the cultures induced a significant increase in the intracellular content of lipids in this microalga. Total lipids were extracted from the strain biomass with 2:1 chloroform‐methanol, and they accounted for approximately 50% of the dry biomass. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) represented 60.4% of the total fatty acids found in the strain, thus making this biomass attractive as a high added‐value product source. The strain was able to grow efficiently in the refinery treated wastewater from which it was isolated, providing an attractive advantage for further development of more sustainable algal biomass production processes at reduced costs close to a petrol refinery area.     

Depletion of lymphocytes and diminished cytokine production in mice infected with a highly virulent influenza A (H5N1) virus isolated from humans

Previously, we observed that several virulent influenza A (H5N1) viruses which caused severe or fatal disease in humans were also lethal in BALB/c mice following dissemination of the virus to solid organs, including the brain. In contrast, one particular human H5N1 virus was nonlethal in mice and showed no evidence of systemic spread. To compare H5N1 viruses of varying pathogenicity for their ability to alter the mammalian immune system, mice were infected with either influenza A/Hong Kong/483/97 (HK/483) (lethal) or A/Hong Kong/486/97 (HK/486) (nonlethal) virus and monitored for lymphocyte depletion in the blood, lungs, and lymphoid tissue. Intranasal infection with HK/483 resulted in a significant decrease in the total number of circulating leukocytes evident as early as day 2 postinfection. Differential blood counts demonstrated up to an 80% drop in lymphocytes by day 4 postinfection. In contrast, nonlethal HK/486-infected mice displayed only a transient drop of lymphocytes during the infectious period. Analysis of lung and lymphoid tissue from HK/483-infected mice demonstrated a reduction in the number of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and reduced synthesis of the cytokines interleukin-1beta and gamma interferon and the chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein compared with HK/486-infected mice. In contrast, the cytokine and chemokine levels were increased in the brains of mice infected with HK/483 but not HK/486. Evidence of apoptosis in the spleen and lung of HK/483-infected mice was detected in situ, suggesting a mechanism for lymphocyte destruction. These results suggest that destructive effects on the immune system may be one factor that contributes to the pathogenesis of H5N1 viruses in mammalian hosts.