Intergenerational trend of some dermatoglyphic traits in Vaidyas of West Bengal, India

In order to investigate the intergenerational change of dermatoglyphics, fingerprints of 400 individuals were collected from an endogamous caste Vaidyas of Barasat, West Bengal. Results were compared with the data of an earlier sample of Banerjee collected in 35 years before on the same community of the same area. As it is generally known that dermatoglyphics is selectively neutral, thus if no other evolutionary forces play a role, we cannot expect any change of dermatoglyphic characters after several years. In the present study, non-significant change in the frequency of pattern and more or less same PII have been observed in both sexes. But significant quantitative differences were found between the two samples. These differences may not be due to the change of intra-uterine environment, rather due to the inter-observer error of these two studies and the small sample size of the earlier study. Because though same methods were used in both studies, inter-observer variation is much possible in ridge counting than pattern type determination.     

Quantitative dermatoglyphic asymmetry: a comparative study between schizophrenic patients and control groups of West Bengal, India

Quantitative Fluctuating (FA) and Directional asymmetry (DA) of dermatoglyphics on digito-palmar complex were analyzed in a group of 111 patients (males: 61, females: 50) with schizophrenia (SZ), and compared to an ethnically matched phenotypically healthy control (males: 60, females: 60) through MANOVA, ANOVA and canonical Discriminant analyses. With few exceptions, asymmetries are higher among patients, and this is more prominent in FA than DA. Statistically significant differences were observed between patient and control groups, especially in males. In both sexes, FA of combined dermatoglyphic traits (e.g. total finger ridge count, total palmar pattern ridge count) are found to be a strong discriminator between the two groups with a correct classification of over 83% probability.     

Inbreeding effects on palmar dermatoglyphic characters in three endogamous social groups of West Bengal,India

The present study reports inbreeding effects on mean palmar dermatoglyphic characteristics: triradial count on palm, maximal atd angle, adt angle, td ridge count, ab ridge count, main line index (MLI) and ab ridge breadth. Samples were drawn from adult males belonging to three endogamous sections representing Hindu caste Telaga of Kharagpur (West Midnapore), Ansari Muslims of Nandigram (East Midnapore) and Sheik-Sunni Muslims of Braddhaman in West Bengal, India. Consistent trend of higher mean triradial number, adt angle, and lower mean td ridge count, ab ridge count, and ab ridge breadth was observed in inbred sections compared to their non-inbred relatives in three social groups.     

Asymmetry and diversity of dermatoglyphic traits: population comparison in five endogamous groups of West Bengal, India

Five different endogamous populations encompassing the main social ranks in the caste hierarchy of West Bengal, India were analyzed. To compare variability in populations with contrasting ethnohistorical backgrounds, analysis of variance, Scheffe's test and cluster analysis were performed, as based on dermatoglyphic variables, namely, 22 quantitative traits and 36 indices of diversity and asymmetry. The present study reveals that: 1. Overall disparities among the 5 populations are expressed only in finger ridge counts on the Ist and Vth digits and PII, in a-b ridge counts, in endings of main lines A and D, and in MLI on the palms; 2. Heterogeneity is greater in fluctuating asymmetry than in directional asymmetry; 3. There is a greater heterogeneity in the 22 quantitative traits than in the 36 indices of diversity and asymmetry, with females contributing more than the males; 4. The highest contribution to population variation is by Lodha among five populations; 5. Inter-group variations are homogeneous in most of the variables, which does not correspond with the relationships to caste hierarchy of these populations; 6. The dendrograms based on dermatoglyphic variables demonstrate that the traditional grouping of Indian populations, based on caste hierarchy, may not be a reflection of their genetic origin, in that the pattern of clustering corresponded best with the known ethnohistorical records of the studied populations; 7. Hence, dermatoglyphic affinities may prove quite useful in tracing the ethnohistorical background of populations.     

Multivariate analysis of sexual dimorphism in two types of dermatoglyphic traits in five endogamous populations of West Bengal, India

Five different endogamous populations who encompass the main social rank in the caste hierarchy of West Bengal were analysed for this report. The present approach is to compare the pattern of sex differences/similarities exhibited by two different sets of dermatoglyphic traits. Cluster and discriminant analysis and Mantel test of matrix correlations were performed. The nature of variation between sexes within population groups and two types of variable sets has a good similarity in all five populations. These results strongly suggest that the two categories of dermatoglyphic variables provide similar possibilities to discriminate between the sexes in populations.     

Population ecology of free-ranging urban dogs in West Bengal, India

A population of urban free-ranging dogsCanis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758 was studied in Katwa, West Bengal, India. The analysis of changes in the density of the dog population over a period of 4 years revealed a considerable stability of this population. Mean (±SD)₂ seasonal population density was 185±19 dogs/km², ranging from 156 to 214 dogs/km². A sex ratio of 1.37∶1 in favour of male was recorded in this study. High mortality (67%) occurred under the age of 4 months, and 82% mortality occurred within the age of 1 year. Among the adults, 24% mortality under the age of 2.6 year was recorded. Only a single breeding cycle and synchronization of breeding was observed. Immigration was observed as a crucial factor affecting the stability of this population.     

Reproductive behaviour of free-ranging rural dogs in West Bengal,India

Reproductive behaviour of free-ranging dogsCanis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758 was studied in a village in the state of West Bengal, India. Increased synchronized breeding was the most striking feature of this study. October (late monsoon) represented the peak period of mating for the feral dogs. Of all courting males, only 41% were observed to mount and copulate. On average, each male mounted 5.47 ± 2.49 (mean ± SD) times per hour. Of all mountings, only 10% were successful matings, ie copulatory ties. There was a negative correlation between the number of courting males and the number of successful copulations. The average duration of copulatory tie was 15.73 ± 7.75 min. Several factors interrupting the duration of copulatory ties were identified. December was the peak period of pup rearing. Mean litter size was 5.70 ± 2.03 with a male-biased sex ratio 1.41:1. Only a single annual breeding cycle recorded here differed from the previous studies on European and American dogs. Mothers spent most of the time with their pups at the dens during the early stage of rearing. The duration of time spent at dens by mothers was minimum when the pups were highly mobile at the age of 10 weeks. The lactating mothers were observed to be more aggressive immediately following litter production. Typically, an old adult male remained near the den as a ‘guard’.     

Airspora Measured in a Paddy Field in West Bengal,India

Aeromycoflora studies above an “Aman” variety of paddy (Oryza saliva L.) were carried out for two consecutive seasons, in 1990 and 1991, in the vicinity of Barrackpore, West Bengal, by means of the culture plate exposure technique. A more or less uniform spore concentration was observed during the early part of the vegetative stages in 1990 with an abrupt increase and peak during the maximum vegetative growth period. In 1991, a uniform spore count was found up until the flowering stages. A gradual increase in spore count after flowering was recorded in both seasons with the highest peaks during harvesting, followed by a sudden decrease after the harvest. The dominant genera isolated were Aspergillus, Currularia, Cladosporium and Penicillium. Aspergillus appeared in high concentrations from the very beginning of the crop season up to the flowering stages, with a gradual fall after flowering, while Cladosporium showed the reverse pattern. Currularia and Penicillium occurred regularly throughout the crop season.

Phytopathogenic types were represented by Helminthosporium oryzae, Fusarium, Altemaria and Nigrospora. Helminthosporium oryzae appeared in the air when the plants attained appreciable vegetative growth, being seen as “brown spots” on the foliage, and reaching peak concentration during harvesting. Fusarium in contrast to Altemaria appeared regularly in the air except during the later part of vegetative growth. Nigrospora was recorded only occasionally. A considerable number of “Sterile Forms” were present throughout both seasons.     

Indoor and outdoor aeromycological survey in Burdwan, West Bengal, India

A comparative survey of airborne fungal spores in fiveindoor and five outdoor environments in Burdwan, WestBengal, India, was carried out for a period of twoyears using rotorod samplers and sedimentation plates(culture plate). A total of 29 spore types wereidentified, of which three were Phycomycetous (Mucor, Rhizopus, Syncephalastrum), one Ascomycetous(Chaetomium), one Basidiomycetous (Ganoderma) and the remainder were Fungi Imperfecti. The results revealed lowest count during summer andmaximum during the rainy season. Aspergilluswas quite abundant in all the environments surveyed. The predominance of Aspergillus, Curvularia,Alternaria, Cladosporium, Drechslera, Fusarium in allthe surveyed environments has been attributed to theirability to grow in various substrata. The occurrenceof Cladosporium in the winter months suggestthat it is sensitive to high temperature. Allspore types were common in both environmentsexcept Bispora, Cercospora, Papularia, Spegazzinia, Trichothecium in the outdoor sites. Acorrelation has been made between the volumetriccomposition of airspora and the incidence of seasonalmold allergy.     

Notes on Lodha medicine in Midnapur District,West Bengal,India

This paper provides a brief account of 40 plants associated with herbal remedies among the Lodhas, a tribe of Midnapur district, West Bengal, India. Reports from informants were obtained during field studies between 1977 and 1982. The data are compared with information obtained from some other tribal societies like the Santals and the Oraons inhabiting neighbouring regions. The Lodhas have had a rich herbal folklore, but this is fading due to increasing acculturation and depletion of plant cover.     

Prevalence of hard tick infestations in cattle of West Bengal,India

The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hard tick infestations in cattle of West Bengal from July 2015 to June 2016. The prevalence of hard tick infestations was studied in relation to sex and age of animals and seasonal changes in a year. Cattle of selected places were examined carefully for the presence of ticks and in positive cases ticks were collected manually and identified on the basis of morphological characters. A total of 310 cattle were examined and out of which, 130 (41.93%) cattle were found to be infested with hard ticks and the prevalent species were Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) sp., Hyalomma sp. and Haemaphysalis sp. of ticks. A significantly (p < 0.01) higher infestation was observed in female cattle (43.30%) than males (35.71%). Age-wise highest prevalence of tick infestations was found in <1 year (65%) age group followed by >3 years age group (36.8%) and 1–3 years (35.63%) age group, respectively. Seasonally, the prevalence of hard ticks was highest (p < 0.01) in monsoon (59.25%) and lowest in winter (27.09%). The study revealed that the prevalence of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) sp. (32.25%) was significantly (p < 0.01) higher compared to Hyalomma (12.58%) and Haemaphysalis sp. (3.22%). The observations of the present study would provide a basis for evolving effective control strategy for the management of ticks in bovines of West Bengal.     

The plankton ecology of some thermal springs in West Bengal,India

Estimates of planktonic growth kinetics in relation to the thermal environment were made over a two year period in three hot springs and one cold one located in West Bengal, India. A very characteristic feature of the Saubhagya Kund (43–49°C) and Papahara (46–51°C) was the abundance of phytoplankton, always dominated by blue-green algae. This situation changed in the other two springs where zooplankton was an essential component. The determination of the species diversity index indicated that the graph of cumulative species of plankton versus logarithm of individuals was roughly linear in Saubhagya Kund and Papahara, whereas in the other two a logistic curve was the result. The seasonal distribution of Myxophyceae/Phytoplankton was dependant upon the annual phosphorous cycle (P < 0.0001) in all the thermal waters studied. That the population dynamics of diatoms responded inversely to the level of phosphate (P < 0.05) has been clearly manifested in Swetganga (37–46°C). The variation in the silicate content of the water throughout the year has been found responsible for the seasonal succession of diatoms in some of the waters (P < 0.001). The multiple correlation between phosphate, silicate, dissolved oxygen and pH and Myxophyceae/Phytoplankton was significant in the case of Papahara (P < 0.01) and Swetganga (P < 0.05). Similarly, the multiple correlation between these factors and Bacillariophyceae was significant in Saubhagya Kund (P < 0.01). In the non-thermal water Jibatsa Kund (22–39°C), the multiple correlation between these factors and Phytoplankton was, however, not significant (P > 0.05).     

Population genetic study in ten endogamous groups of West Bengal, India

Ten endogamous population groups of West Bengal (India)--Rabhas, Garos, Mechs, Rajbanshis, Jalia Kaibartas, Bagdis, Lodhas, Mundas, Brahmins, Vaidyas--have been typed for twelve polymorphic systems: ABO, Gm, Km, Hp, Cp, Tf, Alb, Hb, aP, EsD, AK and PGM1. The results are compared with those obtained on other Indian populations. Serological and anthropometric data, which have been included into population comparisons, reveal a considerable genetic variability of the groups under study. This variability is obviously connected with the population history of West Bengal.     

Gene differentiation among ten endogamous groups of West Bengal, India

Ten endogamous populations of West Bengal, India have been surveyed for genetic variation in 12 systems. These populations encompass all social ranks in the caste hierarchy and cover almost the entire geographic area of the state. Gene diversity analysis suggests that these groups exhibit significant allele frequency variation at all but three loci. The overall genetic difference is not, however, in accord with the classification based on caste. Two low-ranking scheduled caste groups are, in fact, in close proximity with the high-caste ones, suggesting evidence of past generations of gene flow among them. Three different clusters of groups emerge from the present data, providing support for the anthropologic assertion that in Bengal Proto-Australoid, Caucasoid, and Mongoloid racial elements generally coexist. However, these three components are not uniformly present in all groups. Geographic separation of the groups is a strong determinant of the gene differentiation that exists among these populations.     

Seasonal Periodicity of Plankton in a Freshwater Pond in West Bengal,India

The paper describes a year-round limnoplanktonic study of a freshwater pond in West Bengal, India. Always predominant over zooplankton, phytoplankton demonstrates three peaks. The relationships between pH and phytoplankton, between phosphate and green algae and between rotifers and diatoms are significant. The role of physico-chemical factors in determining different planktonic population is discussed. The multiple correlation between several physico-chemical factors and phytoplankton percentage is not significant.     

Taxonomic notes on some freshwater Gastrotricha from West Bengal,India

The present paper is a taxanomic account of seven species of gastrotrichs (Gastrotricha: Chaetonotidae) collected from Calcutta and its adjacent areas (Lower Bengal). All the reported species represent new records from the north-eastern region of this subcontinent and three of them are new records from India.     

Fossil wood of Euphorbiaceae from the Tertiary of West Bengal,India

The paper describes a new species of fossil wood of Euphorbiaceae, Mallotoxylon cleidionoides sp. nov. from the Tertiary Laterites near Santiniketan, Birbhum District of West Bengal. The structure of the fossil wood closely resembles the wood anatomy of the extant genus Mallotus Lour. This is the first record of the occurrence of an euphorbiaceous wood from the Tertiary of West Bengal.     

Threats to Fish and Fisheries of Kangsabati Reservoir,West Bengal,India

Fishes belonging to the Orders Beloniformes, Cypriniformes, Perciformes, Siluriformes and Synbranchiformes are usually found in the Kangsabati reservoir of West Bengal, India. In recent years among the trapped fishes fishermen failed to get certain fish species which were available to them in the last decade. This prompted us to conduct a survey of ichthyofauna of the said reservoir in respect to the water parameters, keeping in view the anthropogenic activity-induced pollution scenario. It is revealed that the fishes belonging to the species Xenentodon cancila, Nemacheilus savona, Sillaginopsis panijus, Pangasius sutchi, Colisa sota, Mystus cavasius, Mystus seenghala and Mastacembelus armatus are completely absent in the survey area. It is most likely that the eutrophication-induced causes especially, variations in composition and density of plankton as well as the undesirable changes in physical and chemical properties of the water have forced these fishes to migrate elsewhere.