On a new species of Pseudocapillaria (Nematoda: Trichuroidea), P. lepidocephali,from the estuarine fish Lepidocephalus (Lepidocephalichthys) guntea (Hamilton)

Pseudocapillaria lepidocephali n. sp., parasitic in the intestine of the loach Lepidocephalus (Lepidocephalichthys) guntea from the Hooghly estuary at Kalyani, West Bengal, India, is described. The parasite is characterised mainly by its small body size, the structure of the male caudal end (the presence of mediumsized ventro-lateral lobes and the absence of a dorsal membrane), the presence of a non-spinous spicular sheath, the structure of the stichosome (26–34 stichocytes present), and the size and structure of the eggs. This is the first species of the genus Pseudocapillaria described from India and also from the genus Lepidocephalus.     

Distribution of Catenaria anguillulae Sorokin,a facultative endoparasite of nematodes in soils from different locations of India

A survey of soils from 39 different locations from 12 states of India for the presence/absence of Catenaria anguillulae indicated a wide distribution of the fungus in Indian soils. Out of 490 soil samples, 451 yielded C. anguillulae. Further, it was also noted that the fungus is present throughout the year in soils from the different locations irrespective of soil types and crops grown. This is the first report of this kind on distribution of C. anguillulae from India.     

Isolation and characterization of Arthrobacter sp. strain MCM B-436, an atrazine-degrading bacterium, from rhizospheric soil

Atrazine is one of the most environmentally prevalent s-triazine-ring herbicides. The widespread use of atrazine and its toxicity necessitates search for remediation technology. As atrazine is still used in India as a major herbicide, exploration of atrazine-degrading bacterial community is of immense importance. Considering lack of reports on well characterized atrazine-degrading bacterial cultures from India and wide diversity and density of microorganisms in rhizosphere, soil sample from rhizosphere of atrazine-resistant plant was studied. Arthrobacter sp. strain isolated in this investigation utilizes atrazine as the sole nitrogen source. In addition, the bacterium degrades other triazines such as ametryn, cyanizine, propazine and simazine. PCR analysis confirms the presence of atzBCD and triazine hydrolase (trzN) genes on chromosomal DNA. Sequencing of the trzN gene reveals high sequence similarity with trzN from Nocardioides sp. C190. An inducible and intracellular atrazine chlorohydrolase enzyme was isolated and partially purified from this isolate. This study confirms the presence of atrazine-degrading microbial population in Indian soils and could be used efficiently for remediation of contaminated soils. Presence of trzN gene indicates possible presence of bacterial community with more efficient and novel enzymatic capabilities. Comparison of enzyme and gene structure of this isolate with other geographically distinct atrazine-degrading strains will help us in the better understanding of gene transfer and evolution.     

Berberis rawatii sp. nov. (Berberidaceae) from India

In India, 55 species of Berberis have been reported and 22 species are found in Uttarakhand state. Berberis rawatii (Berberidaceae), a new species from Chamoli and Pithoragarh districts of Uttarakhand state of India (western Himalaya) is here described and illustrated. In terms of leaf and inflorescence, Berberis rawatii shows affinities with B. cretica L. Both these species have entire leaves, fascicled inflorescences, conspicuous style and black berries, but B. rawatii differs in the presence of a petiole, the dorsal surface of leaf pruinose, presence of elongated‐ovate glands, presence of prophylls, three ovules and pruinose fruits.     

Foraminifera-walled Schaubcylindrichnus coronus Frey and Howard, 1981, from the Middle Eocene,Kachchh, Western India

Bioclast lined tubes of Schaubcylindrichnus coronus are not much reported around the world. As of now only two reports are available. Interestingly in both these reports and in the current find, tests of foraminifers are used as tube building material. Current report of Schaubcylindrichnus is from the subtidal deposits of the Naredi Formation (Ypresian) of Kachchh Basin, Western India. As the host rock here abounds in the tests of larger benthic foraminifera, concentration of same is noticed within the tubes. The natural selection of lighter and larger calcitic grains of tests over the heavier mineral grains is the main reason for presence of the tests in tube building; moreover, presence of inner smooth wall of tube also indicates organisms’ preference for comfort within their burrow.     

Microsatellite markers from the Indian major carp species,Catla catla

The Indian major carp Catla catla is indigenous to the major river systems of Northern India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, and is an important contributor to aquaculture production in India and Bangladesh. Five polymorphic microsatellite loci, developed from Catla catla are described and their utility in other major carp and cyprinid species is tested.     

Ecology of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria species in India: the occurrence,resistance to biocides,genomic landscape and biocontrol

Listeria monocytogenes, the causative agent of listeriosis, has been implicated in increasing foodborne outbreaks worldwide. The disease is manifested in various forms ranging from severe sepsis in immune-compromised individuals, febrile gastroenteritis, still birth, abortions and meningoencephalitis. In India, data from studies on the detection and molecular epidemiological analysis of L. monocytogenes are only recently emerging. The presence of Listeria in different ecological niches has been recorded from India, including foods, soil, vegetables, mangrove swamps, seafood, freshwater fishes, clinical cases, and also insects. The organism has also been isolated from women with spontaneous abortions, miscarriage or recurrent obstetric history, aborted foetuses, animal clinical cases and wildlife samples. A novel species of Listeria has also been characterized. Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from clinical, environmental, and foods showed biofilm-forming abilities. Listeria monocytogenes serotype 4b isolates of ST328, a predominant and unique ST observed in India, was repeatedly isolated from different sources, times, and geographical locations. Here, we reviewed the occurrence of Listeria in different sources in India, its resistance to biocides, and provide epidemiological analysis on its genomic landscape.     

Detection of Prunus necrotic ring spot virus in plum,cherry and almond by serological and molecular techniques from India

Stone fruits are cultivated in the temperate and sub-temperate regions of India. During surveys in stone fruit growing areas, viral symptoms were observed in almond, cherry and plum. These samples were brought to the laboratory for further detection at serological and molecular levels to check the presence of virus. In the present study, incidence of PNRSV is reported on plum (Prunus domestica), almond (Prunus dulcis) and cherry (Prunus avium) using serological and molecular techniques. Coat protein gene of PNRSV was amplified from almond, cherry and plum. This is the first molecular evidence of PNRSV on these stone fruits reported from India.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ammostigmus</Emphasis>, a new genus of digger wasps of the subtribe Ammoplanina (Hymenoptera,Crabronidae) from southwestern India

A new pemphredonine genus, Ammostigmus (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae), is described from southwestern India. The new genus differs from the other genera of the subtribe Ammoplanina in the quadridentate apical margin of the clypeus, non-bilobed labrum, the presence of postspiracular carina and omaulus, and the absence of episternal sulcus. Phylogenetically the new genus is most closely related to the genus Protostigmus Turner, 1918.     

Pinda shrirangii,a new elegant species of Apiaceae from the northern Western Ghats,India

A new species, Pinda shrirangii Gosavi & Chandore, is described and illustrated from a high-elevation region of northern Western Ghats, India. The new species is closely allied to the only other species in the genus, Pinda concanensis (Dalzell) P.K.Mukh. & Constance which was also described from the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra state of India. Coloured photographs and illustrations are provided to facilitate the identification.     

Paracapillaria xenentodoni n. sp. (Nematoda: Trichuroidea) from the fishXenentodon cancila (Hamilton) from West Bengal,India

A new nematode,Paracapillaria xenentodoni n. sp. is described based on light microscope studies of the worms recovered from the migratory fishXenentodon cancila (Hamilton) from the Hooghly estuary at Kalyani, West Bengal, India. The worms are characterised by relatively large body size, the structure of the male caudal extremity (the presence of two wide, lobe-like, dorso-lateral caudal projections), the large size of the spicule (0.236–0.374 mm), the transversely wrinkled but non-spiny spicular sheath, the structure of the stichosome (30–40 stichocytes present), the slightly elevated anterior vulval lip, and the size (0.040–0.049 × 0.021–0.026 mm) and structure of the eggs. This represents the first species of the genusParacapillaria from India and also from fishes of the family Belonidae (Atheriniformes).     

A new species of the genus Goezia Zeder, 1800 (Nematoda: Anisakidae) from the fish,Mastacembelus armatus (Lacep.) from West Bengal,India

Goezia moraveci n. sp. is described from light microscope and scanning electron microscope studies of the specimens recovered from the freshwater fish Mastacembelus armatus from West Bengal, India. G. moraveci differs from other species of the genus in having a small body size, the excretory pore posterior to the level of the nerve-ring, a very short, wide intestinal caecum and a long ventricular appendage (ratio 1: 6–15), a different number and arrangement of caudal papillae, and cuticular spines surrounding the bases of the caudal papillae. This represents the first species of the genus from a piscine host in India.     

A new species of the monogenea genus Heteromazocraes Mamaev, 1981, from a freshwater cyprinid Securicula gora (Ham.) from the Lucknow district,India

Heteromazocraes mamaevi n. sp. is described from a cyprinid, Securicula gora (Ham.) from the Lucknow district, India. It is characterised by well-developed cephalic glands, the shape of the genital spines, the structure of the egg and the shape of the clamp sclerites. This is the first record of the genus Heteromazocraes Mamaev, 1981 from a cyprinid fish.     

Cultural characteristics, morphology, and variation within Claviceps africana and C. sorghi from India

Sorghum ergot in India is caused by Claviceps africana and C. sorghi. The distributions of these two species in India is not known. Eighty-nine sorghum ergot isolates were cultured from young sphacelia obtained from male sterile sorghum plants artificially inoculated using inoculum collected in the field. Based on cultural characteristics, the isolates were separated into two groups which differed distinctly in the morphology of their sphacelia, conidia, and sclerotia. Marked differences also were observed in rates of secondary conidial production and disease spread between the groups. In combination with molecular evidence, our results confirm that the isolates placed in Group I represent C. africana and Group II isolates represent C. sorghi. C. africana was found to be widely distributed in all sorghum growing areas of India. The species first described as occuring in India, C. sorghi, appears to be restricted to a few locations in the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.     

A new species of the genus Notothylas Sull., N. himalayensis Udar et Singh,from India

Abstract

A new species, Notothylas himalayensis Udar et Singh is described from India. The species is remarkable in usually having erect plants with radially symmetrical basal stalk. Of particular significance is the presence of sinuate or nodulose radial wall thickenings in the epidermal cells of the capsule wall, usually with an additional plate-like thickening extending to transverse and outer tangential walls. The plants are further characterised by the presence of tetrahedral as well as tetragonal spore tetrads; deep brown spores with finely vermiculate exine ornamentation and a smooth or wavy flange. The vermiculae ramify to form reticulations as revealed under SEM apart from some larger lamellar structures sporadically distributed on the surface. The pseudoelaters have prominent spiral or semiannular thickening bands.     

Aquatic oligochaeta from among the roots of eichhornia crassipes solms

The paper records the presence of sixteen species of aquatic oligochaetes, belonging to the Aeolosomatidae (1 species). Naididae (13 species) and Tubificidae (2 species), living in association with the floating roots of the water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes Solms., from a tank in Vizianagaram town in Andhra Pradesh, India. Of these, Aeolosoma hyalinum Bunke, 1967 and Dero obtusa D'Udekem, 1855 are new records for the Indian sub-continent.     

Two new species of freshwater Ostracoda of the genus Parastenocypris Hartmann, 1964 from Kerala,India

Parastenocypris goddeerisi n.sp. and P. achandii n.sp. are described from temporary habitats in Kerala, southern India. The morphology of both males and females is illustrated and the new species are compared to the known representatives of the genus. Stenocypris fernandoi Neale, described from Sri Lanka, is here referred to Parastenocypris.     

A new species of Porina from the Andaman Islands,India

A new species of foliicolous lichens, Porina andamanensis, from the Andaman Islands, India, is described and illustrated.     

Contribution to the revision of Oriental Aulacus Jurine, 1807 (Hymenoptera: Aulacidae): description of A. ceciliae sp. nov. from Laos and redescription of A. bituberculatus Cameron, 1899 from India

A remarkable Aulacus Jurine, 1807, A. ceciliae Turrisi, sp. nov., is described from Laos and A. bituberculatus Cameron, 1899 from India is redescribed from the type material, which has been recently rediscovered. For the latter species, a lectotype is formally designated. Both species are very characteristic due to the presence of two tooth‐like processes on the vertex, an autapomorphic feature probably related with the endoxylic bionomy. References to the other two Oriental species of Aulacus, A. philippinensis (Kieffer, 1916) and A. sinensis He & Chen, 2007 and a key to all four species of the genus presently known for the Oriental Region are provided.