Pethia sanjaymoluri,a new species of barb (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the northern Western Ghats,India

Pethia sanjaymoluri, a new cyprinid, is described from the Pavana and Nira tributaries of Bhima River, Krishna drainage, Maharashtra, India. It can be distinguished from congeners by a combination of characteristics that includes an incomplete lateral line, absence of barbels, upper lip thick and fleshy, 23–25 lateral series scales, 7–12 lateral‐line pored scales, 10 predorsal scales, 11–14 prepelvic scales, 17–20 pre‐anal scales, 4½ scales between dorsal‐fin origin and lateral line, four scales between lateral line and pelvic‐fin origin, 8–15 pairs of serrae on distal half of dorsal‐fin spine, 12–14 branched pectoral‐fin rays, 4 + 26 total vertebrae, 4 + 5 predorsal vertebrae, 4 + 13 abdominal vertebrae, 13 caudal vertebrae and a unique colour pattern comprising a humeral spot positioned below the lateral line and encompassing the third and fourth lateral‐line scales and one scale below, one caudal spot on 17th–21st lateral‐line scales with a yellow hue on its anterior side and apical half of dorsal fin studded with melanophores making the fin tip appear black. Genetic analysis based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequence suggests that the species is distinct from other known species of Pethia for which data are available.     

Azabicyclic sulfonamides as potent 11β-HSD1 inhibitors

Inhibition of 11β-HSD1 has demonstrated potential in the treatment of various components of metabolic syndrome. We wish to report herein the discovery of novel azabicyclic sulfonamide based 11β-HSD1 inhibitors. Highly potent compounds exhibiting inhibitory activities at both human and mouse 11β-HSD1 were identified. Several compounds demonstrated significant in vivo activity in the mouse cortisone challenge assay.     

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of fused heterocyclic analogs of SCH 58261 as adenosine A2A receptor antagonists

SCH 58261 is a reported adenosine A_2A receptor antagonist which is active in rat in vivo models of Parkinson’s Disease upon ip administration. However, it has poor selectivity versus the A₁ receptor and does not demonstrate oral activity. Quinoline analogs have improved upon the selectivity and pharmacokinetics of SCH 58261, but were difficult to handle due to poor aqueous solubility. We report the design and synthesis of fused heterocyclic analogs of SCH 58261 with aqueous solubility as well as improved A_2A receptor binding selectivity and pharmacokinetic properties. In particular, the tetrahydronaphthyridine 4s has excellent A_2A receptor in vitro binding affinity and selectivity, is active orally in a rat in vivo model of Parkinson’s Disease, and has aqueous solubility of 100 μM at physiological pH.     

Fishery,biology, aquaculture and conservation of the threatened Asian Sun catfish

We summarize the research on Asian Sun catfish, Horabagrus brachysoma (Günther), an endemic and threatened freshwater catfish from Western Ghats of India, and provide a comprehensive review of its taxonomy, distribution, biology, population, conservation and aquaculture. Although described in 1864, the taxonomy of H. brachysoma, particularly its familial affinities, continues to be in flux. The species, originally described from the erstwhile ‘state of Cochin’ in present day Kerala State, India, has a current distribution ranging from southern Kerala (8°N) to southern Maharashtra (16°N), where they are found in lowland westward-flowing rivers, as well as natural freshwater lakes and backwaters. As a much relished food fish, H. brachysoma is exploited throughout its range, predominantly through an unmanaged artisanal fishery. Although there are no scientific estimates of either the status or trends in overall population of this endemic catfish, anecdotal evidence and fisher-knowledge suggests drastic declines of several local populations. The fishery for H. brachysoma in the Periyar and Achenkovil rivers in the State of Kerala has been documented to be unsustainable. As a result of an overall population decline of 35 % due to overharvest and habitat loss, H. brachysoma is assessed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species?. Primary research on various aspects of feeding, reproductive biology and demography has generated a wealth of information on the species, but this knowledge is yet to be utilized for the development and implementation of in situ conservation or management plans. In view of its high consumer demand, efficient biological and eco-physiological characteristics, as well as the availability of a captive breeding technology, H. brachysoma is considered an emerging species for small-scale aquaculture. Priorities for scientific research to address knowledge-gaps, as well as strategies for effective conservation of this threatened freshwater catfish are discussed.     

Glass in the water: Molecular phylogenetics and evolution of Indian glassy perchlets (Teleostei: Ambassidae)

Glassfishes of the family Ambassidae, comprising around 50 species, are distributed in the Indo‐West Pacific where they inhabit marine, estuarine, and freshwater ecosystems. We investigated for the first time the molecular phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships of this group using a combined dataset of mitochondrial and nuclear genes, particularly focusing on the taxa occurring in the Indian subcontinent. Results revealed that marine and freshwater genera of Ambassidae diverged during the Paleocene (~62 mya). The enigmatic monotypic genus Chanda is nested within the larger clade currently recognized as Parambassis, indicating its paraphyly. Based on cleared and stained osteological preparations and phylogenetic placement of Chanda nama, we hypothesize that the elongated and protruding lower jaw is an autapomorphic character that might have evolved for the lepidophagous habit of the species. The southern Indian species of Parambassis, Parambassis dayi, and Parambassis thomassi, which formed a monophyletic group, probably diverged from other species of Parambassis and Chanda nama around the Eocene (~42 mya) and can potentially be recognized as a distinct genus in view of the apomorphic characters such as the presence of serration on the ventral fringe of interopercle, densely serrated palatine and ectopterygoid, and the presence of more than 30 serrations along the lower preopercle and the posterior edge. Our analysis provides new insights into the evolution and phylogenetic relationships of glassy perchlets, including detailed relationships among the Indian species within this family.     

Mahseer (Tor spp.) fishes of the world: status,challenges and opportunities for conservation

Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries - The mahseer fishes (Tor spp.) represent an iconic genus of large-bodied species of the Cyprinidae family. Across the 16 recognised species in the genus,...     

Biaryl and heteroaryl derivatives of SCH 58261 as potent and selective adenosine A2A receptor antagonists

SCH 58261 is a reported adenosine A_2A receptor antagonist, which is active in rat in vivo models of Parkinson’s Disease upon ip administration. However, it has poor selectivity versus the A₁ receptor and does not demonstrate oral activity. We report the design and synthesis of biaryl and heteroaryl analogs of SCH 58261 which improve the A_2A receptor binding selectivity as well as the pharmacokinetic properties of SCH 58261. In particular, the quinoline 25 has excellent A_2A receptor in vitro binding affinity and selectivity, sustained rat plasma levels upon oral dosing, and is active orally in a rat behavioral assay.