Diversity and taxonomy of the intertidal patellogastropod limpets of the mainland Indian coastline.

We report the diversity, distribution and taxonomy of patellogastropod species from the entire mainland Indian coastline. A total of 77 coastal areas with rocky outcrops in the sandy shoreline, covering the entire mainland Indian coastline, were surveyed seasonally (four times a year) during December 2014 to December 2016. Coastal habitat characteristics and the diversity of all groups of limpets from the intertidal areas were recorded. Specimens were identified by external morphological shell and gill characteristics, by the colour of the foot, mantle fringe and radular characteristics. Ecological aspects like habitat preference were also used to distinguish species. Existing diagnostic characters were amended with newer characteristics emerged in our study. Seven species from two families, Nacellidae and Lottiidae, were found along the mainland Indian coastline. Each species is present with several polymorphic forms with different colour banding patterns. Our study revealed distinct variations in the radular teeth at the genus level, but less differences within genera. Patellogastropod diversity was greater along the west coast of India and only Cellana rota was available throughout the mainland Indian coastline.

Development of high oleic peanut lines through marker-assisted introgression of mutant ahFAD2 alleles and its fatty acid profiles under open-field and controlled conditions.

Peanut is one of the most important oilseed crops grown worldwide. In this study, the mutant ahFAD2 alleles conferring high oleic (HO) content are introgressed into an elite Indian cultivar GPBD4 which is also resistant to the foliar fungal diseases like rust and late leaf spot (LLS). The allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR) and cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPS) assays were used for the marker-assisted backcross (MABC) approach and 64 HO introgression lines (ILs) were generated. These ILs were tested for the FA compositions under the glasshouse and field conditions. The oleic acid and linoleic acid contents in the ILs were recorded to be between 68.94-82.33% and 1.74-10.87%, respectively, under glasshouse and 67.04-81.71% and 2.00-15.66%, respectively, under field conditions. The increase in the oleic acid content of the ILs over its recurrent parent (RP) was recorded to the tune of 28.78-53.80% and 33.70-62.96% under glasshouse and field conditions, respectively, indicating the stable expression of ahFAD2B gene in two different environments. On the contrary, linoleic acid showed 56.47-93.03% and 40.02-92.34% reduction in the ILs over its RP under glasshouse and field conditions, respectively. These ILs with a healthy FA profile can meet not only the nutritional requirements of a health-conscious society but also the industrial demands for better shelf life of oil and its products.

Molecular phylogenetic study on few morphotypes of a patellogastropod Cellana karachiensis from northern Arabian Sea reveals unexpected genetic diversity.

A group of limpets, Cellana karachiensis, exhibiting phenotypic plasticity were examined from Gujarat coastline India, using molecular phylogeny. Previous examination of the COI genes established the presence of three different haplotypes X, Y and Z, while present study showed three more haplotypes X1, X2 and Z1. Thus, a total of six COI gene haplotypes, having 99.23% to 99.85% sequence similarity, were observed with variations at six sites. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis shows divergence of lineages X-Y, X1-X2 and Z-Z1. Careful observation of nucleotide alterations showed a nonrandom mutation with more A↔G and C↔T transitions between closely related species of the genus Cellana. A stretch of 17 base pair, within COI region, was marked as region with high degree of variability between species of Cellana. Results suggest that this could be the beginning of speciation, with partial or complete reproductive barrier or these are already distinct species in different stages of evolution.

Insights into the Indian Peanut Genotypes for ahFAD2 Gene Polymorphism Regulating Its Oleic and Linoleic Acid Fluxes.

In peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), the customization of fatty acid profile is an evolving area to fulfill the nutritional needs in the modern market. A total of 174 peanut genotypes, including 167 Indian cultivars, 6 advanced breeding lines and "SunOleic95R"-a double mutant line, were investigated using AS-PCRs, CAPS and gene sequencing for the ahFAD2 allele polymorphism, along with its fatty acid compositions. Of these, 80 genotypes were found having substitution (448G>A) mutation only in ahFAD2A gene, while none recorded 1-bp insertion (441_442insA) mutation in ahFAD2B gene. Moreover, 22 wild peanut accessions found lacking both the mutations. Among botanical types, the ahFAD2A mutation was more frequent in ssp. hypogaea (89%) than in ssp. fastigiata (17%). This single allele mutation, found affecting not only oleic to linoleic acid fluxes, but also the composition of other fatty acids in the genotypes studied. Repeated use of a few selected genotypes in the Indian varietal development programs were also eminently reflected in its ahFAD2 allele polymorphism. Absence of known mutations in the wild-relatives indicated the possible origin of these mutations, after the allotetraploidization of cultivated peanut. The SNP analysis of both ahFAD2A and ahFAD2B genes, revealed haplotype diversity of 1.05% and 0.95%, while Ka/Ks ratio of 0.36 and 0.39, respectively, indicating strong purifying selection pressure on these genes. Cluster analysis, using ahFAD2 gene SNPs, showed presence of both mutant and non-mutant genotypes in the same cluster, which might be due the presence of ahFAD2 gene families. This investigation provided insights into the large number of Indian peanut genotypes, covering various aspects related to O/L flux regulation and ahFAD2 gene polymorphism.

Probing the phylogenetic relationships of a few newly recorded intertidal zoanthids of Gujarat coast (India) with mtDNA COI sequences.

The present study reports the phylogenetic relationship of six zoanthid species belonging to three genera, Isaurus, Palythoa, and Zoanthus identified using systematic computational analysis of mtDNA gene sequences. All six species are first recorded from the coasts of Kathiawar Peninsula, India. Genus: Isaurus is represented by Isaurus tuberculatus, genus Zoanthus is represented by Zoanthus kuroshio and Zoanthus sansibaricus, while genus Palythoa is represented by Palythoa tuberculosa, P. sp. JVK-2006 and Palythoa heliodiscus. Results of the present study revealed that among the various species observed along the coastline, a minimum of 99% sequence divergence and a maximum of 96% sequence divergence were seen. An interspecific divergence of 1-4% and negligible intraspecific divergence was observed. These results not only highlighted the efficiency of the COI gene region in species identification but also demonstrated the genetic variability of zoanthids along the Saurashtra coastline of the west coast of India.

Identification of a group of cryptic marine limpet species, Cellana karachiensis (Mollusca: Patellogastropoda) off Veraval coast, India, using mtDNA COI sequencing.

Present communication reports the phylogenetic relationship between three groups of a marine limpet having different color banding patterns using COI sequencing. Samples were sequenced for mtDNA COI gene using universal primer. Comparative BLAST revealed that all three types were around 99.59% identical with Cellana karachiensis, first record of this species from Indian coasts. Apart from the morphological variations, the mtDNA COI gene analysis revealed around 1% nucleotide variations between these three types. The observed dissimilarity in COI sequences was possibly too little to consider these types as three different species. The derivation of amino acid positions indicated that these types could possibly be a complex of three cryptic species of C. karachiensis. The study proposes that the Oman and Indian populations of C. karachiensis might have derived by allopatric speciation due to geographical isolation. The group of these three cryptic species, sharing same habitat between themselves, possibly showed sympatric speciation.

Low concentration of a dioxin (2, 3, 7, 8 TCDD) affects the glycosidases and Acid phosphatase activity in mice hepatocytes.

Present communication reports the effects of environmentally available, low doses of tetra chloro di benzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8 TCDD) to lysosomal enzymes in mice liver. The study tests the hypothesis, in vivo exposure of low dose TCDD provokes dose and duration dependent toxic effects to key lysosomal enzymes and thereby causes cellular apoptotic changes. Three groups of female Swiss albino mice were subjected to two doses of TCDD (0.004 mg/kg bw/d, 0.04 mg/kg bw/d) for 2, 4 and 6 days of exposure durations. The results indicated significant exposure duration dependent effects of TCDD in mice liver cells. The results suggested that TCDD possibly induced an increase in intracellular ions or ROS which in turn altered different physiological activities by affecting different metabolic pathway of the liver cells. The altered functions of key lysosomal enzymes by TCDD may also evoke the process of cellular apoptosis.

Effects of low concentrations of a polychlorinated biphenyl, Aroclor 1254 on membrane bound ion dependent ATPases in mice liver.

Aroclor 1254, a polychlorinated biphenyl, is present in the environment in low concentration but references on its toxic effects on liver cell membrane proteins and the mechanism of actions are not abundantly available. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to investigate the low level, sub-acute dose and exposure duration dependent effects of Aroclor 1254 on total, Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg(2+)-ATPases of the mouse liver. The hypotheses tested in the present study were, (a) whether the low, environmentally available dose and the exposure durations of Aroclor 1254 affects the membrane-bound ion dependent ATPases, and (b) if a response was observed, whether it is a direct or indirect effects of the toxicant. Groups of mice were exposed to different doses (0.1 and 1 mg kg(-1) body weight d(-1)) and exposure durations (4 d, 8 d and 12 d) of Aroclor 1254. The results indicated significant exposure duration dependent changes in the specific activity of the selected membrane bound ATPases. As the observed changes were mostly enzyme stimulation after toxication through oral administration, the effects of the Aroclor were possibly indirect, through complex chain of reactions.

Short-Term PCB (Aroclor 1254) Toxicity on Few Phosphatases in Mice Brain.

The present communication reports the dose and duration dependent toxicity of a PCB, Aroclor 1254, to a few ion dependent ATPases, Acid phosphatase, Alkaline phosphatase and Glucose-6-phosphatase in the whole brain tissue of mice. Two groups of mice were subjected to two sublethal doses (0.1 and 1 mg kgbw(-1) day(-1)) of PCB orally and exposed for 4, 8 or12 days. A separate control group received the corn oil vehicle for the same exposure times. The observed results indicated exposure duration dependent changes in the enzymatic levels in the brain. The results suggest that the alteration in the enzymatic activity was possibly due to imposed oxidative stress generated by Aroclor 1254 on membrane-bound ion-dependent ATPases and other phosphatases in the brain tissue.

Movement and bioaccumulation of chromium in an artificial freshwater ecosystem.

In the present study, a small fresh water aquatic ecosystem was created into a small test tank to evaluate the movement and bioaccumulation of Cr (VI) through water, sediment, a macrophyte Hydrilla, small fish guppy, and few key organs of magur, Clarias batrachus. The Cr (VI) intoxication was imposed of as a single dose of 30 mg/l concentration for a wide range of exposure durations like 1, 7, 14 and 21 days. After 1 day of exposure the total Cr (VI) load was very high in the water and sediment samples (5.187 microg/ml and 23.332 microg/g respectively) which were decreased with increasing exposure durations over their respective controls. In samples of macrophyte, Cr (VI) concentration showed a gradual increasing trend from 6.1797 microg/g in control to 21.1903 microg/g in 1 day exposure and reached up to 24.635 microg/g after 21 days exposure. In guppy, the Cr (VI) bioaccumulation showed an increasing trend but the rate was not statistically significant. However, in magur, the Cr (VI) uptake showed a significant gradual and increasing trend with increasing exposure durations in liver, brain, intestine and muscular tissues than gill and kidney over their respective controls. The movement of the Cr (VI) was found to be from sediment to water during pre-treatment phase, after intoxication, from water to macrophyte and to other phytoplankton and zooplankton. It then accumulated in the primary consumer guppy and finally moved to the secondary consumer the magur following the food web. The results reveal that the rate of movement and bioaccumulation of Cr (VI) varied from organism to organism and in C. batrachus, from tissue to tissue.

Regional variations in fibre growth dynamics of myotomal and caudal fin muscles in relation to body size of a freshwater teleost, Barbus sarana (Cuv. & Val.).

The growth of red fibres in anterior and middle myotomal regions of B. sarana was mainly by hyperplasia in smaller size classes. In higher size classes, growth by hyperplasia was greater in posterior myotomal region compared to the other two myotomal regions. The growth of pink fibres in anterior myotomal regions was mainly by hypertrophy. The middle and posterior myotomal regions showed fibre growth by hyperplasia. The growth dynamics of white fibres revealed more or less similar pattern in all three myotomal regions against the somatic development. White fibres grew by hyperplasia up to 8 cm F.L. size classes and thereafter by hypertrophy. However, in > 12 cm F.L. size classes, the mean diameter of white fibres did not increase significantly. Similar pattern of growth was found in the white fibres of caudal fin muscle. It is interesting to note that the hyperplasia was mostly completed in the white fibres of the smallest fish studies, whereas, it continued to quite larger fish size in red and pink fibres. Thus, hyperplasia and hypertrophy may be responsible for growth in all fibre types in all myotomal regions in relation to somatic development in this small and medium growing species.