Physio-metabolic alterations in Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822) and native predator Chitala chitala (Hamilton, 1822) in presence of an invasive species Piractus brachypomus (G. Cuvier, 1818).

A 60 days study was conducted to evaluate the physiological response of indigenous species Labeo rohita (LR) and indigenous predator Chitala chitala (CC) in presence of an invasive species Piaractus brachypomus (PB). Two treatment groups as LR + PB (T1) and LR + PB + CC (T2) with individual control groups as T0LR, T0PB and T0CC were designed in triplicates. Fingerlings of LR, PB and CC were randomly distributed into 15 circular tanks with a stocking ratio of 1:1 and 1:1:0.3 in T1 and T2 group, respectively and 10 nos. each of LR, PB and CC in respective control groups. At first 15 min of the experiment, cortisol level was found significantly (P < 0.05) higher in all three experimental fishes in T1 and T2 groups. With the experimental duration, the level of stress hormone (cortisol), oxidative stress enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase), tissue metabolic enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase), serum metabolic enzymes (transaminase enzymes) and blood glucose level were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in T1 and T2 groups for LR and CC whereas, no variation (P > 0.05) were observed for PB in both T1 and T2 groups. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC), liver glycogen, total protein, albumin and globulin were found to be significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in LR in the presence of PB and CC. The present study provides a preliminary insight into the biological interaction between native and invasive species and their physiological responses in the presence of native predator with higher trophic index. Thus, the results of the study suggest the superior traits of invasive P. brachypomus try to dominate the other two native species by negatively influencing the native fauna even with a higher trophic index (C. chitala).

Molecular identification and phylogenetic relationship of fishes belonging to the Family Danionidae from Brahmaputra Basin, Assam, Northeast India.

BACKGROUD: The Northeast India, being part of two global biodiversity hotspot namely the Indo-Burma and Eastern Himalayan Hotspots supports a wide variety of rich aquatic biodiversity including fishes. The family Danionidae is a widely diverse group inhabiting the upper colder stretches of river although few are abundant in the lower stretches. The persisting similarity in the morphological appearance and body colouration within the members of this family seeks an integrated method to identify the species correctly. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the present study, the mt-DNA barcode was generated for correct identification and confirmation of the species. A total of nine mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene sequences were generated for each species under the study. The pairwise distance values ranged from 0.09 to 9.11% within species and 9.06-32.71% between species. A neighbour-joining tree was constructed based on the Kimura 2 parameter model. Two major groups were observed where Danioninae formed a sister group to the Chedrinae and Rasborinae. CONCLUSION: The present study is a preliminary work to document and identify the species under the family Danionidae from Brahmaputra basin, Assam, using molecular tools and establish the phylogenetic relationship.

Identification of potential breeding ground of flathead grey mullet, Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758), along the Mumbai coast, India, for ecological monitoring and conservation strategies.

Identifying the breeding grounds of fishes is crucial for the sustainable management of fisheries resources. The present study is aimed at identifying the potential breeding ground of Mugil cephalus along the estuary of the North Mumbai coast. A total of 1197 specimens of M. cephalus, including 546 eggs, 271 larvae, 235 juveniles, and 235 adults, were collected from four sampling stations in the Karanja estuary between January to October 2022. Water quality parameters, plankton dynamics in the estuary, and the reproductive and feeding biology of M. cephalus were also examined. The eggs, larvae, juveniles, and adults were identified using traditional morpho-meristic and DNA barcoding techniques. The results revealed a potential spawning ground of M. cephalus in the Karanja estuary. The results of reproductive biology also confirmed the occurrence of matured fishes during May-July. The abundance of eggs and larvae at the estuary's mouth and the presence of juveniles and mature individuals of M. cephalus dominantly in the Karanja estuary from May to July infer the presence of a spawning site. It is also recorded that M. cephalus spawn in higher salinity (35 ppt) and seawater temperature (33 °C) where the hatching of offspring takes place successfully. This study emphasizes the significance of DNA barcoding in guiding routine monitoring surveys and demonstrates its usefulness when combined with these techniques in identifying fish spawning grounds. The study findings will serve as baseline information to develop effective conservation and management strategies and protect the ideal spawning stock.

The identity and distribution of striped bagrid catfish, Mystus tengara (Hamilton 1822) revealed through integrative taxonomy.

BACKGROUND: The taxonomic status and geographical distribution of M. tengara are vague. No genetic diversity and phylogenetic study have been done till now to resolve its identity and distribution. In the present study, an integrated taxonomic approach has been applied to clarify the taxonomic status, identity, and distribution of bagrid catfish, Mystus tengara. METHODS AND RESULTS: Comparative morphometric evaluation of M. tengara identified in the present study from distant geographical locations revealed variations of the traits in response to body length and environment, without significant genetic distance. The observed morphometric traits of M. tengara were found to be overlapping with available morphometric traits of M. tengara, M. carcio and M. vittatus. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (COI) gene also could not resolve their identity, and five paraphyletic clades comprising of M. tengara, M. vittatus, and M. carcio from India, Nepal, and Bangladesh were observed. Morphological and genetic evidence along with comparative evaluation of M. tengara, from its type locality, we consider M. tengara identified in the present study to be true, with its distribution extending from North East India to West Bengal, North India, Central India, Northern peninsular India, and Bangladesh. CONCLUSION: The observation of paraphyletic subclades and evaluation of genetic distance between subclades reveals the presence of four cryptic species. Further confirmation on the identity of M. vittatus and M. carcio, by an integrated taxonomic approach based on fresh specimens collected from the type locality, is required.

Ameliorative effect of chitosan-conjugated 17α-methyltestosterone on testicular development in Clarias batrachus.

Chitosan nanoparticles conjugated with 17α-methyltestosterone (CS + MT) were used for studying their effect on the testicular development of Clarias batrachus during different reproductive phases. The size of chitosan nanoparticles was 127.2 nm and the nano-conjugated 17α methyltestosterone (17α-MT) was 196.1 nm (20 mg/100 ml of chitosan). Single injections of CS + MT at different doses such as 0.01, 0.1 and 0.5 µg/g body weight were administered to adults during the pre-spawning, spawning and post-spawning phase. Nano-conjugated steroid was effective at the lower dose; showing an increase in the Gonadosomatic Index (GSI) and 11-ketotestosterone level compared to the control group. Histological observations confirmed the dose-dependent advancement in spermatogenesis. These findings indicate the possibility of using CS + MT for enhancing gonadal maturity of C. batrachus.

Molecular cloning, characterization and expression profiling of galectin-9 gene from Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822).

Galectin-9 is a b-galactoside-binding tandem repeat galectin that regulates many cellular functions, ranging from cell adhesion to pathogen recognition. In spite of extensive study of mammalian galectin importance in immune system, little is known about that of fish. To study the normal expression and immune response of Labeo rohita to pathogens, a tandem-repeat galectin-9 from Labeo rohita was identified and named LrGal-9. Its full-length cDNA was 1534 bp encoded 291 amino acids (35.12 KDa), shared the highest 81% identity with the galectin-9 of Danio rerio. LrGal-9 identified in this study lacked signal peptide and a transmembrane domain like galectin-9 members reported in other fishes. Quantitative PCR showed that LrGal-9 was lowly expressed in gill, muscle, heart, highly expressed in tested immune tissues (intestine, kidney, liver, spleen) in normal body. After Aeromonas hydrophila challenge, LrGal-9 was remarkably increased in all tested immune tissues in a time-dependent manner. These results suggest that LrGal-9 plays a role in innate immunity in Labeo rohita.