Spatio-temporal dynamics of mosquitoes in stream pools of a biosphere reserve of Southern Western Ghats, India.

The spatial and temporal dynamics of mosquitoes in stream pools were examined in a biosphere reserve of the Southern Western Ghats, India. The immature mosquitoes in stream pools were collected from stream substrates of bedrock pool, boulder cavity and sand puddle. The collected larvae and pupae were reared and identified. In total, 16 species from four genera of mosquitoes were collected. The mosquito species from Culex and Anopheles were predominantly occurred. The bedrock pool had the highest diversity and abundance of mosquitoes. The statistical analyses showed that the substrate specificity and the seasons were positively related to the distribution of mosquitoes rather than spatial pattern. This study described the spatial and temporal pattern of mosquitoes in stream pools of the Southern Western Ghats. This information would be helpful to National Vector borne disease control program for surveillance and control.

Simulium (Gomphostilbia) (Diptera: Simuliidae) from Southern Western Ghats, India: two new species and DNA barcoding.

Two new species of Simulium (Gomphostilbia) (Diptera: Simuliidae) are described on the basis of reared adult, pupal and larval specimens collected from Southern Western Ghats India. The morphological data of two new species S. (Gomphostilbia) panagudiense sp. n. and S. (Gomphostilbia) kottoorense sp. n. are assigned to the batoense species group in the subgenus Gomphostilbia. S. (Gomphostilbia) panagudiense sp.n. is characterized in the female by having the scutum without longitudinal vitta and arms of the genital fork wide basally and in the pupa by the stalk of ventral pair medium-long. S. (Gomphostilbia) kottoorense sp.n. is characterized by the arm of genital fork tapered near apex in the female and style in medial view 0.63 times as long as coxite in the male. Phylogeny of members in the genus Simulium was reconstructed based on DNA barcoding gene (cytochrome oxidase c subunit I). Tree analysis using new technology and maximum likelihood analyses are congruent with evidence of two new species in the subgenus Gomphostilbia and separated from other species.

Spatio-temporal dynamics of caddisflies in streams of southern Western Ghats.

The dynamics of physico-chemical factors and their effects on caddisfly communities were examined in 29 streams of southern Western Ghats. Monthly samples were collected from the Thadaganachiamman stream of Sirumalai Hills, Tamil Nadu from May 2006 to April 2007. Southwest and northeast monsoons favored the existence of caddisfly population in streams. A total of 20 caddisfly taxa were collected from 29 streams of southern Western Ghats. Hydropsyche (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) were more widely distributed throughout sampling sites than were the other taxa. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that elevation was a major variable and pH, stream order, and stream substrates were minor variables affecting taxa richness. These results suggested that habitat heterogeneity and seasonal changes were stronger predictors of caddisfly assemblages than large-scale patterns in landscape diversity.

Macroinvertebrate colonization and breakdown of leaves in an astatic pond in south India.

Macroinvertebrate colonization and breakdown of Pongamia pinnata and Morinda tinctoria leaves were studied in an astatic pond in Madura College, Madurai. Morinda tinctoria leaves broke down fasterthan the leaves of P. pinnata. Breakdown capacities of astatic pond cannot be attributed to colonization of macroinvertebrates. Instead, microbial processing, and abiotic fragmentation are suggested as factors controlling breakdown rates. Tanypus sp (midgelarva) was abundant in leaf bags during the experimental period. This midge-larva appeared to use litter accumulations as a microhabitat that provided shelter and a rich supply of food in the form of organic matter Their abundance and regular occurrence of two leaves suggest that midge larvae enhance leaf fragmentation and possibly mediate the incorporation of organic matter in pond sediments once the plant tissue is sufficiently macerated.

Anthropogenic impacts on aquatic insects in six streams of South Western ghats.

Diversity patterns of aquatic insects among sampling sites lying with!ç the unprotected and protected areas of Western Ghats were studied. This study primarily emphasizes whether anthropogenic influence is the prime cause for the presence of aquatic insects especially of pollution-sensitive organisms belonging to the orders Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera, or to factors such as the physico-chemical features of the water, or sampling methods. Six streams were sampled quantitatively, of which three streams (Abbifalls, Monkey falls and Silver Cascade) were within protected areas and the remaining three streams (Kumbakarai, Shenbagadevi and Manimutharu falls) were in unprotected areas. A total of 3,209 individual aquatic insects belonging to 25 genera, 18 families and 7 orders were collected. The highest species richness and abundance was observed in Monkey falls followed by Kumbakkarai falls. Large numbers of more habitat-sensitive organisms such as Ecdyonurus sp., Epeorus sp., Thalerosphyrus sp., Euthraulus sp., and Nathanella sp., were found in Monkey falls. Though the species assemblage was somewhat different, pollution-sensitive taxa were also observed in Kumbakkarai falls. Shenbagadevi and Manimutharu falls had a lower diversity of aquatic insects. The likely causes of these differences are discussed.

Retinal pigment epithelial changes and choroidal neovascularisation at the edge of posterior staphylomas; a case series and review of the literature.

PURPOSE: To report five myopic patients who presented with a variety of changes at the edge of posterior staphyloma. METHODS: Retrospective, observational case series. The clinical and angiographic records of five patients who showed changes at the edge of posterior staphyloma were reviewed. One of these patients had been referred querying macular dystrophy. RESULTS: On fundus examination, three patients showed retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) changes at the edge of the staphyloma and two showed RPE atrophy with surrounding haemorrhages. Fluorescein angiography revealed areas of hyperfluorescence at the point of change of curvature of the staphyloma suggestive of RPE atrophy in all patients. In two patients, a choroidal neovascular membrane was seen. Indocyanine green angiogram carried out in one patient showed the presence of an occult choroidal neovascular membrane with preservation of the adjacent choriocapillaris. CONCLUSION: This case series illustrates the variety of changes that can occur at the edge of posterior staphylomas, which ranged from RPE disturbance to choroidal neovascular membrane formation. In one of the patients, these changes were mistaken for macular dystrophy. Our observations also support the hypothesis that chorioretinal changes occur at the edge of staphylomas and may predispose to choroidal neovasularisation.

Oral fluorescein angiography with the scanning laser ophthalmoscope in diabetic retinopathy: a case controlled comparison with intravenous fluorescein angiography.

AIM: To compare the performance of oral fundus fluorescein angiography with a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) with intravenous fundus fluorescein angiography (IVFFA) with a fundus camera in the assessment of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 25 patients undergoing IVFFA to investigate their diabetic retinopathy were recruited. Participants returned 1 week later and an oral angiogram with the SLO was performed. Six facets of the oral and intravenous angiograms were scored and compared: visualization of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ); branch retinal identification; macular leakage; identification of microaneurysms in areas of macular leakage; peripheral nonperfusion, and leakage from neovascular complexes. RESULTS: Compared to IVFFA, the FAZ was unreliably visualized with oral angiography (Kappa 0.1, 95% CI 0-0.3). In contrast, macular leakage (Kappa 0.78, 95%, CI 0.72-0.83), identification of microaneurysms in areas of macular leakage (Kappa 0.78, 95%, CI 0.72-0.83), and neovascular complexes (Kappa 1.0) were reliably seen. Analysis of the visualization of peripheral nonperfusion was complicated by the finding that profuse dye leakage from neovascular complexes obscured the view of the peripheral retina. If the five angiograms in which this occurred were excluded, oral angiography identified 23 of the 24 eyes in which significant nonperfusion was found on IVFFA. CONCLUSION: Oral angiography with the SLO can provide high-quality angiograms that allow judgments to be made about the presence of treatable diabetic maculopathy, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and peripheral nonperfusion. In the presence of coexisting macular oedema, it proved to be an unreliable technique with which to investigate foveal ischaemia.

Unintentional inversion of corneal buttons during penetrating keratoplasty: clinico-pathological report of two cases.

AIM: This report describes the clinico-pathological features of unintentionally inverted corneal buttons in two patients. METHODS: A clinico-pathological report. RESULTS: Two patients who underwent repeat keratoplasty for failed grafts were found to have inverted corneal buttons on histopathological examination. A detailed description of the pathological features of the inverse keratoplasty and the clinical outcome after repeat keratoplasty is presented. CONCLUSION: Inadvertent inverse keratoplasty should be considered as a rare cause of corneal graft failure. The serious complication of anterior chamber epithelialization seems to be unlikely and the prognosis following repeat penetrating keratoplasty appears to be very good.

Exposure keratopathy following phacoemulsification under local anaesthesia.

PURPOSE: Report a series of patients with exposure keratopathy following phacoemulsification under local anaesthesia. METHODS: A case series. RESULTS: Four patients were found to have exposure keratopathy within hours after surgery resulting in a visit to the casualty on the day of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: One should anticipate the possibility of lagophthalmos and assess the blink reflex at the end of surgery. If the reflex is poor, patching the eye or taping the lids should be undertaken to prevent this complication.

Debris on processed ophthalmic instruments: a cause for concern.

PURPOSE: To assess the quality of processed ophthalmic instruments and look for the presence of foreign material on the surface of these instruments. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected on the presence of debris on processed instruments in the trays used for phacoemulsification surgery. All instruments were examined under an operating microscope before use and details of the types of debris on the various instruments were noted. If debris was found, a new tray was opened to obtain a clean instrument. RESULTS: Forty-seven trays were opened for use during the study period. Deposits on instruments were found in 29 (62%) trays. These were mainly present on the intraocular lens introducers. Loose fibres were found on instruments from eight (17%) trays. Debris was found in the aspiration channels of three (6%) hand pieces. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of processed ophthalmic instruments had debris on their surfaces. To reduce the risk of intraocular inflammation and of transmission of prion diseases the instruments should go through a thorough decontamination process before sterilization. Routine mechanical cleaning at the end of surgery and ultrasonic cleaning before sterilization should reduce the occurrence of debris on the instruments. Instruments should also be inspected under the operating microscope before use.