On population structure and breeding biology of burrowing crab Dotilla blanfordi Alcock, 1900.

Background: The present study investigated the population structure and breeding biology of the burrowing brachyuran crab species Dotilla blanfordi Alcock, 1900, which is commonly found on the sandy beach of Bhavnagar, located on the Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat coast, India. Methods: Monthly sampling was conducted from February 2021 to January 2022 at the time of low tide using three line transects perpendicular to the water line, intercepted by a quadrate (0.25 m2) each at three different levels of the middle intertidal region: 20 m, 70 m, and 120 m. The quadrate area was excavated up to 30 cm and sieved for specimen collection. The collected specimens were categorised into different sexes viz., male, non-ovigerous female, or ovigerous female. For the fecundity study of D. blanfordi, the carapace width (mm) as a measure of size as well as their wet weight (g), size, number, and mass of their eggs were also recorded. Results: The study revealed sexual dimorphism among the population, with females having significantly smaller sizes as compared to males. The overall population was skewed towards females, with a bimodal distribution of males and females. The occurrence of ovigerous females throughout the year suggests that the population breeds incessantly throughout the year, with the highest occurrence in August and September. A positive correlation was observed between the morphology of crabs (carapace width and wet body weight) and the size, number, and mass of eggs.

Population structure and fecundity of the Xanthid crab Leptodius exaratus (H. Milne Edwards, 1834) on the rocky shore of Gujarat state, India.

Background: The population structure and breeding biology of the Xanthid crab, Leptodius exaratus (H. Milne Edwards, 1834), on the rocky intertidal region of Shivrajpur in Saurashtra coast, Gujarat state, were examined. Method: From March 2021 to February 2022, monthly sampling was conducted during low tide using catch per unit effort in the 500 m2 area. The sampled specimens were categorised into male, non-ovigerous female or ovigerous female. In order to estimate fecundity, the morphology of the crab specimens (carapace width and body weight) as well as the size of eggs, number of eggs and weight of egg mass were recorded. Results: A total of 1,215 individuals were sampled of which 558 individuals were males and 657 individuals were females. The size (carapace width) of males ranges from 5.15 to 29.98 mm, while females ranges from 5.26 to 28.63 mm which shows that the average size of male and female individuals did not differ significantly. The overall as well as monthly sex ratio was skewed towards males with a bimodal distribution while unimodal in females. The population breeds year-round, which was indicated by the occurrence of ovigerous females throughout the year. However, the maximum percentage occurrence of ovigerous females was observed from December to April which indicates the peak breeding season. The size of eggs, number of eggs and weight of egg mass were shown to positively correlate with the morphology of ovigerous females (carapace width and wet weight).

ENT Symptomology in Active COVID-19 Patients in our Tertiary Care Centre.

The aim of this study is to obtain a clear picture of ENT related symptoms in active COVID-19 patients. This study also intends to determine the association of ENT symptoms with Olfactory and Gustatory dysfunction in these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a prospective study on 70 active COVID-19 patients who were admitted in the Tertiary Care Hospital. History of all symptoms including Olfactory and Gustatory function were enquired after obtaining Informed Consent. RESULTS: Throat related symptoms was 77.78%, Nasal symptoms accounted for 63.49% and Ear related symptoms constituted 14.28%. It was seen that Rhinorrhoea and Sneezing was significantly more associated in the presence of Olfactory dysfunction. The most common ENT symptoms were Sore throat (49.21%), Rhinorrhoea (34.92%), Sneezing (33.33%), changes in Smell perception (36.51%), changes in Taste perception (47.62%) and Headache (30.16%). 17.14% of the patients in this study had both Olfactory and Gustatory dysfunction. Ear related symptoms were also observed where 11.11% had Aural fullness, 3.17% with Tinnitus and 6.35% of the patients complained of Hearing loss which was either noticed for the first time or had worsened on contracting the COVID-19 disease. DISCUSSION: Knowledge of ENT symptomatology in COVID 19 patients will aid in early quarantine and hence limitation of viral transmission. The manifestation of Anosmia or Hyposmia, Ageusia and Aural Fullness in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients can also act as an important tool and help in early isolation and quicker initiation of COVID-19 therapy.

On the identities of Nepinnotheres vicajii (Chhapgar, 1957) and Arcotheres casta (Antony amp; Kuttyamma, 1971) from western India: conspecificity and taxonomy (Decapoda, Brachyura, Pinnotheridae).

The identity of Nepinnotheres vicajii (Chhapgar, 1957) (described as Pinnotheres vicajii) (Pinnotheridae), a pea crab associated with the bivalve Marcia recens (Holten, 1802), is clarified. On the basis of re-diagnosis of holotype male and freshly collected female specimens from its type locality, P. vicajii is now assigned to Arcotheres Manning, 1993. A second poorly known species from India, Arcotheres casta (Antony Kuttyamma, 1971), originally collected from Meretrix casta (Gmelin, 1791) is also synonymized with A. vicajii.

Redescription of Arcotheres pernicola (Bürger, 1895) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Pinnotheridae) from the oyster Magallana gryphoides (Schlotheim, 1820) in India.

The identity of Arcotheres pernicola (Bürger, 1895) (Pinnotheridae), a pea crab supposedly associated with the mussel Perna, has been unclear as the type specimen is in poor condition. Specimens collected from the oyster Magallana gryphoides (Schlotheim, 1820) from Alibaugh, Maharashtra state, India, are here referred to A. pernicola and the species is redescribed and refigured. Its affinities with allied congeners are also discussed.

Elasmopus sivaprakasami sp. nov., a new species of amphipod (Senticaudata, Maeridae) from Gujarat State, India.

A new species of amphipod, Elasmopus sivaprakasami sp. nov., is described from India. It is found to be conspecific with material described from southern India nearly fifty years previously, but attributed at that time to a species described from Japan.