Indian Counterparts Research Articles

Pattern of physical growth and pubertal changes in adolescent girls with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

To study the pattern of physical growth and pubertal changes in adolescent girls with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Weight, height, BMI, waist and hip circumference among 50 adolescent SLE girls (aged 8-17 years) were cross-sectionally studied using standardized techniques and instruments. Breast development stage, presence or absence of pubic and axillary hair and age of attainment of menarche were also noted. With the advancement of age, weight and height of SLE girls increased but they were lighter and shorter compared to normal Indian peers. 18.4% of study girls were short-statured while only one participant was underweight. As per mid-parental height, 34.3% were predicted to have shorter final heights. BMI demonstrated an inconsistent trend with 12.3% and 9.2% being obese and overweight, respectively. Interestingly, 10.7% of SLE girls were at risk of metabolic syndrome (waist circumference >70th centile). About 50% of study girls had attained menarche (mean age: 13.04 ± 1.38 years). Appearance of pubic and axillary hair occurred around 1 year later than attainment of menarche. 33.80% of study subjects were in prepubertal stage of breast development and rest 66.20% were in advanced stages of breast development. SLE girls who had younger age at diagnosis and longer duration of therapy had significant delay in breast development and attainment of menarche. SLE girls show delayed growth and pubertal attainments compared to their normal Indian and Western counterparts. The data presented will provide an understanding of the auxological dynamics and pattern of pubertal changes among adolescent girls with SLE living in north-western India.

Public awareness of rip currents among American adults

AbstractRip current awareness is essential for safety of the beach-going American public. In this study, we investigated American adults’ awareness of ocean safety via an online survey. A total of 1226 respondents participated in the survey. The results revealed that only 44% of the participants were aware that rip currents are the major cause of drownings in the United States. Most participants (64%) reported that the best way to escape a rip current was by swimming parallel (sideways) to the shore, while 8% reported it to be floating and letting the current carry one; further 3% of the respondents mentioned screaming for help as a rescue measure. Interestingly, while most of the respondents reported they could swim (71%), the number of White participants among swimmers was four times higher than that of their Asian, Black, American Indian, and Latino counterparts. Furthermore, less than half of the respondents (44%) reported reading and following the posted beach signs with safety information, while around one-fourth (23%) reported swimming near lifeguards. We also found a strong association between the respondents’ knowledge about how to escape a rip current and reading beach ocean safety signs. The findings of this study contribute to previous research on rip currents and may assist in developing more effective ocean safety interventions for the diverse American public visiting various marine environments along the vast U.S. coastline.

Genomic inbreeding analysis reveals resilience and genetic diversity in Indian yak populations

The yak (Bos grunniens), renowned for its adaptability to extreme cold and hypoxic conditions, stands as a remarkable domestic animal crucial for sustaining livelihoods in harsh climates. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the whole genome sequence data from three distinct Indian yak populations: Arunachali yak (n = 10), Himachali yak (n = 10), and Ladakhi yak (n = 10). The genomic data for Indian yaks were meticulously generated by our laboratory and compared with their Chinese counterpart, the Jinchuan yak (n = 8), for a more nuanced understanding. Our investigation revealed a total of 37,437 runs of homozygosity (ROH) segments in 34 animals representing four distinct yak populations. The Jinchuan yak population exhibited the highest proportion, constituting 80.8 % of total ROHs, predominantly as small segments (<0.1 Mb), accounting for 63 % of the overall ROHs. Further analysis uncovered a significantly higher degree of inbreeding in Chinese yaks compared to their Indian counterparts. The Indian yak populations, in contrast, demonstrated relatively lower and consistent levels of inbreeding. Moreover, we identified ROH hotspots that covered at least 60 % of individuals in our study, indicating their pivotal role in environmental adaptation. A total of five hotspot regions were detected, housing genes such as ENSBGRG00000015023 (WNT2), YIPF4, SPAST, TLN2, and DSG4. These genes are associated with traits including hair follicle initiation, nutrient stress response, microtubule assembly, development of cardiac muscle, hair follicle, and coat color. This observation strongly suggests that there is substantial selection acting on these genes, emphasizing their important role in environmental adaptation among yak populations.

Prevalence of Childhood Obesity in Indian Expatriate Children in Dubai: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study.

Background Childhood obesity is one of the most prevalent nutritional disorders affecting children across the world, which further leads to diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and fatty liver disease in adulthood. The magnitude of this problem among Indian expatriates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has not been investigated before.This study delves into the prevalence of childhood obesity among this demographic and also provides a comparative analysis of the prevalence of obesity in UAE citizens and children in India. Methodology This is a cross-sectional study that investigates the prevalence of obesity in 3,698 students of a single Indian school in the UAE. Anonymous anthropometric data of these children of age range four to 18 years were analyzed. The International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), World Health Organization (WHO), and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reference methods were used to calculate the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and extreme obesity. Results According to CDC guidelines, the prevalence of body mass index (BMI) ≥ 85th percentile, ≥ 95th percentile, and ≥ 99th percentile stands at 32.74%, 13.68%, and 5.1%, respectively. Children particularly boys aged more than 10 years are at a higher risk of being overweight, obese, and extremely obese (p = < 0.05). In children aged 10 years or less, as the age increases, they tend to have a higher BMI percentile and this is particularly prominent in boys (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.227). Conversely, in those over the age of 10 years, the BMI percentile decreases with age, particularly noticeable in girls, albeit without statistical significance. Conclusion Approximately one-third of school-aged Indian expatriates in the UAE are overweight, obese, or extremely obese. Our study, when contrasted with earlier studies, reveals that Emirati teenagers exhibit a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity compared to their Indian counterparts in the UAE.Similarly, the prevalence of childhood obesity among Indian expatriates in the UAE surpasses that among children residing in India.

Study of Sexual Maturation in Children With Juvenile Dermatomyositis

Objective: There is complete absence of sexual maturity data on patients afflicted with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDMS) from the Indian subcontinent. Hence, this study aimed to unfold the effect of this disease on the sexual development of JDMS children. Methods: In the Growth Laboratory/Clinic of the Department of Pediatrics, 60 (25 male and 35 female) sexual maturity-related observations were made on 35 JDMS patients, aged 10–17 years, enrolled from the Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic. Breast development stage and age of onset of menarche were recorded among female patients. In male patients, besides, determining the genitalia development stage, measurement of stretched penile length and testicular volume was done. Appearance of pubic and axillary hair among JDMS patients of both sexes was recorded. Results: Most girls with JDMS (34.28%) were in breast development stage-B2 (mean age 10.91 ± 1.08 years) and 22.86% had attained menarche. However, breast stage B5 was attained at 14.62 ± 1.06 years. JDMS girls reached stage B2 at the same age as their normal healthy counterparts. Onset of menarche was delayed by almost a year in JDMS girls. Age of attainment of genitalia stage G2 in JDMS boys (12 years) was delayed by 6 months as compared to well-off Chandigarh boys (11.5 years), whereas it was advanced by 1.5 years when contrasted with affluent Indian counterparts (13.3 years). Conclusion: Comparable pubertal attainments in JDMS males and somewhat delayed start of menarche in female JDMS patients as compared to their normal counterparts show that disease activity has a smaller effect on the sexual development of JDMS patients from north-western India.

Factors associated with poor appetite among residents at selected long-term care facilities in Selangor, Malaysia

Introduction: Poor appetite is prevalent among older adults and may negatively impact on their overall health. This is especially true for institutionalised residents. Despite this, there is a paucity of research on appetite and its associated factors among institutionalised residents, which signified the present study. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among elderly residents at long-term care facilities in the state of Selangor, Malaysia to ascertain their appetite status and its associated factors. Results: A total of 97 residents with mean age of 74.2±8.4 years old were recruited. They comprised 61.9% females and 38.1% males. More than 50% had poor appetite with early satiety. There were 63.0%, 82.4%, and 94.8% who had poor oral health, poor sleep quality, and depression, respectively. Ethnicity (OR=2.73; 95% CI=1.00-7.44; p=0.049) was the only factor that predicted poor appetite among older adults in long-term care facilities, with Malay residents having poorer appetite than their Chinese and Indian counterparts. Conclusion: The prevalence of poor appetite was high among residents staying at long-term care facilities in Selangor, Malaysia, especially among Malays. This issue deserves further studies to identify the specific underlying factors contributing to poor appetite among older adults from different ethnicities. Acknowledging the high prevalence of poor appetite among older adults and its possible unfavourable outcomes, appropriate nutrition interventions are therefore needed to address this issue among institutionalised elderly.

Growth charts for weight and height of Indian children with Down syndrome.

Age and gender specific growth charts for Indian children with Down syndrome (DS) based on longitudinal data have not been published. To establish percentile growth charts for DS children inhabiting northwestern parts of India, body weight and length/height of 1125 (Male: 752, Female: 373) children with DS aged <1 month to 10 years, enrolled from the "Genetics Clinic" were measured at half yearly age intervals in the "Growth Clinic" of the Institute from August 1994 to November 2018. A total of 2089 observations were made on these children using standardized anthropometric techniques and instruments following a prospective mixed-longitudinal growth research design. Using the LMS method, age and sex-specific percentile growth charts (<1 month to 10 years) for weight, and length/ height were generated. Unpaired t-test was used to compare mean growth attainments of study children with those of DS patients representing other population groups as well as their normal Multicentre Growth Reference Study (MGRS and Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) counterparts. The 50th percentile growth curves for both weight and length/height of Indian children with DS demonstrated a regular increase. As compared to their normal MGRS and Indian (IAP) counterparts, the children with DS had lower weight and height attainments. The boys and girls with Down syndrome showed short stature (height < 3rd centile) from the age of 1 year till 10 years and also became underweight beyond 5 years. As compared to their normal counterparts, children with Down syndrome exhibited compromised auxological attainments. The use of growth charts presented herein may be used to compare and monitor growth and nutritional status of Indian children with Down syndrome.

Socio-Cultural Dynamics of Cross-Border Labour Migration between Nepal and India

The enduring relationship between Nepal and India is the focus of this study, which delves into the social and cultural dynamics adopted by Nepali and Indian labour migrants in their respective destinations. The study extends to the examination of labour migrants' social backgrounds, encompassing aspects such as religion, caste, ethnicity, education, and family structure. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study incorporates case studies supported by field observations in the destination countries. The gathered data undergoes analysis through descriptive statistics, allowing for a comparative assessment between the two migrant groups. While the socio-cultural status of both groups exhibits slight differences, disparities in caste and ethnicity indicators are noted between Nepal and India. Notably, a significant proportion of Nepali labour migrants hail from Dalit communities when compared to other caste and ethnic groups. In contrast, Indian labour migrants, predominantly from the Other Backward Class (OBC), exhibit a different trend. The volume of Nepali labour migrants heading to India surpasses that of Indian labour migrants to Nepal. The shorter migration distance for Indian labour migrants enables frequent visits to their place of origin, facilitating the celebration of local traditions and culture. In contrast, Nepali labour migrants encounter fewer opportunities to return to their destination regularly. A noteworthy observation is the comparatively higher educational status of Nepali labour migrants as opposed to their Indian counterparts heading to Nepal. The nuanced differences between the two migrant groups correlate with their religious affiliations and socio-economic backgrounds. Interestingly, both groups exhibit a limited number of enrolled children in destination schools, indicating a shared challenge in accessing education opportunities.

Narrating Resistance: Representation of Nineteenth Century Bengali Muslim Women in Akhtar Mahal's Niyantrita

The participation and Muslim women’s contributions of the nineteenth and the early twentieth century in the social reform movements in India have remained largely unexplored. The documented literary history of the period till date furthermore does not accord a reasonable space for Muslim women authors. The present paper attempts to intervene in the context of the gaps throughout recorded history where women, especially Muslim are posited almost overlooked in the discourses of society, religion, and literature. The paper intends to examine how Muslim women are portrayed in the social and religious discourses of India and/ or undivided Bengal, marking their challenges at multiple levels in literary and socio-cultural history. It intends to critically examine the Bengali Muslim writer Akhtar Mahal’s pioneering novella, Niyantrita (1926) that explores Muslim women’s aversion to hierarchical structures of the contemporary Indian society. Begum Akhtar Mahal (1901-1928) was an eminent Muslim writer who continued writing despite the adversities she faced after her early marriage at the age of fourteen. Born in 1901 in an aristocratic and educated family, Akhtar was introduced into an atmosphere that was truly conducive to literary and artistic pursuits, even though there was no question of sending the girls to school or college in the initial decades of the 1900s. But the feudal environment of her in-laws house was absolutely different from her paternal home. Women keen on education or music or art were not appreciated in her marital home. These are the aspects that led her to raise her voice of resistance against patriarchal oppression. Two of her seminal works are Niyantrita and Maran Baran. The Bengali Muslim negotiation with modernity and even with anti-colonial struggles has not been well recorded. Most accounts speak of ‘backwardness’, where the Bengali Muslim ‘renaissance’ takes place about fifty years after the Bengal renaissance. The institutionalized patriarchal setting was held responsible for an “enforced” seclusion. This rendered Muslim women significantly less visible to historical and social analyses than their Indian counterparts. Akhtar Mahal intricately weaves a tapestry of romance entangled with the heart-wrenching realities of forced marriages that often plague Muslim societies. The tale chronicles a life filled with sorrow, delicately narrated in a poignant and mournful fashion. This narrative touches upon the experiences of Muslim women, colonialism, patriarchy, and the echo of resistance.

Cross-country comparison of sustainable e-commerce entrepreneurship impact on sustainable development goals implementation: The case study of Germany and India

E-commerce plays a significant role in driving global economic growth, and the integration of sustainable practices into business has given rise to the concept of Sustainable E-commerce Entrepreneurship (SEE). As the number of SEE initiatives continues to grow, examining their impact on implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) becomes crucial. This study aims to explore the disparities between German and Indian SEEs regarding their perspectives on SDG implementation. This study presents a unique approach by comparing the viewpoints of e-commerce entrepreneurs in the Indian National Capital Region of New Delhi and the Berlin-Brandenburg Region in Germany regarding SDG implementation through SEE activities. The interviewees from both countries were asked about three key aspects: (1) the current impact of SEE on SDGs implementation, (2) the future impact of SEE on a specific category of SDGs, and (3) whether e-commerce should be seen as a source of global patterns for SDGs implementation or should be tailored to local needs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather data, and the scripted interviews were analyzed with the assistance of ATLAS.ti software. The study collected semi-structured interviews with ten Indian and nine German SEEs. The study’s findings indicate that German SEEs place a greater emphasis on SDGs related to the biosphere compared to their Indian counterparts. This divergence in prioritization aligns with the socio-economic challenges currently faced by Indian society, which influences their focus on social and economic SDGs. Indian SEEs do not foresee significant contributions to improving the biosphere through SEE activities in the future. In contrast, German SEEs demonstrate an idealistic perspective on SDG implementation, with a stronger emphasis on the biosphere category of SDGs.

I did not belong: the grief and identity development of fostered and adopted American Indian individuals

This study explores the experiences of grief and identity development of American Indian individuals following foster care and adoption compared to their non-American Indian White counterparts. Secondary data analysis was utilized to explore differences in grief and identity development among formerly fostered and adopted American Indian ( n = 129) and White ( n = 166) individuals. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses suggested a significant relationship between race and grief. More American Indian participants reported experiencing grief because of their time in foster care or adoption than did non-American Indian White participants. The relationship between race and level of impact of adoption on identity development was statistically significant in both a t test and ordinary least squares regression. American Indian participants’ identity was more significantly impacted by adoption than their White peers. Findings suggest a need for attention to the unique grief experiences and identity development of adopted and fostered American Indian individuals.

Associative Genetic Diversity of Sarcocystis levinei Isolates across the Globe

Bubaline sarcocystosis, caused by Sarcocystis levinei, is worldwide in distribution. Yet, very limited reports are available across the globe on the phylogenetic aspects of this particular Sarcocystis spp. Virtually no literature is available on its molecular aspects from India. Thus, the present study was designed to phylogenetically characterize the various isolates of S. levinei based on 18S rRNA and cox 1 mitochondrial genes. A total of 11 isolates of S. levinei from Northern India were characterized for 18S rRNA (MG957189-MG957199) and cox 1 (MH255771-MH255781) genes. PCR products were cloned, sequenced, and compared with other sequences across the world. A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the maximum likelihood (ML) method. Phylogenetic analysis placed S. levinei and S. cruzi into two monophyletic sister groups. An appreciable amount of genetic variability was noticed between various S. levinei sequences for both the gene loci. A total of three haplotypes were noticed for each gene. The generated sequences showed 99.8–100.0% and 99.7–100.0% nucleotide homologies within themselves with regard to the 18S rRNA and cox 1 genes, respectively. Few of the studied sequences showed marked similarity and closeness with the Egyptian sequences than their Indian counterparts. This is the first report of molecular characterization and sequence phylogenetic study of S. levinei from India.

Scientometric profiling of reservoir fisheries research in India during 1998 – 2019, in comparison to the global scenario

Reservoirs are major inland water resources benefitting society through multiple ecosystem services, including fish production. However, the scope of the reservoirs in India is yet to be explored for its full fisheries potential and the scientific/management personnel are engaged in bridging the yield gap. This paper reviews the research progress made in Indian reservoir fisheries from 1998 to 2019 as a case and compares with global studies using bibliometric indicators extracted from the Web of Science (WoS) database. A total of 7607 papers published globally, mainly by the USA (2662 papers), Brazil (874 papers), and People’s Republic China (678 papers) were considered. India produced 162 publications (2.13% of total papers) during the period mainly authored by research institutes of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The predominant research subjects both globally and in India were ‘Environmental Sciences, Ecology, Marine and Freshwater Biology, and Fisheries’, though the composition varies. The trend in the reservoir research output indicated a shift towards applied research such as spatial planning and cage culture which offers scope for the international scientific fraternity to collaborate with Indian counterparts to solve common researchable issues. Indian authors have collaborated with 29 countries on various researchable issues, and preferred Indian journals for publications. The reservoir research in India is mainly funded by public sources and the extent of work carried out on a particular geographical area depends on the nearness to laboratories and availability of the infrastructure. This study advocates that creation of research network at pan-India level in collaboration with international partners would benefit the reservoir fisheries research in the future. This analysis including the trend and dynamics of Indian reservoir fisheries portrayed as a case study would aid in prioritising research efforts for the development of the sector in India and elsewhere. Keywords: Bibliometric indicators, Collaboration, Reservoir fisheries, Scientometrics, Web of Science

Examining Foster Care Outcomes for American Indian Children in the Context of the Indian Child Welfare Act.

The history of the child welfare system and related institutions with American Indian children and families has been marked by numerous atrocities, including unnecessary separations, assimilation, and trauma. The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) was enacted in 1978 to promote the stability and security of American Indian tribes and families. For children involved in the child welfare system, ICWA prioritizes the placement of American Indian children with family or tribal members. This paper examines placement outcomes for American Indian children using recent national data over 3years from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System. Multivariate regression analyses showed that American Indian children were significantly less likely to be placed with same-race/ethnicity caretakers than their non-American Indian counterparts. In addition, American Indian children were not more likely to be placed with relatives or have trial home placement compared to non-American Indian children. These findings suggest that ICWA is not reaching its intended objectives regarding placement goals specified in the law regarding American Indian children. These policy shortcomings have significant implications for American Indian children, families, and tribes in terms of well-being, family connection, and cultural loss.

Self-regulation and academic achievement among Singaporean young children: A cross-cultural comparison in a multicultural Asian society

Cultural contexts influence the development of self-regulation. However, cross-cultural variations and consistencies in different aspects of self-regulation and their academic outcomes within the Asian context are less clear. This study investigated (1) the extent to which the development of hot and cool Executive Function (EF) might differ among children from different cultural backgrounds in a multicultural Asian society, and (2) whether and how the predictive power of hot and cool EF on academic skills might vary across subcultures within the nation. Longitudinal data were collected over two waves from a national probability sample of 2,527 young children in Singapore, consisting of ethnic Chinese, Malays, and Indians. Working memory (WM), Delay of Gratification (DoG), and parent-reported self-control were measured during their preschool years (3–6 years of age) in Wave 1. Reading and mathematical skills were assessed approximately 2 years later in Wave 2. Results demonstrated that ethnic Chinese children typically delayed gratification at age 4, whereas Malay and Indian children only started to delay gratification at age 6. Chinese children also outperformed their Malay and Indian counterparts in WM tasks and standardized achievement tests in reading and mathematics. Parent-reported child self-control did not differ by ethnicity. Across subcultures in Singapore, WM was a robust predictor of reading and mathematical skills and explained the longitudinal relations of DoG to academic skills. Our findings suggest that the developmental gaps in EF during early childhood can contribute to later gaps in academic achievement among ethnic groups. Nurturing self-regulation during the preschool years is essential for promoting children’s school readiness.

Factors Impeding the Growth of Family-Owned Businesses in Pakistan: A Comparative Analysis with Indian Counterparts

Factors Impeding the Growth of Family-Owned Businesses in Pakistan: A Comparative Analysis with Indian Counterparts

Life expectancy, life disparity, and differential racialization among Chinese, Asian Indians, and Filipinos in the United States

This article advances differential racialization as a lens to frame health disparity trends within the Asian racial category. Using formal demographic methods, I analyzed data from the Multiple Cause of Death File and the American Community Survey to examine the trends in life expectancy and life disparity among Chinese, Asian Indians, and Filipinos in the United States between 2005 and 2019. While Chinese, Asian Indian, and Filipino life expectancy oscillated between each period under study, those oscillations contributed to an overall widening advantage for Chinese over their Asian Indian and Filipino counterparts. I posit that widening inequalities between the three groups are suggestive of their increasingly disparate racial statuses. These findings underscore the importance of contextualizing disaggregated health data within the social conditions that produce inequalities, namely race/racialization/racism.

The Impact, Emerging Needs, and New Research Questions Arising from 12 Years of the Center for the Study of Complex Malaria in India.

The Center for the Study of Complex Malaria in India (CSCMi) was launched in 2010 with the overall goal of addressing major gaps in our understanding of "complex malaria" in India through projects on the epidemiology, transmission, and pathogenesis of the disease. The Center was mandated to adopt an integrated approach to malaria research, including building capacity, developing infrastructure, and nurturing future malaria leaders while conducting relevant and impactful studies to assist India as it moves from control to elimination. Here, we will outline some of the interactions and impacts the Center has had with malaria policy and control counterparts in India, as well as describe emerging needs and new research questions that have become apparent over the past 12 years.

Intersectional Inequalities in Anthropometric Failure among Indian Children: Evidence from the National Family Health Survey (2015-2016).

Increasing body of health planning and policy research focused upon unravelling the fundamental drivers of population health and nutrition inequities, such as wealth status, educational status, caste/ethnicity, gender, place of residence, and geographical context, that often interact to produce health inequalities. However, very few studies have employed intersectional framework to explicitly demonstrate how intersecting dimensions of privilege, power, and resources form the burden of anthropometric failures of children among low-and-middle income countries including India. Data on 2,15,554 sampled children below 5 years of age from the National Family Health Survey 2015-2016 were analysed. This study employed intersectional approach to examine caste group inequalities in the anthropometric failure (i.e. moderate stunting, severe stunting, moderate underweight, severe underweight, moderate wasting, severe wasting) among children in India. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression models were fitted to investigate the heterogeneities in the burden of anthropometric failure across demographic, socioeconomic and contextual factors. Interaction effects were estimated to model the joint effects of socioeconomic position (household wealth, maternal education, urban/rural residence and geographical region) and caste groups with the likelihood of anthropometric failure among children.More than half of under-5 children suffered from anthropometric failure in India. Net of the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, children from the disadvantageous caste groups whose mother were illiterate, belonged to economically poor households, resided in the rural areas, and coming from the central and eastern regions experienced disproportionately higher risk of anthropometric failure than their counterparts in India. Concerted policy processes must recognize the existing heterogeneities between and within population groups to improve the precision targeting of the beneficiary and enhance the efficiency of the nutritional program among under-5 children, particularly for the historically marginalized caste groups in India.

Dipterocarps used India as a raft from Gondwana to Eurasia

AbstractIt has been hypothesized that most Asian tropical lineages have originated in Gondwana with the Indian subcontinent playing a crucial role in the dispersal of ancestral Gondwanan taxa. The disjunct distribution of dipterocarps and the fossil record in India support the Gondwana hypothesis. This is the first comprehensive study addressing the evolutionary and biogeographic relationships of dipterocarps in the Indian subcontinent to test the Gondwana hypothesis. A Bayesian phylogenetic tree of the Dipterocarpaceae family including the Indian counterparts corroborates the monophyly of subfamilies/tribes and shows new biogeographic affinities. Molecular dating reveals the Cretaceous origin of Dipterocarpaceae. Diversification of major lineages occurred during the Pliocene‐Miocene epochs. The DEC analysis ascertains the Gondwanan origin and dispersal route from the Madagascar (Africa)‐India‐Sri Lanka‐Seychelles block to Eurasia. The biogeographic analysis suggests early vicariance followed by an out‐of‐India dispersal of Dipterocarpaceae. Three dispersal events from India to the remainder of Asia at 47.6 Ma, 42.53 Ma and 37.6 Ma are identified. There probably was a biotic interchange between India and mainland Asia via Sumatra following the collision of the Indian plate with Eurasia. Molecular dating and dispersal events coincide with the geological events. During the Miocene, uplift of the Himalayan‐Tibetian plateau induced climatic variation, which seems to have resulted in the extinction of major Indian dipterocarp lineages and reverse dispersal into India. Hopea‐Shorea, one of the earliest diverged lineages, originated in Southeast Asia. The establishment of Southeast Asian monsoon climate may have favoured allopatric speciation and diversification of Southeast Asian lineages also resulting in further dispersal into India.