Garra Lamta Research Articles

Nutritional Status of Crossocheilus latius latius (Hamilton, 1822) and Garra lamta (Hamilton, 1822) from Alaknanda River of Central Himalaya

ABSTRACTCrossocheilus latius latius and Garra lamta are commonly found in the Alaknanda River and its tributaries, and are consumed by local inhabitants. The present investigation was aimed to determine the chemical composition and nutritional status of these fishes, so that priority can be given to their consumption. The fish samples were collected from the major Himalayan river, Alaknanda, and its tributary with the help of local fishermen. Total soluble protein and carbohydrate contents were found to be highest during the summer season, with 24.03% and 2.34%, respectively, in Crossocheilus latius latius, and 24.28% and 2.21%, respectively, in Garra lamta. Total moisture content and lipid content were found to be highest during the monsoon season in both C. latius latius (75.50% and 2.62%, respectively) and G. lamta (75.06% and 2.44%, respectively). Calcium and iron were found to be the dominant mineral elements in fish tissue. No significant difference was found between C. latius latius and G. lamta with respect to chemical constituents and trace elements. However, macroelements showed a significant difference, indicating C. latius latius to be rich in Ca and K, while G. lamta was a good source of Na content. Trace elements were recorded below the highest permissible limit of Food and Agriculture Organization; hence, the fish are recommended safe and healthy for human consumption.

Length-Weight relationship of 57 freshwater fish species from three diverse ecological regimes in India

Length-weight relationship and condition factor in 57 freshwater fish species of 19 families and 38 genera from various rivers, and lakes of different climatic zones in India were studied. The estimates (total 67) for the parameter b of the length-weight relationship ranged between 1.422 and 3.917, with a mean value of 2.994. Correlation coefficient was found to be highly significant (r2 >0.90) in all except for Crossocheilus latius latius, Acanthocobitis botia and Garra lamta . Growth was found to be isometric (b = 3) in 32 species, positively allometric (b>3) in 21 species and negatively allometric (b<3) in 14 species. It was also found that some species exhibited variations in their growth pattern in different habitats, which showed the influence of preference and availability of suitable habitat conditions.

Dimensions of the Gills of an Indian Hill-stream Cyprinid Fish, Garra lamta

Dimensions of the Gills of an Indian Hill-stream Cyprinid Fish, Garra lamta

Scanning electron microscopy of the operculum of Garra lamta (Hamilton) (Cyprinidae:Cypriniformes), an Indian hill stream fish

The surface architecture of the epidermis on the outer surface of the operculum (OE) and the epithelium on the inner surface of the operculum (EISO) of Garra lamta was examined by scanning electron microscopy. The surface appeared smooth on the OE and wavy on the EISO. A wavy epithelium is considered to facilitate an increase in its stretchability, during the expansion of the branchial chamber. The OE and the EISO were covered by a mosaic pavement of epithelial cells with characteristic patterns of microridges and microbridges. Interspersed between the epithelial cells were mucous goblet cell pores, which were not significantly different in number in the OE and the EISO. Nevertheless, their surface area in the EISO was significantly higher than in the OE. This could be an adaptation to secrete higher amounts of mucus on the EISO for keeping the branchial chamber lining clean, avoiding clogging, the increased slipperiness reducing friction from water flow and increased efficiency in protecting against microbial attachments. Rounded bulges on the OE and the EISO were associated with mucous goblet cells. The absence of the taste buds in the EISO, in contrast to the OE, suggests that their function in the branchial chamber may not be of much significance in this fish. Breeding tubercles on the OE are believed to facilitate better contact between the male and female during breeding.

210-Polonium studies in some environmental and biological matrices of Domiasiat uranium deposit area, West Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, India

The study was performed using a silicon surface barrier alpha spectrometer at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India. Through the study, the observed (210)Po activity in water sample from different locations in the Domiasiat area ranges from 0.04 to 0.69 Bq/l. The daily and annual intake of (210)Po through water was also estimated and the mean value of 0.72 and 263.61 Bq, respectively, were observed. It is observed that the effective doses through water were higher than the World Health Organization recommended dose of 0.05 mSv/year. The total annual effective doses through terrestrial ingestion for all the locations was studied and the mean annual effective dose was observed to be 0.315 mSv, which, when compared to the worldwide and the Indian values, was observed to be slightly higher. The mean activity in soil is found to be 124.8 +/-5.7 Bq/kg and in meat the activity is 0.43 +/-0.05 Bq/kg. In fishes, an activity of 0.48 +/-0.07 Bq/kg in Garra lamta, 0.29 +/-0.02 Bq/kg in Neolissocheilus hexaganolepis, and 3.3 +/-0.1 Bq/kg in Macrobrachium sp. is observed. Activity concentration in plant samples was analyzed and the activity ranges from 0.020 +/-0.002 to 9.69 +/-0.35 Bq/kg. Committed effective dose by the adult population of the Domiasiat area through intake of (210)Po through these food items was also determined and compared with the Indian average value and the worldwide average value.

Glycoproteins in the Epithelium of Lips and Associated Structures of a Hill Stream Fish Garra lamta (Cyprinidae, Cypriniformes): A Histochemical Investigation

A series of histochemical procedures were employed to localize and characterize glycoprotein (GP) classes elaborated in the epithelia of the upper and lower lips and associated structures, namely the rostral cap, the adhesive pad, the horny upper and lower jaw sheaths and the folds of skin between them, of a hill stream fish Garra lamta. The epithelia of the lips, the folds of skin and the major portions of the rostral cap and the adhesive pad are mucogenic. The epithelia of the horny jaw sheaths and parts of the rostral cap and the adhesive pad are keratinized. Based on the histochemical characterization of GPs, the cells involved in the secretions in the epithelia at the mucogenic regions of the rostral cap and the adhesive pad comprise the epithelial cells, the type A mucous cells and the club cells. In the lips and the folds of skin, in contrast, the club cells are absent and most mucous cells belong to the type B category. Type A mucous cells are few. GPs elaborated by cellular components of the mucogenic epithelia include GPs with oxidizable vicinal diols, GPs with O-sulphate esters, GPs with sialic acid residues without O-acyl substitution or with O-acyl substitution at C7, C8 or C9 and GPs with O-acyl sugars. The different types of cells show significant differences in the classes as well as in the concentrations of the GPs elaborated by them. GPs have also been identified in the subcorneal space between the unculi and the epithelial cells in the replacement layer in the epithelia at the keratinized regions. Elaboration of more than one type of GPs suggests a basis for functional discrimination in their role in the mucous secretions at the surface as an adaptation to the feeding ecology and the environment inhabited by the fish.

Occurrence of keratinization in the structures associated with lips of a hill stream fish Garra lamta(Hamilton)(Cyprinidae, Cypriniformes)

Keratinized regions were found to occur in the rostral cap, adhesive pad and horny jaw sheaths associated with the lips of Garra lamta, which inhabits fast flowing turbulent hill streams. In these structures, the surface epithelial cells were modified into characteristic keratinized spine‐like or columnar tooth‐like unculi, which would provide firm anchorage for the fish on the substratum and assist the fish in browsing or scraping food materials from it.

Scanning Electron Microscopic Study of the Structures Associated with Lips of an Indian Hill Stream Fish Garra lamta (Cyprinidae, Cypriniformes)

Scanning Electron Microscopic Study of the Structures Associated with Lips of an Indian Hill Stream Fish Garra lamta (Cyprinidae, Cypriniformes)

Scanning electron microscopic study of the structures associated with lips of an Indian hill stream fish Garra lamta (Cyprinidae, Cypriniformes).

The surface architecture of the structures associated with the lips of a hill stream fish Garra lamta was examined by scanning electron microscopy. In this teleost, the lips are inconspicuous and associated with prominent horny jaw sheaths. Furthermore, the upper and lower lips are associated with a greatly enlarged rostral cap and an adhesive pad, respectively. The rostral cap has a proximal mucogenic region and a distal keratinized region. The adhesive pad is differentiated into central mucogenic and peripheral keratinized regions. At the mucogenic regions of the rostral cap and the adhesive pad, the surface of the epithelial cells is characterised by well developed microridges, which reflect their high secretory activity. The mucus may lubricate the surface and protect the epithelia from abrasions at these regions, which are likely to be subjected to wear and tear during frequent friction and adhesion of the fish to the substrate. Taste buds may help the fish to locate food and trigger a 'pick-up' reflex. The epithelial cells at the surface of the keratinized regions of the rostral cap and the adhesive pad are modified as clusters of spine like unculi, which may assist the fish in its firm anchorage to the substrate. The epithelial cells at the surface of the horny jaw sheaths are modified as polygonal unculi, each appears much like a tooth that has a characteristic sharp edge at the margin. These may be regarded as an adaptation to browsing or scraping food materials from the substrate.

Retinal cytoarchitecture in Some Mountain-stream Teleosts of India

In this study, the cytoarchitecture of retina in 10 mountain-stream teleosts (seven cyprinid and three loach species) of India was examined by conventional light microscopy. The mountain-streams are shallow, cold water bodies having high turbidity in the Monsoon and clear water in the colder months. The incumbent fishes are, thus, periodically exposed to low and bright light of the streams, respectively. It was of particular interest to see whether their retina would reflect adaptations to the changing photic environments of the mountain streams. The retina of the cyprinids possess multiple cone types, a moderate cone density, high convergence ratios and prominent retinomotor responses. Triple cones occur only in the danio, Danio aequipinnatus; other cyprinids possess miniature, short and long single cones, and double or twin cones. In general, the cones are bulky in appearance. Cone droplets (ellipsosomes) are found in Garra lamta and G. gotyla gotyla. All cone types, including the miniature single cones, undergo elongation during dark adaptation. The common retinal features in the loaches are the bulky cones, ellipsosomes, low rod density and low convergence ratios. There is no area-like specialization of the retina in any of the species examined. No relationship is obvious between cone pattern and ambient light or food habit in any of those teleosts studied; row pattern is present throughout the retina of the surface-dwelling, total insectivores (cyprinids: Danio aequipinnatus and Barilius spp.), whereas square mosaic pattern is present in the bottom-dwelling total herbiovores (Garra spp.) as well as in the insectivores (loaches: Nemacheilus spp.). The retinal features have suggested that the cyprinids are well-adapted to both clear and turbid water (ellipsosomes, multiple cone types, bulky cones, high rod count and high convergence ratios); the loaches, on the other hand, are better adapted to clear water of the mountain streams.

Characterisation of glycoproteins in the secretory cells in the operculum of an Indian hill stream fish Garra lamta (Hamilton) (Cyprinidae, Cypriniformes)

Glycoproteins (GPs) elaborated by the secretory cells in the opercular epidermis (OE) and the epithelium lining the inner surface of the operculum (EISO), of an Indian hill stream fish Garra lamta have been analysed by means of a battery of histochemical methods. These included methods for the characterisation and simultaneous visualisation of GPs with oxidizable vicinal diols, O-acyl sugars, O-sulphate esters and sialic acid residues without O-acyl substitution or with O-acyl substitution at C7, C8 or C9. Results obtained in this study show that conventional periodic acid Schiff's and alcian blue based procedures are less sensitive and largely fail to identify different classes of GPs. In the OE the secretory cells involved in the synthesis of GPs are the epithelial cells, the mucous cells and the club cells. Based on the histochemical characterisation of GPs, the mucous cells are distinguished in to two types, Type A and Type B. The majority being of Type A. In the EISO, in contrast, the club cells are absent and most mucous cells belong to a third category, Type C. Type A and Type B mucous cells are few. GP classes synthesised by the secretory cells and released on the outer surface of the operculum, directly exposed to the environmental hazards show significant differences in their composition and concentration from those on, the relatively well protected, inner surface of the operculum. These are discussed in relation to the physiological significance of the GP classes with special reference to their role in lubrication, protection and inhibition of the invasion and proliferation of pathogenic micro-organisms.

Ultrastructure of Ellipsosomes in the Retina of Garra lamta

Ultrastructure of Ellipsosomes in the Retina of Garra lamta

Functional morphology of the anchorage system and food scrapers of a hillstream fish, Garra lamta (Ham.) (Cyprinidae, Cypriniformes)

The functional morphology of the anchorage system and food scrapers of a hillstream fish, Garra lamta (Ham.) is described in relation to their role in the swift water current of the hillstreams (Ranchi, Bihar, India).

Light and scanning electron microscopic studies on the effect of biocidal plant sap on the gills of a hill stream fish, Garra lamta (Ham.)

The effect of a biocidal plant sap (Terminalia tomentosa) on the gills of a swift‐current‐adapted hill‐stream fish, Garra lamia, has been investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy. The biocidal plant sap affected the dissociation of the gill filament and lamellar epithelia to expose their microvasculature. Some findings on the microvasculature are discussed in the light of their probable functions. Fusion of lamellae and prominent chloride cells are further effects of the plant sap, and their impact on respiratory and osmoregulatory functions of the fish are discussed.Use of biocidal plant sap in mass killing of hill‐stream fish is considered in relation to conservation.