Intensity Of Infestation Research Articles

Nationwide Screening for Bee Viruses in Apis mellifera Colonies in Egypt

Honey bees are essential for crop and wild plant pollination. However, many countries have reported high annual colony losses caused by multiple possible stressors. Diseases, particularly those caused by viruses, are a major cause of colony losses. However, little is known about the prevalence of honey bee pathogens, particularly virus prevalence, in Egyptian honey bees. To address this shortfall, we determined the prevalence of widespread bee viruses in honey bee colonies in Egypt-whether it is affected by geography, the season, or infestation with Varroa destructor (varroa) mites. Honey bee worker samples were collected from 18 geographical regions across Egypt during two seasons: winter and summer of 2021. Three apiaries were chosen in each region, and a pooled sample of 150 worker bees was collected from five colonies in each apiary then screened by qPCR for 10 viral targets: acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), black queen cell virus (BQCV), chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV), deformed wing virus (DWV) genotypes A (DWV-A), B (DWV-B) and D (Egyptian bee virus), Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV), Kashmir bee virus (KBV), sacbrood virus (SBV), and slow bee paralysis virus (SBPV). Our results revealed that DWV-A was the most prevalent virus, followed by BQCV and ABPV; the DWV genotype now spreading across the world, DWV-B, was not detected. There was no difference in varroa infestation rates as well as virus prevalence between winter and summer. However, colonies infected with BQCV had a significantly higher varroa count (adjusted p < 0.05) in the winter season, indicating that there is a seasonal association between the intensity of infestation by varroa and the presence of this virus. We provide data on the current virus prevalence in Egypt, which could assist in the protection of Egypt's beekeeping industry. Moreover, our study aids in the systematic assessment of the global honey bee virome by filling a knowledge gap about the prevalence of honey bee viruses in Egypt.

The impact of mountain pine beetle outbreaks and their treatment methods on the abundance of plant-foods important to caribou and grizzly bears

In Alberta, Canada, mountain pine beetle (MPB) infestations overlap with threatened caribou and grizzly bear ranges. While MPB is a natural part of the ecosystem, increased intensity of infestation due to fire suppression and a changing climate has required mitigating actions in the form of MPB control treatments, including accelerated forest harvesting, prescribed burns, and single-tree cut and burn. However, little is known on how MPB and MPB treatments affect understory shrub and forb forage taxa important to threatened caribou and grizzly bear populations. Using data collected in west-central and north-west Alberta, we investigated how the occurrence and abundance of 25 shrub and forb taxa varied among MPB kill, MPB treatments: single-tree cut and burn, harvesting, fire, and uncut forest strata. We determined that MPB kill and MPB treatments impacted 13 forage taxa preferred by threatened caribou and grizzly bear populations. These caribou and grizzly bear forage taxa generally had a positive response to MPB kill and single-tree cut and burn, a positive response to fire, or a positive response to MPB kill, single-tree cut and burn, and fire. Our results suggest that less-intensive MPB treatments like single-tree cut and burn might balance the threat of MPB against maintaining food resources and habitat for threatened species. As MPB continues to be a significant problem in Alberta and across the boreal forest, the results from our study, combined with ongoing assessments on the impact of MPB on wildlife species will provide essential information for evidence-based landscape management.

Correlation between Loa Loa Infestation Prevalence and Eosinophil Rate among Population of Obout, Centre Region of Cameroon

Background: Loiasis remains a major public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) such as Cameroon. In Cameroon, the prevalence of loiasis varies from one geographical area to another. This study aimed to assess the correlation between Loa loa infestation prevalence and eosinophil rate among population of Obout, centre region of Cameroon. Methods: A cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted in Obout locality situated in Centre region of Cameroon from June to July 2022. Data were collected using a face-to-face interview questionnaire from participants attending the Christ Roi Medical Centre of Obout (CRMCO). In each participant, a venous blood sample was taken in an EDTA tube after informed consent was obtained. A Full blood count (FBC) and a blood smear were performed on each blood sample. The collected data were recorded in an Excel version 2016 sheet and analysed by statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) v. 24 software. For any value of p˂0.05, the results were considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 65 participants were enrolled in this study with a median age of 35 years (Interquartile Range [IQR]: 18-52). The prevalence of Loa loa infestation was 15.38% (95%CI: 7.63%–26.48%) with a high prevalence for males (33.33%) versus (vs.) 2.63% for females (OR= 18.50; 95%IC: 2.17–157.46, p=0.002). Similarly, a high prevalence of Loa loa infestation in participants aged ≥35 years or 27.27% (OR=0.08; 95%IC: 0.01–0.72, p=0.01). Concerning the duration in the locality, the participants with ≥10 years in the locality were more infested with 8.33% for those less than 10 years (p=0.15). Furthermore, the current study shows a positive correlation but weak between eosinophil rate and intensity of Loa loa infestation (r=0.3406; p=0.3). Conclusion: This study reported a high prevalence of Loa loa microfilaria in Obout locality with statistically significant differences for gender and age. However, no association was found between eosinophil and microfilarial load. Despite the low participation rate, Obout locality remains an area of high endemicity for Loa loa microfilaria.

Identification and Prevalence of Endoparasites in Timor Deer (Cervustimorensis) at Maliran Deer Captive Breeding Blitar

Deer populations in captive breedings have the potential to develop health issues such as protozoa and helminth infections. Poor sanitation and environmental conditions are among the external factors facilitate the transmission of endoparasites within deer population in a captivity. The aim of this study was to identify and determine the prevalence of endoparasite infestation in Timor deer (Cervus timorensis) in Maliran Captive Breeding, Blitar, Indonesia. Samples of 102 fresh feces, were taken during the rainy season from March to May 2021, and sent to Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Medicine Faculty, Universitas Airlangga for fecal examination using sedimentation, flotation, as well as McMaster methods to determine the prevalence and the intensity of infestations. Results showed that 30 samples were detected positive, 7 samples (6.86%) were positive of Haemonchus spp. at the egg stage (range of 30-60 EPG; mild infestation); and 23 samples (22.55%) were positive of Eimeria spp. in oocyst stage (range of 200-800 OPG; mild to moderate infestation). This study provides a reference for the eradication of Haemonchiasis in the deer population in the study area.

Mange: Epidemiology and ivermectin efficacy in goats and application of zero-inflated negative binomial regression in Uba Debre Tsehay, southern Ethiopia

Mites are one of the most common and widely distributed ectoparasites of goats in Ethiopia, contributing to major burdens in livestock productivity in the country. Between February 2021 and July 2021, this study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of mange mites, assess the potential risk factors, identify the species infesting goats, and evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin in naturally infested goats in the Uba Debere Tsehay district of Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study, longitudinal field efficacy, and questionnaire survey were conducted. A total of 384 goats suspected of having mange were scraped for mite prevalence and count. The mite count data were analyzed using zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) models with explanatory variables. The ZINB models indicated that a substantial proportion of the observed zero mite count reflected a failure to detect mites in suspected goats, meaning that the estimated true prevalence was much higher than the apparent prevalence as calculated using a simple proportion of nonzero mite counts. Overall prevalence of mange was 21.87% (84/384) in the study areas. Sarcoptes species (21.09%) and Demodex species (0.78%) were the mite genera identified in this study. Among goats with poor, medium, and good body conditions, mite prevalence was 36.3%, 12.3%, and 10.9%, respectively. Both the prevalence and intensity of infestation were significantly associated with body condition scores, but other risk factors were not. The questionnaire survey indicated that 85.94% of the participants preferred to use modern treatment options (ivermectin 1%, injection) and 76.56% (98/128) respondents replied that ivermectin treatment is effective. Wilcoxon rank-sum test analysis shows that there was significantly (P<0.05) fewer mites counted on goats treated with ivermectin than on untreated goats at each count up to day 56 after treatment. No live mites were found on any treated animal on days 28 and 56. Mixed ANOVA indicated that there was a significant difference within treatment groups. This study showed that mites are one of the constraints to goat production in the study area and ivermectin was highly effective against Demodex and Sarcoptes mites in goats. Hence, there is a need to create awareness about the impact of mange on goat production, and appropriate ivermectin treatment against mites should be implemented.

Parasitism on bats by bat flies in remnants of a humid forest enclave area in Northeastern Brazil.

Flies are the main bloodsucking ectoparasites of Neotropical bats. The aim of this study was to describe the community of flies on bats from a humid forest enclave, surrounded by the semiarid landscape of the Caatinga domain, in Northeastern Brazil. In addition, we tested the influence of dry and rainy periods on the parasitological indices. Fieldwork was carried out in three anthropized remnants of a humid forest enclave in the Agreste mesoregion of Pernambuco state, Northeastern Brazil. Bats were captured monthly, from August 2018 to July 2019, and the ectoparasites were collected. Overall, 807 bats of 14 species and 11 genera of the families Phyllostomidae (13 spp.) and Vespertilionidae (1 sp.) were captured. Only four bat species had >50 individuals captured, and Carollia perspicillata was the most abundant species (259/807; 32%). Five hundred and seventy-one bat flies from 13 species (11 Streblidae and 2 Nycteribiidae) were collected, of which Trichobius joblingi was the most prevalent fly (197/571; 34.5%). Only the parasitism by T. joblingi was influenced by seasonality, with higher prevalence (P=0.01) and intensity of infestation (P=0.02) in the dry season. No lesions associated with parasitism were observed in any of the captured bats. Our results suggest that the bat-fly relationship can be affected in different ways by environmental variables, depending on the species involved. The results of this work contribute to the knowledge about ectoparasites of bats in the Neotropical region, with emphasis on humid forest enclaves, where studies of the host-parasite-environment relationship are scarce.

Dinâmica da infestação de brocas em frutos de atemoieira em duas épocas de produção

Abstract Cerconota anonella (fruit borer) and Bephratelloides pomorum (seed borer) are the main pests of Annonaceae and knowing their population dynamics is essential to establish their management in orchards of these crops. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of native vegetation on the population of fruit and seed borers in two production seasons in an atemoya orchard in the semiarid region. The study was carried out in a commercial atemoya orchard in Janaúba, MG. The experimental area was divided into two parcels and, in each of them, the distance from the experimental plots to the surrounding vegetation, of approximately 10m, 33m, 57m and 81m, was recorded. The sampling of insects was carried out at different periods, spring and summer, through the collection, every two weeks, of atemoya fruits containing attack signs by the borers. The intensity of infestation of each borer species was determined. The intensity of borer infestation varies between seasons, with fruit borer infestation in summer and seed borer infestation in spring. The distance from the orchard to the adjacent vegetation does not interfere with the infestation intensity of fruit and seed borers.

GRAU DE INFESTAÇÃO E PREFERÊNCIAS DE HEMIPARASITOS NA ARBORIZAÇÃO URBANA

ABSTRACT Mistletoe is an important nutritional resource for the frugivorous ornithological fauna in several ecosystems. However, in great intensity, they can reduce the vigor of their host trees, requiring adequate management in urban afforestation, without depleting this source of food for birds. The hypothesis that there are hemiparasites with host specificity was the reason for this study. Thus, a floristic census of the trees was carried out at UFMT, campus Cuiabá; the infestation by genus of hemiparasite present was recorded, in quantity and degree of infestation, in addition to the quantification of seeds of the hemiparasite germinated without the development of the vegetative part, whose cotyledons necrotized and died. A total of 4265 tree individuals were evaluated, distributed in 46 families, in which 16,52% were identified of the genera Phoradendron, Psittacanthus, and Struthanthus, of which about 90,0% were Psittacanthus. The highest infestation occurred in 24 families, highlighting Fabaceae (28,3%) and Combretaceae (25,6%), and the species Terminalia catappa, Anadenanthera peregrina, and Vatairea macrocarpa. The presence of germinated seeds of the hemiparasite with dead cotyledons varies between tree species and between individuals of the same species. The highlight was in Rutaceae, Arecaceae, and Rubiaceae, and in the species Acrocomia aculeata, Caryocar villosum, and Genipa americana L. that present individuals with natural control potential, even with the presence of frugivorous ornithological fauna and the dispersion of the hemiparasite. In general, the intensity and degree of infestation are low, and there is no infestation in the Caryocaceae, Rutaceae, and Rubiaceae families, highlighting the species Caryocar villosum, Murraya paniculata and Alibertia edulis.

Pea crabs (Pinnotheres pisum) colonisation of five commercial bivalve species from southern Portugal

Abstract This study reports the spatial and depth distributions, occurrence and prevalence, infestation rate and intensity of the pea crab Pinnotheres pisum colonising five commercial bivalve species (Chamelea gallina, Donax semistriatus, Donax trunculus, Donax vittatus, and Spisula solida) along the south and southwest coasts of Portugal. In addition, the study also analysed the colonisation pattern, morphometric measurements and relative growth of P. pisum inhabiting those bivalve species. Overall, 33,370 bivalves were analysed, collected in 371 sampling stations at depths ranging from 3 to 25 m. A total of 102 bivalves hosted 106 P. pisum, corresponding to an infestation rate of 0.31%. Besides 13 juveniles, were recorded 60 males and 33 females of P. pisum, corresponding to a male-biased sex ratio (1M: 0.6F). Pea crabs carapace width ranged from 1.3 to 13.5 mm and males were smaller than females (hard females were also smaller than ovigerous soft females). In general, larger and heavier bivalves hosted larger and heavier P. pisum. Pea crabs morphometric relationships presented negative allometries, reflecting slower growth rates in carapace length and total weight compared to carapace width throughout the species ontogeny. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into diverse descriptors of bivalves' colonisation by P. pisum, comparing the main results and trends with analogous information available throughout the species distributional range. Although the current fairly low infestation by P. pisum does not constitute a health concern for these bivalve species, its evolution under a climate change scenario should be periodically monitored in the mid- and long-term.

Ácaros ectoparasitas em lagartos da espécie Hemidactylus mabouia (Squamata: Gekkonidae)

This work aimed to determine mite species in H. mabouia lizards in Arapiraca region, as well as to verify if the mites present in the lizards are shared with native species, such as members of the genus Tropidurus. The collection of H. mabouia took place from February to May 2019, using traps and nets. The lizards were captured alive in the Pé Leve Velho village, Arapiraca – AL, then sent to the Laboratory of Entomology and Acarology at UFAL Campus de Arapiraca so that a detailed examination of the epidermis region could be carried out using a stereomicroscope to detect ectoparasites. Ten specimens of H. mabouia were captured. A total of 348 ectoparasitic mites were found in them. The occurrence of mites of the Pterygosomatidae families, genus Geckobia was also verified in all captured lizards. The mean intensity of infestation was 34.8 mites per lizard. There was no record of ectoparasite mites in Tropidurus lizards.

Parasites and their impact on thick-shelled river mussels Unio crassus from two populations in Luxembourg.

The thick-shelled river mussel Unio crassus Philipsson, 1788 is a species native to many European habitats, with declining populations. The impact of parasite communities on health status of this species is poorly understood. In this study, parasites of 30 U. crassus specimens from the Our and Sauer Rivers in Luxembourg were identified morphologically and, in some cases, using molecular genetic methods. The findings were correlated to selected parameters (total length, visceral weight, shell lesions, gonadal stage). The 2 populations did not differ in shell length, visceral weight, number of males and females, gonadal scoring, shell lesions, and the occurrence of glochidia. The prevalence and infestation intensities of detected Trichodina sp., Conchophthirus sp., and freshwater mite larvae did not differ between the 2 populations, whereas the prevalence and infestation intensities of mite eggs, nymphs, and adults were significantly higher in the Sauer River. Rhipidocotyle campanula and European bitterling Rhodeus amarus larvae were only present in the Sauer. Histopathology revealed the destruction of the gonads by R. campanula and tissue damage by the mites. The only significant correlation of the selected parameters was a positive correlation between R. amarus occurrence and total length as well as a negative correlation between R. amarus occurrence and gonadal stage. In the Sauer River, 2 mussels were found to be hermaphrodites.

New Report of Oriental Mealybug Rhizoecus Amorphophalli Betrem (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Amorphophallus Muelleri Tubers in Indonesia

Since 2020 porang (Amorphophallus muelleri Blume) has been declared as an important commercial crop grown in Indonesia. Recently, porang tubers a coated of a distinct white waxy substance was observed at seed storage. The symptoms pose a threat to tuber vigour quality due to the intensive infestation on stored tubers. This sap- sucking insect sucks the juice leading to desiccation and shrivelling of tubers. This study aims to identify the sap- sucking insect pest attacks the storage porang tubers. The studies carried out at ILETRI. Identification of the caused insect species was done by observing symptoms visually, morphological identification of adult females using Compound microscope Olympus Bx43 in 40 X magnification, and tuber germination and growth of 250 infested tubers in the field. Regarding to the specific symptoms whose soft body coated of a distinct white waxy substance and morphological measurement of the average length of the adult females (862.62±46.3 μm with range between 764 - 904 μm), it’s supposed caused by mealybug in Rhizoecus amorphophalli (Hemiptera:Pseudococcidae). Our founding revealed that R. amorphophalli is first discovered as causal agent of a mealybug pest of porang in Indonesia and turned out to be very detrimental because their infestation caused 90 percent of infested porang tubers unable to germinate and grow.

Parasite infestation in Bluefin Trevally Caranx melampygus (G. Cuvier, 1833) in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines

Bluefin trevally (BFT, Caranx melampygus) were studied in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, for parasite infestations and prevalence at different body weights (300 - 500 g, 500 - 1500 g, and 1500 - 3000 g). Twenty-seven samples were collected for parasitic investigation. Out of this, nine fish with 300 - 500 g body weight, nine fish with 500 - 1500 g body weight, and nine fish with 1500-3000 g body weight were obtained from the fishermen at the wet market landing site. Results revealed that a total of 46 parasites were recorded in six BFT fish weighing 300 g to 500 g, 44 parasites were recorded in eight BFT fish weighing 500 g to 1500 g, and 101 parasites were recorded in eight BFT fish weighing 1500 g to 3000 g. Based on the ANOVA analysis, the prevalence, abundance, and intensity of parasite infestations in BFT species with different body weights were not significantly different (p>0.05). Moreover, it was found that four species of parasites (Argulus spp., Caligus spp., Cymothoa spp., and Pulchrascaris spp.) were present in the heart, intestines, mouth, and operculum of different body weights of BFT fish, of which the majority were found in the gills, mainly Caligus spp. parasite. Thus, the results of this study indicate no significant differences in parasite infestation of BFT, C. melampygus, between individual body weights and host locations in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

PRIMERA CITA DEL PARÁSITO EXÓTICO Lernaea cyprinacea LINNAEUS, 1758 (CRUSTACEA, COPEPODA, LERNAEIDAE) AFECTANDO Cnesterodon decemmaculatus JENYNS, 1842 (OSTEICHTYES, CIPRINODONTIFORMES, POECILIDAE)

Lernaea cyprinacea is an extremely invasive exotic parasitic copepod that was introduced into the Neotropical region in the 1980s. It affects both farmed and wild native fish. In Uruguay it has been recorded in eight non-native species of ornamental fish and in five native species. In spring 2018 fish were sampled in a dugout pond in the Montevideo Department, where 20 specimens of Cnesterodon decemmaculatus were captured, some of which visibly parasitized by the copepod. This is the first report of this parasite affecting C. decemmaculatus. The prevalence of the parasitosis was 75% (15/20), while the average intensity of infestation was 2.73 parasites per fish(41/15). There is a positive correlation between the intensity of the parasitosis and the size of the fish. The preferred area for fixation of parasites is the ventral part of the body, followed by the caudal peduncle.

Infestation of mice with ixodid ticks in forests of Belgorod region

Rodents are one of the largest groups of existing mammals and number more than 2,270 known species, which is almost 42 % of the total biodiversity of worldwide-distributed mammals (except Antarctica and some islands). They are well adapted to various habitats and are known to live alongside people and livestock complexes. The purpose of the study was to study infestation of mice with ixodid ticks in forests of the Belgorod region adjacent to livestock and poultry farms. The study was carried out in 2019-2022. The extensiveness of mice infestation was observed in Sylvaemus sylvaticus species, which was 13.26 % higher (P 0.05) than in Sylvimus flavicollis , and 24.33 % higher (P 0.01) than in Apodemus agrarius . The intensity of infestation with preimaginal (larvae and nymphs) stages of Ixodes ricinus ticks had wide fluctuations depending on the type of synanthropic rodent. Thus, the highest intensity was noted in Sylvaemus sylvaticus mice, which was 8.73 and 13.56 % higher (P 0.001) compared to Sylvimus flavicollis and Apodemus agrarius mice, respectively. The maximum infestation of male synanthropic mouse species was 31 ticks in Sylvaemus sylvaticus , 19 ticks in Sylvimus flavicollis , and 9 ticks in Apodemus agrarius . The intensity of infestation in synanthropic mice was the highest in the summer months (from July to August) and decreased slightly in autumn. In autumn, 41.2 % of the examined rodents were infested with ticks, the predominant species was Ixodes ricinus (larvae). Larvae and nymphs of Ixodes ricinus ticks were more often attached to rodents in the head area (mainly on the ears) - 82 %, less often on other parts of the body - 1 8 %. A smaller number of ticks were present on neck, body, legs, sometimes parasites were found on tail.

Epibionts of an Introduced King Crab in the Barents Sea: A Second Five-Year Study

The biodiversity, infestation patterns, and spatial distribution of organisms living in association with the introduced red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus were studied in Dalnezelenetskaya Bay, southern Barents Sea, in 2009–20013 to update a list of species, reveal long-term changes in this epibiotic community, and identify key factors affecting the prevalence and intensity of infestation. A total of 90 associated species were found throughout the study period, or twice as many as in 2004–2008, reflecting relatively low similarity between these periods. Half of the species were found on one to three crabs only. Copepods had the maximum diversity (23 species). For the first time, macroalgae were found as epibionts of red king crabs. Overall, the highest prevalences were found for the amphipod Ischyrocerus commensalis (74.2%), the copepods Tisbe furcata (57.7%) and Harpacticus uniremis (29.4%), the amphipod Ischyrocerus anguipes (27.3%), and the fish leech Johanssonia arctica (16.2%). Redundancy analysis showed that host size was the most important driver of species abundance, followed by shell condition, water temperatures in the coastal Barents Sea in May and June, and sex. These factors, coupled with the range expansion of red king crabs and climate changes in the Barents Sea, provide good explanations for the differences between the 2004–2008 and 2009–2013 fouling communities. Distribution patterns for common taxa on the host reflect larval settlement patterns and/or relationships between the host and associated species. These results expand our knowledge of infestation patterns for the invasive red king crab and provide a reference point for further monitoring.

The Infection Rate of Bird-Feeding Ixodes ricinus Ticks with Borrelia garinii and B. valaisiana Varies with Host Haemosporidian Infection Status.

Birds are known to maintain and spread human pathogenic borreliae, but they are common hosts of diverse parasite communities, notably haemosporidians. Only a few studies examined whether tick infestation and/or Borrelia prevalences vary with hosts' haemosporidian infection status. Here, we study whether Ixodes ricinus infestation rates and Borrelia infection rates in bird-feeding ticks vary according to haemosporidian infection status in a community of free-living avian tick hosts. Birds of six avian species harbored the majority of ticks. Both the tick infestation prevalence and the intensity peaked during spring and summer, but while bird-feeding nymphs prevailed in spring, bird-feeding larvae dominated in summer. Almost half of the bird-feeding ticks were found to be positive for B. burgdorferi s.l. Although the majority of infections involved bird-associated B. garinii and B. valaisiana, B. garinii appears to be the dominant Borrelia strain circulating in locally breeding avian species. We detected a negative link between the hosts' haemosporidian infection status and the Borrelia infection rate of bird-feeding ticks, but the association was dependent on the host's age. Our results on tick infestation intensity support the idea that more immunologically vulnerable hosts harbor more ticks but suggest that different mechanisms may be responsible for tick infestation rates among immunologically naïve and experienced avian hosts. The results on Borrelia infection rates in bird-feeding ticks are consistent with studies revealing that intracellular parasites, such as haemosporidians, can benefit from the host immune system prioritizing immune responses against extracellular parasites at the expense of immune responses against intracellular parasites. The findings of our study urge for a more robust design of parasitological studies to understand the ecology of interactions among hosts and their parasites.

Data Mining Techniques for Analysing Prediction of Time Series Data in Stock Trading by Using Big Data Analytics

This research was designed to study the metal stress on plant species, Lantana camara in culture. Plant Tissue Culture techniques are used as a tool, to study the growth of the plants in presence of the heavy metal Lead. Lantana camara is generally known as notorious weed. Indian region have been invaded by several exotic plants of which Lantana camara is of more concern, because of its rapid spread, intensity of infestation, and resistance to cutting and burning. Lantana is a native of tropical America, and was introduced to India as an ornamental to be planted in gardens and hedges. Since then, the species has spread rapidly into both farm and forest lands, and is one of the most widespread, terrestrial invasive species in India today. Despite of this Lantana camara has immense potential of phytoremediation of heavy metals. The industrial area Govindpura, Bhopal contains this plant in majority at heavy metal contaminated area, thus the study has been carried out to evaluate the response of Lantana camara towards lead. The cultures of Lantana camara were firstly established on M S Media supplemented with BAP, NAA and Kinetin and the stable in vitro plantlets then used for further study. The effect of heavy metals on Lantana camara plants under various concentrations of Lead was studied using in vitro culture. The tissue culture experiments were conducted using M S Media.

Adaptive strategy in control of ectoparasitic infection in Eurasian tree sparrow

BackgroundSelection pressure due to parasitic infestation puts adverse effects on birds’ fitness concerning survival and reproductive success. The present study was conducted on Eurasian tree sparrow at Shillong (25°34′ N, 91°53′ E), India, for a year to examine ectoparasitic infestation by Myrsidea balati and Sturnidoecus ruficeps. The parameters on the annual prevalence of infestation, annual cycles of gonadosomatic index (GSI), molt, hematocrit percentage and the time spent in behavior display were recorded.ResultsThe infestation of both lice species ran parallel to GSI in both sexes of sparrow. Further, the intensity of infestation was higher in males. The increase in number of ectoparasites was found positively correlated with the increase in GSI in the birds. However, it was negatively correlated with feathers molt. Thus, the infestation of both parasites was maximum during the reproductive phase and minimum during the period when the birds were undergoing the process of molt. Seasonal variation in hematocrit percentage shows decline during high infection in females and during molt in both the sexes. The time spent in showing behavioral traits to limit infection was the longest during high infestation.ConclusionsWe conclude that the tree sparrow adopts various adaptive strategies like feathers molt and longer display of behavioral traits during their breeding and/or non-breeding seasons to control parasitic load and avoid energy conflict with high energy demanding processes like reproduction and molt.

Seasonal and water quality significance of gregarine protozoan parasites occurrence in Wild Bivalve, Anadara cornea (Reeve, 1844) from Terengganu, Malaysia

Malaysia is known as a country that experience two main seasonal patterns, i.e., monsoon and non-monsoon season. Three different categories of seasons based on the quantity of rainfall were divided by previous studies started from January to December 2018, which are dry season, moderate season and rainy season. Wild bivalve, Anadara cornea populations at Setiu Lagoon in Terengganu, Malaysia was examined for gregarine parasites for a year. The objective of this study was to associate the incidence of gregarine in common wild bivalves, A. cornea (Reeve, 1844) concerning seasons and water quality parameters. From the study, the total number of phagocytes found was n = 33,239, with a total of 480 host samples. The total prevalence of the parasites was 97.5%, with a 95% confidence interval value which was CI=96.1% to 98.9%. The prevalence of the parasites was significantly higher during the rainy season as compared to dry and moderate seasons. The findings also proved that the intensity of the parasites decreased at every transition of season. In-depth, the correlation between the prevalence of the parasites vice versa, season, and water quality might be contributed to the intensity of the parasite infestation needs to be clarified.