Relative Length Research Articles

Sibling Species Amblyraja hyperborea and A. jenseni in Slope Waters of Eastern Canada: An Ecomorphological Description

Deepwater survey data and specimens collected from the Grand Banks to Baffin Bay in the Northwest Atlantic were used to examine the distribution, morphometrics, meristics and maturity of two siblings, Amblyraja hyperborea and A. jenseni. Our study confirmed that the two species occupy different locations, their distributions separated by Davis Strait, a biogeographic break separating Atlantic from Arctic waters. A. hyperborea with a smaller maximum size and size at maturity inhabited colder Arctic slope waters in Baffin Bay while larger A. jenseni were located in warmer Atlantic slope waters. Despite their distributional separation and thus reproductive isolation, spine counts and body morphology were almost indistinguishable between species. Only upper jaw teeth row count and difference in the size of spines on the mid-rear wings differentiated the two species. Also, for both species, the proportion of dorsal fins joined, disc shape and relative tail length changed with total length. Secondary reproductive anatomy, clasper length and vas deferens weight, shell gland and uterus weight underwent initial acceleration in growth when the gonads transitioned to stage 2 (adolescent, maturing). Also, YOY A. hyperborea were found to distribute at shallower depths than larger stages, constituting a nursery, which was not observed for A. jenseni.

Caligusselenecola sp. nov. (Siphonostomatoida, Caligidae) parasitic on the hairfin lookdown Selenebrevoortii (Gill) from the Gulf of California, Mexico, with some comments on Caritustolii Rangnekar, 1984.

Specimens of a caligid copepod (Siphonostomatoida) were found on the gills of the hairfin lookdown Selenebrevoortii (Gill) (Carangidae) from off Mazatlán, Sinaloa (north-western Mexico). This material represents a new species of Caligus, C.selenecola sp. nov., and is assigned to the diaphanus species group. Within this group, only C.kapuhili Lewis, 1967, C.laticaudus Shiino, 1960, C.macrurus Heller, 1865, and C.selenecola sp. nov., have been described with a reduced outer spine 1 on the second exopodal segment of leg 1. These four species can be readily separated by the relative length of the abdomen, and the presence/absence of a process on the myxal area of the female maxilliped, the sternal furca, the postantennal process, and the spiniform process on the basal antennary segment. A full description of the new species is given with some comments on Caritustolii Rangnekar, 1984.

Comparison of anatomical changes in computed tomography CT scan in supine position and prone position with respect to percutaneous nephrolithotomy PCNL.

Objective To compare the anatomical organ positional changes renal access tract length and maximum renal access angle in relation to the kidney in supine and prone positions through CT scan images. Methods CT Urography was performed in 52 patients with various urological complaints in supine and delayed images in prone position. A comparison in both supine and prone position was done to analyse the organ interposition pleural interposition, mean access tract length, maximum renal access angle for PCNL.

Exploring the impact of carbohydrate chain length on binding affinity with lectin-a protein from common edible mushroom (Agaricus bisporus)

The present work investigates the impact of dietary-carbohydrate chain length on the binding affinity with Agaricus bisporus lectin (ABL) using sugars of varying chain length, including glucose, maltose, maltotetraose, maltohexaose, maltoheptaose and maltodecaose. Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR) and circular dichroism (CD) record alterations to the protein secondary structure culminating with maltohexaose binding. Binding affinity was determined via intrinsic fluorescence quenching analysis and revealed that binding strength increased with ligand molecular weight, reaching a maximum at a chain length of 6 glucose units, with a Ka of 1.93 × 106 M-1, before collapsing for carbohydrates of higher molecular weights, in line with the trend observed for CD. Molecular docking highlights the likely binding positions of each ligand to the ABL molecule, further arguing for the presence of stable interactions between host and guest. Multiple hydrogen bonds are formed in each case, providing stabilization of the complex in the presence of additional van der Waals forces. Maltohexose again showed the strongest interaction with ABL, with a calculated binding energy of −32.6 kJ/mol. These findings give a deeper understanding of the impact of dietary-carbohydrate chain length in relation to their binding affinity with ABL, hence advancing its potential application as a functional ingredient in highly selective therapeutics.

Stabilizing hexagonally close-packed phase in single-component block copolymers through rational symmetry breaking

Despite being predicted to be a thermodynamically equilibrium structure, the absence of direct experimental evidence of hexagonally close-packed spherical phase in single-component block copolymers raises uncomfortable concerns regarding the existing fundamental phase principles. This work presents a robust approach to regulate the phase behavior of linear block copolymers by deliberately breaking molecular symmetry, and the hexagonally close-packed lattice is captured in a rigorous single-component system. A collection of discrete A1BA2 triblock copolymers is designed and prepared through an iterative growth method. The precise chemical composition and uniform chain length eliminates inherent size distribution and other molecular defects. Simply by tuning the relative chain length of two end A blocks, a rich array of ordered nanostructures, including Frank−Kasper A15 and σ phases, are fabricated without changing the overall chemistry or composition. More interestingly, hexagonally close-packed spherical phase becomes thermodynamically stable and experimentally accessible attributed to the synergistic contribution of the two end blocks. The shorter A blocks are pulled out from the core domain into the matrix to release packing frustration, while the longer ones stabilize the ordered spherical phase against composition fluctuation that tends to disrupt the lattice. This study adds a missing puzzle piece to the block copolymer phase diagram and provides a robust approach for rational structural engineering.

Linking gastrointestinal tract structure, function, and gene expression signatures to growth variability in broilers: a novel interpretation for flock uniformity

Variation in body weight (BW) within broiler flocks is a significant challenge in poultry production. Investigating differences in gut-related parameters between low (LBW) and high BW (HBW) chicks may provide insights into the underlying causes of BW heterogeneity. 908 day-old male broiler chicks were reared until d 7 and then ranked into LBW and HBW groups. Thereafter, performance parameters were compared between BW groups periodically. On d 7, 14, and 38, visceral organ characteristics, intestinal permeability, and duodenal and ileal histomorphology were examined. Expression profiles were analyzed for 79 ileal genes related to gut barrier function, immune function, nutrient transport, gut hormones, nutrient receptors, metabolism, and oxidation using high-throughput qPCR. Student's t-tests were performed to compare measurements. Multivariate statistics, including partial least square regression (PLSR) analysis, were applied to identify combinations of key genes discriminating BW groups, offering predictive capability for phenotypic variations. The HBW group remained heavier at each timepoint, which could be explained by higher feed intake. The HBW group had shorter relative small intestine length but higher villus height and villi height/crypt depth ratios. The LBW group demonstrated increased intestinal permeability on d 38. The LBW group showed upregulation of immune response genes including TNF-α on d 7 and CYP450 on d 38, while the HBW group showed higher AHSA1 and HSPA4 expressions on d 7. The LBW group had upregulation of the metabolism genes mTOR and EIF4EBP1 on d 7 and the satiety-induced hormone cholecystokinin on d 14, while the HBW group tended to increase expression of the hunger hormone ghrelin on d 38. Genes related to gut barrier function, nutrient transport, and oxidation categories were consistently upregulated in the HBW group. PLSR models revealed 4, 12, and 11 sets of key genes highly predictive of BW phenotypes on d 7, 14, and 38, respectively. These findings suggest that growth rates are linked to the intestinal size, structure, and function of broiler chickens, offering insights into the underlying mechanisms regulating BW.

Outcome comparison of minimally invasive proximal and distal chevron Akin osteotomies in patients with severe hallux valgus deformity: A randomized prospective study.

To date, the surgical treatment of severe hallux valgus deformity remains challenging despite the various methods presented. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of minimally invasive distal chevron Akin osteotomies (d-MICA) and minimally invasive proximal chevron Akin osteotomies (p-MICA) in correcting severe hallux valgus deformities. This prospective follow-up study included patients randomly assigned to undergo p-MICA or d-MICA for hallux valgus deformities with a preoperative hallux valgus angle (HVA) ≥ 40° and/or a first to second intermetatarsal angle (IMA) ≥ 16°. After a minimum follow-up period of twoyears, we compared various clinico-radiographic parameters of patients whose HVA exceeded 15° at the final follow-up. In the p-MICA and d-MICA groups, seven of 40 cases (17.5%) and 16 of 41 cases (39.0%), respectively, exhibited HVA > 15° at the final follow-up (P = 0.048). The preoperative parameters showed no significant differences. However, at the first weight-bearing assessment, the HVA, IMA, and relative second metatarsal length were significantly smaller, and the distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA) was greater in the p-MICA group (all P < 0.05) compared with the d-MICA group. Postoperatively, both groups exhibited significant decreases in HVA and IMA at the final follow-up (P < 0.001 for all parameters). The p-MICA group showed no significant changes in DMAA and the relative length of the second metatarsal (P = 0.253 and 0.185, respectively). However, the d-MICA group showed a significant decrease in DMAA (P < 0.001) and an increase in the relative length of the second metatarsal at the final follow-up (P = 0.01). p-MICA and d-MICA procedures demonstrated effective correction potential for severe hallux valgus deformities; however, the d-MICA procedure exhibited a notably higher incidence of unsatisfactory correction at the final follow-up than p-MICA. Therefore, d-MICA may be less predictable in achieving successful outcomes than p-MICA in treating severe hallux valgus deformities.

Angiographic Characteristics in Mild Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy with Genetically Confirmed Autosomal Dominant Inheritance

PurposeTo determine the ultra-widefield fluorescein angiographic (UWFA) characteristics of patients with mild familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) who had been confirmed to have pathogenic variants of the autosomal dominant (AD) genes of FEVR. DesignSingle center, observational case series. Subjects and ControlsThirty-seven patients with mild FEVR from 27 families who had pathogenic variants of the Norrin/β-catenin genes were studied. The controls consisted of 32 family members who had been confirmed not to carry the pathogenic variants or had heterozygous variants of the autosomal recessive inheritance gene. MethodsSixty-four UWFA images from the patients were compared to 60 UWFA images from the controls. The relative length of the temporal retina to the peripheral avascular retina was determined. The cut-off ratio of the relative lengths for a clinically significant avascular retina (csAR) associated with AD-FEVR was determined using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Main Outcome MeasuresThe presence or absence of six peripheral vascular changes: csAR, V-shaped vascular notch, brushy vascular ends, vascular stain, loop vessels and/or anastomosis, and capillary telangiectasia were compared between the patients and the controls. ResultsThe csAR was set at >12% of the length from the ora serrata to the optic disc. The AD-FEVR patients had more frequent retinal changes than the controls for the V-shaped vascular notch (69% vs 2%, P <0.001), brushy vascular ends (78% vs 3%, P <0.001), csAR (83% vs 22%, P <0.001), and vascular stain (70% vs 33%, P <0.001). Loop vessels and/or anastomosis of peripheral vessels were found significantly less frequently in the patients than in the controls (39% vs 73%, P <0.001). No significant difference was found for capillary telangiectasia between the two groups. The combination of the V-shaped vascular notches, brushy vascular ends, and csAR had a sensitivity of 82.8% and specificity of 98.3% with the highest ROC curve of 0.9. ConclusionsThe combination of V-shaped vascular notch, brushy vascular ends, and csAR can be used as a biomarker for AD-FEVR patients who have pathogenic variants of the Norrin/β-catenin genes. These findings will allow more accurate segregation analysis in FEVR families and allow better genetic counseling.

Clinical utility of relative telomere length analysis in pediatric bone marrow failure

IntroductionTelomere length related studies are limited in pediatric marrow failure cases due to difficulty in establishing population specific age related normograms. Moreover, there is paucity of data related to clinical relevance of telomere length in idiopathic aplastic anemia (IAA) and non telomere biology inherited bone marrow failure syndrome (IBMFS) cases. Methodology: Hence, in current study we investigated Relative telomere length (RTL) by RQ-PCR in 83 samples as: healthy controls (n = 44), IAA (n = 15) and IBMFS (n = 24). In addition, we performed chromosomal breakage studies and targeted NGS to screen for pathogenic variants. Results & Conclusion: Median RTL was significantly different between control vs. IBMFS (p-0.002), IAA vs. IBMFS (p-0.0075) and DC vs. non-DC IBMFS (p-0.011) but not between control vs. IAA (p-0.46). RTL analysis had clinical utility in differentiating BMF cases as 75 % (9/12) of DC had short/very short telomeres compared to only 17 % (2/12) of non-DC IBMFS, 7 % (1/15) of IAA and 7 % (3/44) of controls (p < 0.001).

Seasonal plasticity in sympatric Bicyclus butterflies in a tropical forest where temperature does not predict rainfall

AbstractWhile variation in temperature appears to be the main environmental cue for plasticity in adult traits in many species of Mycalesina, relying on temperature would result in a mismatch between adult phenotype and environment in some regions. We measured phenotypes of six species of Bicyclus butterflies (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae: Mycalesina) in a humid tropical forest with two rainy seasons per year and modest unimodal seasonal temperature variation, such that temperature does not predict rainfall and butterflies can reproduce year‐round. The butterflies showed subtle temporal variation in body size and relative eyespot size, while relative androconia length was robust to temporal environmental variation. After higher temperatures, body size tended be smaller, and relative eyespot size was larger for some species‐eyespot combinations. This indicates that these butterflies follow the “hotter is smaller” rule, and show developmental plasticity in eyespot size that is typical in this clade. Eyespot sizes tended to be correlated with each other, except Cu1 in B. auricruda and some eyespots that always remained very small. Androconia length was not related to eyespot size. This pattern of correlations suggests conserved cue‐use and shared mechanisms for eyespot size using both temperature and rainfall‐related cues, with some exceptions.

Cytogenetic study of Meriz goat breeds in Iraqi Kurdistan region.

Goats are considered the leading farm animal that has a substantial role in the agricultural sector in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. No cytological examination has been carried out on them. This experiment aims to identify the Karyotype of the local breeds of domestic goats. This experiment was conducted on the Karyotype and prepared the ideogram of Meriz goats. The determination of the relative length and centromeric index arm ratio of the chromosomes in the breed was achieved by the production of karyotypes. A total of (30)Meriz goats, consisting of (10) males and (20) females, were selected to collect blood samples for a short-term lymphocyte culture. The diploid chromosome count was observed to be (60), consisting of (29) pairs of acrocentric autosomes and one pair of allosomes, specifically the X and Y chromosomes. The acrocentric nature of the X-chromosome and the sub-metacentric nature of the Y-chromosome were identified through scientific investigation. The study observed a variation in the relative length of autosomal chromosomes in Meriz goats, with females ranging from 4.49% to 1.89% and males ranging from (4.53%) to (1.75%). The X-chromosome had a relative length of 3.96 in females, while the Y-chromosome displayed a relative length of (5.05). The findings of this karyological investigation suggest that the chromosomal composition seen in the Meriz goats under examination was within the expected range of normalcy. It is recommended that more cytogenetic analyses be conducted at the population level in order to identify individuals within the Meriz breed population who possesses numerical and/or structural chromosome abnormalities. This research is crucial for enhancing the efficiency of production and reproduction in this breed.

Screening and analysis of candidate genes conferring alkalinity tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.) at the bud burst stage based on QTL-seq and RNA-seq

BackgroundSoil salinization is one of the key factors restricting the production of cropland. Once rice is subjected to alkali stress at the bud burst stage, the yield will suffer irreparable serious loss. Compared with salt tolerance, studies on QTL mapping and candidate gene analysis of rice alkali tolerance are limited. ResultsIn this study, we used the F2:3 population derived from the alkali-tolerant cultivar LD21 and the alkali-sensitive cultivar WL138 to construct an alkali-tolerant DNA mixing pool, and the BSA (Bulked Segregation Analysis) method was used for re-sequencing. The main QTL qRSLB9 controlling the relative shoot length of rice under alkali stress was mapped by QTL-seq. The candidate interval was narrowed to 346.5 kb by regional linkage mapping, which containing 6 DEGs screened through transcriptome sequencing. The qRT-PCR and candidate gene sequencing showed that LOC_Os09g24260 was most likely to control relative shoot length (RSL) in rice as a major gene who encodes the WD domain, G-beta repeat domain-containing protein. ConclusionsBased on these results, LOC_Os09g24260 was the candidate gene of qRSLB9 conferring alkalinity tolerance to rice at the bud burst stage. Our study provides valuable genetic information and materials for breeding new rice varieties with alkalinity tolerance.How to cite: Wang J, Bian J, Liu L, et al. Screening and analysis of candidate genes conferring alkalinity tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.) at the bud burst stage based on QTL-seq and RNA-seq. Electron J Biotechnol 2024;71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbt.2024.07.002.

Telomere Length, Telomerase Activity, and Vaginal Microbiome in Patients with HPV-Related Precancerous Lesions.

Persistent high-risk human papillomaviruses (HR HPVs) infection leads to the development of squamous intraepithelial lesions in cervical cells that may lead to cancer. The telomere length, telomerase activity, and species composition of the vaginal microbiome may influence the dynamic of changes and the process of carcinogenesis. In the present study, we analyze relative telomere length (RTL), relative hTERT expression (gene for the telomerase component-reverse transcriptase) in cervical smear cells and vaginal microbiomes. Total RNA and DNA were isolated from tissue samples of 109 patients from the following groups: control, carrier, low-grade or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (L SIL and H SIL, respectively), and cancer. The quantitative PCR method was used to measure telomere length and telomerase expression. Vaginal microbiome bacteria were divided into community state types using morphotype criteria. Significant differences between histopathology groups were confirmed for both relative telomere length and relative hTERT expression (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). A significant difference in RTL was identified between carriers and H SIL (p adj < 0.001) groups, as well as between carriers and L SIL groups (p adj = 0.048). In both cases, RTL was lower among carriers. The highest relative hTERT expression level was recorded in the H SIL group, and the highest relative hTERT expression level was recorded between carriers and the H SIL group (p adj < 0.001). A correlation between genotype and biocenosis was identified for genotype 16+A (p < 0.001). The results suggest that identification of HPV infection, telomere length assessment, and hTERT expression measurement together may be more predictive than each of these analyses performed separately.

Transient heat transfer analysis of a sandwich panel with a cracked honeycomb core

Sandwich structures with ceramic honeycomb cores are extensively employed in thermal protection systems owing to their exceptional ability to resist high temperatures. This work aims at exploring the effect of cracking on the transient thermal process of the sandwich panel subject to impulsive and cyclic thermal loadings. Both the conventional and re-entrant hexagonal alumina honeycombs are considered for the core material. By the integral transform method, combined with singular integral equations, the transient temperatures of the whole sandwich panel are determined from the semi-analytical solution. The straightforward temperature difference of the crack face’s midpoints is exploited to characterize the heat intensification near the crack. Parametric investigations are carried out for the internal cell angle, the relative density, crack length, crack position, and thickness of face sheets, which provides a better understanding of the honeycomb materials working in thermal protection systems.

Reduced palatability, fast flight, and tails: decoding the defence arsenal of Eudaminae skipper butterflies in a Neotropical locality.

Prey often rely on multiple defences against predators, such as flight speed, attack deflection from vital body parts, or unpleasant taste, but our understanding on how often and why they are co-exhibited remains limited. Eudaminae skipper butterflies use fast flight and mechanical defences (hindwing tails), but whether they use other defences like unpalatability (consumption deterrence) and how these defences interact have not been assessed. We tested the palatability of 12 abundant Eudaminae species in Peru, using training and feeding experiments with domestic chicks. Further, we approximated the difficulty of capture based on flight speed and quantified it by wing loading. We performed phylogenetic regressions to find any association between multiple defences, body size, and habitat preference. We found a broad range of palatability in Eudaminae, within and among species. Contrary to current understanding, palatability was negatively correlated with wing loading, suggesting that faster butterflies tend to have lower palatability. The relative length of hindwing tails did not explain the level of butterfly palatability, showing that attack deflection and consumption deterrence are not mutually exclusive. Habitat preference (open or forested environments) did not explain the level of palatability either, although butterflies with high wing loading tended to occupy semi-closed or closed habitats. Finally, the level of unpalatability in Eudaminae is size dependent. Larger butterflies are less palatable, perhaps because of higher detectability/preference by predators. Altogether, our findings shed light on the contexts favouring the prevalence of single versus multiple defensive strategies in prey.

Tetrapod sperm length evolution in relation to body mass is shaped by multiple trade-offs

Sperm length is highly variable across species and many questions about its variation remain open. Although variation in body mass may affect sperm length evolution through its influence on multiple factors, the extent to which sperm length variation is linked to body mass remains elusive. Here, we use the Pareto multi-task evolution framework to investigate the relationship between sperm length and body mass across tetrapods. We find that tetrapods occupy a triangular Pareto front, indicating that trade-offs shape the evolution of sperm length in relation to body mass. By exploring the factors predicted to influence sperm length evolution, we find that sperm length evolution is mainly driven by sperm competition and clutch size, rather than by genome size. Moreover, the triangular Pareto front is maintained within endotherms, internal fertilizers, mammals and birds, suggesting similar evolutionary trade-offs within tetrapods. Finally, we demonstrate that the Pareto front is robust to phylogenetic dependencies and finite sampling bias. Our findings provide insights into the evolutionary mechanisms driving interspecific sperm length variation and highlight the importance of considering multiple trade-offs in optimizing reproductive traits.

Is Dark Matter a Misinterpretation of a Perspective Effect?

Very recently, a straightforward method was proposed to understand galaxies and galactic clusters without using the very elusive dark matter concept. This method is called the κ-model. The main idea is to maintain the form of the usual physical laws, especially Newton’s laws of motion when gravity is weak, but only by applying a local scaling procedure for the related lengths, distances, and velocities. This local scaling appears as a correspondence principle in the κ-model. In this model, the fundamental physical constants remain universal, i.e., they are independent of a point in space and of time. The κ-model is Newtonian in its essence, but there is a relativistic extension that can easily be built. The aim of the present paper is to detail the mathematical formalism supporting it.

A Multiscale Modeling and Experimental Study on the Tensile Strength of Plain-Woven Composites with Hybrid Bonded-Bolted Joints.

CFRP hybrid bonded-bolted (HBB) joints combine the advantages of traditional joining methods, namely adhesive bonding, and bolting, to achieve optimal connection performance, making them the most favored connection method. The structural parameters of CFRP HBB joints, including overlap length, bolt-hole spacing, and fit clearance relationships, have a complex impact on connection performance. To enhance the connectivity performance of joint structures, this paper develops a multiscale finite element analysis model to investigate the impact of structural parameters on the strength of CFRP HBB joint structures. Coupled with experimental validation, the study reveals how changes in structural parameters affect the unidirectional tensile failure force of the joints. Building on this, an analytical approach and inverse design methodology for the mechanical properties of CFRP HBB joints based on deep supervised learning algorithms are developed. Neural networks accurately and efficiently predict the performance of joints with unprecedented combinations of parameters, thus expediting the inverse design process. This research combines experimentation and multiscale finite element analysis to explore the unknown relationships between the mechanical properties of CFRP HBB joints and their structural parameters. Furthermore, leveraging DNN neural networks, a rapid calculation method for the mechanical properties of hybrid joints is proposed. The findings lay the groundwork for the broader application and more intricate design of composite materials and their connection structures.

Scale Characteristics of Six Fish Species of the Genus Cyprinion (Teleostei: Cypriniformes): A Microscopic Analysis.

This study investigated the morphological characteristics of scales in six Cyprinion species, using light and scanning electron microscopy focusing on key features such as scale type, key scales, lateral line scales, radius/radii, rostral margin, focus, circuli, lepidonts, tubercles, and scale indices. The research analyzed the scales using ultramicroscopy and light microscopy imaging, categorizing them based on size classes and body regions. The morphological variations in scale characteristics were examined across different species, regions, and size classes. Notable findings included the tetra-sectioned form of scales, representing a unique characteristic of the Cyprinion genus. Morphological changes in scale features were observed with fish growth, particularly in the overall shape, focus shape, and size. Quantitative analysis revealed variations in average relative scale length and width among different species, regions, and size classes. The study utilized canonical discriminant analysis for multivariate assessment, classifying the species into distinct groups based on morphometric indices. The findings contribute to the understanding of scale morphology in Cyprinion species and exploring morphological variation between the examined species.

Diet characteristics of tidal creek-associated fishes of the northeastern Arabian Sea with special reference to microplastic ingestion

The present study assessed the diet characteristics, trophic guild structure, and microplastics (MPs) ingestion by a group of fish sourced from the tidal creeks of the Mumbai coast along the Eastern Arabian Sea. The diet patterns were characterized using gastro-somatic index (GaSI), relative length of gut (RGL), diet overlap (α), diet breadth (Bi), and relative abundance of food items (%IOP), with a special emphasis on MPs contamination. The findings revealed that teleost and shrimps are the most preferred food items for these species. Whereas MPs contribute 5.50% of the total diet composition of the selected fishes. Additionally, we tried to find out the influence of fish size and dietary attributes on MP ingestion, identifying trophic level as a significant factor influencing contamination levels. Using the Polymer Hazard Index (PHI), the potential risks posed by MPs in fish samples were assessed, revealing notable discrepancies among polymers. For instance, polyvinyl chloride showed the highest PHI score of 198.75 and a hazard score reaching the highest risk category (IV), indicating substantial environmental risk. In summary, our findings highlight the impact of fish diet characteristics on MPs contamination and the varying levels of MP risks along the Mumbai coast, categorized according to polymer type from low to high risk.