Coryphoid palms from the K-Pg boundary of central India and their biogeographical implications:Evidence from megafossil remains

Ten palm leaf impressions are documented from the latest Maastrichtian(late Cretaceous) to early Danian(earliest Paleocene) sediments(K-Pg,c.66-64 Ma) of the Mandla Lobe of the Deccan Intertrappean Beds,Madhya Pradesh,central India.The palmate leaf shape along with a definite wellpreserved costa support their placement in the subfamily Coryphoideae of the family Arecaceae.We place all recovered palm leaf specimens in the fossil genus Sabalites,report seven species of coryphoid palms and describe two new species namely,Sabalities umariaensis sp.nov.and Sabalites ghughuaensis sp.nov.The fossils indicate that coryphoid palms were highly diverse in central India by the latest Cretaceous.These and earlier reported coryphoid palm fossils from the same locality indicate that they experienced a warm and humid tropical environment during the time of deposition.These discoveries confirm the presence of a diversity of Coryphoideae in Gondwana prior to the India-Eurasia collision and provide information about coryphoid biogeographical history over geological time.Based on megafossil remains,we trace coryphoid palm migration pathways from India to mainland Southeast(SE) Asia and other parts of Asia after the docking of the Indian subcontinent with Eurasia early in the Paleogene.

Experimental study of the interspecific competition between two sibling marine herbivorous rotifers in relation to food availability and initial population density

Our laboratory study concerns the competitive interaction between two marine rotifer species Bra- chionus plicatilis and Brachionus rotundiformis at five algal （ Nannochloropsis salina） concentrations （0.4＊106 to 32.4x106 cells/ml） and at four initial inoculation densities （numerically, 100% B. pli- catilis; 75% B. plicatilis and 25% B. rotundiforrnis, 50% each of the two species; 25% B. plicatilis and 75% B. rotundiformis and 100% B. rotundiforrnis. The initial biomass varied as 0.33 and 0.22 #g/ml for B. plicatilis and B. rotundiformis respectively. Experiments were performed at （25±1）C. Population densities were enumerated and the medium was changed daily up to 8 d in the ex- periment. At the lowest food level tested, B. rotundiformis formed superior competitor than B. plicatilis, regardless of starting inoculation density. Generally when the food concentrations in- creased, B. plicatilis showed a greater increase in biomass than B. rotundiforrnis. B. rotundiformis formed the largest in population growth, regardless of increasing food concentrations. When grown alone, B. plicatilis reached peak abundances of （1.311 5±0.028） and （137.5±0.014） μg/ml at low and high food densities respectively. The corresponding values of B. rotundiformis were 0.724 5±0.016 and 18.15±0.021. The adverse effects of B. rotundiforrnis on the peak abundances of B. plicatilis were observed at the lowest food level and higher initial density. The rate of population growth in controls varied from （0.792±0.162） to （1.482±0.132） ttm/d for B. plicatilis and （0.445~0.041） to （0.856±0.012） μm/d for B. rotundiformis, depending on food level. When both species were intro- duced together, low food levels favoured higher abundance of B. rotundiforrnis than B. plicatilis, suggesting that increased population density of the smaller B. rotundiforrnis was more successfull than larger B. plicatilis in brackish waters. Our work reveals that available food （type and quan- tity） along with starting inoculation density had significant effect on the interspecific competition between marine sibling rotifer species in zooplankton community structure.

Atmospheric Meteorological Parameters and Ionospheric F2 Layer Critical Frequency (foF2) Observation for 6^th December, 2016 Indonesia Earthquake (M 6.5): A Case Study

On 6^th December, 2016, an earthquake with M 6.5 occurred at the tectonic plate boundary, southwest of Sumatra, Indonesia (Latitude: 0.5897°S, Longitude: 101.3431°E). In this case, ionospheric critical frequency of F2 layer (foF2) variations and meteorological parameters, viz., air temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure and wind speed variations were investigated so as to detect any anomalies. Data are obtained from different websites freely available for researchers. In the absence of real ionosonde foF2 data, IRI 2016 model data were used. For each parameter, anomaly window were defined when values fell beyond ± 6 ℃,< 70 %,± 4 mb and ± 3.5 km h-1 from the event day value and one third of total foF2 values broke the limits of the upper and lower bounds. Certain random anomalies in temperature, relative humidity, pressure, wind speed and foF2 frequencies were observed different days prior to occurrence of the quake but each parameter showed anomalies 12 days before the occurrence. Also, geomagnetic tranquility was justified through Kp and Dst indices. This study reveals that continuous monitoring of atmospheric meteorological parameters and regular ionospheric foF2 observations might help us to predict an earthquake about a week prior to the occurrence.

Rare earth element signatures of Paleoproterozoic Sallopat phosphorites of Aravalli Basin,India:implications for diagenetic effects and depositional environment

As a repository of REE,the Paleoproterozoic phosphorite of the Aravalli Basin in India is explored time to time.Paleoproterozoic phosphorite deposits of the Sallopat sub-basin Banswara district of the Aravalli Supergroup show moderate REE concentrations much lower than that of average marine phosphorites.Different ratios and PAAS-normalized REE distribution patterns reflect MREE enrichment over LREE and HREE in these phosphorites.MREE enrichment confirmed by(Sm/Yb)Nversus(Sm/Pr)Nrelationship and attributed to the selective uptake by cyanobacteria and mixing of riverine inputs.Y/Ho,La/Ce and Er/Nd ratios confirm that the REE in Sallopat phosphorites might have been affected by the argillaceous terrigenous and plagioclase-rich sediments probably derived from Banded Gneissic Complex.Diagenetic modeling indicates that REE were concentrated during early diagenetic processes with limited weathering influence.Moderate negative to low Ce anomaly depicts oxic to sub-oxic conditions of seawater due to oxidation of Ce^(3+)to Ce^(4+)whereas Eu^(3+)reduced to Eu^(2+)indicating positive Euanomaly and reducing conditions as well during the deposition.These anomalies may be due to the stratified restricted marine environment of upwelling and mingling of organic-rich anoxic deep water with oxic upper seawater prior to the formation of phosphorite deposits in the embayment.Enrichment of REE in Sallopat phosphorite relies on various physico-chemical conditions.These phosphorites may have been formed in restricted marine water which was influenced by extra clastic sediment input carried out by fluvial systems.

Evidence of the oldest extant vascular plant(horsetails)from the Indian Cenozoic

Equisetum(Equisetaceae)has long been a focus of attention for botanists and palaeontologists because,given its extensive and well-documented fossil record,it is considered the oldest extant vascular plant and a key element in understanding vascular plant evolution.However,to date,no authentic fossil evidence of Equisetum has been found from the Indian Cenozoic.Here,we describe a new fossil species,namely,E.siwalikum sp.nov.,recovered from the middle Siwalik(Late Miocene)sediments of Himachal Pradesh,western Himalaya.We identified fossil specimens based on morphological and epidermal characters.In addition,X-Ray diffraction(XRD)analysis was used to determine the mineral composition of compressed stems of Equisetum.The close affinity of our recovered Siwalik fossils to Equisetum is supported by the presence of both macromorphological and epidermal characters.Because Equisetum generally grows in wet conditions around water reservoirs,our findings indicate that the fossil locality was humid and surrounded by swamp and lowland regions during deposition.Ample fossil evidence indicates that this sphenopsid once existed in the western Himalaya during the Siwalik period.However,at present Equisetum is confined to a particular area of our fossil locality,probably a consequence of severe environmental changes coupled with competition from opportunistic angiosperms.Our discovery of Equisetum fossils in appreciable numbers from the Siwalik sediments of the Himachal Himalayas is unique and constitutes the first reliable recognition of Equisetum from the Indian Cenozoic.

Larvicidal and repellent potential of Moringa oleifera against malarial vector,Anopheles stephensi Liston(Insecta:Diptera:Culicidae)

Objective:To evaluate the larvicidal and pupicidal potential of the methanolic extracts from Moringa oleifera(M.oleifera) plant seeds against malarial vector Anopheles stephensi(A.stephensi) mosquitoes at different concentrations(20,40,60,80 and 100 ppm).Methods:M.oleifera was collected from the area of around Bharathiar University,Coimbatore.The dried plant materials were powdered by an electrical blender.From each sample,100 g of the plant material were extracted with 300 mL of methanol for 8 h in a Soxhlet apparatus.The extracts were evaporated to dryness in rotary vacuum evaporator to yield 122 mg and 110 mg of dark greenish material(residue) from Arcang amara and Ocimum basilicum,respectively.One gram of the each plant residue was dissolved separately in 100 mL of acetone(stock solution) from which different concentrations, i.e.,20,40,60,80 and 100 ppm were prepared.Results:Larvicidal activity of M.oleifera exhibited in the first to fourth instar larvae of the A.stephensi,and the LC_(50) and LC_(90) values were 57.79 ppm and 125.93 ppm for the first instar,63.90 ppm and 133.07 ppm for the second inslar,72.45 ppm and 139.82 ppm for the third instar,78.93 ppm and 143.20 ppm for the fourth instar,respectively. During the pupal stage the methanolic extract of M.oleifera showed that the LC_(50),and LC_(90) values were 67.77 ppm and 141.00 ppm,respectively.Conclusions:The present study indicates that the phytochemicals derived from M.oleifera seeds extracts are effective mosquito vector control agents and the plant extracts may be used for further integrated pest management programs.

Antimicrobial potential of selected brown seaweeds from Vedalai coastal waters,Gulf of Mannar

Objective:To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Turbinaria conoides(T.conoides).Padina gymnospora(P.gymnospora) and Sargassum tenerrimum against human bacterial and fungal pathogens.Methods:The antimicrobial activities of the extracts against various organisms were tested by using disc diffusion method.Results:The methanol extract showed the better result than the other extracts.Whereas,the strong antibacterial inhibition was noted in methanol extracts of P.gymnospora against Bacillus subtilus(26.33±1.86) and the mild inhibition of ethanol extracts from T.conoides against Klebsiella pneumoniae(2.33±0.51).Acetone extraction of P. gymnospora had strong antifungal inhibition against Cryptococcus neoformans(23.00±1.78), and acetone extract of T.conoides had mild inhibition against Aspergillus niger(3.00±0.89). Conclusions:The seven different solvent extracts of seaweeds used in the present study have shown significant bacterial action.Further,a detailed study on the principle compound in the seaweeds which is responsible for antimicrobial activity is still needed and it can be achieved by using advanced separation techniques.

In vitro antioxidant activities of selected seaweeds from Southeast coast of India

Objective:In vitro antioxidant activities of three selected Indian seaweeds viz.,Halimeda tuna(H.tuna),Turbinaria conoides(T.conoides) and Gracilaria foliifera(G.foliifera) were evaluated.Methods:Total antioxidant activity,total phenolic content,and reducing power of crude methanol and diethyl ether extracts were determined.Results:Total phenolic content and total antioxidant activity were higher(1.231±0.173 mg GAE/g,1.675±0.361 mg GAE/g) in T.conoides respectively.Reducing power of crude methanol extract increased with concentrations of the extract.The Fourier transform-infra red spectrum analysis revealed the presence of polyphenolic signals.The seaweed extracts displayed moderate antioxidant activity compared to gallic acid standard.Conclusions:The seaweeds could be considered for curing diseases from oxidative deteriorations.

Antimicrobial activities of the tissue extracts of Babylonia spirata Linnaeus,1758 (Mollusca:Gastropoda) from Thazhanguda,southeast coast of India

Objective:To investigate the antimicrobial activity of the tissue extracts of Babylonia spirata(B.spirala)against nine bacterial and three fungal patliogeiis.Methods:Crude extract of gastropod was tested for inhibition of bacterial and fungal growth.Antibacterial assay was carried out by disc diffusion method and in vitro antifungal activity was determined against Czapex Dox agar.The antimicrobial activity was measured accordingly based on the inhibition zone around the disc impregnated with gastropod extract.Molecular size of muscle protein was determined using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE).And fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT1R)spectro photometry analysis was also studied.Results:The maximum inhibition zone(12 mm)was observed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the crude ethanol extract of B.spirata and the minimum inhibition zone(2 mm)was noticed against Staphylococcus aureus in the crude methanol extract of B.spirala.Water extract of B.spirala showed the highest activity against Vibrio parahaemolyticus,Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans.Ethanol,acetone,methanol,chloroform and water extracts showed antimicrobial activity against almost all the bacteria and fungus.Compared with water extracts,ethanol and methanol extracts showed higher activity against all pathogens.The molecular weight of protein of the gastropod sample ranged from 2-110 kDa on SDS-PAGE.FTIR analysis revealed the presence of bioactive compounds signals at different ranges.Conclusions:The research shows that the great medicinal value of the gastropod muscle of B.spirata may be due to high quality of antimicrobial compounds.

Hepatoprotective activity of brown alga Padina boergesenii against CCl_4 induced oxidative damage in Wistar rats

Objective:To investigate the protective effects of brown alga Padina boergesenii（P.boergeseii） against carbon tetrachloride（CCl4） induced oxidative damage and liver fibrosis in rats.Methods: To assess the hepatic damage liver weight,the activities of TBARS level,glutathione,SOD,CAT and GPx in circulation and liver.Results:The group of rats induced with CCl4 alone（2 mL/kg body weight）,showed noticeable increase in the liver weight and TBARS level.Followed by, the level of antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase,Superoxide dismutase and catalase was also significantly（P【0.01） diminished.Where as,the rats pretreated with P.boergesenii（150 mg/ kg body weight） modulated the CCl4 induced liver fibrosis.The level of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation products was found to be significandy（P【0.01） attenuated to near normal level, when compared with rats induced with CCL,alone.In order to assess the role of carotenoids in the relevant activity,total carotenoid content of the extract was analysed and found to be 0.59 mg/g fresh weight（FW）.Further,the histopathogical studies provide a supportive evidence for this study to show the protective nature of P.boergesenii.Conclusions:The protective role of brown alga P.boergesenii extract has confirmed its potential activity through its antioxidant sparing actions against CCl4 induced free radical damage.However,the possible mechanism of hepatoprotection is rather speculative at this stage and investigations are underway to isolate and characterize the bioactive compounds from P.boergesenii.

Antimicrobial and hemolytic activity of fish epidermal mucus Cynoglossus arel and Arius caelatus

Objective:To study the antimicrobial,hemolytic activity and immunomodulatory activity of fish epidermal mucus and their chemical constituents from Cynoglossus arel(C.arel) and Alius caelatus(A.caelatus).Mucus plays an important role in the prevention of colonization by parasites,bacteria and fungi.Methods:Epidermal mucus was obtained from two marine fishes,lyophilized and the chemical composition of epidermal mucus was analysed by FT-IR analysis.The in vitro antimicrobial activity against human pathogens(fungi,gram positive and gram-negative bacteria) and also the hemolytic activity and immunomodulatory activity were determined.Results:Totally ten human pathogens were tested against the fish mucus.Out of the ten pathogens,five pathogens have proved to be sensitive to the mucus.Maximum zone of inhibition was observed against Vibrio cholera(V.cholera)(9 mm and 2 mm in diameter),followed by Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus) with a inhibition zone of(6 mm and 3 mm),Streptococcus areus(S.areus)(5 mm and 4 mm),Vibrio parahemolyticus(V.parahemolyticus)(4 mm and 5 mm) respectively.Conclusions:The present investigation has revealed that positive progresses in the fish mucus extracts against human pathogens and hemolytic activity.But further efforts are required for the purification and isolation of the active antimicrobial compounds in order to establish their possible applications.

Pharmacological and biomedical properties of sea anemones Paracondactylis indicus,Paracondactylis sinensis,Heteractis magnifica and Stichodactyla haddoni from East coast of India

Objective:To explore the biomedical and pharmacological activity of Paracondactylis indicus (P.indicus).Paracondactylis sinensis(P.sinensis).Heteraclis magnified(H.magnified) and Stichadactyla haddoni(S.haddoni).Methods:The live sea anemones were kept inside the glass howl along with some amount of distilled water in an ice container for 15 min.During stress Condition,nemalocysts released from the tentacles were collected and centrifuged al 5 000 rpm for 15 min.The supernatant were collected ill separate cleaned beakers for lyophilisation.Results: The protein content of crude extracts was 15.2.28.7.18.2 and 35.4μg/mL.In hemolytic assay,the P.indicus was sensitive(16.842 HT/mg) on chicken blood but P.sinensis was less sensitive(1.114 HT/mg) on chicken and goal blood.Whereas H.magnified and S.haddoni showed hemolysis (0.879.0.903 HT/mg and 56.263.0.451 HT/mg) in chicken and goat blood.In antimicrobial assay, the methanol extract of P.indicus showed maximum inhibition zone of 9.7 mm against S.typhii and P.sinensis showed 9.8 mm against K.pneumonia in methanol and ethanol extracts.Whereas the H.magnified and S.haddoni showed maximum of 10 mm against S.typhii.K.pneumonia in methanol and ethanol extracts.Conclusions:The high toxic sea anemones may also contain some biologically active agents which has haemolytic,analgesic and anti-infilamatory activity.

Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on Growth of Eukaryotic Green Algae

Silver nanoparticles,endowed with powerful antimicrobial property,are the most widely used nanomaterial in consumer products,with associated risk of their easy access to environment and freshwater ecosystems by surface runoff.Although toxic effects of nanosilver on bacterial,fungal and mammalian cells have been documented,its impact on algal growth remains unknown.Pithophora oedogonia and Chara vulgaris are predominant members of photosynthetic eukaryotic algae,which form major component of global aquatic ecosystem.Here we report for the first time that nanosilver has significant adverse effects on growth and morphology of these filamentous green algae in a dose-dependent manner.Exposure of algal thalli to increasing concentrations of silver nanoparticles resulted in progressive depletion in algal chlorophyll content,chromosome instability and mitotic disturbance,associated with morphological malformations in algal filaments.SEM micrographs revealed dramatic alterations in cell wall in nanoparticle-treated algae,characterized with cell wall rupture and degradation in Pithophora.Although these observations underscore severe deleterious effects of nanosilver on aquatic environment,the information can also be exploited as a bioengineering strategy to control unwanted and persistent growth of noxious algal weeds that clog the municipal water supply and water channels and produce fouling of water bodies.

Isolation and Characterization of Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria from Seagrass Rhizosphere Soil

Phosphate-solubilizing bacterial strains(6 Nos.) were isolated from the rhizosphere soils of two seagrasses(Halophila ovalis(R.Br.) Hook and Halodule pinifolia(Miki) Hartog) in the Vellar estuary.Experimental studies found that the strain PSSG6 was effective in phosphate solubilization with Phosphate Solubilization efficiency index E = 375 ± 8.54,followed by the strain PSSG5 with Phosphate Solubilization efficiency index E = 275 ± 27.3.Of the 6 strains isolated,the strains PSSG4 and PSSG5 be-longed to the genus Bacillus,and PSSG1,PSSG2 and PSSG3 were identified as Citrobacter sp.,Shigella sp.,and Klebsiella sp.,respectively,by conventional method,and PSSG6 was identified as Bacillus circulans using conventional and molecular methods.

Seasonal variations of phytoplankton diversity in the Coleroon coastal waters,southeast coast of India

The results of an investigation carried out during June 2005 to May 2007 on physico-chemical parameters,species composition and community structure of phytoplankton including Chlorophyll a（Chl-a） at the Coleroon coastal waters（Southeast coast of India） are reported.Air and surface water temperatures（℃） varied from 25.1 to 30.1 and from 24.5 to 28.5 respectively.Salinity values varied from 6 to 28.5 and the pH ranged between 7.0 and 8.3.Variation in dissolved oxygen content was from 3.1 to 7.5 mg/dm^3 while the light extinction coefficient values（LEC） ranged between 3.1 and 10.1 cm.The ranges of inorganic nutrients（μmol/dm^3） viz.,nitrate,nitrite,phosphate and silicate were 10.1-23.4,1.2-8.9,0.2-3.1 and 55-125,respectively.The ranges of Chlorophyll a（μg/dm-3） values was 2.0-7.5.Presently,124 phytoplankton species representing different classes viz：Bacillariophyceae（77）,Dinophyceae（19）,Cyanophyceae（15）,Chlorophyceae（10） and Chrysophyceae（3） were recorded.The phytoplankton cell abundance varied from 0.290 to 111.662 cells/cm-3,with peak diversity（3.38 bits/ind.） during summer season.The maximum abundance was found during summer season coinciding with the stable hydrographical conditions.The seasonal distribution and abundance of phytoplankton are discussed in relation to hydrographical parameters.Canonical Correspondence Analysis（CCA） was applied in this paper for discriminating environmental factors having effect on phytoplankton community at species level.Coleroon coastal water is subjected to long term fluctuations in physico-chemical parameters depending upon the seasonal tidal amplitude and freshwater influx resulting in a continuous exchange of organic,inorganic,plant and animal matters.

Studies on the seasonal variations in the proximate composition of ascidians from the Palk Bay,Southeast coast of India

Objective:To investigate the seasonal fluctuations of the proximate composition of the ascidians muscle.Methods:The moisture content was estimated by drying 1 g of fresh tissue at a constant temperature at 105(?)for 24 h.The loss of weight was taken as moisture content.The total protein was estimated using the Biuret method.The total carbohydrate in dried sample was estimated spectrophotometrically following the phenol-sulphuric acid method.The lipid in the dried sample tissue was gravimetrically estimated following the chloroform-methanol mixture method.Ash content was determined gravimetrically by incinerating 1 g dried sample in muffle furnace at about 550℃for 6 h and results are expressed in percentage.Results:It was found very difficult to compare the monthly variations,as all the ten species,exhibited wide fluctuations in their proximate compositions.For the sake of convenience,average seasonal values were calculated by summing the monthly values.Conclusions:The proximate composition of the 10 commonly available ascidians showed high nutritive value and hence these groups especially solitary ascidians can be recommended for human consumption in terms of pickles,soup,curry and others after ensuring the safety of consumers.

First record of marine crab,Eucrate alcocki Serène,in Serène and Lohavanijaya,1973 (Crustacea,Decapoda,Brachyura,Euryplacidae) from India

This paper reports the occurrence of a marine brachyuran crab species Eucrate alcocki Serène,in Serène et al.,1973,of the family Euryplacidae Stimpson,1871,for first time from India,based on a male specimen from Parangipettai fish landing centre in Bay of Bengal,Southeast Coast of India.Although morphologically corresponding with what is currently defined as E.alcocki,the color pattern of the carapace of the present specimen is rather different from that of the Chinese material-only the anterior fifth of the carapace is marked with scattered red spots,the rest of the surface is yellowish,with four unusually shaped red blotches which almost look like Sanskrit characters.