Zoology and Nematology

We invite you to submit high quality of research papers in all areas of Life Sciences for the publication in & Trends in Biosciences  & Advances in Life Sciences”.

Dr. S. S. Ali,
Editor – in- Chief , Trends in Biosciences Journal
Editor-in-Chief, Advances in Life Sciences Journal
H-1312, VIP lane, Satayam Vihar, Avas Vikas No.1, Kalyanpur, Kanpur – 208 018. U.P., 
Tele : (Mob.)+91- 9696499966,  7772001059, 9919388690
Email: trendsinbiosciencesjournal@gmail.com , ss_ali@rediffmail.com

ABSTRACT
The prevalence and distribution of urinary schistosomiasis in
Emilaghan and Omelema communities in Abua/Odual Local
Government Area, Rivers State of Nigeria was investigated using the
sedimentation technique. Out of 502 urine samples examined, 144
showed the presence of Schistosoma haemaiobuim with the overall
prevalence rate of 22.7%. Omelema community showed a slightly
higher prevalence (23.3%) than Emilaghan community (22.3%).
Statistical analysis showed that the infection varied significantly
among sexes, age and occupational groups (P=0.05). Females had
higher infection rate (23.5%) than the males (21.6%). Those within 51-
60ycars age bracket had the highest prevalence (41.1%) while those
within 61 70 had the least prevalence (12.5%). Highest prevalence
(36.2%) was recorded among farmers while the least prevalence
(23.4%) was recorded among students. Knowledge of the people
about the infection was relatively high especially those within 51-60
years age bracket, with males (50%) having the highest perception
than females (36.4%). The presence of snail species especially Bulinus
globosus, and increased contact time with the Schistosoma
haematobuim infested fresh water were thought to be responsible
for the prevalence of the infection in the area. Physio-chemical
parameters of water samples from studied habitats were analyzed
and suggestions on how to control the disease in the area were also
made.

The biology of the snail parasitic nematode Phasmarhabditis tawfiki Azzam was studied. The infective dauer larvae (third stage inside the retained second stage cuticle) move through the thin film of water in the soil searching for their hosts, (snails and slugs). Once they have found their hosts, the nematodes invade them through their natural opening. Inside the host, infective dauer larvae develop into hermaphroditic females. Sometimes when food is very abundant (in late autumn, winter and early spring), they reproduce very little number, of males. Through developing of the nematode, the host dies and the nematodes spread out over the cadaver and reproduce without forming infective larvae. When the food source is depleted, the nematodes form infective dauer larvae which move out of the soil searching for a new host and repeat the lifecycle, which takes from about 7-14 days (180-360 hrs.)for one generation. Two females were seen and photographed while begetting newly first larval stage. This is the first time of photographing a larviposition process of the nematodes.

An experiment was conducted during 2016 and 2017, to estimate the severity of damage in terms of yield losses by root knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita), a dangerous and devastating pest, on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), which is the prime cash crop of mid hill region of Himachal Pradesh, India. In this study, a field experiment was conducted under which half of the alternate plots were treated with Carbofuran, remaining were kept untreated and paired t-test was applied. Results revealed 35.2 and 37.4 per cent avoidable yield losses during the years 2016 and 2017. Significant differences were also observed in plant heights, fresh and dry weights of plants between Carbofuran treated and untreated plants. The treatment with Carbofuran resulted in 77.7, 79.7 percent reduction in final nematode population (soil), 40.0 and 36.8 percent (root), 37.5, and 29.1 percent in root knot index during both the years.

The present study was conducted during the period of 2015-16 (June-September) to characterize morphological profiles of Meloidogyne javanica from Papaya and Pumpkin in Himachal Pradesh, India. Affected plants displayed poor growth and significant galling on roots. Serious infections resulted in formation of large numbers of galls, wilted leaves, root rot, and then plant death. Morphological as well as morphological studies were carried out for confirmation of referred species. The present specimens have greater body length (550-789 vs. 541-804 µm), body width (320-550 µm vs. 311-581 µm) and longer spear length (16-22 vs. 14-20 µm) as compared to the earlier described populations by several authors. Morphometrics and female perineal pattern of the isolates fit within the ranges for M. javanica. Perineal patterns were oval to squarish in shape, usually with coarse, broken striae and with conspicuous lateral lines. Females had robust stylet with a dorsally curved cone and large transversely ovoid knobs that are offset from the shaft. This species of root-knot nematode was reported for first time from the state.

The present study was conducted during the period of 2015-16 (June-September) to characterize morphological profiles of Meloidogyne javanica from Papaya and Pumpkin in Himachal Pradesh, India. Affected plants displayed poor growth and significant galling on roots. Serious infections resulted in formation of large numbers of galls, wilted leaves, root rot, and then plant death. Morphological as well as morphological studies were carried out for confirmation of referred species. The present specimens have greater body length (550-789 vs. 541-804 μm), body width (320-550 μm vs. 311-581 μm) and longer spear length (16-22 vs. 14-20 μm) as compared to the earlier described populations by several authors. Morphometrics and female perineal pattern of the isolates fit within the ranges for M. javanica. Perineal patterns were oval to squarish in shape, usually with coarse, broken striae and with conspicuous lateral lines. Females had robust stylet with a dorsally curved cone and large transve...