A Review of Blastomycosis in Indian Subcontinent

This study traces the earliest cases of blastomycosis reported from India. Four authentic cases of blastomycosis from India including one each from Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, and one each from Bangladesh and Nepal, and five misdiagnosed cases have been reported in India after 2013. The clinical and diagnostic features of all cases are reviewed. The authentic cases from India originate from widespread locations in the country. The incidence of blastomycosis in dogs is known to be eight to ten times higher than that in humans. There is only one case of canine blastomycosis from India manifesting as a fatal pulmonary infection in a Mongrel dog. It is suggested additional canine cases should be looked for in different parts of India to facilitate the detection of endemic foci of B. dermatitidis for human and animal infections in the country. Mycological investigation of cases of pulmonary tuberculosis negative for culture and AFBs mear, and not responding to anti-tubercular therapy may reveal some cases of blastomycosis. A recently developed real-time PCR for identification of B. dermatitidis in culture and tissue may facilitate correct diagnosis of blastomycosis in suspected cases. Antigen testing in urine or serum is also recommended for diagnosing clinical infection and monitoring antifungal therapy in blastomycosis.

A new variety of Impatiens jurpia (Balsaminaceae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India

Impatiens jurpia var. ravikumareana a new variety of Balsaminaceae is described and illustrated from Arunachal Pradesh India. The new variety resembles I. jurpia var. jurpia and I. cathcartii but differ in many attributes.

Oecophylla smaragdina (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Odontotermes sp. (Isoptera: Termitidae) a potential source of antioxidant: the two most preferred edible insects of Arunachal Pradesh, India

Antioxidant potential of weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina (adult & brood) and termite Odontotermes sp the two common species of insects used as food by tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and elsewhere in India. Our findings highlight the antioxidant potential of these two insects. DPPH• scavenging activity IC50 (µg/mL) ranged from 59.56 (weaver ant adult) to 66.30 (termite). Termite species scored higher ABTS•+ scavenging activity (IC50: µg/mL), Ferric reducing power (TPEE µg/g) and phenolics (mg GAE/g) (18.70, 36.60 and 626.92) than weaver ant adult (52.57, 211.21 and 369.69) and weaver ant brood (33.34, 114.32 and 486.04). On the other hand, weaver ant adult scored higher flavonoids (mg RTE/g) (663.43) than its brood (387.19) and termite species (58.04). Weaver ant brood contained substantial amounts of phenolics and flavonoids, comparatively higher than phenolics of weaver ant adult and flavonoids of termite. These two insects may serve as an ideal dietary food supplement for handling oxidative stress and as a replacement for some conventional food products. However, further study is needed to find out the bioactive compound at the individual species level.

Role of vegetation characteristics on the distribution of three hornbill species in and around Pakke Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh, India

The relationship between various vegetation characteristics and the relative abundance of three hornbill species [Great Pied Hornbill (Buceros bicornis), Wreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus) and Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)] was studied in and around Pakke Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh. We walked transects (n=11; 22 walks) in three study sites to detect hornbills. Vegetation sampling was done using circular plots (n=33; 10 m radius) at every 400m interval along each transect. Encounter rate (1.5/km) of Great Pied Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) was highest in the protected and undisturbed forest area where food and roosting tree density were also high (114/ha). Oriental Pied Hornbill was common in both the sites within Pakke Tiger reserve near riverine forests (0.75/km) and also in the dense undisturbed forest (0.875/km). Multivariate analysis revealed that tree density, presence of fruiting trees (utilized by hornbills), canopy cover, and tree diversity in a particular area are the major factors responsible for the assemblage of more than one species of hornbills. The study shows that protection of the forest patches to keep the diversity and density of the tree species intact is crucial for the survival and distribution of the hornbills in the landscape.

Trade Potential of Indigenous Ornamental Fishes of Arunachal Pradesh, India

Arunachal Pradesh is rich with networks of drainage systems with enormous wild fish diversity due to varied climatic and topographical features. Most of the streams harbour very alluring small indigenous minnows, loaches, catfishes and barbs that have hardly been exploited for the ornamental fish market. If these aquatic resources are sustainably utilised as a trade commodity, then the pattern of livelihood of the local populace may be uplifted economically. The present investigation was undertaken to establish the market potential of certain indigenous ornamental fishes of Arunachal Pradesh. The survey was conducted during 2019–2020 for 6 months (October–March) based on the feasibility of accessible collections. A total of 52 ornamental fish species under 6 orders and 15 families were documented and collected during the surveys in various streams and rivers. The collection showed that 4 species namely Balitora brucei Gray, 1830, Aborichthys kempi Chaudhuri, 1913, Schistura devdevi Hora, 1935, and Neolissochilus hexagonolepis (McClelland, 1839) were recorded under near threatened; Lepidocephalichthys arunachalensis (Datta & Barman, 1984) and Botia rostrata Günther, 1868, under endangered and vulnerable categories, respectively as per International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) status. The species documented exhibiting natural ornamental features herein considered an indigenous ornamental fish (IOF) for depicting their market demand showing the minimal price of each individual species towards the development of organised trade in Arunachal Pradesh.

The taxonomy of some unusual Microveliinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Veliidae) from India

Two new genera and three new species of Microveliinae are described from India: Thirumalaia ocularis gen. nov. & sp. nov. from Tamil Nadu, Eyarinella robusta gen. nov. & sp. nov. from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and Geovelia fikaceki sp. nov. from Arunachal Pradesh. A male-based key to the genera of Microveliinae of India and a checklist of Indian species are provided. Neoalardus typicus (Distant, 1903) is recorded for the first time from Rajasthan.

Updated distribution of seven Trichosanthes L. (Cucurbitales: Cucurbitaceae) taxa in India, along with taxonomic notes

In India, lack of revisionary work in the genus Trichosanthes L. (Cucurbitales: Cucurbitaceae) over the past 38 years had resulted in several taxonomic and nomenclatural issues, which had implications in determining actual distribution status of taxa. Based on field observations, collected specimens, data from various specimens in herbaria and critical study of all the resources available, here we confirm the extended distribution of T. anaimalaiensis Bedd. in the states of Manipur and Nagaland; T. cordata Roxb. in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar; T. cucumerina L. subsp. sublobata (Kundu) K. Pradheep, D.R. Pani & K.C. Bhatt in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha; T. dicaelosperma C.B. Clarke in Nagaland; T. kerrii Craib in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur; T. majuscula (C.B. Clarke) Kundu in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Assam; and T. truncata C.B. Clarke in Nagaland. Two taxa, namely, Trichosanthes dicaelosperma and T. majuscula, earlier subsumed with T. ovigera Blume or T. cucumeroides (Ser.) Maxim., and T. dunniana H. Lév., respectively, have been resurrected at the rank of species. Lectotypes were designated for the names of above two species. For the first time, female plants of T. majuscula have been described. This communication provides an updated distribution status of seven taxa of Trichosanthes in India along with field and taxonomic notes, and additional taxonomic characters.