Development of Caudal Fin Cell Line from Hill Trout Barilius Bendelisis (Hamilton, 1807) for Cytotoxicity and Transfection Studies

A cell line named BBdF-1, established from the caudal fin of hill stream fish Barilius bendelisis, has been subcultured for more than 52 passages and is being maintained in L-15 media containing 20% FBS. Species origin of the cell line was confirmed using amplification of partial region of 16S and COI mitochondrial gene sequences. The optimum temperature for growth of BBdF-1 cell line was found to be 28°C. Karyotyping revealed diploid chromosome number as 50. Cells exhibited strong binding for cytokeratin marker and thus were found to be epithelial-like. Strong green fluorescence was observed in BBdF-1 cells transfected with phrGFP-II-N vector, indicating its suitability for utilization in gene expression and manipulation studies. Successful assessment of cytotoxicity of two heavy metals, viz. mercury and chromium, was performed. The cell line can serve as a useful resource material for early toxicity screening of pesticides/pollutant and gene expression.

A Recent Taxonomic Study of the Fish from the Jinam River in Dima Hasao Biodiversity Hotspot Region of Assam (India)

The Jinam River habitats inventory revealed the presence of alluvial valley, cascades, riffle-pools, boulders, cobbles, and gravel as types of substrata. The limnological parameters portrayed average values of air and water temperature, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen, free carbon di-oxide, total alkalinity, and conductivity. This recent pioneering study on the fish of the Jinam River in the Dima Hasao District of Assam revealed the presence of 18 species belonging to 15 genera, five families, and three orders, which are reported for the first time through this paper. Worth highlighting is the abundance of Barilius bendelisis and Devario aequipinnatus, and the fewer numbers of Chanda nama, these warranting proper management and conservation of the fish for this river.

Intraspecific morphometric variability in the populations of Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton) from the Alaknanda basin of Central Himalaya

The present study observed variations in the morphological traits of hill trout, Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton, 1807) from Alaknanda basin of Central Himalaya. A total of 124 samples of B. bendelisis were collected from three different tributaries, Dugadda Gad, Khankhra Gad and Khandah Gad of Alaknanda river between March 2015 to April 2016. Ninety morphometric characters were measured for each specimen. Statistical tools, univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA), principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant function analysis (DFA) were used to differentiate the populations of B. bendelisis. PCA extracted eight significant morphometric traits explaining 87.9% of total variation among the three populations. DFA revealed that 83.1% specimens were retained into their original groups. Environmental factors were attributed to phenotypic variations among closely related populations. The present study is a first attempt on stock structure of B. bendelisis from different tributaries of Alaknanda river. The study will help in future conservation and management of this fish species across Uttarakhand region, India.

First attempt of captive breeding, embryonic and larval development of Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton 1807)

The study describes, for the first time, captive breeding, embryonic and larval development of Barilius bendelisis. The captive breeding trial was carried out in April, in fish farm of Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research (DCFR), Bhimtal, India using differnet doses of ovatide. The most appropriate dose of ovatide was reported to be 0.3 ml/kg body weight to males and 0.6 ml/kg body weight to females. Fertilized eggs measuring 1.4-1.7 mm were spherical, demersal, and transparent with dark yellow coloured yolk. Hatching occurred 140 -160 hours after fertilization at 19.09°C ± 0.395. Newly hatched larvae were transparent with yellowish yolk reserve, measuring 5.57 - 6.71 mm in total length and characterized by pigmented eye and yolk sac which completely absorbed in 72 hours.

Ovarian maturation and histological observations of Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton) in captivity

Fish samples of Indian hill trout Barilius bendelisis, were collected from the Gaula river (290 17’ 25’’ N Latitude, 790 32’ 143’’ E) and reared in captive condition at Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Bhimtal (29021´ N, 79034´ E, altitude 1370 m MSL).Gonadosomatic index was found maximum in May for females (13.24 ± 0.92) and males (1.13 ± 0.07) respectively indicating a single spawning period of this species under captivity. Absolute fecundity (total number of eggs) varied from 320 to 4000. The average absolute fecundity was 1661 ± 304.6 at a total length 10.07 ± 0.30 cm and body weight of 11.92 ± 1.23 g. Histological study of the ovary revealed the presence of oocytes at different stages of maturity with a maximum number of the mature oocytes during April to May. Results of the present investigation suggest that B. bendelisis belongs to a category of low fecund fish and spawns during April and May under captive condition.