Editorial
Bioresources as Traditional food of Eastern Himalaya: Scientific research and Prospect for development of quality food
Hirendra Nath Sarma
Editor-in-Chief
Email: hirendra.sarma@rgu.ac.in
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Original Research Article
Human-Asiatic Black Bear Interactions in the Fringe Villages of Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim, Northeast India
Rakesh Basnett, Awadhesh Kumar*, Yengkhom Roamer Zest, Dipika Parbo
Wildlife Resources & Conservation Laboratory, Department of Forestry, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science & Technology (Deemed to be University), Nirjuli-791109, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, India
DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/4AK5Q
Email: tpileatus@gmail.com
View Abstract | PDF
Abstract: Human-black bear interactions have been increasing because of habitat destruction in their global distributional
ranges. We investigated human-Asiatic black bear interactions from 2016 to 2018 to assess the damages caused by the black
bears in the fringe villages of the Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim, India by conducting semi-structured questionnaire
survey among 193 inhabitants of 18 villages in the study area. We recorded 393 incidents of Human-Asiatic black bear
interactions in the study area. We observed four different types of human-bear interactions viz. (i) crop depredation (62.85%,
n=247 incidents), (ii) livestock kill (29.77%, n=117 incidents) and (iii) human casualties incidents (3.31%, n=13 and (iv) properties
damages (4.07%, n=16 incidents). Maize (35.62%) and goats (15.52%) were recorded as the highest depredated species in the
fringe villages. Most of the crop damages were recorded <400 m and livestock kill between 800m and 1.2km from the edge of
the Khangchendzonga National Park. That there is a significant difference in the altitudinal human-black bear interactions
(H=6.92, df =7, p =0.438) and maximum (32%) of incidents were recorded in the elevation ranges of 1501-2000 m asl. About
60% of fringe villages of park fall under the high and moderate-intensity zone of human-black bear interactions. More than
50% of respondents have shown a positive attitude towards the conservation of bears when properties are only damaged, but
demanded retaliatory killing of bear during human attack (85%). A suitable conservation strategy may be developed for
mitigating the human-Asiatic black bear interaction based on the present findings and in consultation with local inhabitants
who are the most vulnerable.
Key words: Conservation, crop depredation, human-bear interaction, human casualties, livestock depletion
Original Research Article
Genetic Diversity Analysis of Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb. (Kendu) Population Growing in Jharkhand, India Using ISSR Markers
Amita Kumari and Avinash Kumar*
Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Botany, Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribag, 825319, Jharkhand, India
DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/RC37F
Email: avinashkumar@vbu.ac.in
View Abstract | PDF
Abstract: Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb. (family-Ebanaceae), commonly known as Kendu or Tendu, is an economically
important tree species of the Indian forests. Its leaves are used for making ‘bidi’. Besides contributing an important role in the
economy of rural people, its leaves, barks and fruits have been used since ancient times in Indian traditional medicinal system-
‘Ayurveda’ to cure a variety of diseases. The aim of the present study was to determine the nature and extent of genetic
diversity of D. melanoxylon Roxb. germplasm resources, using ISSR markers. For assessment of population diversity status,
a total of 48 germplasm growing in 8 districts of Jharkhand were collected. The ISSR fingerprints detected 85.0% polymorphism
among 120 genetic loci amplified. Dendrogram based on binary data matrix resulted into 5 clusters. The calculated mean value
for Shannon’s index (I), Nei’s genetic diversity (h ), observed numbers of allele (na ), effective numbers of alleles (ne ) was
0.4641, 0.3093, 1.8917 and 1.5302, respectively. The gene flow was estimatedto be 1.6533, indicative of a high amount of genetic
exchange within the species. Apportionment of genetic variability by AMOVA revealed that most of the diversity (86.6%) was
distributed between individuals within a population followed by among region (12.29%) and between populations within
regions (1.11%) respectively. The ISSR markers, thus utilised, proved to be very useful in deciphering the genetic diversity
structure of naturally growing tree populations. The results obtained are very informative with regard to not only genetic
diversity status but also from the point of view of utilization.
Key words: Genetic diversity, ISSR, Kendu, Nei’s gene diversity, polymorphism
Original Research Article
Growth and Yield Assessment of Crops Cultivated in Ex-situ Conditions of
Lichenized and Non-lichenized Soils in Kumaun Himalaya
Balwant Kumar*1, Vijay Arya2 and Mahesh Kumar Arya1
1Department of Botany, Kumaun University, S.S.J Campus Almora (Uttarakhand) - 263601
2Government Degree College Kanda (Bageshwar) Uttarakhand
DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/M39PU
Email: drbalwantkumararya@gmail.com
View Abstract | PDF
Abstract: Agriculture is one of the major economic sources in remote areas of Uttarakhand. People in this region depend on
tree litter for their agricultural manure. In these areas, lichen litter can also be used along with other litter for improving
growth, yield and quality of the traditional crops. In the present investigation two important food crops were cultivated in
lichenized and non-lichenized soil under ex-situ condition. For this purpose lichenized soil which contains lichen taxa Usnea ,
Parmotrema and Everniastrum and non-lichenized soil (no lichen mixed soil) were taken. Observations on growth of different
parts of plant and yield of wheat and rice crop were taken on the fortnightly interval basis. Total ten observations on wheat
crop and eight on rice crop were taken during their existing cropping seasons. In these observations- seed germination rate,
stem height, leaf area, number of inflorescence, yield and seed quality of both the cereals grown in lichenized and nonlichenized
soil were taken. Wheat crop indicates higher seed germination percentage ranged between 13.2% with Parmotrema
decomposed soil to 66.8 with Usnea mixed soil within a period of 45 days of seed sowing. A maximum yield of wheat ranged
between 168.4 to 250.0 g/m2 was estimated in lichenized soil. Less yield of wheat was found in non-lichenized soil i.e. 163.1 g/
m2. The study concludes that in high altitude areas where lichen occurs luxuriantly, their litter can be employed as agricultural
manure with litter of higher plants. Lichen litter also improves soil nutrients.
Key words: Agricultural crops, lichenized and non-lichenized soil, lichen taxa, observations, temperate region.
Original Research article
Genetic Diversity Assessment of Chickpea Cultivars Using Dof (DNA
binding with One Finger) Domain- and Gene- Specific Primers
Saman Siddiqui1, Jeya Nasim1, Hariom Kushwaha2, Mohd Shahab1, Manoj Kumar Yadav3
and Dinesh Yadav1*
1Department of Biotechnology, D.D.U. Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur (U.P.) INDIA
2MTCC, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh-160036, INDIA
3Department of Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, SVP University of Agriculture and Technology,
Meerut (U.P.) 250 110, INDIA
DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/3WN9F
Email: dinesh.biotech@ddugu.ac.in
View Abstract | PDF
Abstract: Repertoires of molecular markers are being used for genetic diversity assessment among cultivars of different
crops. Functional markers represent an important group of DNA markers derived from functionally characterized sequences
like transcription factors. Dof (DNA- binding with one finger) is a plant specific transcription factor associated with multifarious
activity involved in growth and development. Variability exists in the number of Dof genes and Dof domain in different crops.
In the present study investigated the genetic diversity among twelve Indian cultivars of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) based on
PCR amplification pattern obtained by Dof domain and gene- specific primers designed from in silico predicted 37 CaDof
genes. The number of amplicons obtained with different sets of primers varied among these cultivars. The size of the
amplicons ranged from 0.2 to 1.9 Kb. A total of 690 bands with 390 polymorphic and 300 monomorphic bands were recorded.
The degree of polymorphism ranged from 7 to 100 percent with 27 out of 31 primers while four primers namely CaDof2,
CaDof16, CaDof17 and CaDof26 showed no polymorphism. The phylogenetic tree constructed using UPGMA method revealed
two major clusters comprising of four and eight cultivars, each of which was further bifurcated into sub-clusters. The genetic
diversity studies attempted with selected cultivars of chickpea reveals the potential of using Dof as functional markers and
could be substantially expanded by increasing the number of cultivars of chickpea along with cultivars of other legumes.
Key words: Chickpea, Dof transcription factor, functional marker, genetic diversity, polymorphism, phylogenetic tree
Original Research article
Stress Induced Transcriptional Activation of hif-1α and hsp-70 Genes in
Air-Breathing Singhi Catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis
Tanushree Purkayastha, Deepshikha Keot and Manas Das*
Animal physiology and biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Gauhati University,
Guwahati, Assam, India. Pin: 781014
DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/HAEMV
Email: manasdasne@gauhati.ac.in
View Abstract | PDF
Abstract: The molecular process that facilitates the adaptation ability of a oxyconformer like Heteropneustes fossilis remains
largely unexplored. Air breathing Singhi catfish, H. fossilis generally inhabits the aquatic bodies characterized by low dissolved
oxygen levels, a situation of hypoxia. Therefore, this study mainly focuses on the adaptation mechanism of such aquatic
dwellers to acute hypoxic stressed condition through the molecular arrangement of the differentially expressed hypoxia
inducible factor (hif-1 α )and heat shock protein (hsp-70) genes. Logical reasoning to the facts behind the observed data
justifies the underlying evidence of the study. In hypoxic conditions,2.8±0.1 mg/L D.O. and 0.98mg/L D.O. at time intervals of
8 and 12 hours; the transcriptional level of hif-1 α and hsp-70 genes in H fossilis were found to increase several folds when
compared to concurrent normoxic controlled fish, studied by the relative expression of qPCR . Simultaneously, the respiratory
organ, gills are seen to have significantly affected as a result of hypoxic conditions where 4.02 folds increase in hif-1 α and 1.73
folds of increased expression in hsp-70 genes after 12 hours (T2) of hypoxia were noticed. The purpose of this study is not only
to offer intuitions to the adaptation in cellular functions of the hypoxia stressed fish, but also to find out the underlying
phenomenon of such aquatic life form to dwell in areas of low dissolved oxygen levels where transcriptional factors hif-1 α and
hsp-70 are prime supporters in their survival.
Key words: Adaptation, dissolved oxygen (D.O.), normoxia, hypoxia, qPCR.
Original Research Article
Studies on Prevalence of Thermophilic Coprophilous Fungi Isolated from the Dung Samples of Herbivores in Telangana Region
Shanthipriya Ajmera1*, Divya Ajmeera2, Kadari Rajyalaxmi 3, Girisham Sivadevuni 3 and S. M. Reddy3
1*Department of Microbiology, Palamuru University, Telangana, India- 509001.
2University College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kakatiya University, Telangana, India-506009
3Department of Microbiology, Kakatiya University, Telangana, India-506009
DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/F3K79
Email: sreeja.poorvi@gmail.com
View Abstract | PDF
Abstract: The association concerning thermophilic fungi and herbivore droppings provides an opportunity to study thermophilic
coprophilous fungal communities in the microbial environment. Herbivore dung has long been utilized as a model for
studying the progression of saprotrophic fungi during decay or disintegration. Naturally, the fungal community associated with
herbivore droppings particularly depends on the location, environment especially temperature and rainfall, and also the
herbivore diet. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to study the prevalence of the thermophilic fungi on
herbivore droppings at optimum temperature under laboratory conditions. They were set to grow on yeast extract starch agar
composition, isolated and identified based on their morphological and physiological characterization followed by purification.
An overall 30 species of thermophilic coprophilous fungi representing 17 genera were identified and among them 23 species
were found thermophilic and 7 species were thermo tolerant. Furthermore, their percentage of incidence, abundance, and
frequency were evaluated by applying standard formulae. Our significant study on prevalence of thermophilic coprophilous
fungi from herbivore fresh dung was the first report from Telangana. Telangana state is consisting lot of forest region with
varied environmental conditions and as well as consisting more number of animals. Herbivores while grazing on vegetation
from surroundings ingest various microbes along with their food including thermophilic fungi. Some spores of the fungi
survive through entire gut environment of the animal and released outside along with the animal excreta and germinates at
favorable conditions and involves in recycling organic matter by their enzymes activity and contribute in the fertilization of soil
surfaces in the environmental biodiversity.
Key words: Dung sample, fungal community, herbivore droppings, Thermophilic coprophilous fungus
Original Research Article
Therapeutic Potential of Stink Bug Coridius nepalenseis (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Dinidoridae): An In Vitro Study
Archana Sharbidre1*, Santosh Sargar1, Hiren Gogoi2, Vicky Ambre1, Pranjal Honawale1, Rajendra Patil3
1Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune-411007, Maharashtra, India.
2Department of Zoology, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono-Hills, Doimukh-791112, Arunachal Pradesh, India
3Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune-411007, Maharashtra, India.
DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/D4A3F
Email: aasharbidre@unipune.ac.in
View Abstract | PDF
Abstract: Many ethnic communities in the Himalayan belt including northeast India and Bhutan consume the stinkbug
Coridius nepalensis . In addition, some other species of Coridius are used as food or medicine in some other parts of the
world. However, C. nepalensis was mainly focussed as food insect in previous works. Therefore, to evaluate its medicinal
property, present work was designed to analyse the antioxidant, antiglycation and antiamyloid potential of the insect using
aqueous extract (CN. Aq. Ex.). Antioxidant activity was studied using ABTS radical scavenging, DPPH radical scavenging, NO
scavenging, reducing power and metal chelating power assays. Similarly, Congo red binding assay was used to study antiamyloid
potential. Glucose-bovine serum albumin (BSA-glucose) assay and inhibition of fructosamine production were used to study
antiglycation potential. Total polyphenol content was also estimated, as certain polyphenols are involved in many of these
biochemical activities. CN. Aq. Ex. showed 33.73%, 65.16% and 80.36% scavenging activity for ABTS, DPPH and NO radical
respectively. The extract also exhibited 86.10% fructosamine inhibition and 95% -amyloid aggregation inhibition demonstrating
significant antiglycation andantiamyloid potential. The total polyphenol content in CN. Aq. Ex. was found to be 45.19 ± 2.79 μg
gallic acid Equivalents (GA equiv.)/mg. Present results showed that the aqueous extract of C. nepalesis possesses significant
antioxidant activity in terms of reducing power and NO scavenging. In addition, it also exhibited significant antiglycation and
antiamyloid activity.
Key words: Antiamyloid, antioxidant, antiglycation, Coridius nepalenseis, polyphenol
Short Communication
Wild Rats: A Traditional Delicacy and Socio-Cultural Heritage of Trapping
Technique in Siang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, India
Isum Lollen, Ruksar Rukbo, Upasa Gowala, Indira Sarma and Hirendra Nath Sarma*
Department of Zoology (Center with Potential for Excellence in Biodiversity),
Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Itanagar – 791 112, Arunachal Pradesh, India
DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/4GY65
Email: hirendra.sarma@rgu.ac.in
View Abstract | PDF
Abstract: Arunachal Pradesh is one of the frontier states of north eastern region of India. The state situated on the eastern
Himalayan region is inhabited by more than one hundred different tribal communities. The Siang valley people are one of the
oldest civilizations of the state comprising two major tribal communities namely “Adi” and “Galo”. They are rich in traditional
and indigenous knowledge on traditional food, agricultural practice, trapping and hunting techniques of wild animals. Among
the tribal communities tradition prevail on trapping of wild rats in forest and agricultural fields. The trapped wild rats are most
favoured delicacy and occupy a special socio-cultural status among these tribal populations. The present study has been carried
out among the Adi and Galo tribal community of Siang valley. Data have been collected through first hand information from
the indigenous tribal community visiting villages in Aalo of West Siang, Basar in Lepa Rada and Pasighat in East Siang district.
These communities use different trapping technique for wild rats in wild habitat. Rat meat has been considered as prestigious
delicacy and very often the dried animals are offered to dignitaries as gift. The indigenous technique and process of preparation
of wild rat meat needs to be documented. Scientific use of the data could find method for pest control as well as new food
source for the communities.
Key words: Adi, Galo, Siang valley, trapping technique, wild rat.
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