Biological & Molecular Sciences
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Vol 2, Issue 1 (2026)
Open Access
Authors:
Dr. Jaswinder Kaur
Although the Convolvulaceae family is home to ornamental and agricultural species, ethnomedicinal knowledge accumulated in Uttar Pradesh, India largely goes undocumented. This study was conducted to systematically document the medicinal species of Convolvulaceae in Uttar Pradesh, documenting their botanical identity, vernacular names, habitats, and therapeutic applications. A widespread field survey took place in multiple districts of Uttar Pradesh between May 2015 and March 2021. Data were collected using field observations and interviews with local residents. Plant specimens were collected, identified, and deposited in the Duthie Herbarium. The research recorded 28 medicinal plant species from 12 genera. The genus Ipomoea was the most abundant (13 species). Leaves and the whole plant were the most commonly used elements, mostly for making pastes, juices or decoctions to treat a broad range of more than 50 ailments. An initial conservation assessment showed that 32% of these species are of High conservation priority due to rarity and overharvesting. This study makes the first combined ethnobotanical knowledge on the Convolvulaceae family of the Uttar Pradesh state which is regarded as vital in local traditional medicine and highlights the importance of conservation, and ongoing pharmaceutic study.
Ethnobotany
Medicinal Plants
Convolvulaceae
Biological & Molecular Sciences
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Vol 2, Issue 1 (2026)
Open Access
Authors:
Dr. Abhinay Kumar Giri
The rural economy is heavily reliant on goat farming as goats provide small and marginal farmers with meat, milk, and an opportunity to make a living. But farmers lose economically when goats have ectoparasitic infestations caused by ticks; they also lose the goats' health and productivity. This current study assessed the prevalence rate of tick infestation for goats in the Purvanchal region located in Uttar Pradesh India. Four hundred goats of various ages, breeds (breed), and sex were randomly assessed for tick populations based on a visual inspection (using a very detailed physical inspection) and ticks were collected after they were initially found by the visual assessment so they could be identified later using taxonomically standard taxonomic keys. Four-hundred goats were visually assessed (of which half —253 were found to have ticks), therefore resulting in an overall tick infestation rate of 63.25%. This study clearly indicates that tick infestations are a major problem across the entire survey area with a severe ectoparasitic burden on the all of the goats throughout the region and that goats with tick infestations that are in poor body condition eventually experience skin irritations and reduced productivity—therefore resulting in a higher-than-average chance of obtaining a secondary infection. An estimated economic loss due to decreased goat productivity experienced from ectoparasitic-tick infestations can reach thousands of dollars annually for a goat owners. The result of this finding emphasizes the importance of regular surveillance for ticks on goats and implementing strategic tick control programs, providing producers with improved hygiene on their farms, and raising awareness of producers about controlling ectoparasite infestations. Improved management practices will improve the health of goats and the productivity of goats and therefore will ensure that goats can be farmed sustainably throughout the Purvanchal region.
Goats
Ticks & Prevalence.
Biological & Molecular Sciences
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Vol 1, Issue 1 (2025)
Open Access
Authors:
Dr. Barkha
Arti Kumari
Sanjana Rani
The Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh, located in the fertile terai region, is rich in freshwater sources which include the Sharda River, Sharda Sagar Dam, Deoha Reservoir, as well as the origin of the Gomati River. These water bodies are integral to irrigation, drinking water supply, fisheries, and biodiversity. The district's rivers, wetlands, and reservoirs offer conducive conditions for fish farming and preserving water resources. Nevertheless, the construction of dams and irrigation systems radically changes the natural hydrological patterns, water quality, and fish population dynamics.
This study attempts to assess the analysis of water quality parameters and determinants of water dynamics of fish populations found in selected sites including the Sharda River, Sharda Sagar Dam, along with some other water resources in Pilibhit. The physicochemical properties of water -- temperature, pH, DO, BOD, TDS, COD -- were evaluated to study its suitability for aquatic life. Seasonal distributions were observed, indicating that water quality depends on temperature and rainfall patterns and hence directly affected fish richness and distribution. Some commercially vital fishes namely, the fish species Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala, Channa punctatus and some other catfish species were observed with different density in the survey facilities. Maximum fish abundance was recorded at post-winter level and minimum was observed under monsoon seasons where turbidity was high and oxygen saturations were low. Sustainable water and dam hydrology, controlled dam discharge, controlled release of floodwaters and wetlands conservation are vital for preserving fish population dynamics and for ensuring a healthy condition of habitat in Pilibhit, the study concludes.
Sharda River
Pilibhit
Water quality
Biological & Molecular Sciences
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Vol 1, Issue 1 (2025)
Open Access
Authors:
Vijay Kumar
Ectoparasites infesting domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus) represent a significant and pervasive threat to the health, welfare and productivity worldwide. These ectoparasites inhabit the skin, feathers, and external surfaces of the birds. They feed on blood causes direct damage, skin irritation and feather destruction. they also serve as vectors for viral, bacterial, and protozoan pathogens. Poultry sector in India is vast and rapidly expanding industry, encompassing both intensive commercial units and extensive backyard systems. Infestation of ectoparasite poses a substantial economic burden and a constraint to sustainable production. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the major ectoparasitic groups (lice, mites, fleas, ticks, and bugs) infesting domestic fowl globally. It covers the present status of research in taxonomy, morphology, life cycles, clinical and economic impacts, diagnostic methods, and integrated control strategies. This review paper emphasised on the need for region-specific epidemiological studies, the monitoring of acaricide resistance, and the development of sustainable, holistic management approaches tailored to diverse production systems.
Poultry
Ectoparasites
Lice
Biological & Molecular Sciences
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Vol 1, Issue 1 (2025)
Open Access
Authors:
Gaurav Kumar Singh
Soil nematodes are a part of soil food webs and are sensitive indicators of soil ecological conditions. In this study, the diversity, abundance, trophic structure and temporal distribution of soil nematode communities in a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) agroecosystem were evaluated over a period of one year. We collected soil samples on 8 occasions from June 2008 to April 2009, with cover ranging from different crop growth stages, including fallow periods, in a conventionally cultivated wheat field, Aligarh district, India. Nematodes were obtained by modified Cobb’s sieving and decantation followed by Baermann funnel technique and identified to the generic level. A total of 50 nematode genera with 10 orders and 30 families were identified. Number of genera per sample varied from 13 to 23, with total nematode abundance being between 105 to 1178 individuals. The most abundant order was Rhabditida, and Dorylaimida had the highest level of generic diversity. Within trophic groups, bacteriovores were the most common organisms (58%) and were followed by fungivores (21%), herbivores (13%), omnivores (5%), and predators (3%). The most common genus throughout the course of the study was Acrobeloides. The measured trophic diversity index was from 1.03 to 1.25, suggesting moderate trophic complexity. Seasonal dynamics were well recorded with high levels of bacteriovorous nematodes in post-harvest periods, probably as a consequence of the higher organic matter content generated due to crop residues. The evidence indicates that soil nematode community structure is highly determined by crop phenology, organic amendments and the season. Soil nematode faunal analysis was used in this study and is effective for assessing soil health and ecosystem functioning in wheat-based agroecosystems.
Soil nematodes; Wheat agroecosystem; Trophic structure; Biodiversity; Bioindicators; Soil health
Biological & Molecular Sciences
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Vol 1, Issue 1 (2025)
Open Access
Authors:
Gaurav Kumar Singh
The Cephaloboidea are a relatively distinctive group of widely distributed bacterial-feeding soil nematodes, most frequently represented by the family Cephalobidae. These nematodes, which are often striking in their labial morphology, are found in soils worldwide and are typically the most abundant microbivores in soil ecosystems. The present study has been conducted to survey the distribution and identification of soil inhabiting nematodes from the root zones of different plantations. Two species of free living nematodes belonging to suborder cephalobina have been discovered, Stegellata ophioglossa Andrassy, 1967 was isolated from the rhizosphere of Sorghum plantation in Aligarh, U.P. India while Zeldia tridentata Allen and Noffsinger, 1972 was found from the rhizosphere of Guava & Cashew-nut plantations in Odhisa, India. S. ophioglossa is characterized by small body, Cuticle with transverse and longitudinal striations, giving it a tessellated appearance. Distinct lateral fields with three incisures. Labial probolae with wide base, 4-6µm long, bifurcate. Prongs divergent and equal, mono-prodelphic reproductive system and flat tail terminus. Z. tridentata has a robust body, gradually tapering toward both the ends, cuticle with transverse annules, each annule with two rows of punctations, conoid female tail with acute terminus.
Free Living
Nematode
Cephalobidae
Biological & Molecular Sciences
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Vol 1, Issue 1 (2025)
Open Access
Authors:
Barkha
Sanjana Rani
Arti Kumari
The aquatic ecosystems of Chukka Beach (Sharda River) and the Sharda Sagar Dam within the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR), Uttar Pradesh, represent ecologically important freshwater habitats of the Terai landscape. The present study (2023–2025) investigates the diversity, abundance, and bioindicator role of aquatic insects in assessing the water quality of these two contrasting aquatic sites. A total of 18 aquatic insect species belonging to major orders such as Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, Odonata, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Diptera and Megaloptera were documented.
Standard sampling (sweep netting, kick sampling, hand picking) and physicochemical analyses were used to study the interaction between aquatic insect assemblages and water quality parameters. Diversity indices (Shannon–Wiener, Simpson’s Dominance, Margalef Richness) were calculated seasonally for both sites. Bioassessment indices including BMWP, ASPT, and Family Biotic Index (FBI) were applied to evaluate the ecological condition of the water bodies.
Correlation analysis revealed strong associations between insect diversity and key environmental variables such as pH, indicating that slightly alkaline conditions support healthier insect communities. In contrast, fluoride, arsenic, BOD, COD, TDS, Water temperature and copper (Cu) showed negative correlations with species richness and abundance .But in sensitive taxa like Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera showed higher representation at Chukka Beach, indicating relatively better water quality, whereas tolerant groups such as Chironomidae, Culicidae, Ceratopogonidae, Psychodidae, Tabanidae (Diptera) were more abundant near the Sharda Sagar Dam influenced by anthropogenic activities. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) further illustrated how environmental gradients shape the community structure., suggesting Higher TDS and copper levels also contributed to declining diversity, indicating overall degradation of water quality.
Correlation analysis showed that aquatic insect diversity positively correlated with pH because even slightly alkaline conditions favour healthy insect communities. On the other hand--Water temperature, pH, Nitrate, Total alkalinity, Dissolved oxygen (DO), Nitrate, TDS, BOD and COD identified correlations with the richness and abundance of species. Among them, arsenic, BOD and COD had the strongest negative effects, which implies that toxic chemicals and organic contamination reduce species richness of sensitive taxa. Higher TDS and copper content was also associated with diminished diversity and hence general deterioration of water quality. Altogether, the results provide supporting evidence for aquatic insects to be good bio-indicators of health in freshwater resource of Pilibhit area. The study is of significance as it offers an opportunity for baselines for conservation monitoring of the Sharda River system, and its conservation planning and sustainable management.
Aquatic insects
Bioindicators
Water quality
Biological & Molecular Sciences
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Vol 1, Issue 1 (2025)
Open Access
Authors:
Preeti Verma
India is one of the 17 megadiverse countries, hosting approximately 7–8% of all recorded species on just 2.4% of the world’s land area. With four global biodiversity hotspots (Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats–Sri Lanka and Sundaland), the country supports over 55,481 plant taxa and 105,244 animal species as of 2024 (Botanical Survey of India, 2025; Zoological Survey of India, 2025). Despite robust legal and policy frameworks, biodiversity faces severe threats from habitat fragmentation, deforestation (18,200 ha of primary humid forest lost in 2024), invasive alien species, pollution, overexploitation and climate change. This manuscript synthesizes the latest data from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Global Forest Watch, India State of Forest Report 2023 and IUCN Red List, while critically examining India’s biodiversity-related legislation: the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 (as amended 2022), Biological Diversity Act 2002 (Rules 2004 & Amendment 2023), Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 (amended 2023), Environment (Protection) Act 1986, Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 and recent regulations under the Jan Vishwas Act 2023 and Biological Diversity (Access and Benefit Sharing) Regulations 2025 (Government of India). The analysis reveals implementation gaps, judicial interventions and emerging opportunities under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Strengthening enforcement, community rights, landscape-level planning and climate-resilient corridors is essential for achieving national targets of protecting 30% of land and water by 2030.
Biodiversity
deforestation
invasive species
