scholarly journals To Group or not to group: Group size dynamics and intestinal parasites in Indian peafowl populations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priyanka Dange ◽  
Pranav Mhaisalkar ◽  
Dhanashree Paranjpe
Keyword(s):  
Group Size ◽  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
Parasite Prevalence ◽  
Post Monsoon ◽  
Pavo Cristatus ◽  
Food Provision

AbstractAnimals can form groups for various reasons that include safety from predators, breeding and benefits of allo-parental care. However, there are also costs associated with living in a group such as competition for food and/or mates with other members of the group, higher chances of disease transmission, etc. In the current study we explored the links between group size dynamics and intestinal parasites of Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) in the context of seasons and food provisioning. Data for group size was collected across three seasons- Pre-monsoon, Monsoon and Post-monsoon at three field sites- Morachi Chincholi, Nashik and Rajasthan. Individual and group sightings of peafowl were noted down along with group size and composition (no. of males, females, adults, juveniles, sub-adults). Faecal samples were collected from food provision and non-provision areas across three seasons- Pre-monsoon, Monsoon and Post-monsoon at same field sites. Parasite load in the samples was quantified using microscopic examination. Group size was significantly higher in Pre-Monsoon season as compared to Monsoon and Post-Monsoon seasons. While, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons had higher parasite prevalence and load as compared to pre-monsoon season. Interestingly, parasite load was significantly greater at food provision sites as compared to non-provision sites while parasite prevalence was comparable. Aggregation of individuals at the food provision sites may influence the parasite transmission and group dynamics in Indian Peafowl.

scholarly journals Domiciliary Cockroaches as Carriers of Human Intestinal Parasites in Lagos Metropolis, Southwest Nigeria: Implications for Public Health

2018 ◽  
pp. 141-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adedotun A Adenusi ◽  
Mary I Akinyemi ◽  
Dele Akinsanya
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Periplaneta Americana ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Parasite Prevalence ◽  
Strongyloides Stercoralis ◽  
Housing Type ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Southwest Nigeria

Background: Domiciliary cockroaches are obnoxious pests of significant medical importance. We investigated the prevalence of human intestinal parasites in cockroaches and its attendant public health importance. Methods: Overall, 749 cockroaches (Periplaneta americana, 509, Blattella germanica, 240) caught by trapping from 120 households comprising 3 different housing types in Somolu, Lagos metropolis, southwest Nigeria, in 2015 were screened for human intestinal parasites using standard parasitological techniques. Results: The prevalence of human intestinal parasites in cockroaches was 96.4%. There was no statistically signifi­cant difference (P> 0.05) in parasite prevalences between P. americana (95.7%) and B. germanica (97.9%). Parasite species identified and their prevalence were as follows: Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (44.1%), E. coli (37.8%), Gi­ardia lamblia (18.7%), Cryptosporidium sp. (13.8%), Ascaris lumbricoides (61.3%), Trichuris trichiura (55.8%), hookworms (11.6%), Strongyloides stercoralis (11.7%), Taenia/Echinococcus spp. (10.5%), Enterobius vermicularis (17.2%) and Hymenolepis nana (11.6%). Parasite prevalence and burdens varied with housing type; the prevalence was significantly higher statistically (P< 0.05) in cockroaches from low-cost bungalow, LCB (100%) and low-cost, 2-storey, LC2-S (100%) houses than in medium-cost flats, MCF (81.3%). Parasite burdens were also significantly higher statistically (P< 0.05) in cockroaches from LCB or LC2-S than in cockroaches from MCF. Parasite preva­lences between cockroach gut and body surfaces were not statistically significant (P> 0.05) but mean parasite bur­dens in gut were significantly higher statistically (P< 0.05) than on body surfaces. Conclusion: Cockroaches types carry transmissive stages of human intestinal parasites and may act as reservoirs and potential mechanical vectors for disease transmission.

scholarly journals A Survey of Gopherus polyphemus Intestinal Parasites in South Florida

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica N. Huffman ◽  
Kent S. Haizlett ◽  
Dana K. Elhassani ◽  
Brian T. Cooney ◽  
Evelyn M. Frazier
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Habitat Management ◽  
Parasite Species ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Parasite Prevalence ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Gopher Tortoise ◽  
Gopherus Polyphemus ◽  
Significant Health

Gopherus polyphemus populations are diminishing throughout their range due to urbanization, fragmentation, and poor habitat management. Increased population densities, poor habitat quality, and lack of fire may influence disease transmission. Parasite roles within wild tortoise populations are largely unknown; despite evidence these pathogens may pose significant health risks. This study provides a baseline of gopher tortoise intestinal parasites across South Florida and reports on how varying environmental and tortoise characteristics may affect intestinal parasite species prevalence and approximate loads. Tortoise fecal samples were taken from six tortoise populations across five South Florida sites. Seven species of intestinal parasites were discovered from 123 tortoises. Identified parasites include endohelminths such as cyathostomes, pinworms, ascarids, flukes, and protozoans including Eimeria, Cryptosporidium, and Amoeba species. Significant differences in parasite prevalence and loads were seen between sites, while parasitism among sex, size class, and habitat type remained relatively ubiquitous.

scholarly journals Variation in tolerance to parasites in natural Asian tiger mosquito populations and its effect on vectorial capacity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guha Dharmarajan ◽  
Kathryne D. Walker ◽  
Tovi Lehmann
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
Parasite Prevalence ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Vectorial Capacity ◽  
Transmission Intensity ◽  
Population Variation ◽  
High Transmission

AbstractThe vectorial capacity of mosquitoes depends upon the magnitude of reduction of parasite load upon infection through resistance mechanisms (e.g., immune-mediated killing) and the ability of mosquitoes to offset infection-mediated costs through tolerance mechanisms (e.g., tissue repair). Here we use a common-garden experimental framework to measure variation in resistance and tolerance to dog heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) between natural Aedes albopictus mosquito populations representing areas of low and high transmission intensity. Our data revealed that survival to the extrinsic incubation period, the earliest time point at which infective L3 larvae develop, significantly differed between populations (ranging from 10-60%) when mosquitoes infected with D. immitis at both the low (15 microfilaria/μl blood) and high (30 microfilaria/μl blood) infection dose (Dose: χ2 = 191.473; P < 0.001; Population: χ2 = 24.485; P = 0.001; Dose × Population: χ2 = 35.566; P = 0.001). Contrary to expectations, we found that mosquito populations with highest resistance (i.e., greatest reduction in parasite load) also exhibited highest mortality upon infection (F1,12 = 6.781, P = 0.023; Dose: F1,12 = 6.747; P = 0.023; Mortality × Dose: F1,12 = 0.111, P = 0.744). Expressing the effect of the number of killed (NKILLED) and live (NLIVE) parasite on survival of mosquitoes from the different population, we document a significant inter-population variation in the survival cost of additional parasite (i.e., tolerance to infection (NLIVE × Population: χ2 = 22.845; P = 0.002; NKILLED × Population: χ2 = 31.959; P = < 0.001; NLIVE × NKILLED × Population: χ2 = 22.266; P = 0.002), in conjunction with negative relationship between tolerance and resistance (Resistance: F1,12 = 11.870, P = 0.005; Dose: F1,12 = 16.0170, P = 0.002; Resistance × Dose: F1,12 = 9.699, P =0.009). Importantly, populations from areas with high transmission intensity (as measured by parasite prevalence in dogs) showed elevated tolerance (Prevalence: F1,12 = 9.5, P = 0.012; Prevalence2: F1,12 = 4.353, P = 0.064; Dose: F1,12 = 38.855, P = <0.001), and these populations were also associated with increased vectorial capacity (Tolerance: F1,12 = 8.175, P = 0.014; Dose: F1,12 = 0.005, P = 0.946; Tolerance × Dose: F1,12 = 0.920, P = 0.356). Consequently, our data indicate that spatial variation in disease transmission intensity is linked to the evolution of tolerance in natural mosquito populations, which in turn can feedback to impact disease risk.

scholarly journals Assessment of Seasonal Variability in Soil Nutrients and Its Impact on Soil Quality under Different Land Use Systems of Lower Shiwalik Foothills of Himalaya, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1398
Author(s):  
Tavjot Kaur ◽  
Simerpreet Kaur Sehgal ◽  
Satnam Singh ◽  
Sandeep Sharma ◽  
Salwinder Singh Dhaliwal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Seasonal Effects ◽  
Land Use Systems ◽  
Post Monsoon ◽  
Significant Difference

The present study was conducted to investigate the seasonal effects of five land use systems (LUSs), i.e., wheat–rice (Triticum aestivum—Oryza sativa) system, sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum), orange (Citrus sinensis) orchard, safeda (Eucalyptus globules) forest, and grassland, on soil quality and nutrient status in the lower Satluj basin of the Shiwalik foothills Himalaya, India. Samples were analyzed for assessment of physico-chemical properties at four soil depths, viz., 0–15, 15–30, 30–45, and 45–60 cm. A total of 120 soil samples were collected in both the seasons. Soil texture was found to be sandy loam and slightly alkaline in nature. The relative trend of soil organic carbon (SOC), macro- and micro-nutrient content for the five LUSs was forest > orchard > grassland > wheat–rice > sugarcane, in the pre- and post-monsoon seasons. SOC was highly correlated with macronutrients and micronutrients, whereas SOC was negatively correlated with soil pH (r = −0.818). The surface soil layer (0–15 cm) had a significantly higher content of SOC, and macro- and micro-nutrients compared to the sub-surface soil layers, due to the presence of more organic content in the soil surface layer. Tukey’s multiple comparison test was applied to assess significant difference (p < 0.05) among the five LUSs at four soil depths in both the seasons. Principle component analysis (PCA) identified that SOC and electrical conductivity (EC) were the most contributing soil indicators among the different land use systems, and that the post-monsoon season had better soil quality compared to the pre-monsoon season. These indicators helped in the assessment of soil health and fertility, and to monitor degraded agroecosystems for future soil conservation.

scholarly journals Assessment of Trophic Responses of a Reservoir to Seasonal and Annual Variations in Monsoon

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 2117
Author(s):  
Su-mi Kim ◽  
Hyun-su Kim
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Trophic State ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Phytoplankton Growth ◽  
Phosphorus Loading ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Trophic State Index ◽  
Post Monsoon ◽  
Post Monsoon Season ◽  
State Index

The variations in water quality parameters and trophic status of a multipurpose reservoir in response to changing intensity of monsoon rain was investigated by applying a trophic state index deviation (TSID) analysis and an empirical regression model to the data collected in two periods from 2014 to 2017. The reservoir in general maintained mesotrophic conditions, and Carlson’s trophic state index (TSIc) was affected most by TSITP. Nutrient concentrations, particularly phosphorus, did not show strong correlations with precipitation, particularly in the period with weak monsoon, and a significant increase in total phosphorus (TP) was observed in Spring 2015, indicating the possibility of internal phosphorus loading under decreased depth and stability of water body due to a lack of precipitation. TSIChl was higher than TSISD in most data in period 1 when a negligible increase in precipitation was observed in the monsoon season while a significant fraction in period 2 showed the opposite trend. Phytoplankton growth was not limited by nutrient limitation although nutrient ratios (N/P) of most samples were significantly higher than 20, indicating phosphorus-limited condition. TSID and regression analysis indicated that phytoplankton growth was limited by zooplankton grazing in the Spring, and that cell concentrations and community structure in the monsoon and post-monsoon season were controlled by the changing intensity of the monsoon, as evidenced by the positive and negative relationships between community size and cyanobacterial population with the amount of precipitation in the Summer, respectively. The possibility of contribution from internal loading and an increase in cyanobacterial population associated with weak monsoon, in addition to potential for nutrient enrichment in the post-monsoon season, implies a need for the application of more stringent water quality management in the reservoir that can handle all potential scenarios of eutrophication.

scholarly journals Efficiency of Arsenic and Iron Removal Plants (AIRPs) for Groundwater Treatment in Rural Areas of Southwest Bangladesh

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 354
Author(s):  
Md. Aminur Rahman ◽  
Sazal Kumar ◽  
A. S. M. Fazle Bari ◽  
Abhishek Sharma ◽  
Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Cancer Risk Assessment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Treated Water ◽  
Post Monsoon ◽  
Drinking Water Standard ◽  
Guideline Value ◽  
Removal Efficiencies

Arsenic (As) removal plants were installed in As-endemic areas of Bangladesh to remove As from well water. In many cases, these removal plants did not perform satisfactorily. This study evaluated the efficiency of 20 As and iron (Fe) removal plants (AIRPs) during pre- and post-monsoon conditions in rural Bangladesh. Results revealed that As removal efficiencies ranged from 67% to 98% and 74 to 93% during the pre- and post-monsoons periods, respectively. In the post-monsoon season As removal at individual AIRP sites was on average (4.01%) greater than in the pre-monsoon season. However, two removal plants were unable to remove As below 50 µg L−1 (Bangladesh drinking water standard) during pre-monsoon, while 11 samples out of 20 were unable to remove As below the WHO provisional guideline value of 10 µg L−1. During post-monsoon, none of the samples exceeded 50 µg L−1, but eight of them exceeded 10 µg L−1. The Fe removal efficiencies of AIRPs were evident in more than 80% samples. Although As removal efficiency was found to be substantial, a cancer risk assessment indicates that hazard quotient (HQ) and carcinogenic risk (CR) of As in treated water for adults and children are above the threshold limits. Thus, additional reductions of As concentrations in treated water are needed to further reduce the excess cancer risk due to As in drinking water. Since 55% and 40% of the AIRPs were unable to remove As < 10 µg L−1 during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon, further improvement including changes in AIRP design, regular cleaning of sludge, and periodic monitoring of water quality are suggested. Future research is needed to determine whether these modifications improve the performance of AIRPs.

Population and Group Size of Cheer Pheasant Catreus Wallichii in Pokhari Valley, Garhwal Himalaya, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (VII) ◽  
pp. 3503-3505
Author(s):  
Manish Kukreti
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Group Size ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Garhwal Himalaya ◽  
Spring Season ◽  
Maximum Value ◽  
Minimum Group

Present paper reports population dynamics of Cheer pheasant Catreus wallichii in Pokhari valley, Garhwal Himalaya during January 2019 to December 2019. A total of 405 individuals with 145 groups were recorded. Overall individuals per sighting and group size (3.88±0.51 and 3.40±0.45) were also recorded during the study period respectively. Maximum value of individuals per sighting and group size were recorded in months of July and November (6.13±0.76 and 7.32±0.97), while minimum were recorded in May and April (1.75±0.27 and 1.17±0.26). Seasonal variation was also observed in population and group size. Maximum value of individual per sighting was recorded during the Monsoon season and minimum were recorded in spring season. While maximum and minimum group size were recorded in winter and spring Season.

A Study on Prevalence and Seasonal Distribution of Dengue at a Tertiary Care Centre of North India

Healthline ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-107
Author(s):  
Arti Agrawal ◽  
Vikas Kumar ◽  
Sanjeev Kumar ◽  
Neha K Mani
Keyword(s):  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Dengue Infection ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Seasonal Distribution ◽  
North India ◽  
Care Centre ◽  
Tertiary Care Centre ◽  
Post Monsoon ◽  
Post Monsoon Season ◽  
Male Preponderance

Introduction: Dengue virus infection is a major public health issue prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical countries all over the world mostly in urban and semi-urban areas. WHO estimates about 50-100 million dengue infections worldwide every year. The present study is aimed to assess the prevalence and seasonal distribution of dengue disease during three consecutive years from 2016-2018 at a tertiary care centre of North India. Method: This is an observational retrospective study conducted on total 6,481 clinical suspected cases referred from indoor and outdoor departments of Medicine and Pediatrics of one of the medical colleges of Agra during the period from 1st January 2016 to 31st December 2018. Results: The maximum positivity was recorded in the year 2016 (16.66%), followed by 2017 (14.07%) and 2018(13.56%).Our study shows male preponderance with maximum cases in the year 2018 was recorded in the month of October (22.75%) whereas the lowest in the month of May (1.96%). Most of the cases were in the age group 0-30 years with a male preponderance. The outbreak occurred during the months of August to November indicating vector transmission in the monsoon and post-monsoon season. Conclusion: From the analysis, this study reflects that the numbers of dengue cases in 2016 were maximum and outnumbered the dengue cases among three consecutive years from 2016 to 2018. The peak in dengue positivity was observed during September to October. As this disease affects the population in the monsoon and post monsoon months therefore continuous monitoring of dengue infection is important during the post-monsoon season.

scholarly journals Studies on fish diversity concerning Hydro-ecology of Kangsabasti river in Purulia district, West Bengal, India

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manab Kumar Saha
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Physicochemical Parameters ◽  
West Bengal ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Fish Diversity ◽  
Riverine Ecosystem ◽  
Post Monsoon ◽  
Fish Catch ◽  
Purulia District

Fish diversity depends both on various physicochemical parameters and the biological components of the riverine ecosystem. During the study period from January 2017 to December 2019 the highest fish diversity and density were observed in post-monsoon and lowest in pre-monsoon season in the Kangsabati River, Purulia District of West Bengal. Twenty five fish species, associated with 19 genera, 10 families and 5 orders have been identified. It was recorded that the Cyprinidae was the predominant family, which represented 56% of the entire fish catch.

scholarly journals Seasonal Nature and Trends of Tropical Cyclone Frequency and Intensity over the North Indian Ocean

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 526-534
Author(s):  
Abhisek Pal ◽  
Soumendu Chatterjee
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Tropical Cyclone ◽  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
North Indian Ocean ◽  
Post Monsoon ◽  
The North ◽  
Increasing Trend ◽  
Post Monsoon Season ◽  
Cyclone Frequency

Tropical cyclone (TC) genesis over the North Indian Ocean (NIO) region showed significant amount of both spatial and temporal variability.It was observed that the TC genesis was significantly suppressed during the monsoon (June-September) compared to pre-monsoon (March-May) and post-monsoon (October-December) season specifically in terms of severe cyclonic storms (SCS) frequency. The Bay of Bengal (BoB) was characterized by higher TC frequency but lower intensity compared to the Arabian Sea (AS). It was also observed that the TC genesis locations were shifted significantly seasonally.The movement of the TCs also portrayed some significant seasonal differences. The pre-monsoon and post-monsoon season was responsible for generating TCs with higher values of accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) compared to the monsoon. The time series of TC frequency showed a statistically significant decreasing trend whereas the time series of ACE showed astatistically significant increasing trend over the NIO.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document