Informatics Publishing Limited

M. R. Khan ¹, P. S. Yadava ¹, A. Kikim ¹

Affiliations
1 Ecology Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, Manipur University, Imphal - 795 003, IN

Abstract

No Abstract.

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S. Ramesh Babu ¹, Victor Phani ², P. K. Meena ¹, Khushbu Chauhan ², M. R. Khan ², V. S. Somvanshi ²

Affiliations
1 Agriculture Research Station, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Banswara - 327001, Rajasthan, IN
2 Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, PUSA Campus, New Delhi - 110012, IN

Abstract

Amyna axis (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), Chrysodeixis spp. (C. acuta and C. eriosoma) and Spodoptera spp. (S. exigua and S. litura) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) are important polyphagous insect-pests of leguminous crops. A mermithid (Nematoda: Mermithidae) nematode was found parasitizing the larval stages of these insects in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. Morphological and molecular analysis suggests that the nematode might be a species of the genus Hexamermis. The average length of post-parasitic nematode juveniles was 15 cm, and the average greatest body width was 1.5 mm. The vulva was median (V% = 48) without vulval flap. Approximately 100-125 μm long caudal appendages were present on tail. The cross-section revealed the presence of six hypodermal chords at the mid body region, and stichosome was present. The 18S rDNA sequence showed 99% similarity to mermithid nematode. A phylogenetic analysis of 18S rDNA sequences of mermithids resulted in identification of a new clade “Lineage 3” which included representatives of Mermis sp., Isomermis sp., Limnomermis sp., and Pheromermis sp. This is the first report of natural mermithid parasitism of A. axis and Chrysodeixis spp. along with its molecular characterization.

Keywords

Amyna Axis, Chrysodeixis, Hexamermis, Mermithid, Soybean, Spodoptera

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J. Berliner ¹, J. Alfred-Daniel ², Balaji Rajkumar ³, H. C. Hombegowda ⁴, B. Manimaran ⁵, Rashid Parvez ⁵, M. R. Khan ⁵, Priyank Hanuman Mhatre ⁶, Guru-Pirasanna-Pandi Govindharaj ⁷

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Regional Station, Wellington 643 231, IN
2 The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev 8499000, IL
3 ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Regional Station, Madikeri 571 201, IN
4 ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Regional Station, Udagamandalam 643 004, IN
5 ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, IN
6 ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Regional Station, Udhagamandalam 643 004, IN
7 ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack 753 006, IN

Abstract

Wheat cultivation in southern India is unique as it is grown in high altitudes (1500 m amsl), surrounded by the pristine environment of the Western Ghats. Also, it can be grown throughout the year, unlike only once a year in India’s central and northern plains. The faunal pressure on wheat cultivation in southern India is different from the other wheat-growing regions in the country. However, information on faunal diversity associated with wheat crops in this unique ecosystem is meagre. Hence, the present study aimed to acquire knowledge based on the fauna associated with and their influence on wheat cultivation in the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, South India. Our results indicated that the phylum Arthropoda dominated the ecosystem with 61 species, followed by the Chordata with 41 species, and the Nematoda with 22 species. The coleopterans were found to be dominant among arthropods followed by lepidopterans. In chordates, small birds such as spotted munia and common rosefinch were observed often, while among the Nematoda, the plant-parasitic order Tylenchida topped the list. During different phases of cultivation, the overall diversity was highest during the early stages of the crop and least during the vegetative phase. This study also highlights the human– animal interaction in the context of agriculture, as it was observed that the damage caused by Nilgiri gaur, spotted munia and common rosefinch was one of the major reasons for non-preference of wheat crops by the farmers besides the lack of cost-effective technologies to ward-off wild animals. This initiative may encourage researchers to perform more comprehensive studies on the faunal diversity of the entire crop-growing areas in the southern hill regions of India.

Keywords

Agroecosystem, Animals, Biodiversity, Birds, Nematodes, Wheat.

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