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Lake Kolleru is one of the largest freshwater lakes in India and the only RAMSAR site of Andhra Pradesh. Due to several anthropogenic activities, it is currently experiencing an alarming decline in fish biodiversity. This emphasizes an immediate need for initiating research based on molecular tools in addition to traditional methods. The present study was aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity of Kolleru fishes and to compare them with their counter parts across India based on COI sequence data. The analysis was carried out by using 16 COI sequences of Kolleru fishes and 121 sequences of fishes belonging to other parts of India. The COI barcodes clearly distinguished all the fish species with higher inter-specific distance values than intra-specific K2P values. The average genetic distance within species, genus, family, and order was 0.16%, 2.45%, 5.30% and 13.71% respectively. Composition of four nucleotides and GC% at three codon positions were calculated and compared them with other retrieved COI sequences. NJ tree revealed distinct clades showing Kolleru sequences are clustered with other COI sequences of same species with significant bootstrap values. Hence, the COI sequence information is proved to be effective in genetic variation and phylogenetic assessment with respect to conservation of Kolleru fishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to investigate acute toxicity of dimethoate on juvenile Cyprinus carpio var. communis. Fishes weighing 10 ± 2 gms were selected and mortality data was statistically evaluated by Finney's Probit Method. The 96-hour LC50 value for Cyprinus carpio was found as 1.1 ppm in static bioassay system. Mean values of physicochemical parameters of aquarium waters determined during bioassay depicted slight variation indicating that the mortality in aquarium fishes occurred due to pesticide exposure and not suffocation. Lab. temperature ranged from 12 to 13°C; water temperature ranged from 11 to 12°C; dissolved oxygen ranged from 3.90 to 4.56 mg/L; pH ranged from 6.90 to 7.05; total dissolved solids ranged from 2.66 to 3.0 × 10(3) mg/L, while CO2 remained at a constant value of 2.0 mg/L. The fishes elicited various behavioural responses such as uncoordinated movements, convulsions, excessive mucus secretion, and imbalanced swimming which ended in a collapse to the bottom of the aquarium. Prior to death, the clinical signs like scale erosion, pale body colour, and hemorrhagic patches over the body were noticed which became more vivid up to the termination of experiments. Results of the study indicate potential toxicity of dimethoate in fingerlings of common carp for which the natural waterbodies must be continuously monitored to reduce its impact across food chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An estimated half a billion people are engaged in fishing related occupations in India. Exposure to adulterated fuel exhaust is common among deep-sea fishermen, yet little is known about the potential impacts on the exposure to health.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether fuel emission exposure was associated with increased respiratory impairments among fishermen who were occupationally exposed to fuel exhaust compared to fisherman occupationally unexposed to fuel exhaust.Methods: This cross-sectional study compared the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and lung function variables between 152 marine-water and 107 fresh water fishermen considering the use of fuel-driven trawlers. Data were obtained from questionnaires and computerized spirometer.Results: Fishermen exposed to trawler fuel exhaust reported more than double the number of respiratory symptoms compared to the unexposed fisherman (86·2 vs. 40·2%). They also had a significantly higher chance experiencing chronic cough (adjusted OR = 3·51, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2·09-6·35), chronic phlegm (8·61, 4·76-15·97), and wheezing (4·29, 2·55-7·61) symptoms. Finally, there was a significant reduction of the ratio of mid portion of forced expiratory flow rate and forced vital capacity (FEF25-75/FVC) in the exposed fishermen compared to the unexposed (0·84 vs. 0·73 second(-1), P = 0·015).Conclusion: Fuel exhaust may negatively impact on the respiratory health of Indian fishermen. More attention and surveillance of occupational health for fishermen in India is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]