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The research was conducted to estimate the efficacy of Se nanoparticles on mineral absorption and carcass composition of C. mrigala fingerlings fed nano-Se particles supplemented sunflower meal based diets. The experiment was consisted on seven test diets on the basis of supplementation of nano Se graded levels (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 mg/kg). Chromic oxide was added as an inert marker. Fingerlings were fed at the rate of 5% of their live wet weight. Maximum improvement in mineral absorption (Ca, Na, K, Cu, P and Al) was observed at test diet with 1.5 mg/kg supplementation of Se nanoparticles. Maximum Fe, Mn and Cr absorption was noted at 2 mg/kg supplementation of nano Se. The highest absorption of Mg and Zn was found in the fingerlings fed at test diet with 1 mg/kg supplementation of nano Se particles. The best results in regard of body composition (CP; 61% and EE; 14%) were noted in fingerlings when fed 1.5 mg/kg levels of Se-nano particles based diets. It was concluded from the results of current study that supplementation of Se NPs (1.5 mg/kg) in sunflower meal based diet improves the mineral absorption and body composition of C. mrigala fingerlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time budget of turkeys (Maleagris gallopavo) reared under free-range and confinement rearing systems was recorded and compared from day old chick to sixth months of age. Throughout the study period, M. gallopavo reared under free-range rearing system spent relatively greater time in litter pecking (23.51%) followed by walking (19.99%), feeding (16.33%), preening (13.72%), feather pecking (6.07%), aggression (5.94%), drinking (5.90%), immobility (2.36%), standing (2.29%) and jumping (1.96%). Similarly, the birds reared under confinement rearing system spent relatively greater time in lying (17.82%) followed by litter pecking (15.71), preening (12.93%), walking (11.47%), standing (8.35%), drinking (8.31%), aggression (6.85%), feeding (6.46%), feather pecking (6.04%), immobility (4.59%) and jumping (1.46%) behavior. It was observed during present study that the birds reared under free-range rearing system spent significantly greater time in litter pecking, walking and feeding behaviors as compared to the birds reared under confinements. These behaviors are indicators of good health of the animals, therefore free-range system is recommended over confinement rearing system for farming of M. gallopavo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study extended from January, 2014 to December, 2014 was conducted in all the four tehsils of district Kasur. A total of 60 amphibian specimens representing 3 species, 3 genera and 2 families while 71 reptilian specimens representing 15 species, 14 genera and 10 families were captured from the study area. Amphibian species captured from cultivated land included Bufo stomaticus, Hoplobatrachu stigerinus and Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis, while reptiles included Varanus bengalensis, Amphiesma stolatum, Ptyas mucosus, Echis carinatus, Calotes versicolor, Bungarus caeruleus. Lycodon aulicus was the only reptilian species captured from uncultivated land. Human habitations provided habitat to a single amphibian species Bufo stomaticus, while the reptiles included Bungarus caeruleus, Varanus bengalensis, Hemidactylus flaviviridis, Ablepharus grayanus, Lycodon aulicus, Typhlops ductuliformes, Eryx johnii, Lissemys puntata andersoni, Ablepharus grayanus, Eutropis macularia, Amphiesma stolatum, Lycodon aulicus, Eryx Johnii and Typhlops ductuliformes. Three amphibian species Bufo stomaticus, Hoplobatrachus tigerinus and Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis and four reptilian species were captured from water catchment areas viz. Lissemy spuntata andersoni, Varanus bengalensis, Xenochrophis piscator and Kachuga smithii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment was conducted in glass aquaria to determine the growth potentials of 240-day three fish species viz., Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhina mrigala under chronic exposures (1/3 of LC50) of Al, As, Ba, Cr and their mixture (Al + As + Ba + Cr) for 90 days. The growth parameters viz. increase in wet weights, fork and total lengths, feed intake, feed conversion efficiency and condition factor of fish were correlated with physico-chemical parameters viz. total ammonia, dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, electrical conductivity, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium of the test media (water) of different treatments. The ammonia contents of the test media (water), used for growth trials with three fish species, escalated due to aluminum and arsenic toxicity while it remained lowest in the control media. Dissolved oxygen contents of the control media were significantly higher than all other treatments. However, dissolved oxygen contents of water decreased significantly due to arsenic treatment to the fish predicting variable changes in the metabolic rates of fish exposed to either individual metals or metal mixture from that of control. During growth trials, the increase in dissolved oxygen contents of the media used for Labeo rohita under chromium stress is indicative of decrease in oxygen consumption by the fish due to onset of acute hypoxia. The average sodium contents of the test media increased significantly due to exposure of Labeo rohita to metal mixture. Physico-chemical variables like pH, sodium, calcium and dissolved organic matter are known to cause metallic toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed at determining the impact of sources of ingredients on the intestinal enzyme activity and haematology of juvenile Labeo rohita. Five isocaloric treatment diets viz., T1 (guar meal and canola meal), T2 (soybean meal and cottonseed meal), T3 (guar meal and cottonseed meal), T4 (soybean meal and canola meal), T5 (fishmeal and canola meal) control T0 (control which received rice polish only) were prepared and fed to Labeo rohita juveniles. At the end of the experiment, amylase and protease concentrations in the whole intestine were found highest in the T3 diet (p≤0.05). Leukocyte and erythrocyte counts were higher in T0 low-protein diet (p≤0.05). The concentrations of albumin and protein were found highest in the T4 diet (p<0.05). It can be concluded that the diet T3 containing guar and cottonseed meals remained effective for the activity of digestive enzymes. However, the non-protein diets are more effective in improving haematological traits of juvenile Labeo rohita. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bat roost with 70 individuals of Rhinolopus lepidus was found from an underground cellar of an old temple at Rasul Nagar (32° 19.687 N, 073° 46.922 E), Gujramvala district, in the Punjab province. From the roost, 10 (4♂, 6♀) individuals were captured with the help of a hand net. The average head and body length of all the captured specimens was 42.36±1.1 mm, forearm length was 40.34±0.75 mm, greatest skull length (n = 2) was 17.5±0.49 mm while baculum (n = 2) was 4.35±0.38 mm long. The present record is first from the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]