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In India, fruit flies have been identified as one of the ten most serious problems of agriculture because of their polyphagous nature and the huge economic loss it causes to the fruits and vegetables (2.5 to 100%). Study was carried to determine the population dynamics of fruit flies (Bactrocera dorsalis and Bactrocera zonata) and establish the correlation with abiotic factors in guava and citrus fruits crops in two agro ecological zones of North West India. Fruit flies population was recorded by installation of pheromone traps in different fruit crop ecosystems during the fruiting season of this zone. The data of trap catches of both the locations was correlated with the significantly influencing abiotic parameters. The peak fruit fly incidence varied between 31st to 34th standard weeks in guava ecosystem at both the locations. In citrus ecosystem, the incidence was highest during 35th and 39th standard weeks coinciding with the ripening of the fruits. At both the locations, trap catches of guava ecosystem were positively correlated with all the weather parameters, while under citrus ecosystem minimum temperature and rainfall showed negative correlation, but relative humidity was positively correlated. Information may be utilized in targeting suitable pest management techniques for respective zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Length-frequency data of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was studied using 1250 specimens of both sexes combined with maximum length and weight of 44.5 cm (TL) and 1050 g respectively through gill net catch at different landing sites of Halali Reservoir, Madhya Pradesh. The data were grouped into classes of 10-mm intervals and various parameters of population dynamics of fish were analysed and computed using the FiSAT-II software package (FAO-ICLARM Stock Assessment Tools). The length-weight parameters were found to be at W = 0.001 L 2.96 where b = 2.96 and a = 0.001. Growth parameters L∞ and K of the species were L∞ = 46.73 cm and K = 0.63/year respectively; the annual rates of natural (M) and fishing mortality (F) were found to be 0.60 and 0.72 respectively. The estimated values for the exploitation rate (E) using the length-converted catch curve and virtual population analysis were 0.54 and 0.42 respectively. The recruitment pattern shows that O. niloticus was recruited in the fishery during April with one peak. Based on the data analysis, the stock in the Halali Reservoir does not exceed the maximum fishing pressure (Emax = 0.55) and there is selective mortality towards adult fish sizes. The introduction of Nile tilapia improved the total catch per unit of effort (CPUE), as well as increased the number of active fishers. Conversely, a significant reduction in the CPUE of other commercially important indigenous species was observed after the introduction of Nile tilapia in the reservoir. Therefore, for management purpose, this study suggests that the existing effort in terms of gill net mesh size which target size (TL—15.0 to 25.0 cm) individuals of length group is to be increased to exert more fishing pressure on Nile tilapia population in the reservoir to decline its abundance in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied ELEFAN based population parameters from length-frequency data for Harpadon nehereus collected from different landing centres along the west coast of India. We analyzed the size structure and estimated growth parameters, recruitment, mortality and exploitation rate using FiSAT-II software. The asymptotic length (L∞ = 366 mm), growth coefficient (K = 0.98 year-1), total mortality (Z=3.32 year-1), natural mortality (M=1.6375 year-1), fishing mortality (F=1.6825 year-1), growth performance index (Ø = 3.12) and exploitation ratio (E = 0.51) were worked out for the species. The exploitation ratios were computed as Emax = 0.661, E10= 0.568, E50= 0.345. The length at first capture (Lc50) was estimated at 163.44 mm. The present value of E was found close to appropriate fishing pressure on the stock and a further increase of fishing pressure is not recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil palm leaf webworm, Acria meyricki Shashank and Ramamurthy (Lepidoptera: Depressariidae) is emerging as serious defoliator of oil palm, Elaeis guineensis Jacq. in India. It damages oil palm of all ages, from nursery to adult palms. A study was conducted in the laboratory to understand the biology and morphometrics of A. meyricki. Abundance and population dynamics of leaf webworm and its parasitoids were studied in oil plantations in Andhra Pradesh, India. Pest density (number of larvae / leaf) and parasitism rates of parasitoids were quantified. Influences of weather factors viz., maximum and minimum temperature, morning and evening relative humidity and rainfall on the abundance of leaf webworm and its parasitoids were assessed. A female moth laid about 101.60 eggs in its life time. The caterpillars developed through six to seven instars. Total life cycle completed in 32.9 days (egg to adult). Leaf webworm preferred to defoliate the older and intermediate leaves of the palms. Early stage caterpillars of feed on green parenchymatous tissues of the leaflets from under surface leaving a thin parchment like upper epidermis undamaged, while, the later stages defoliate the leaves. In severe cases, leaflets appear widely eroded, thus curling, bending and drying consequently to the pest infestation. The activity of the pest in oil palm plantations was limited to cooler months of the year i.e. October to March. Pearson Co-efficient of correlation analysis showed that minimum and maximum temperatures had significant negative effect on the development of pest population (larval density). Three parasitoids viz., Dolichogenidea (=Apanteles) hyposidrae (Wilkinson), Elasmus brevicornis Gahan and Brachymeria albotibialis (Ashmead) were identified during the study and their role in the pest population changes is discussed. Correlation analysis indicated that the parasitoids, D. hyposidrae and B. albotibialis were significantly and positively correlated with abundance of host larvae and pupae respectively. Results of feeding tests indicated that oil palm was the best host known of all species tested, with higher rate of larval pupation and adult emergence and the lower duration of time to pupation and adult emergence, which was followed by cocoa. The practical implications of this knowledge are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In nature there are a number of species from the genus Binodoxys is found to be parasitizing different species of aphids. In India, first record of Binodoxys basicurvus Shujauddin was made as theparasitoid of Aphis gossypii infesting Rubus sp, in kashmir region in 1973. It is nearly after four decades the particular species is being recorded in well established population in southern part of India. Binodoxys basicurvus was observed to be parasitizing naturally on Aphis gossypii in the greenhouses of University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka. It is the first time B. basicurvus is recorded parasitizing in larger number on Aphis gossypii infesting parthenocarpic cucumber under greenhouse condition in India which is also the first record of B. basicurvus itself in south India. In order to be able to clarify B. basicurvus as a potential biocontrol agent, population dynamics study of the parasitoid along with the host was carried out during the major growing seasons of cucumber during the years of 2017 and 2018 under greenhouse condition. The parasitoid was occurring naturally on aphids during August-November crop causing the average mortality of 21.26% aphids on both the years. Clear synchronized activity of B. basicurvus along with A. gossypii was noted and the efficiency of Binodoxys basicurvus as biocontrol tool under greenhouse condition was remarkable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasion of armoured catfish, Pterygoplichthys spp., is a major threat to global aquatic biodiversity, and developing effective strategies for their control and eradication is both a concern and a research priority. A length‐based population assessment of invasive Pterygoplichthys pardalis in southern India, a hotspot for endemic aquatic biodiversity, indicated that rapid growth, high growth performance index and continuous recruitment have aided their successful invasion. Increasing fishing pressure on the adults is not adequate for population management, and only targeting young individuals (<30 cm) will result in overexploitation and population collapse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barley covered smut (CS) pathogen Ustilago hordei genome was mined for microsatellite distribution and their application in defining population structure and genetic variation. To dissect the molecular variation and genetic structure of U. hordei , 59 fungal isolates representing two distinct agro-ecological zones of India were analyzed by employing simple sequence repeats (SSRs). Using bioinformatic approaches, a total of 100,239 and 137,442 microsatellites were identified from 20.13 and 26.94 Mb of assembled genomic sequences of Uh364 and Uh4857-4 isolates of U. hordei , respectively. Penta-nucleotides (31.29 and 29.75%) followed by tri-nucleotide (28.27 and 29.88%) were most prevalent in both the genomes. Out of them, 15 polymorphic microsatellites showing conservancies in both the genomes were selected for exploring population genetic structure of U. hordei. An average of two alleles per microsatellite marker was generated with band size ranging from 180 to 850 bp. Polymorphic information content (PIC) varied between 0.095 and 0.37. Fifty-nine isolates were distributed in two distinct groups with about 65% genetic similarity according to UPGMA clustering and population structure analysis (K = 2). Gene flow analysis (Nm = 1.009) reflected moderate gene flow among the analyzed population. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) displayed high level of genetic variation within population (87%) and low variation among populations (13%). Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis indicated positively significant but relatively low standardized index of association (SIA) value in both the population sets (SIA = 0.181), advocating a state of LD with epidemic population structure. In conclusion, the newly developed neutral SSR markers are highly polymorphic within U. hordei and will be useful for revealing evolutionary history and providing deep insight into the population dynamics of U. hordei in India as well as facilitating developing management strategies for CS of barley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The studies regarding tomato fruit borer larval population occurrence and its fluctuation along with the weather parameters during the period of rabi, 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 revealed that the incidence of 0.93 larva/5plant of tomato fruit borer was observed during rabi, 2014-2015 in 5th standard week that i.e. 1st week of February but during rabi 2015-2016 tomato fruit borer incidence was observed during 4th standard week i.e. in 4th week of January with 0.46 larval/5plant. Later tomato fruit borer population increased and it reached peaks with 3.6 and 3.7 during 11th standard week i.e. in 3rd week of March and 11th standard week, in 4th week of March both trials rabi 2014-2015 and 2015-2016, respectively but declined trend was observed during 14th standard week and 12th standard week at the time of harvesting during both years, respectively. The correlation analysis showed that, both maximum and minimum temperature, wind speed and sunshine hours were positively correlated during both years. Relative humidity was positive and negatively correlated with the tomato fruit borer population during 2014-2015 and 2015-2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Observed drastic declines in the abundance of kingfishers during 2010–2020 in wetlands in southwest India. • Shifts in environmental variables influenced abundance of kingfisher population. • Declining kingfishers indicate deteriorating wetland habitats. • Development and implementation of tailored conservation plans are imperative. Fragile wetland habitats are susceptible to multiple threats from anthropogenic activities. Direct waste deposition, habitat modification and overexploitation of fish have caused alternations in food webs in wetlands. Kingfishers are ecological indicators with the potential ability to respond to the minute changes in their microenvironment. Their abundance and distribution at wetland habitats are affected by multiple environmental factors. We studied the kingfisher assemblages in India to determine proximate and ultimate causes of their decline. We recorded the abundance of five species of kingfishers across five wetland habitats from 2011 to 2020 in Kerala, southwest coast of India. Kingfishers were counted twice in a month between 6.00 and 12.00 hrs. Air temperature, water temperature, humidity and turbidity were recorded. We measured fish diversity and abundance and organic waste as an additional explanatory variable. One-way ANOVA, Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average model and structural equation modelling were used to determine which explanatory variables affected kingfisher populations. Air temperature, water temperature and turbidity increased significantly during the study and had negative effects on the abundance of kingfishers. Humidity decreased significantly but had no effect on the kingfisher abundance. Fish abundance declined and had a strong positive effect on the abundance of kingfishers. The analysis of incidence of wastes across the study areas revealed that, all the sites were severely polluted. We also observed drastic decline in the abundance of all the species of kingfishers studied across the sites with a rapid decline in Pied Kingfisher and slower decline in White-throated Kingfisher. Black-capped Kingfisher is a local migrant to the study areas and is already red listed and categorized as Vulnerable (VU). This study suggests that kingfisher assemblages are declining along with the health status of the habitat. Urgent action is needed to help in designing and implementing effective management strategies for the sustainability of wetlands in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presently, due to changing population dynamics and macro-economic reasons the social security program for the aged ones and the working classes in India is devoid of respect, compassion, and gratitude. In addition to the demographic pressure, the system is under strain and needs to be reform. Nowadays, there is also an increasing trend towards privatization of social security due to the rapid aging of the population and other socio-economic factors. Thus the social security agenda under the present system became confusing which again needs to be clarified. With the rapid transformation of social and economic structure, there is increasing pressure on the state to take suitable measures to provide social security with a focus on the elderly as well as the unorganized sector. Therefore the government agencies have to think twice to continue with the present system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study determined Tor putitora (Hamilton, 1822) fishery, growth, mortality, and population characteristics using length-frequency data assembled monthly from the Tehri dam reservoir in Uttarakhand from January to December 2022. The estimation data was separated into 40-mm class intervals, and population parameters were investigated and computed using the FiSAT-II software tool. W = 0.0101 L 2.996 , where a = 0.0101 and b = 2.99, were determined as the length-weight relationships, and the growth performance index (ϕ) was computed to be 5.40. Tor putitora commercial catches in the Tehri dam reservoir were dominated by length groups of 360-399 and 320-359 mm. Different growth parameters were estimated using length-frequency data as L ∞  = 987.00 mm, K = 0.26 yr -1 , and t 0  = -0.0003 years. Z, M, and F mortality coefficients were estimated to be 1.01, 0.27, and 0.73, respectively. At the end of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh years, the fish measured 226, 400, 535, 638, 718, and 780, and 827, respectively. The estimated value of the exploitation rate (E) was 0.73 using the length-converted catch curve approach, which was determined to be somewhat higher than the optimum value (0.50). Tor putitora recruitment patterns from the Tehri dam reservoir reveal that the species only has one recruitment pattern every year, and that solely occurs from June to September. The current exploitation level (0.73) has already exceeded the maximum fishing pressure (E max  = 0.508), indicating that there is a decline in the catch at the current fishing pressure, and a further increase in fishing efforts may lead to a decline in the stock, which may be detrimental to the sustainable fishery of Tor putitora in the Tehri dam reservoir, Uttarakhand, India., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

The East African Indian (EAI) and Central Asian (CAS) lineages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) mainly infect tuberculosis (TB) patients in the eastern hemisphere which contains many of the 22 high TB burden countries including China and India. We investigated if phylogeographical, epidemiological and demographical characteristics for these 2 lineages differed in SITVIT2 database. Genotyping results and associated data (age, sex, HIV serology, drug resistance) on EAI and CAS lineages (n = 10,974 strains) were extracted. Phylogenetic and Bayesian, and other statistical analyses were used to compare isolates. The male/female sex ratio was 907/433 (2.09) for the EAI group vs. 881/544 (1.62) for CAS (p-value<0.002). The proportion of younger patients aged 0–20 yrs. with CAS lineage was significantly higher than for EAI lineage (18.07% vs. 10.85%, p-value<0.0001). The proportion of multidrug resistant and extensively drug resistant TB among CAS group (30.63% and 1.03%, respectively) was significantly higher than in the EAI group (12.14% and 0.29%, respectively; p-value<0.0001). Lastly, the proportion of HIV+ patients was 20.34% among the EAI group vs. 3.46% in the CAS group (p-value<0.0001). This remarkable split observed between various parameters for these 2 lineages was further corroborated by their geographic distribution profile (EAI being predominantly found in Eastern-Coast of Africa, South-India and Southeast Asia, while CAS was predominantly found in Afghanistan, Pakistan, North India, Nepal, Middle-east, Libya, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania). Some geo-specificities were highlighted. This study demonstrated a remarkable cleavage for aforementioned characteristics of EAI and CAS lineages, showing a North-South divide along the tropic of cancer in Eastern hemisphere–mainly in Asia, and partly prolonged along the horn of Africa. Such studies would be helpful to better comprehend prevailing TB epidemic in context of its historical spread and evolutionary features, and provide clues to better treatment and patient-care in countries and regions concerned by these lineages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertility is one of the most important determinants of population dynamics that has the highest significant contribution towards population size and structure in the world. The study of human fertility is of the utmost importance in population studies. For the purpose of the study, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted through a field-work based data collection with 627 Bishnupriya married women who are in the reproductive age (15 - 49 years) and have at least one child in 601 households in the Ngaikhong Khullen village of Bishnupur District, Manipur. Factors were checked for association with total children ever born (TCEB) by using of chi-square test and binary logistic regression was applied to determine the effect of socio-demographic and economic factors on TCEB. The present study shows that the mother's age, age at marriage, and household income have a significant effect on the total number of children ever born at a significance level of 5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population dynamics of diamond back moth, Plutella xylostella L. was studied under different agroclimatic conditions of Allahabad region. Results have been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on population dynamics and dominance of leafhopper species on 'Alphonso' mango were conducted from May 2016 to April 2017 at mango orchard of Agriculture College, Shivamogga and Doddabbigere village of Davanagere district, Karataka, India. Maximum population of leafhoppers was recorded during second fortnight of February 2017 (33.54 leafhopper / inflorescence) in mango orchard of Agriculture College, Shivamogga followed by first fortnight of February 2017 (29.98 leafhopper/inflorescence). Lowest number of leafhoppers was found during second fortnight of August 2016 (1.35 leafhopper / five sweeps in each direction). While at farmers orchard, the leafhopper population during first fortnight of February 2017 was highest (35.47/inflorescence) followed by first fortnight of January 2017 (34.49/inflorescence). Lowest leafhopper was found during first fortnight of September 2016 (2.05 leafhoppers/five sweeps in each direction). Irrespective of seasons in both the locations the overall per cent dominance of mango leafhopper species was highest in I. nitidulus followed by I. nagpurensis and A. atkinsoni. Correlation analysis with various weather parameters in both the locations indicated that, maximum temperature and minimum temperature showed significant positive, whereas morning relative humidity had significant negative correlation with the incidence of hoppers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work investigated the relationship of host size, seasons, and water quality parameters with the prevalence and intensity of Cornudiscoides agarwali on Mystus bleekeri collected from the Dikrong River in Arunachal Pradesh, India from February 2016 to January 2017. A total of 2760 specimens of C. agarwali were recovered from 114 individuals of M. bleekeri. The levels of mean intensity, but not the prevalence, of infection of C. agarwali were positively correlated with fish host size, peaking in the largest size class (45.20 ± 5.69 parasites/fish). The prevalence values had a statistically significant seasonal trend, reaching highest (100 %) during the pre-monsoon season, followed by 91.8% during the post-monsoon period and 87.5 % during the monsoon season. The levels of mean intensity of infection were also dependent on the seasons, reaching significantly higher levels during the pre-monsoon season (42.75 ± 4.18 parasites/fish). All water quality parameters measured were within the safety value recommended for freshwater aquaculture. Cornudiscoides agarwali maintained its prevalence above 87.5 % throughout the annual cycle, which means it was able to reproduce year-round in a non-polluted river. This could be an indication of monogenoidean community and population dynamics thriving best under optimum water quality parameters. Also, this article draws the attention of parasitologists and ichthyologists to a taxonomic problem of the misidentification of Mystus spp., and therefore, possibly of their parasitic monogenoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Okra production in the tropics is threatened by attack of insect-pests, fruit and shoot borer (FSB), jassid and whitefly causing severe loss in marketable yield particularly in the Gangetic plains of eastern India. No developed varieties/hybrids are free from attack of these pests. However, improved lines of okra have potential to broaden the genetic variability may improve resistance to these pests. Therefore, the population dynamics of these pests were recorded from 24 advance breeding lines/varieties of okra during peak infestation period over two consecutive years. Morphological leaf traits and biochemical parameters were assessed as potential mediators of resistance. The population of these pests reached above economic threshold levels during the month of September. Significant genotypic differences in terms of infestation of these pests were observed. Negatively correlated physico-chemical characters might be considered as important indices for selection of genotype tolerant to these pests. As indicated by the low infestations, the tolerance of BCO-1 to FSB, whitefly and that of Arka Anamika to jassid is based on both antixenotic properties of the genotypes. The donor parents BCO-1 and Arka Anamika should, therefore, be introduced into okra breeding programs to enhance tolerance against these pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservative estimates of the census of India pegged the number of rural-urban migrants at 78 million, out of the total internal migrant population of 456 million, in 2011. Despite their sizable number, larger than several European nations, very little is known about whether the type of urban destination matters for the physical health of these largely poor populations. Using data from two waves of the India Human Development Survey (2004-05 and 2011-12), we conduct multi-level analyses to explore the impact of metropolitan versus non-metropolitan destinations on the odds of short-term and long-term illnesses among rural-urban migrants across residential durations. Findings show that rural-urban migrants to metropolitan cities experience higher likelihood of suffering from overall and pollution-related major illnesses relative to their counterparts in non-metropolitan urban areas. On the other hand, migrants to metropolitan cities experience lower odds of suffering from minor illnesses than non-metropolitan rural-urban migrants. However, these significant effects of urban destination disappear when we compare health outcomes between shorter versus longer-duration migrants. We subject these multi-level analytic findings to robustness checks that corroborate our foregoing mixed results. Our findings generate initial evidence on health disparities among rural-urban migrants by destination and duration. These findings underscore the importance of health needs among migrant populations, that require attention particularly in the short-term of their relocation to cities., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Poverty affects many people, but the ramifications and impacts affect all aspects of society. Information about the incidence of poverty is therefore an important parameter of the population for policy analysis and decision making. In order to provide specific, targeted solutions when addressing poverty disadvantage small area statistics are needed. Surveys are typically designed and planned to produce reliable estimates of population characteristics of interest mainly at higher geographic area such as national and state level. Sample sizes are usually not large enough to provide reliable estimates for disaggregated analysis. In many instances estimates are required for areas of the population for which the survey providing the data was unplanned. Then, for areas with small sample sizes, direct survey estimation of population characteristics based only on the data available from the particular area tends to be unreliable. This paper describes an application of small area estimation (SAE) approach to improve the precision of estimates of poverty incidence at district level in the State of Bihar in India by linking data from the Household Consumer Expenditure Survey 2011–12 of NSSO and the Population Census 2011. The results show that the district level estimates generated by SAE method are more precise and representative. In contrast, the direct survey estimates based on survey data alone are less stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspects of population dynamics of Spinycheek lanternfish Benthosema fibulatum (Gilbert and Cramer 1897), caught off the south-west coast of India were studied. The asymptotic length (L∞) and growth constant (K) were estimated at 108 mm and 0.460 yr-1 respectively while tmax was worked out as 6 years. Benthosema fibulatum grows faster initially and attains a total length of 101.22 mm over 6 years. The coefficients of total mortality (Z), instantaneous natural mortality (M) and fishing mortality (F) were estimated as 2.32 yr-1, 0.51 yr-1 and 1.81 yr-1 respectively. The exploitation rate (E) was estimated as 0.78 yr-1. Size at first capture (Lc) was estimated as 62.84 mm TL. The relative yield per recruit reached maximum at an exploitation rate (Emax) of 0.772. Though there has been no targeted fishery for myctophids in the area of study, they constituted a significant proportion of bycatch of deep sea shrimp trawlers. Benthosema fibulatum stock may be unsustainable when fishery intensifies in future to meet demand from fish meal industry, unless proper action is taken to manage the stocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surajpur wetland is a prominent wetland site in National Capital Region, India, known for its rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. The present study was conducted to record the water bird diversity with an account of heronry from March 2010 to February 2013 by applying standard methods. During the study period, a total of 95 water bird species belonging to 22 families were recorded. Family Anatidae dominated the list by 18 species, followed by Scolopacidae (13 species) and Ardeidae (11 species). A total of 45 species recorded as resident, 43 species as winter migrant and 7 species as summer migrant. The relative abundance analysis showed that, 41% bird species were common, 40% occasional and 19% were uncommon in the study area. Month-wise, January recorded maximum number of species and individual while February recorded maximum density and Common Teal witnessed maximum count during the study period. Winter season and third year of study (2012-13) recorded maximum number of species, abundance and density. Among five ecological categories, maximum richness of small waders (34%) was recorded. TWINSPAN and Cluster analysis identified four dominant bird communities in the study area. The heronry revealed 18 bird species nesting in Phoenix sylvestris and Prosopis juliflora trees, with maximum number of nests observed of Asian Openbill, Black-crowned Night Heron and Black-headed Ibis recorded from April to September. IUCN listed 2 species as Vulnerable, 6 species under Near Threatened and rest species under Least Concern category. The conservation and management implications are discussed in light of results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UNHSP), the number of slum households in developing countries continues to grow by a higher proportion as compared to its encompassing city. Traditionally, policy makers have concentrated on population control strategies by focussing on birth rates and rural–urban migration to stem the growth and emergence of slums. However, these strategies have often failed to achieve the desired results. In the present paper we find the key underlying processes that explains the observed differences in household life cycle between slum and non-slum households. We find that the slum households when compared to nonslum urban households, exhibit a large variation in the household size over the course of their life cycle, which in turn leads to inefficiency while building slum resettlement colonies. We have developed an agent based model, namely DynaSlum , to identify the key social determinants that impact the behaviour of a slum household. We use a novel and unique dataset based on the field work from 37 slums in Bangalore combined with the NFHS data to calibrate DynaSlum and validate our findings. This paper presents two major insights to address the challenges. First, we find that high rate of home leaving among young adults is the key determinants for the large variation in the life cycle of slum households. Second, we show that reducing home leaving among young adults will reduce the formation number of new slum households and contribute to a higher but stable household size. This will lead to efficiency and higher per capita resource consumption when building capacity for slum development (resettlement colonies) as policy makers would be able to plan for a stable household size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competing Interests: Competing interests: None

The study was carried out (a) to identify the changes in the soil organic carbon (SOC) content during the different phases of slash-and-burn cultivation—i.e., before slash-and-burn (Phase 1), after slash-and-burn (Phase 2), and after harvest (Phase 3); and (b) to determine the status of soil organic carbon content in the primary undisturbed forest (Site 1) and in the secondary forests, where slash-and-burn cultivation was taken up ~25 yr (Site 2), 15 yr (Site 3), and 5 yr back (Site 4). The undisturbed forest holds the largest amount of SOC % (5.25) followed by 25 yr (3.07), 5 yr (2.86), and 15 yr (2.27) fallow. The mean percentages of SOC in the 0- to 15-cm layer fell from 3.07 in Phase 1 to 2.53 and 2.37, respectively, in Phases 2 and 3; in the subsurface 15- to 30-cm layer, they fell from 1.95 to 1.62 and 1.63, respectively. Although, the SOC in Phase 3 still seems sufficient to support another round of cultivation, further studies are needed to examine crop yields in successive cultivation cycles, suitability of other rice varieties, and weed and pest types and rates of invasion. Tribal population dynamics is another major concern, which needs assessment for monitoring future land requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Population dynamics of thrips, Megaleurothrips distalis (Karny) and mites, Tetranychus spp. were studied on summer season cowpea crop during 2013-2014 in Eastern Plateau and Hill region of India. Temperature, rainfall and host-plants were analyzed with respect to population fluctuation of pests. The population of thrips and mites were observed from low to high throughout the entire season and the incidence were more or less in the same pattern of the population fluctuation. Infestation of both thrips and mite initiated from 2nd week of March and continued up to the last week of June. The correlation analysis between thrips population and weather parameters indicated a strong significant positive correlation between the number of thrips and maximum temperature (p≤0.01) and significant with the mean temperature (p≤0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between thrips population and rainfall, but a negative correlation with RH was found to be non-significant. Similarly, temperature showed positive and rainfall a negative correlation on mite population fluctuation. The linear regression model based on weather conditions as independent variable and thrips and mites population fluctuation as dependent variable, explained to 72 percent for thrips and 62 percent for mite population variability. Environmental factors played significant role in distribution and abundance of thrips and mites population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reintroduction of the tiger ( Panthera tigris) has become imperative to address the extinction crisis and, it also provides new knowledge of the species biology as to how these animals explore and utilize new environments. We studied six reintroduced tigers and three of their offsprings in Panna Tiger Reserve, central India, focusing on exploration strategy, movement characteristics and spatio-temporal home range patterns. It was found that the release site had no influence on home range selection by the reintroduced tigers, regardless of the release method (soft or hard release) and origin (wild caught or raised in captivity). Although there was a high rate of initial movement, these animals exhibited strong site fidelity and territoriality subsequently. Mean (±SD) annual home ranges of male and female tigers were 132.7 km ± 9.0 and 73.6 km ± 9.6, respectively, and did not differ significantly across seasons. The home range sizes of males were among the largest in India and was also marginally larger for females. Comparison with previous telemetry study on historic tiger population in the same site suggests that the reintroduced animals behaved almost exactly the same way as that of native populations, offering support for reintroduction strategies which look to restore not only the species population but also ecosystem functions. The exploratory strategy and subsequent home range establishment by the reintroduced tigers offer novel insights on species behaviour in a new environment, with implication for future conservation strategies that consider translocation-based recovery of tiger populations in the range countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saltmarsh ecosystems though ecologically important are one of the least studied ecosystems in Asia. This study reviewed the published literature from 1988 to 2021 of India to assess the current status of the data deficient saltmarsh species Porterasia coarctata (Roxb.) within its distribution limits. This saltmarsh species inhabits the lower intertidal silty-sandy habitats of India's west coast and silty-clay habitats of the east coast. In the lower intertidal zone, P. coarctata is mostly associated with Myrostachia wightiana , whereas in the upper intertidal zone the highest chance of presence was for Suaeda maritima (18%) and the lowest for Cressa cretica (1%), S. fruticosa (1%) and Scirpus littoralis (1%). The deep root system of P. coarctata helps in sediment accretion and facilitates the formation of mangrove ecosystems. From this study it was evident that most of the research on P. coarctata in India was part of survey of mangrove ecosystems. In India, significant knowledge gap exists on the reproductive ecology and population trends of this species. Most importantly, the genes responsible for salinity and submergence tolerance of P. coarctata are well documented, that can provide solutions for salt and submergence tolerant rice plants in coastal areas prone to sea level rise. The blue carbon storage potential of P. coarctata is higher than other saltmarsh plants, that can be leveraged as a nature-based solution for CO 2 emission reductions. The ecosystem services of P. coarctata can also contribute towards achieving various sustainable development goals (SDG-1,2,6,13 and14). Coastal development, mangrove restoration and marine food provisioning are the most important drivers causing the decline of P. coarctata ecosystems across India. This study proposes a long-term coastal monitoring plan for essential conservation and management of existing P. coarctata beds and preventing further degradation and loss of these ecosystems. This study also showcases species-specific valuation of individual saltmarsh plants at regional scale are essential to catalogue the most efficient saltmarsh plants that can play an important role in future climate change scenarios and serve as a global model. • Porterasia coarctata is ecologically important saltmarsh species. • Genes responsible for salinity and submergence tolerance are well documented. • Carbon storage capacity of P. coarctata is higher than other saltmarsh species. • Coastal development and mangrove restoration are major cause of habitat loss. • P. coarctata can contribute towards achieving five Sustainable Development Goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study of the effect of weather parameters, including daily maximum temperature, minimum temperature, and relative humidity, on population dynamics of aphid, Aphis odinae (van der Gocot) on cashew ecosystem in Goa, India. Correlation coefficient demonstrated significant negative correlation of aphid population and weather parameters with minimum temperature.

Smart city aims at amassed connectivity at various levels in the midst of citizens, as well as amid the administration and the daily growing population. India is one of the developing countries where population growth is one of the significant areas to be noted seriously. A city is a large and permanent human environment that provides its citizens with many services and opportunities. The rapid economic growth and population growth have put a huge amount of strain on urban infrastructure and service provision. India is an under developing nation to modernize urban life; the current urbanization needs good tactics and creative planning. India's government has launched 100 smart cities where it is expected that citizens will use new innovations and resolve the issues. Smart cities are intended for finest usage of space and resources along with an effectual and optimum dissemination of benefits. This study aims to investigate and analyse Chennai smart city mission (SCM) development. This work has been undertaken to learn about the aspects of smart development and the factors governing smart city. The analysis has been split up into 4 portions as questionaries' survey in Chennai city, frequency and percentage analysis, descriptive analysis and using structural equation modelling (SCM). Using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0, conversational interviewing and questionnaire survey and also journal study are conducted to find factors influencing the implementation of smart city and reviewed. Using the structural equation model (SEM) AMOS 21.0 software, confirmatory factor assessment had been done. This study gives in-depth knowledge in the implementation of the smart city scheme aspects and also suggests solution for the most affecting factor in a city., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1895) is the anthropophilic and day-biter mosquito, residing in peridomestic habitats and is responsible for vector-borne diseases, i.e., chikungunya and dengue. The knowledge of mosquito life demographics is very important to provide a foundation for a successful vector control program. In the present study, a comparative adult life table, survival, and fecundity parameters were evaluated on desert (Jodhpur, Rajasthan) and coastal (Kolkata, West Bengal) strains of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) from India under the standard laboratory conditions. The results showed significant differences between these strains for the life expectancy of males, fecundity (total eggs/cohort and eggs/female life span), oviposition days, intrinsic rate of increase (r m ), finite rate of increase (λ), and doubling time (DT). Female mosquitoes lived longer than the males in both strains. Significant differences were observed in the net reproductive rate (R 0 ) between Kolkata and Jodhpur strains. The coastal (Kolkata) strain showed a longer male life expectancy (5.6 days) than the desert strain (4.0 days). However, the fecundity (eggs/female lifespan) was higher in Kolkata (360.2) than the Jodhpur strain (229.7). The Kolkata strain showed higher R 0 , r m , λ, and the lower T, DT than the Jodhpur strain. Conclusively, the results indicate that the coastal strain of Ae. albopictus is more r-strategist than the desert strain. This study may help in the precise prediction of Ae. albopictus population dynamics surviving in these geographical areas for vector management., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest Authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Vast stretches of India comes under meteorological drought this year or the other. A huge population base in rural India are rendered highly vulnerable to this drought because of their primary dependency on agriculture and in turn they may respond through temporary migration out of the drought affected rural areas in search of alternative livelihoods. This study aims to investigate the association between drought and temporary migration in rural India by fitting binary logistic regression models on a cross-sectional dataset involving both National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) 64th round data and India Meteorological Department (IMD) rainfall data. The paper also examines whether this association varies across the different socio-economic groups. Out of the total temporary migrants generated in rural India in the study period, 99.46% migrated internally and 67.12% were rural to urban migrants. The study finds that there is a positive association between drought instances and probability of a household to have at least one temporary migrant member in rural India (OR 1.64 with p<0.001) while controlling all other covariates. The study also concludes that the probability of temporary migration on account of drought is more severe among the socio-economically marginalised sections of the rural population compared to their better-off counterparts., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

This paper compares and contrasts the spread and impact of COVID-19 in the three countries most heavily impacted by the pandemic: the United States (US), India and Brazil. All three of these countries have a federal structure, in which the individual states have largely determined the response to the pandemic. Thus, we perform an extensive analysis of the individual states of these three countries to determine patterns of similarity within each. First, we analyse structural similarity and anomalies in the trajectories of cases and deaths as multivariate time series. Next, we study the lengths of the different waves of the virus outbreaks across the three countries and their states. Finally, we investigate suitable time offsets between cases and deaths as a function of the distinct outbreak waves. In all these analyses, we consistently reveal more characteristically distinct behaviour between US and Indian states, while Brazilian states exhibit less structure in their wave behaviour and changing progression between cases and deaths. • We compare and contrast the natural history of COVID-19 in the US, India and Brazil. • Case, death and mortality rate trajectories are analysed on a state-by-state basis. • We quantify heterogeneity and identify anomalous states therein within each country. • Wave behaviours are explored and clustered across the three countries states. • New mathematical methods quantify the lag in the progression from cases and deaths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Dispersal is a life history trait that plays a key role in population dynamics. We used camera traps to estimate the distance male and female tigers (Panthera tigris) dispersed from Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve (RTR) in semi-arid habitats of western India from 2003 to 2010. We deployed camera traps whenever tiger tracks were found in places adjacent to protected areas where tigers had not been recently reported. We identified tigers by matching strip patterns by using their photographs with the database of camera-trapped tigers of RTR at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. We determined the aerial distance (straight line) between the last location of photo-capture in the natal area (in RTR) and the location of the most recent photo-capture. One female and three male tigers that dispersed from RTR were identified from photographs. The longest distance dispersed by a tiger was 148.4 km, and the average dispersed distance was 124.2 ± 23.7 km (n = 3) for male tigers and 78.4 km for the female tiger. The minimum age of the male tigers when they dispersed was 24 months. These data are important for making conservation and management decisions for restoration of potential connectivity between landscapes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

As reported India is having skewed sex ratio at birth. Sex ratio is one of the important demographic parameter to describe the population structure. Changes in sex composition largely reflect the underlying socio-economic, cultural patterns, demographic development and also gender relations of a society. In general, skewed sex ratio means the declining of the female population, while the declining of the male population could also be possible. The present paper reviews the sex ratio pattern of Manipur state in the last five census decades. The review points out the trend of decline of male population in the state and tries to visualise the problems from socio-political scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abundance, population structure and other biological aspects of Siriella gracilis were evaluated based on zooplankton collections in the Exclusive Economic Zone of India (Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea) as a part of a multidisciplinary project, Marine Research on Living Resources Assessment Programme. S. gracilis exhibited a wide range of variations in its population dynamics in the study area and the population density over the entire study area ranged from 0 to 29250 ind. per 1000 m3. The highest abundance was in the Arabian Sea (70.1% of the total sampled population) followed by the Andaman Sea (22.7%) and the Bay of Bengal (5.2%). Temperature and salinity appeared to have little influence on the general distribution of S. gracilis in the study area. The number of eggs/embryos carried by females exhibited a positive correlation with female size and the maximum brood size was 11. The egg diameter ranged from 0.32 to 0.46 mm and was independent of female size. Even though no significant body length difference was found between spent females and breeding females (p>0.05), wet mass of spent females and breeding females was significantly different (p <0.0001), obviously resulting from the added weight of the brood in ovigerous individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The survey was carried out from 2010 to 2012 to assess the eco-status of chiropterans in and around Barmer (24°85′04″ to 26°32′20″N Latitudes and 70°05′35″ to 72°52′14″E Longitudes) in the Great Indian Desert (Thar Desert), India. The population dynamics, species richness and distribution of bats were examined at all possible sites revealing that ecotransformation in this area positively affecting the chiropteran bio-diversity and richness in this area. Up to 1982 only three microchiropteran species i.e. Rhinopoma microphyllum kinneari, Pipistrellus tenuis, Taphozous perforatus perforatus were recorded in this area and the present study revealed five new species in this area. The newly species added from microchiropterans are Rhinopoma hardwickii, Taphozous melanopogon, Taphozous nudiventris and from megachiroptera i.e. Cynopterix sphinx, Pteropus giganteus giganteus. These findings suggest that eco- transformation in and around Barmer area of Thar desert positively affect the demography and species richness of bats in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Most developing countries such as India use biomass as a primary source of energy especially in domestic sectors in the rural area. The increasing population exerts more pressure on the biomass resource thereby initiating energy crisis in the region. The issue of shortage of fuelwood in the remote mountain regions is increasing since the alternative energy resources have limitations either due to poor economic condition of the people, complex technology involved or being inaccessible due to remoteness. It is also seen that the use of traditional biomass as a source of energy will improve the livelihood conditions of the people and it will give ecological benefits to the region if other associated factors like health, gender etc. are taken care of and thus the planners aim to focus on sustaining the natural fuelwood resources. The present paper attempts to predict the future fuelwood demand based on the present consumption pattern in the upland villages of Indian Himalaya. Major consumption characteristics such as fuelwood consumption at different altitude and per capita fuelwood consumption (PCFC) are studied. Population dynamics model is postulated in order to assess future population vs. fuelwood consumption scenario, thereby projecting the future population and the future fuelwood demand in the region. It is observed that variations in fuelwood consumption exist at different altitudes in the hilly region. Mathematical modelling and time-series simulation model was proposed and validated model to predict the future expected demand of fuelwood resources in Phakot watershed. Based on the projected population and season based fuelwood requirements, the watershed will have a total fuelwood demand of 19,327t in 2011 which is expected to reach 36,462t in 2021. Such studies on the future resource demand trends will help in finding suitable region-specific and need-based alternative strategies for achieving sustainable fuelwood management at the micro-level. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Reproductive behaviour and population dynamics of Indian Flying Fox Pteropus giganteus were studied in a maternal colony in Uttar Pradesh. About 300 individuals of P. giganteus roosted in the maternal colony during early spring before the colony expanded during a period of pair formation and mass copulation, after which the colony size declined gradually to reach apparent stability. General maintenance behaviours such as wing fanning, wing stretching, grooming, locomotion, sleeping, urination and defecation were observed, along with social behaviours including antagonistic vocal display, courting females and copulation. Two modes of copulatory behaviour—frontal and dorsal—were observed. Courtship displays and copulatory behaviours were observed throughout the day at the diurnal roost. Peak copulation was observed between 1000 and 1200 hr and on average each mating held for 90±19.5 sec. P. giganteus used auditory, olfactory and tactile communications during pre and post-copulation periods. In contrast to earlier reports, we observed two mating cycles: spring and autumn. Female bats involved in copulation during the spring season gave birth at the beginning of June. Lactating females retained their pups for three months. Postpartum females were observed to leave their first cohort and become involved in pair formation and copulation during the autumn reproductive season of the same year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the annual length frequency data collected from three major fish landing centres along the River Periyar, draining the southern Western Ghats, the von Bertalanffy growth function (VBGF) estimates of Horobagrus brachysoma were worked out as asymptotic length (La) = 422mm total length, growth co-efficient (K) = 0.55 yr-1 and growth performance index (ø) = 4.99. The total mortality rate (Z) was estimated at 5.64 yr-1, natural mortality rate (M) at 1.04 yr-1, fishing mortality (F) at 4.60 yr-1, and exploitation rate (E) at 0.82 yr-1. Yield per recruit (expected lifetime yield per fish recruited in the stock at a specific age) analysis showed an excessive fishing effort. Using the analysis of probability of capture of each length class, the length at first capture (Lc) of H. brachysoma was estimated to be 110mm. An indication of both growth and recruitment fishing is provided by the dominance of year 1 class in the exploited population and the capture of immature individuals below first maturity. Management of H. brachysoma fishing should include setting of a minimum mesh size limit of 160-180 mm for gill nets as well as a closed season starting from the month of May till August aimed at protecting the spawning stock. This study on H. brachysoma, an endemic and threatened catfish of peninsular India, provides hard evidence that species targeted by artisanal fishermen, in small-scale tropical riverine fisheries, are vulnerable to overexploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brahmaputra Valley of Assam, India, is one of the prime habitats for the endangered Royal Bengal tiger Panthera tigris tigris. With dwindling global population, estimation of the minimum number of tigers has always been a curiosity to wildlife researchers as well as to protected area managers. In the present study, DNA-based techniques were used for identifying individual tigers present in Orang National Park of Assam, from 57 faecal samples collected during February 2009. Orang National Park stands as an island of a single forest patch along the north bank of river Brahmaputra. The present study confirms the presence of 17 individual tigers in Orang National Park, with five male and 12 female. DNA-based capture-recapture analysis yielded minimum range estimate of 18 and 19 individuals, with possible overestimates of population size following two models of capture probability in CAPWIRE. The results of our genetic counting of tigers are compared with the estimates of 19 tigers based on pugmark analysis by the state Forest Department in 2000 and an independent capture-recapture estimate of 14 (±3.6) individuals based on photographic identity study in 2009. Looking at high mortality of tigers in the area, with 19 reported deaths during 2000 to 2009, our results indicate high individual turnover in the area. This study shows that Orang National Park harbours a healthy breeding population of tigers. However, the possibility of a source-sink dynamics operating in the landscape could not be ruled out, with possible immigration from nearby Kaziranga National Park on the south bank of Brahmaputra, which has the highest reported density of the species in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Diurnally subperiodic Wuchereria bancrofti (DSPWB) filariasis is transmitted by the Downsiomyia nivea. In India, it is prevalent only in the Nicobar district of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Knowledge of the population dynamics and bio-ecology of vectors is crucial to develop intervention measures. Entomological studies were performed for 12 months by collecting mosquitoes that landed on human baits for feeding in Teressa Island. Age composition, mosquitoes that had laid eggs at least once, finite rate of natural increase (λ) and vector survival reflecting the population dynamics of Do. nivea in relation to transmission of filariasis were estimated. A total of 3625 Do. nivea were collected. Changes in finite rate of increase (λ> 1) during favorable months indicate an increase in the vector population, suggesting the need for intensified intervention. The proportion of mosquitoes completing more than one gonotrophic cycle was higher in months when λ was 1. Do. nivea abundance and its parous densities varied with seasons. Survival of Do. nivea (indicated by the proportion of parous mosquitoes) was lower in the pre-monsoon season than during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. The probability of the daily survival of Do. nivea through one gonotrophic cycle was 0.75, with a declining trend as age increased. The maximum transmission of DSPWB occurred during the pre-monsoon, followed by the late monsoon, post-monsoon and monsoon seasons. Perennial transmission is evident. Therefore intervention measures must be planned throughout the year. Prospects of vector control are limited due to the cryptic breeding and diurnal biting habits. Mass chemotherapy with a single dose of an antifilarial drug is a potential option for control. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The emergence of variety of land-use changes due to continuous anthropogenic pressure in peri-urban areas may concomitantly result in modification of the structure of associated plant communities for their sustainable growth. In the present study, plant diversity, and above- and belowground biomass distribution among species were investigated to understand their dynamics across different season, soil, and site conditions in a dry tropical peri-urban region in India. From four study sites that covered contrasting land uses: abandoned brick kiln (ABK), grazing land (GL), Kali river bank (KRB), and agricultural land (AL), a total of 360 monoliths were randomly extracted in three seasons, and dry weights were estimated for aboveground and belowground parts of species individuals. Seasonal soil samples of the sites were analyzed for physico-chemical characteristics. Of the total 87 recorded species that were mainly annual weeds and ruderals, 77% were forbs and 23% grasses. The ranges of plant biomass recorded across all sites and seasons were: aboveground 228-738 g m, belowground 83-288 g m, and a total of 344-1,026 g m. The dominance of species differed between above- and belowground; some species dominated only above- or belowground, and others dominated in both layers. Above- and belowground biomass of the sites, differential community-biomass allocation to above- and belowground parts and species dominants varied significantly with site and season. ABK and AL sites showed lower species diversity and soil nutrients compared to GL and KRB sites. Belowground biomass significantly declined with increasing soil organic C and total N, indicating altered dry matter allocation under resource-scarce habitat conditions. Higher diversity occurred at both low- and high-biomass sites, reflective of enhanced ability of these plant communities to exploit resources maximally in spatio-temporal pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Population dynamics of five different species of grasshopper were analyzed for the first time in Darjeeling (Lebong and Happy Valley) of the eastern Himalayan region of India. The study is based on the relationship between monthly samples collected using sweep nets for three years (March, 2005 to February, 2008) in relation to meteorological parameters (monthly average rainfall, monthly mean maximum and minimum temperatures). The population for each of the five species of grasshopper is plotted against the Aridity Ratio (A.R.). For all species, the population increases at lower A.R. values and then decreases exponentially at higher A.R. values. The exponentially decreasing part of the population is modeled using a simple formula. The monthly population of A. crenulata nymphs and adults in Lebong has also been modeled by iterative equations using A.R. and results compared satisfactorily with the sample data. These works show the possibility of forecasting grasshopper populations using a simple model and thereby easing the regulation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosquito prevalence was studied in three areas of Coimbatore City, Tamil Nadu viz., North Coimbatore, Gandhipuram and Kavundampalayam. Culex quinquefasciatus, C. pseudovishnu, C. gelidus and Armigeres subalbatus are prevalent in the study area. Results indicated that C. quinquefasciatus was the predominant species in North Coimbatore followed by C. pseudovishnu, whereas A. subalbatus was the predominant species both in Gandhipuram and Kavundampalayam areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study investigating the population projections from 2006 to 2026 in the divisions and district levels of Bihar, India. It highlights the use of Ratio Method to project population by sex and place of residence using the future estimates of population given by the Expert Committee on Population Projection. The study shows that the use of the Ratio Method to project population may be considered a technique, providing reasonably good estimates in the situation where data in various components of population change.