Search

The eggs of Capissa vagesa (Moore, 1859) and Trabala vishnou (Lefèbvre, 1827) from the families Erebidae and Lasiocampidae were examined and characterized under scanning electron microscope. Significant morphological traits on the eggshells of both analyzed species are presented in current study. Descriptions and comparative morphological assessments for both species of these moths are provided, in addition to the structural complexity of the eggs uncovered throughout the course of this study. This study showed that ultrastructural egg chorion features investigated in the current study i.e., shape of Micropylar rosette, polygonal cells, number of micropyles and aeropyles have high taxonomic significance at specific and generic levels, and these sort of investigations must be expanded to improve and elevate the morphological depiction at levels of earlier life stages in various moth families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathologic eggs have been documented in the amniote eggs of birds, turtles, and dinosaurs. These eggs occur either in the form of one egg within another egg, a condition known as ovum-in-ovo or multi-shelled eggs showing additional pathological eggshell layer/s besides the primary shell layer. Though multi-shelled eggs and eggshells were previously recorded only in reptiles and ovum-in-ovo eggs in birds, now it has been shown that multi-shelled egg pathology occurs in birds as well. However, no ovum-in-ovo egg has been reported in dinosaurs or for that matter in other reptiles. Here we describe an ovum-in-ovo pathological egg from a titanosaurid dinosaur nest from the Upper Cretaceous Lameta Formation of western Central India which makes it the first report of this pathology in dinosaurs. Birds possess a specialized uterus while other amniotes have a generalized uterus. However, alligators and crocodiles retain a specialized uterus like birds along with a reptilian mode of egg-laying. The discovery of ovum-in-ovo egg from a titanosaurid dinosaur nest suggests that their oviduct morphology was similar to that of birds opening up the possibility for sequential laying of eggs in this group of sauropod dinosaurs. This new find underscores that the ovum-in-ovo pathology is not unique to birds and sauropods share a reproductive behavior very similar to that of other archosaurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We re-evaluate fragmentary eggshells of avian affinities (ratite morphotype) from the Late Cretaceous Intertrappean beds of Anjar (District Kachchh, Gujarat), India in view of additional material and cladistic analysis. Previously, Anjar eggshells were encompassed in the oofamily Subtiliolithidae; however, now the oofamily Subtiliolithidae has been re-examined as a junior synonym of the oofamily Laevisoolithidae. External surface of the eggshells is smooth to rugose, with unevenly distributed, sub-rounded tubercles; average eggshell thickness (467–491 µm) characterised by two layers: (1) a well-differentiated mammillary layer (196.1 µm), comprising conical, crystalline aggregates with petaloid wedges, and (2) a continuous spongy layer (274.58 µm, CL:ML, 1.3:1) divulges a squamatic zone. The eggshells have been compared with three oofamilies (Elongatoolithidae, Prismatoolithidae and Laevisoolithidae) and their palaeoecological implications have been discussed in detail. Shell microstructure is comparable with oofamily Laevisoolithidae, an ootaxon usually related with enantiornithid birds. Cladistic analysis performed on the eggshells are consistent with the avian kinships recognised based on macro, micro and ultrastructural features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When faced with a plethora of issues, the possibility of one problem becoming the solution of another is a rare, yet beneficial scenario. This report explores the prospect of viewing the accumulation of organic waste matter in India as a potential calcium reservoir to relieve the issue of calcium deficiency in the population. Waste generation has seen gradual growth, and it has created a problem of waste disposal. A large segment of the generated waste primarily consists of food waste which contains significant amounts of nutrients. Food waste such as eggshells, waste from shellfish, bones, and fish scales contain good amounts of bioavailable calcium, and large quantities of this discarded bioavailable calcium remain unused. Global studies show India to have significantly lower levels of calcium intake than the global average, thus increasing the risk of calcium deficiency-related diseases. Furthermore, research shows that for over the past half of the century, the intake of dietary calcium has declined drastically throughout India. This has led to chronic calcium deficiency-related diseases throughout most of the Indian population. Hence, development of calcium supplements from calcium-rich waste material has the potential to not only reduce the strain on waste management, but also to provide the calcium-deficient population with a cheaper alternative to traditional supplements. Owing to the abundance and ease of separation, eggshells have been chosen as the focus of the review. This review highlights and compares their extraction methods of providing cheap calcium supplements while reducing the amount of eggshell waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to increased egg consumption globally, a corresponding surge of about 18% in egg production has been recorded during the last decade as reported by WATT Global Media's Executive Guide to World Poultry Trends. Up till 2017, global egg production has hit 80-million metric-ton mark with China, USA and India, being the leading egg-producing countries contributing their share of 458, 109 and 95 billion eggs per annum, respectively. Global egg production for the year 2018 was 78 million metric tons, contributing approximately 8.58 million metric ton of eggshells which are being discarded mostly as waste. This calcium-rich commodity is dumped into landfills, leading to various environmental issues, and therefore should be tackled properly. Eggshells are obtained from egg processing plants, egg stations, chicken hatcheries, industries and homes in millions of tonnes and can be employed in a myriad of fields. The following review article provides a brief insight into various applications of eggshells in our society, such as their use in medicinal supplements, bone graft substitute and denture base. Eggshells can also be employed in constructing floor tiles and in cement to enhance compressive strength. Other diverse applications of eggshell may include animal feed, plant fertiliser, batteries, inkjet printers, biodiesel production and removal of heavy metals from soil and water. The increasing urbanisation and industrialization with amplified waste generation have wreaked havoc on our climate; thus, making it necessary to take certain extravagant measures to ensure the safety and sustainability of our planet. Image 1 • Egg consumption is expected to increase from 7951.8 million dozens in 2019 to over 8000 million dozens in 2020. • USDA projects consumption statistics to reach up to 8917 million dozens by 2028. • Leading eggshell producing countries are China, USA and India. • It is the need of hour to convert waste into useful commodities for sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past, fossilised dinosaur eggshells have been extensively documented from the Upper Cretaceous Lameta Formation of Central India and as many as nine oospecies are known at present from this formation. Compared to this, only one dinosaur oospecies has been described from the Cretaceous succession of the Cauvery Basin. However, the first fossil egg from India, identified as a chelonian egg, was documented from the Aptian – Albian Karai Formation of the Cauvery Basin in 1957. Following this, a solitary titanosaurid dinosaur egg was described from the Upper Cretaceous (Lower Maastrichtian) Kallankuruchhi Formation, Cauvery Basin in 1996. More recently, we have recovered isolated eggshell fragments from the marine part of the Upper Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian) Kallamedu Formation. Based on eggshell morphology, microstructure and ultrastructure, these eggshell fragments are assigned to the oospecies Fusioolithus baghensis. The new find from the Cauvery Basin is important from palaeobiogeographic point of view as the oofamily Fusioolithidae is found in the Upper Cretaceous strata of India, France, Argentina and Morocco. Based on the common occurrence of similar oospecies in South America, Africa, Europe and India, a Late Cretaceous palaeobiogeographic connection between India and South America as well as Europe via Africa is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organochlorine compounds (OCs) pose a serious threat towards the wildlife due to their well-known adverse effects. India is the second largest producer of pesticides in Asia, with DDT production still ongoing, and is ranked amongst the leading countries of pesticide consumption. However, a significant data gap in avian biomonitoring studies has been identified in Asia. The objective of this review is to compile and discuss the available literature on concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in Indian birds. The review of 18 articles showed that DDTs were the OCs most frequently analysed, followed by HCHs and PCBs (highest hepatic mean values: 11.6, 1.8 and 1.03 µg/g ww, respectively). The most frequently analysed matrix was whole body homogenates, followed by internal tissues. Plasma, eggs, feathers and guano were poorly sampled. The range of sampling years was 1980-2007. In general, hepatic OC concentrations were below the level known to cause adverse effects, although p,p’-DDE in eggs was found in concentrations associated with eggshell thinning. Most of the studies were carried out in Southern India (Tamil Nadu). Out of 106 species studied, house crow (Corvus splendens) was the most frequently monitored. However, the number of individuals sampled per species is generally low and different sample types are used, thus, huge limitations to compare OC exposure exist. This review shows that there is a clear deficit of data on OC concentrations and sublethal effects that needs to be addressed to understand the status of OC exposure, spatio-temporal trends and potential impacts in Indian avifauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pinjore Formation of the Upper Siwalik subgroup, north of Chandigarh, provides one of the most extensive and continuous sequences of Quaternary deposits in northern India. Since the early 19th century, scholars have been involved with extensive surveys and comprehensive fossil collections from the region. However, most fossils were collected as surface finds. New palaeontological surveys were initiated in 2020 to identify in-situ fossil scatters to understand palaeoecological and palaeodietary shifts in fauna within the Pinjore deposits (2.58–0.63 Ma). As a result, six new palaeontological localities were discovered in the region, with 981 fossil specimens (dental, post-cranial and fossil eggshells). The post-cranial remains are fragmentary and undiagnosable, but dental remains can be identified to eight mammalian species of bovids, equids, proboscideans and rodents. More significantly, fossilised ratite eggshells were also discovered and collected from four separate scatters across the locality of Choti Badi Nangal and can be provisionally assigned to Struthio cf. S. camelus molybdophanes. This is also the first report of fossilised ratite eggshells from the Upper Siwalik Hills of India. • Six new palaeontological localities have been identified in the Upper Siwalik Hills near Chandigarh. • The fossilised remains can be identified to eight species of bovids, equids, proboscideans and rodents. • This is the first report of ostrich eggshells from the surface of Early-Middle Pleistocene deposits of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eggshell oospecies from India and Argentina are compared and reviewed in detail. These eggshells resemble each other in having a nodular outer surface ornamentation and clearly arched growth lines of the shell units. Microstructurally, the eggshell oospecies belonging to the oofamily Megaloolithidae shows fan-like shell units, which are sharply separated from each other throughout the thickness of the eggshell and can be traced up to the surface of the eggshell. Comparisons between four oospecies from India and Argentina reveal three groupings, which show similarities between megaloolithids of both countries: (1)Megaloolithus jabalpurensis,M. matleyiandM. patagonicus; (2)M. cylindricus,M. rahioliensisand Tipo 1d; and (3)M.megadermusand Tipo 1e. The other two types of eggshell oospecies from India and Argentina show partially fused external nodes and shell units. As a result, growth lines enter into the adjacent shell units with a marked concavity. A new oogenusFusioolithushave been erected due to fusion between shell units and tubospherulitic morphotype, which include two new oospeciesF. baghensisandF. berthei. Till date, morphostructurally, a total of 15 eggshell oospecies belonging to different oofamilies have been recorded from India and seven oospecies from Argentina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report fossil ratite eggshells from the site, Dharamsala of Dhok Pathan Formation (Middle Siwaliks), dated to 10.1 Ma. A comparative analysis reveals that in their combination of eggshell surface, pore, pore canal morphology and cross-sectional features, the Indian eggshells show closest affinity with the widely distributed Neogene fossil taxon Struthiolithus, and as such are assigned to cf. Struthiolithus. We have carried out a parsimony analysis of all relevant extinct and extant palaeognathous birds of the southern continents, as ingroup taxa. Genyornis, an extinct bird from Australia, and Gallus gallus (chicken) were also used in this analysis as ingroup (Neornithes) taxa. The result supports monophyly of Palaeognathae. The present cf. Struthiolithus eggshell and Aepyornis were found to be sister taxa and their forbearers had a common ancestry with Afro-Arabian Struthio and Diamantornis. The Indian subcontinent now has an extended fossil record of struthionid eggshells from the Late Miocene to the Late Pleistocene, implying dispersals through intercontinental migration corridors. Our stable carbon isotope (δ13CPDB) value of -10.4‰ of the present eggshells suggests that the ratite bird had a diet mainly of C3 plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was carried out to determine the egg qualities of farm fresh Kuttanad and White Pekin duck eggs of the institute and eggs collected from various shops in and around Thrissur district, Kerala. A total of 42 eggs were subjected to evaluate the internal and external quality parameters. The results revealed that there is no significant difference among mean egg weight, shape index and specific gravity. Kuttanad and White Pekin farm fresh eggs showed significantly (P<0.05) superior quality in shell thickness, shell percentage and yolk index. Albumen index and Haugh unit score of Kuttanad duck eggs were significantly (P<0.05) superior to White Pekin eggs and market eggs showed the least. Mean shell weight value of White Pekin eggs were significantly higher than market eggs while there was no significant difference between Kuttanad and White Pekin eggs. Yolk score of market egg (8.67 ±0.31) was significantly higher than the farm fresh eggs (6.67±0.24 and 5.33±0.24). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers news briefs related to the chemical engineering industry. Scientists at the University of Colorado-Boulder are exploring ways to use and transplant human microbes for the treatment of several disease from obesity to diabetes. Researchers at the University of Calcutta in India has discovered that eggshell membranes are capable of absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The automobile giants GM and Nissan has partnered for a battery recycling initiative.