Exostoma dhritiae, a new sisorid catfish (Teleostei: Sisoridae) from the Brahmaputra River drainage, Arunachal Pradesh, India.

A new species of sisorid catfish of the genus Exostoma is described from the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India. The new species, Exostoma dhritiae, can be distinguished from congeners by the condition of the posterior extremity of the adipose-fin base, the degree of tuberculation on the dorsal surface of the head, and the shape of striae on the anterolateral surface of lips. Further, it is distinguished by the morphometric data for the body depth at the anus, maxillary barbel length, adipose fin base length, caudal peduncle length, caudal peduncle depth and the number of branched pectoral-fin rays. It is the twentieth reported species of Exostoma.

A new species of Glyptothorax (Teleostei: Sisoridae) from the Brahmaputra River basin, Arunachal Pradesh, India.

Glyptothorax rupiri, a new sisorid catfish, is described from the Brahmaputra River basin in Arunachal Pradesh, northeast India. It differs from its congeners in the Indian subcontinent by the following combination of characters: the presence of plicae on the ventral surface of the pectoral spine and first pelvic-fin ray; a posteriorly serrated dorsal-fin spine, its length 11.312.2% SL; body depth at anus 11.213.4% SL; a thoracic adhesive apparatus longer than broad, with a V-shaped median depression which opens posteriorly; an arrow-shaped anterior nuchal plate element; adipose-fin base length 10.912.6% SL; nasal barbel not reaching anterior orbital margin; 1418 serrae on posterior margin of the pectoral-fin spine; body with two longitudinal pale-cream stripes; densely tuberculated skin; and the presence of numerous tubercles on the dorsal surface of pectoral and pelvic-fin rays.

A new species of Osteobrama (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Mahanadi River, India with a note on the validity of O. dayi.

A new species of the genus Osteobrama is described from the Mahanadi River, Tikarpada, Angul District, Odisha state, India. Osteobrama tikarpadaensis, new species, differs from its congeners in having two pairs of minute barbels; iii-iv unbranched dorsal-fin rays with 25-33 serrae on the last unbranched ray; 15-16 branched pectoral-fin rays, and 25-27 branched anal-fin rays. The status of Osteobrama dayi is discussed and shown to be a valid species. A key to the species of the genus is provided.

Garra simbalbaraensis, a new species of cyprinid fish (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from Himachal Pradesh, India.

Garra simbalbaraensis, new species, is described from the Simbalbara River, Himachal Pradesh, India. The new species is distinguished from its congeners in having a combination of following characters: a prominent short, thick, unilobed and rounded proboscis, distinctly projecting downwards above the transverse groove; a black spot at the upper angle of the gill opening, 32-33 lateral line scales and 32 total vertebrae.

Mitochondrial DNA identified bat species in northeast India: electrocution mortality and biodiversity loss.

Northeast India with two biodiversity hotspots is recognized as a biodiversity-rich region. However, several extant animals including chiropterans are currently at jeopardy due to habitat loss, electrocution mortality, and other anthropogenic threats. This study examines the efficacy of mitochondrial Cytochrome b (mtCytb) sequences for species-level identification of five electrocuted bat specimens from Manipur state. The similarity search results in the global database, Kimura 2 parameter (K2P) genetic distances, and neighbor-joining (NJ) tree identified all bat specimens into two species, Cynopterus sphinx and Megaerops niphanae. The detection of M. niphanae is the first record of this mammal from the state. In comparison with other Pteropodidae species, the genetic distances clearly discriminate both C. sphinx (7.9-30.2%) and M. niphanae (12.2-25.7%). In addition, the combined tree analysis of present and earlier genetic information of C. sphinx suggested the presence of cryptic lineages and sympatric population in India. This similar approach with more sampling from a wide distribution area could assist the future genetics research on chiropterans and their precise conservation.

DNA barcoding of freshwater fishes from the transboundary river of Indo-Bhutan: multiple clades and cryptic diversity.

The species diversity of freshwater fishes from the transboundary river, Jaldhaka is still unknown to the scientific communities. We generated 40 DNA barcode sequences of 16 morphologically identified freshwater fishes and compared genetically with the database sequences. Ten species (Acanthocobitis botia, Barilius bendelisis, Crossocheilus latius, Channa punctata, Channa quinquefasciata, Garra gotyla, Garra kempi, Opsarius barna, Psilorhynchus balitora, and Pseudecheneis sulcata) showed unique haplotypes in the studied riverine system. Further, the estimated genetic divergences, BA tree topology, and ABGD species delimitation methods revealed the presence of cryptic diversity in Badis badis, Garra annandalei, G. gotyla, G. kempi, P. balitora, Rasbora daniconius, and Pethia ticto. The study suggested more exhaustive sampling and generation of more molecular data to strengthen the fact. The aimed integrated approach will be helpful to detect the extant species diversity, helps to reevaluate the checklist and promote sustainable conservation management to protect this unparalleled ecosystem.

DNA testing of edible crabs from seafood shops on the Odisha coast, India.

Seafood consumption is highly demanding due to the important source of protein it contains, as well as being rich in omega-3 fatty acids. However, the adulteration of seafood is an alarming issue worldwide, including India. This study deals with edible crabs from seafood shops on the Odisha state coast in eastern India. The generated DNA barcode sequences successfully identified most of the studied brachyuran crab species by similarity search results in global databases. The species were also delimited by significant genetic divergence and Neighbour-Joining phylogeny. Additionally, the study detected the contamination of unknown organisms in the commercialized crab recipes from seafood shops. The DNA based species detection of brachyuran crab may be useful to resolve many ambiguities in species identification and monitoring of commercialized seafood concerning food safety.

Identification of penaeid shrimp from Chilika Lake through DNA barcoding.

Chilika Lake is one of the prolific habitats of shrimps in India and offers tons of commercial trading every year. The genetic diversity of penaeid shrimp species in this oldest and largest brackish water lagoon is unknown so far. The DNA barcoding is emerging as an essential supportive tool for morphology-based species identification. In this study, we have generated DNA barcode data of morphologically identified six penaeid shrimps from Chilika Lake. Most of the generated sequences revealed 99-100% similarities with the conspecific database sequences (GenBank and BOLD). More than one distinct clade in NJ tree and high-genetic variability were resulted in P. monodon (6.5% to 8.8%), L. vannamei (3.2% to 5.8%) and M. monoceros (2.3% to 3.5%). The resulted genetic variation within the species depicted different population correlate with the different sampling locations. Thus, more extensive survey and generation of more DNA barcode data of penaeid shrimp from the diverse geographical area might resolve the uncertain genetic distance within the species.

DNA barcoding of Cloridopsis immaculata: genetic distance and phylogeny of stomatopods.

The changes of coastal topography might have genetically altered the extant species diversity in Chilika Lake. The genetic assessment of stomatopods has never been attempted from this ecosystem. The study generate the first genetic information (mtCOI) of Cloridopsis immaculata. DNA sequences of C. immaculata shows 12.9% genetic divergence with Harpiosquilla harpax and clade as sister species in NJ tree. Alima, Harpiosquilla, and Oratosquilla shows high congeneric/conspecific genetic divergence (20.9%, 15.7%, and 7.2%) and cladded separately in the phylogeny; correlate to their diverse populations. We recommend more extensive survey of stomatopods and generation of molecular data to resolve the taxonomic uncertainty.

Identification through DNA barcoding of Tabanidae (Diptera) vectors of surra disease in India.

Horse flies and deer flies are common names applied to members of the family Tabanidae (Diptera). Tabanid flies are pestiferous and of veterinary and medical importance, with about 244 species in India. They are major vectors of Trypanosoma evansi that causes trypanosomiasis (surra disease). Lack of stable morphological characters, and scarcity of taxonomic expertise, is major impediments for accurate species identification of these important pest and disease vectors. Molecular data, especially DNA barcode data, has been widely used in the identification of Diptera of economic importance. We evaluated the utility of DNA barcode data to discriminate the vectors of surra disease (trypanosomiasis) from India. We used barcode gap and reciprocal monophyly (neighbor-joining and Bayesian tree) criteria to analyze barcode data. A total of 46 specimens belonging to 7 species under four genera in two subfamilies were used for this study. DNA barcode data was not available previously for these species. Analysis revealed that all morphologically identifiable species can be discriminated using DNA barcoding data. Further, our study clearly demonstrated the presence of cryptic species in Chrysops dispar. Moreover, we revealed that closely related species without stable taxonomic distinguishing characters in the "Tabanus striatus species complex" can be discriminated using DNA barcode data.