Caudal neurosecretory system of four hill stream fishes of India

Caudal neurosecretory system is an additional neuroendocrine system found in fishes. Great variation has been observed among different groups of fishes, so far its organization is concerned. Much work has been undertaken on the caudal neurosecretory system of elasmobranchs and teleosts. Large size scattered Dahlgren cells in the posterior end of spinal cord, corresponding to last few vertebrae, with long running axon process and a neurohaemal organ the urophysis are the characteristic features of the system. Although thoroughly investigated in fresh water carps, no work is reported in hill-stream fishes. In an attempt to investigate structure and organization of caudal neurosecretory system in hill-stream fishes, present investigation was undertaken in four hill-stream fish of Indian freshwater namely, Barilius bendelensis, Garra gotyla, Schizothorax plagiostomus and Tor tor. The organization of this system in hill-stream fishes was found to be quite different from that observed in fresh water carps. It displays an organization which is more close to the organization of caudal neurosecretory system observed in elasmobranchs. The features are described and discussed.

Plankton identified in stomach contents of Oreochromis niloticus (Pisces, Cichlidae) and the water system of Lakes Edward, George, and Kazinga channel - Uganda

The samples were collected from Lake Edward at Rwenshama, Kisenyi and Katwe, and from Lake George at Mahyoro, Kashaka and Kasenyi and in Kazinga Channel at Katunguru. The organisms identified from the water samples obtained irrespective of station or depth were mainly the phytoplankton (diatoms, blue-green algae and green algae). Of the phytoplankton, blue green-algae were the most abundant both in quantity and number of species especially in L. George. In order of importance were Microcystis spp, Planktolyngbya spp and Anabaenopsis spp were the dominant blue greens. Diatoms and green algae were present but less abundant. The estimated proportions of different types of phytoplankton identified in O. niloticus stomach contents indicate that bluegreen algae were the most abundant followed by the diatoms and green algae.