Preliminary observations on the morphometric characteristics, length weight relationship, food and fedding habits and fecundity of Saurida tumbil (Bloch) off Bombay coast

Fifteen morphometric and four meristic characters of Saurida tumbil were studied and their relationships with total length and head length were established. The length weight relationship worked out to be W= -5.6055 L(super)3.291. The fish is a carnivore, feeding mainly on small fishes, molluscs and crustaceans. Larger fishes are selective feeders on fish. It is a long protracted spawner. Fecundity varied from 6008 to 17384 eggs in specimens of size group 212-420 mm. Fecundity-total length, fecundity-total weight of fish and fecundity - total weight of ovary relationships were worked out to be F=0.9414 L(super)1.6626, F=180.7069 W(super)0.7531 and F=3153.0375 W(super)0.8278 respectively.

Food and feeding habit of chapila (Gudusia chapra)

Abundance of diatom (Bacillariophyceae) in the plankton population and the dietary role of it in chapila (Gudusia chapra) in pond were studied. A total of 25 genera of phytoplankton belonging to Bacillariophyceae (7), Chlorophyceae (11), Cyanophyceae (5) and Euglenophyceae (2) and 9 genera of zooplankton belonging to Crustacea (3) and Rotifera (6) were recorded from the water. Among the phytoplankton, highest abundance of Chlorophyceae was observed, and Bacillariophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Euglenophyceae ranked the second, third and fourth position in the planktonic population, respectively. Among the zooplankton, Rotifera was recorded as the most dominant group and Crustacea as the least one. From the gut content analysis, 4 groups of phytoplankton consisting of 33 genera of plankton were identified and recoded [sic] of which 25 belonging to phytoplankton and 8 belonging to zooplankton. This study reveals that the Chlorophyceae and Cyanophyceae were the most dominant food items of chapila. Bacillariophyceae (diatom) and Euglenophyceae were less important and Crustacea and Rotifera were the least important in the diet of Chapila. The present investigation showed that chapila appeared to be a plankton feeder with a preference for phytoplankton to zooplankton. Electivity analysis showed that the fish avoided zooplankton and strongly selected phytoplankton. In the gut contents of fish, Chlorophyceae was positively and Bacillariophyceae (diatom) was negatively selected throughout the experimental period, in the pond water.

Food and feeding habits of Saurida Tumbil (Block, 1795) off Mumbai waters

The present investigation suggests that Saurida tumbil (Bloch, 1795) is carnivorous and predacious feeding mainly on fishes followed by crustaceans and molluscs. Cannibalism has been observed in the species. Young ones of this species were observed to feed on small fish and Acetes spp., while adults feed on a variety of food. However, fish seems to be the preferred food item. Monthly gastro-somatic index in males indicates poor feeding in the month of february and maximum during august and september. In females, monthly gastro-somatic index indicate poor feeding in december and maximum during january and march. Sex wise study of feeding intensity did not reveal significant difference in males and females.

The food and feeding habit of Penaeus monodon Fabricius collected from Makato River, Aklan, Philippines

The food of Penaeus monodon collected from Makato R., from Sept 1977 to Jan 1978 is described with preliminary observations on its feeding habit and rate of foregut clearance. Feeding behaviour appears to be associated with the tidal phase. Foregut clearance rate is rapid, with 95% of food transported from the foregut 4 h after feeding. Frequency of occurrence and proportion of total food of various foregut contents are shown, as are dry weight, percentage mineral, organic and crude protein nitrogen from individual and pooled samples of gut contents, and foregut index in P. monodon collected during different phases of one tidal cycle.

Relative condition factor and food and feeding habits of two ariid catfish from Mumbai waters

Condition factor based on length-weight relationship and food and feeding habits of Arius dussumieri (Black lip sea catfish) and Osteogeneiosus militaris (Soldier catfish) from the Mumbai coast have been studied. Relative Condition Factor showed variations on a monthly basis, and appear to be influenced by feeding and breeding activities. Both the species studied are carnivorous bottom feeders, with crustaceans followed by other smaller fishes forming the major food item in the gut contents.

A social and gender analysis of Northern Province, Zambia: Qualitative evidence that supports the use of a gender transformative approach

A qualitative social and gender analysis was carried out in June 2015 in Luwingu and Mbala Districts in Northern Province, Zambia. The research explored the norms and power relations at various institutional levels that constrain certain social groups from benefiting from programmatic investments aimed at improving livelihoods, health status, and food and nutrition security within the Irish Aid Local Development Programme (IALDP). This technical paper provides a summary of the research findings, lessons learned and suggests options for action the IALDP could consider to help bring about gender transformative change in the lives and livelihoods of poor and vulnerable people.