Some aspects of the biology of Trypauchen vagina Bloch and Schneider of Bombay coast

Morphometrics of 14 metric and 6 meristic characters of Trypauchen vagina of Bombay coast is presented. Number of spines and rays of dorsal, anal and pectoral fins differ with earlier studies. Sexual dimorphism in the length of caudal and anal fins was observed. Length weight relationship of males and females have been worked out to be W = 0.00000 687L super(2.8440) and W = 0.00000 2747L super(3.0274) respectively. The fish is a prolific breeder and peak breeding activity occurs in December. The growth rate was found to be 15.20 mm/month.

Some aspects of the biology of Otolithes cuvieri (Trewavas) and Johnius glaucus (Day) from Veraval

The length-weight relationship in O. cuvieri and J. glaucus can be described by the equations log W=-5.27997+3.13225 log L and log W=-4.93431+3.02556 log L respectively. The length at first maturity in O. cuvieri is estimated as 256 mm and in J. glaucus as 180 mm. Empty stomachs occurred in high percentage in both the species. A study on composition of food items revealed that O. cuvieri feeds on a variety of organisms while J. glaucus a selective feeder.

Eco-biology of Mastacembelus pancalus (Ham.) and their distribution in different water bodies

The eco-biological of the spiny eel, Mastacembelus pailcalus in the river Padma, adjacent flood plains and ponds were influenced by various physico-chemical factors such as water temperature, water transparency, pH, dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide and alkalinity. Flood plain areas are the best habitat for the M. pancalus with maximum abundance.

Lithology and palynology of cave floor sediment cores from Wakulla Spring, Wakulla County, Florida

Five short bottom sediment cores taken in Wakulla Spring Wakulla County, Florida, were described lithologically and sampled for palynological study. Four of the cores were recoveredfrom sediments at the spring cave entrance (130 feet water depth). One core was taken in a fossil vertebrate bone bed, 280 feet distance into the main spring cave at a water depth of 240 feet. Sediments in the cores are composed of alternating intervals of quartz sand and calcilitite, containing freshwater diatoms, freshwater mollusk shells and plant remains. The predominant pollen present in all cores consists of a periporate variety typical of the herb families Chenopodiaceae and Amaranthaceae. Arboreal flora, typical of the area surrounding the spring today, represent a very low percentage of thle pollen assemblage in the cores. Clustered Chenopod-Amaranth type pollen observed in one core suggest minimal transport prior to deposition, and indicate that the bottom sediments in the cave may be essentially In situ. An absence of exotic flora suggests a Quaternary age for the sediments. (PDF contains 11 pages.)