The rediscovery of the Cladoceran Eurycercus glacialis Lilljeborg, 1887 (Branchiopoda, Chydoridae) in Scotland

The author describes an investigation, the primary aims of which were to locate accurately and assess the ecological status of two Eurycercus glacialis populations in Scotland. A 1957 record of the species did not give a precise location, and on publication of a preliminary report on the location, the possibility of a second location was suggested. In April and May 1988, 16 waterbodies were sampled near Tain, in Scotland, as a result of which the dune waterbodies at Morrich More have now been positively identified as the only known location of E. glacialis in mainland Britain. A second population was found on Shetland. As the mainland site is under considerable developmental pressure from oil pipeline construction, the importance of determining the extent of the distribution on Shetland is highlighted.

A study on length-weight relationship, food and feeding habits of Indian scad, Decapterus russelli (Ruppel, 1830) along the northwest coast of India

Length and weight relationship of Decapterus russelli (Ruppell, 1830) is worked out to be W = 0.00312 L³ which indicates the isometric growth of the fish. Study on food and feeding habits revealed that the species is carnivorous, pelagic, feeding primarily on small crustaceans and small fish species, viz. Acetes indicus, ostracods, Apogon sp., Leiognathus sp., sciaenids, Netnipterus japonicas, Myctophid sp., Trichiurus sp., Therapon sp., D.russelli and occasionally on prawns. It is a selective feeder on Aeetes indicus.

Some aspects of the biology of Johnieops sina (Cuvier, 1830) from Mumbai waters

Investigations on food and feeding of Johnieops sina indicated that it feeds mainly on penaeid prawns, Acetes spp. and fishes. Penaeid prawns were found to be its preferred food item. The spawning activity was observed throughout the year with two peaks in February and August, supported by prominent peaks of gonadosomatic index in the same months. The minimum size at first maturity for females was 153 mm. The absolute fecundity ranged from 28,495 to 135,346 eggs for the ovaries weighing 1.30 to 9.49 g.