Distribution, diversity and biology of deep-sea fishes in the Indian EEZ

This thesis Entitled distribution ,diversity and biology of deep-sea fishes the indian Eez.Fishing rights and responsibilities it entails in the deep-sea sector has been a vexed issue since the mid-nineties and various stakeholders have different opinion on the modalities of harnessing the marine fisheries wealth, especially from the oceanic and deeper waters. The exploitation and utilization of these esources requires technology development and upgradation in harvest and post-harvest areas; besides shore infrastructure for berthing, handling, storing and processing facilities. At present, although deep-sea fishes don’t have any ready market in our country it can be converted into value added products. Many problems have so far confronted the deep-sea fishing sector not allowing it to reach its full potential. Hence, there should be a sound deep-sea fishing policy revolving round the upgradation of the capabilities of small scale fishermen, who have the inherent skills but do not have adequate support to develop themselves and to acquire vessels having the capability to operate in farther and deeper waters. Prospects for the commercial exploitation and utilization of deep-sea fishes were analyzed using SWOL analysis.

Resource abundance and Survival of indigenous ornamental fishes of central Kerala with emphasis on handling and packing stress in Puntius filamentosus(VALENCIENNES)

This thesis Entitled Resource abundance and survival of indigenous ornamental fishes of central kerala with emphasis on handling and packing stress in puntius filamentosus (valenciennes).Kerala state is endowed with 41 west flowing and three east flowing rivers originating in the Western Ghats. These rivers and their vast network of tributaries and distributaries harbour rich and diversified fish fauna. Most of the freshwater fishes available in Kerala are highly appreciated as ornamental fishes in the national and international markets.Today the ornamental fish industry is one of the largest industries all over the world. The demand for ornamental fishes has been increasing steadily with the enlargement of the industry, such that the current demand for indigenous ornamental fishes have exceeded the supply. This has led to serious concern about the resources available in the country that can be utilised judiciously for the economic benefit of the state. With an aim to fill up the lacuna, a database of freshwater ornamental fishes of Kerala was created as part of the present study. Ornamental fishes destined for export marketing should thrive well in the aquarium conditions.The study reiterates fishes caught from different environmental conditions and feeding habits have a greater ability to adapt and acclimatise to an entirely new environment and food habits. Marketing studies based on the statistics available with Marine Products Export Development Authority show that these species are not being exported at the required level over the past 6 years, when compared to the availability in the water bodies of Kerala. Sustainable utilisation of these resources from the wild using modern management principles and code of conduct for responsible fishing are advisable until captive breeding technology is popularised.

Systematics, Germplasm evaluation and pattern of distribution and abundance of freshwater fishes of Kerala (lndia)

The overall focus of the thesis involves the systematics,germplasm evaluation and pattern of distribution and abundance of freshwater fishes of kerala (india).Biodiversity is the measure of variety of Life.With the signing on the convention on biodiversity, the countries become privileged with absolute rights and responsibility to conserve and utilize their diverse resources for the betterment of mankind in a sustainable way. South-east Asia along with Africa and South America were considered to be the most biodiversity rich areas in the world .The tremendous potential associated with the sustainable utilization of fish germplasm resources of various river systems of Kerala for food, aquaculture and ornamental purposes have to be fully tapped for economic upliftment of fisherman community and also for equitable sharing of benefits among the mankind without compromising the conservation of the rare and unique fish germplasm resources for the future generations.The study was carried during April 2000 to December 2004. 25 major river systems of Kerala were surveyed for fish fauna for delineating the pattern of distribution and abundance of fishes both seasonally and geographically.The results of germplasm inventory and evaluation of fish species were presented both for the state and also river wise. The results of evaluation of fish species for their commercial utilization revealed that, of the 145, 76 are ornamental, 47 food and 22 cultivable. 21 species are strictly endemic to Kerala rivers. The revalidation on biodiversity status of the fishes assessed based on IUCN is so alarming that a high percentage of fishes (59spp.) belong to threatened category which is inclusive of 8 critically ndangered (CR), 36 endangered and 15 species under vulnerable (VU) category.The river wise fish germplasm inventory surveys were conducted in 25 major river systems of Kerala.The results of the present study is indicative of existence of several new fish species in the streams and rivulets located in remote areas of the forests and therefore, new exclusive surveys are required to surface fish species new to science, new distributional records etc, for the river systems.The results of fish germplasm evaluation revealed that there exist many potential endemic ornamental and cultivable fishes in Kerala. It is found imperative to utilize these species sustainably for improving the aquaculture production and aquarium trade of the country which would definitely fetch more income and generate employment.

Studies on the reproductive physiology of the green tiger prawn Penaeus (penaeus) semisulcatus de Haan

A study of the reproductive physiology of P. (P). semisulcatus wasundertaken as this information is an essential prerequisite for brood stock development for hatchery operations, and the results are embodied in this thesis. The thesis is presented in seven chapters. The protein, lipid and carbohydrate contents of ovary were estimated for the different vitellogenic phases. The protein, lipid, carbohydrate and cholesterol contents were estimated in testes and spermatophore.The thesis present the results of induced maturation experiments by eyestalk ablation, CNS extract injection and UV rays application on immature female prawns.

Role of trace element of the growth and Physiology of selected microalgae

The main objective of the study is primarily to determine the magnitude of selected trace elements, the concentrations of which would possibly accelerate growth resulting in larger biomass and sustained period of exponential phase for economically viable harvest. The study on the effect of three trace elements namely Cu, Mn and Zn on two species of algae,ISOChrySiS galbana Parke and Synechocystib salina Wislouch under different conditions of salinity, PH and temperature involves several combinations for each metal, from which the relative set of conditions has been adduced. The scheme of the experiments was statistically designed for interpretation of data and factors were assessed and graded according to relative importance. The methodology adopted for data interpretation is analysis of variance by split-plot design method. The thesis has been divided into five chapters. The introductory chapter explains the relevance of the research work undertaken. Chapter 11 gives a review on the work pertaining to the above mentioned three trace elements in relation to nutrition as well as on the toxic aspects about which there is an abundance of literature. Chapter Ill presents a detailed description of the material and specialised methods followed for the study. The results and conclusions of the various experiments on effect of metals on growth and other physiological activities are discussed in Chapters IV and V.

Bio-chemical changes associated with processing of shell fishes and flavour constituents of body meat and claw meat'of crab

In this thesis all these aspects are taken into consideration. Extensive studies were conducted on all aspects of processing of crabs, mussels and clams. The species taken for studies are commercially used ones namely Scylla sereta, perna viridis, and villorita cyprinoids. In Chapter 4.1 with regard to crab) the following aspects on their handling and processing are reported seasonal variation of chemical constituents, changes taking place during ice storage, freezing, canning etc. In Chapter 4._2 with regard to mussel, the relation between age (size) and chemical constituents, changes taking place during ice storage, freezing, canning etc. are reported and in Chapter 4.3 the changes taking place in clam muscle during icing and freezing are reported and the ame rebility of ice stored clams for canning purpose is reported.The interference of high concentration of glycogen in mussel and clam muscles during the colour development of ribose (Me-jbaum's method) is observed and remedial step are taken to minimise the interference.

Parasite distribution and histopathological studies on certain commercially important fishes of cochin area

In order to check the damage caused by the parasites, even though it is difficult in open waters, a proper understanding of the seasonal variation in the distribution of the parasite and other factors like age of the host, sex of the host, which affect distribution of parasite is a must. Although several workers have carried out investigations on the taxonomy of metazoan parasites of marine and brackish water Fishes of India, very little attempt is made to correlate such investigations with the host and the environment. In this thesis such an attempt is made by the researcher. In chapter one the literature related to the prevalence, mean intensity of infection, and histopathological changes caused by the metazoan parasites, in particular by helminths, copepods and isopods, was reviewed. Chapter two contains observations on the distribution pattern of parasites in relation to the season, sex, and size of the host. It was found that the prevalence rate of radiorynchus_indicus infecting the alimentary canal of Tachysurugs mgacuglatus, Ergasilus sp. infecting the gills of T maculatus, and Lernaeeniicus ramosus found on the body surface of Qeimgipteirfugs jagonicus was higher during monsoon season. But agarna malayi found in the opercular chamber and Ehilometra cephalus infecting the gonads of valamugil speiglari showed a higher prevalence rate during the postmonsoon season. This was discussed on the basis of the hydrographical characteristics prevailing in the study area during the three different seasons. It was also observed that the sex of the host did not influence significantly the distribution pattern of the parasites. The reasons for this were also discussed. Invariably, the size of the host was found to influence the parasite distribution pattern. It was observed that the prevalence rate showed an increase with increase in size of the fish. This was discussed on the basis of food habits of the host, along with other aspects An attempt was made in chapter three to study the histopathological effects of‘ the various parasites on their respective sites of attachments on host Fishes. It was found that except Rhadinorhyhchugs indicus, all other parasites produced damages of varying intensity, in the form of hypertrophy, rhyperplasia, haemorrhage, tissue disruption and ulcers. Interestingly, E. indicus, an acantho— cephalid with a powerful proboscis for attachment was found not to cause any serious damage to the intestine of the host Fish. All these aspects are included in the third and final chapter of the thesis.

Reproductive physiology of indian species of the genus perna (family mytilidae)

This thesis deals with the reproductive physiology of the two species of Indian sea mussels, namely the brown mussel perna indica and the green mussel p viridis .The major aspects of the study include ecophysiology of reproduction linking up the animal reproductive cycle of the animals with the ecological conditions of the natural mussel beds, biochemical and histochemical changes associated with reproduction and neurosecretory cycle in synchrony with the reproductive cycle. Some basic studies on gamete morphology and certain aspects of gamete physiology have been taken up. The experimental work deals with the influence of different feeding levels on gamatogenesis and maturation and the effect of ganglia ablation on spawning. The material for the investigation on perna indica were collected from the natural mussel beds at Vizhinjam near Trivandrum and on p.viridic from Elathur, near Calicut. The period of observation extended from October 1981 to December 1982.

Studies on some aspects of the reproductive physiology of the female grey mullet mugil cephalus l.

Aquaculture is the dynamic pursuit of production of organisms from water a process analogous to agriculture on land. The field of aquaculture is an emerging bioindustry, based upon the culture and husbandry of economically utilizable aquatic organisms. Of late, there has been a global upsurge for aquaculture, the main reasons for which include the requirement of protein source for the increasing world population, the decision by various world nations to increase the fish yield by developing unutilized or partially utilized water bodies and depletion of natural stock which is evident in recent years due to excessive exploitation .The present study has been taken up on the reproductive physiology of the female grey mullet, M. cephalus. The thesis is presented in seven chapters. In the present study, variations in the major biochemical parameters namely, moisture, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates cholesterol, carotenoid, ash, calcium and iron in four tissues E. muscle, liver, ovary and bloodserum of cephalus have been analysed at different maturity stages.

Studies on The Larvae of A Few Demersal Fishes of The South West Coast of India

The main objectives of the present study has been the collection of the larvae of some of the important and less studied demersal fishes of the South, West Coast of India, preparation of their life history series, statistical analysis of the morphometric characters, spatial as well as temporal distribution of the larvae in relation to the chief hydrographic parameters such as temperature, salinity and oxygen, so as to delineate the spawning areas and seasons of these fish populations. The informations regarding the kind and amount of bottom fish resources along the Indian Coast are scanty. Even though the flat fish resources of Indian waters contributes a singificant share in the total marine fish landings the detailed studies on biology and fishery have been conducted only for ‘Malabar Sole‘ (Cynoglossus macrostomus) while the reminder species of this group are inadequately known. Lizard fishes (order Myctophiphormes) are always present in the miscellaneous catch in all seasons but an adequate knowledge of the potential resources of this group is wanting. The Bombay duck, coming under the same order, is one of the most heavily fished species particularly along the Maharashtra Gujarat coasts but its early developmental stages are not studied. Hence the present study will contribute to a better understanding of the demersal fishery resources of the South West Coast of India

Quantitative and Qualitative Studies on the Bacteriology of frozen Fishes and Prawns

The thesis is mainly concerned with the study of the bacteriology of freezing of mackerel(Rastrelliger kanaggrta)and prawn (Metgpggaeus ddbsoni) The thesis in four sections describes the salient features of the observations and inferences on the bacteriology of freezing of fishes and prawns. This includes the evaluation of methodology for the optimum recovery of bacteria, bacteriology of the newly caught fish and prawn, the effect of freezing temperatures on the survival of selected species of isolates from fish and prawn and the bacteriology of freezing, frozen storage and thawing of prawn/fish emphasizing the effect contributed by each.

Studies On Some Aspects Of Biology Of Two Estuarine Fishes Megalops Cyprinoides And Scatophagus Argus

Based on the adaption of fishes to their habitat, they are divided into three ecological groups - marine, fresh water and estuarine or brackish water forms. Estuarine fishes inhabit the less saline region of the sea, estuaries and other inland waters. These fishes are more subjected to pollution than fresh water fishes or marine fishes as they encounter pollutants present in the outgoing river water and the incoming sea water during low and high tides respectively. So, the study of the biology of the estuarine fishes has become unavoidable to assess their suitability in aquaculture. The development of both capture and culture fisheries related to any brackish water system is dependent on the availability of scientific‘ data on the various biological factors in respect of the different species. Such a study on fishes will be helpful in formulating suitable schemes for the management of brackish water for capture and culture fisheries. It was therefore felt that a study of the biological and biochemical aspects of two estuarine fishes Megalops cyprinoides Broussonet and Scatophargus Bloch which are not fully exploited in aquaculture programmes, was worth undertaking. The present study is expected to advance our knowledge on the biology of the two fishes which are very desirable for brackish water fish farming

Studies on the physiology of moulting in the penaeid prawn, penaeius indicius h. Milne edwards

Penaeid prawns form the most economically significant group in the marine and brackishwater fishery resources of India. This particular group contributes about 62% of the total prawn landings of the country. At present prawns have assumed an important place especially as a commodity supporting an export trade of sizable magnitude. Considerable interest has been shown in the last decade to increase prawn production through various culture practices, mainly due to the high demand for good quality prawns for export coupled with the stagnant and even depleting nature of marine catches. Available informations suggest that among the 15 species of shrimps and prawns occurring in Indian waters, which are deemed suitable for aquaculture, the Indian white prawn §.indicus is identified as one of the most important commercial species. Considering the increasing importance as an accepted species for prawn culture, £.indicus was selected for the present study. In the life history of prawns, moulting is an important event, which enables the animal to achieve growth. This dynamic physiological event continues through out the life span ofthe prawn, linking almost all biological activities with this process. Hence, a good knowledge pertaining to the physiology of moulting is imperative to understand the growth process. This knowledge will be of great use in the scientific prawn farming, so as to achieve high prawn production.

Studies on the reproductive physiology of lazes calcarifer (BLOCH)

At present, there is paucity of information regarding the breeding biology, especially from southeastern region, which differs in its climatic features from northeastern coastal areas, where some attempts have been made to study the biology of the fish, though not documented in detail (Jhingran and Natarajan, I969; Patnaik and Jena, 1976; Kowtal, 1977; Roy e_t _a_l_., I977). The present work, first to undertake detailed investigation into reproductive aspects of the fish from India is not only confined to biology, but extend to the study on histological as well as physiological changes in the processes associated with natural reproductive cycle. The main objective of the study is to develop a background for the standardisation of subsequent artificial propagation techniques for the Sea Dass The thesis is presented in three chapters. The first chapter; general introduction, surveys the literature pertaining to the status of research on Lates calcarifer with specific reference to reproduction and acquaculture. The second chapter entitled, materials and methods gives description regarding collection of specimens as well as samples in addition to the various analytical methodologies employed during the study.

Bionomics, Resource Characteristics And Distribution Of The Threatened Freshwater Fishes Of Kerala

The previous faunistic studies were concentrated.on the taxonomical and zoogeo— graphical aspects. These studies contributed to many new additions to the fish fauna of Kerala meanwhile many species described earlier are reported missing in recent years. Many fish species were collected only once or twice by scientists. Detailed information on distribution, habitat, feeding habits, reproduction, population size, etc. are available only with regard to a very few fish species. A meaningful assessment on the biodiversity status of the majority of freshwater fishes cannot be done for want of sufficient data base and therefore, no suitable conservation and management programmes are forthcoming for the protection and preservation of the unique fish germplasm resources of Kerala. The present study was conceptualised and undertaken mostly aiming at bridging these gaps by generating an authentic data base on the distribution, resource characteristics and bionomics of the threatened fishes inhabiting the rivers of Kerala. Osteobrama bakeri (Day) is an endemic fish having a very highly restricted and fragmented distribution in Periyar, Chalakudy, Kabini, Kallada and Meenachil rivers of Kerala. This belongs to vulnerable category and is locally known as Mullanpaval which is valued as food fish. Besides, due to its vibrant and attractive colouration and easiness for domestication, it has great potential for being propagated as an ornamental fish. Hitherto, no information is available on the bionomics and resource characteristics of this species. Studies on detailed life history traits are indispensable for fishery management, development of captive breeding technique and implementation of various conservation programmes. In the present study, a pioneer attempt is also made to investigate the life history traits, resource characteristics, proximate composition, etc. of O.baken'.