Giant African snail (Achatina fulica Bowdich).

The occurrence of great African snail, Achatina fulica, in Nagpur (India) in recent times and its eco-biology, pestiferous nature, uses and control methods are described in this paper.

Food poisoning and house gecko: myth or reality?

The reason behind the food-poisoning due to felling of house geckos in eatables is described in this paper. House geckos are known to carry various types of pathogens in their bodies which cause food-poisoning after consuming the contaminated foods. Since these geckos are non-poisonous, the food poisoning due to their presence in food is not possible.

Avifauna in the Panipat Region, Haryana (India).

Avifaunal study was carried out in the Panipat region, Haryana (India) at 56 locations. 91 birds species were observed during the study, of which, 39 species were aquatic. House sparrow was found to be dominant followed by bank myna, house crow and Indian myna.

Diversity of birds at Panipat refinery, Haryana (India).

Avifaunal study was carried out in Panipat refinery area before and after commissioning. A total of 63 birds were observed during the study, of which 39 and 49 birds were present during 1992 and 2001 respectively. Of these, 25 birds were common during both the study period.

Impact of some chlorinated pesticides on the haematology of the fish Cyprinus carpio and Puntius ticto.

The effects of pesticides on blood characteristics and histological changes in erythrocytes of the fish species Cyprinus carpio and Puntius ticto were studied. The fishes were exposed to sub lethal concentrations of different chlorinated pesticides namely aldrin, dieldrin, DDT, BHC and chlordane for 10, 20 and 30 d in continuous flow-through test. The LC50 values were calculated based on acute toxicity tests and the sublethal doses were arrived at for chronic bioassay studies.