Molecular characterization of lymphocystis disease virus in Indian glass fish: first report from the Andaman Islands.

Here, we report the first detection of lymphocystis disease virus (LCDV) in Indian glass fish in the Andaman Islands, India. Microscopic examination revealed the presence of whitish clusters of nodules on the fish's skin, fins, and eyes. The histopathology of the nodules revealed typical hypertrophied fibroblasts.

The Nicobarese tribes and their coastal fishing activities during the COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions- preliminary findings.

We interviewed the Nicobarese tribal community ( = 95) of Car Nicobar Island situated in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, India to analyze the impact of COVID-19-related restrictions on their coastal fishing activities. Our surveys revealed a significant reduction ( < 0.001) in the average monthly income and fish catches during pre and post-COVID-19 scenarios.

Sicyopterus garra Hora, 1925, a valid species of sicydiine goby from the Andaman Islands, India.

Sicyopterus garra Hora, 1925 from the insular streams of South Andaman Islands was synonymized with Sicyopterus microcephalus described from Java, South East Asia and has retained this taxonomic status since then. Recent collections of Sicyopterus from the type locality of S. garra and the examination of syntypes of this species revealed significant morphological and genetic differences from S.

Policy framework and development strategy for freshwater aquaculture sector in the light of COVID-19 impact in Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, India.

The present study was aimed at understanding the impact of COVID-19 pandemic related restrictions on the freshwater aquaculture sector of Andaman and Nicobar archipelago (ANI). We interviewed the freshwater fish farmers ( = 211) covering all the three districts (North and Middle, South Andaman, Nicobar district) of the archipelago. The results revealed the critical issues faced by the stakeholders such as fish seed unavailability, limitations in feeding, insufficient logistical support, movement related restrictions, lack of inputs, manpower shortages, etc.

Baseline assessment of marine debris with soil, sediment, and water quality characteristics from the fish landing centres of South Andaman, Andaman archipelago, India.

The present study investigates the issue of marine debris and the associated soil, sediment, water quality, and microbial load from the fish landing centres (Junglighat, Chatham, Wandoor, and Guptapara) of South Andaman. The results revealed that significantly (P < 0.05) higher number and weight of marine debris was found in urban landing centres such as Chatham (21.

Co-Infection of Infectious Hypodermal and Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHHNV) and White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) in the Wild Crustaceans of Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago, India.

The present study was intended to screen the wild crustaceans for co-infection with Infectious Hypodermal and Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHHNV) and White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) in Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago, India. We screened a total of 607 shrimp and 110 crab samples using a specific polymerase chain reaction, and out of them, 82 shrimps (13.5%) and 5 (4.

A new short brown unpatterned moray eel Gymnothorax andamanensis (Muraenidae: Muraeninae) from Andaman waters, India.

Gymnothorax andamanensis sp. nov., a new short brown moray eel, is described here on the basis of two specimens collected from Port Mout, Port Blair, South Andaman (11.

Investigation and confirmation of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection in wild caught penaeid shrimps of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is one of the most prevalent, widespread and devastating pathogen associated with shrimp population. The present study was aimed at screening the wild caught shrimps from Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) for WSSV infection. Shrimp samples of different penaeid species including and collected from nine different landing centers across the coast of ANI were screened for WSSV infection.

First record on the occurrence of (Pillai, 1954), a parasitic cymothoid (Crustacean: Isopoda) infesting the clupeid fish (Walbaum) from Andaman Islands, India.

In the present study, occurrence of branchial parasitic cymothoid, from the marine finfish, is reported for the first time from Andaman Islands. Morphological characterization was carried out which confirmed the parasite as Molecular characterization using 28S rDNA revealed 443 bp sequence which has been submitted to NCBI GenBank under the accession no. KX090447.

Impact of Coastal Pollution on Microbial and Mineral Profile of Edible Oyster (Crassostrea rivularis) in the Coastal Waters of Andaman.

The impact of coastal pollution was studied using edible oysters, Crassostrea rivularis as an indicator at two sites viz., North Wandoor (NW) and Phoenix Jetty (PJ) in Port Blair, Andaman. The hydrographic parameters showed that nitrite, nitrate and phosphate concentration were less and dissolved oxygen were more at NW compared to PJ.

Availability and distribution of emergency obstetric care services in Karnataka State, South India: access and equity considerations.

Background: As part of efforts to reduce maternal deaths in Karnataka state, India, there has been a concerted effort to increase institutional deliveries. However, little is known about the quality of care in these healthcare facilities. We investigated the availability and distribution of emergency obstetric care (EmOC) services in eight northern districts of Karnataka state in south India.

Strengthening of local vital events registration: lessons learnt from a voluntary sector initiative in a district in southern India.

Problem: Birth and death registration rates are low in most parts of India. Poor registration rates are due to constraints in both the government system (supply-side) and the general population (demand-side).

Approach: We strengthened vital event registration at the local level within the existing legal framework by: (i) involving a non-profit organization as an interface between the government and the community; (ii) conducting supply-side interventions such as sensitization workshops for government officials, training for hospital staff and building data-sharing partnerships between stakeholders; (iii) monitoring for vital events by active surveillance through lay-informants; and (iv) conducting demand-side interventions such as publicity campaigns, education of families and assistance with registration.