ID: 66378
Title: South Asian Summer Monsoon: Processes, Prediction and Societal Impacts
Author: Reviewed by (Ranjan Kelkar, Sulochana Gadgil)
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (12) 1246-1246 25 June (2025)
Subject: South Asian Summer Monsoon: Processes, Prediction and Societal Impacts
Keywords: None
Abstract: If we search the available scientific literature with ‘monsoon’ as the search
term, we will be flooded with literally
thousands of papers as search results.
On the contrary, if we look for books
about the monsoon, we would face
a drought with just a few titles displayed. The bestseller so far has been
Alexander Frater’s travelogue Chasing the Monsoon, which he wrote in
1991 and is now available in its 21st
edition. The other most popular book
has been The Monsoons by P. K. Das,
published by the National Book Trust
India in 1968. It is a science book
written with the lay reader in mind,
and has since been updated four times
and translated into several languages.
For the monsoon researchers, however, whether in India or elsewhe the definitive book has so far been
Southwest Monsoon by Y. P. Rao,
published in 1976 as a monograph of
the India Meteorological Department.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1:
Literature cited 2:
ID: 66377
Title: Trees of Bangalore (2 Vol. set)
Author: Reviewed by ( Madhav Gadgil)
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (12) 1245-1245 25 June (2025)
Subject: Trees of Bangalore (2 Vol. set)
Keywords: None
Abstract: Trees of Bangalore by K Sankara Rao
in two volumes is a most attractive, indeed charming, coffee table book focusing on not just flowering trees, but also
shrubs, woody climbers, canes, palms and
cycads of the city. It covers a total of 795
plant species, each with a number of photographs, a careful description of the morphology, and English, Kannada, and often Hindi and Sanskrit names. Technical
terms used in the morphological descriptions are carefully explained with the help
of not just verbal, but also a 22-page pictorial glossary with over 260 photographs.
This pictorial glossary is itself a feast for
the eyes for any plant lover.
There are other books on trees of various cities such as Delhi and Mumbai,
but none comes close to this book in the
wealth and clarity of the information. The
795 species have been recorded from the
natural dry deciduous forest of the Bannerghatta National Park, LalBagh Botanical Garden, a number of institutional campuses such as that of the Indian Institute of
Science, Foundation for the Revitalisation
of Local Health Traditions and the University of Agriculture Science. This is supplemented by records of trees of some sacred groves and those associated with temples, as well as around the old villages,
along streets, in business places, and in
house yards.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1:
Literature cited 2:
ID: 66376
Title: Bridgeoporus kanadii, a new colossal species of Bridgeoporus (Basidiomycota, Fungi) from Arunachal Pradesh, India
Author: Arvind Parihar, Manoj Emanuel Hembrom and Arijit Ghosh
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (12) 1234-1241 25 June (2025)
Subject: Bridgeoporus kanadii, a new colossal species of Bridgeoporus (Basidiomycota, Fungi) from Arunachal Pradesh, India
Keywords: Bridgeoporus, macrofungi, molecular phylogeny, morphology, taxonomy
Abstract: The hidden realm of fungi in India’s biodiversity
hotspots continues to yield fascinating discoveries. Arunachal Pradesh, a treasure trove of natural wonders, has recently surprised scientists with
the unearthing of a giant, unique wood-decaying
species of macrofungi. But the intrigue does not
stop with scientists! To spark curiosity and interest for mycology among the common people, reference specimens of this giant fungus will be showcased at the Industrial Section Indian Museum (ISIM),
Kolkata. This species is described in the present
article with morphology and molecular phylogeny.
This new species is also the initial generic record
of the macrofungal genus Bridgeoporus from India.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Cooke, W.B., Oxyporus nobilissimus and the genus Oxyporus in North
America. Mycologia, 1949, 41(4), 442–455.
Gilbertson, R. L. and Ryvarden, L., North American Polypores. Vol. 2.
Abortiporus-Lindtneria, Fungilora, Oslo, Norway, 1986. 433 p
Literature cited 2: Ryvarden, L., Genera of polypores: nomenclature and taxonomy, Synopsis Fungorum, Oslo, Norway, 1991. 363 p.
Roy, A. and De, A. B., Polyporaceae of India. International Book Distributors, Dehradun, 1996. pp. 309
ID: 66375
Title: Key hydrogeological aspects of landslides in Western Ghats of Maharashtra
Author: Vaibhav Belhekar and Himanshu Kulkarni
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (12) 1225-1233 25 June (2025)
Subject: Key hydrogeological aspects of landslides in Western Ghats of Maharashtra
Keywords: Antecedent rainfall, disaster, landslide hydrology, remote sensing, Western Ghats
Abstract: The frequency and intensity of landslides in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, India, have increased. The
present study examines the unprecedented series of
landslides in the Choravane watershed in July 2021,
where 94 landslides were triggered by prolonged and
intense rainfall. Many occurred in undisturbed forested
areas, indicating that the landslides are not always associated with human-modified slopes. Our findings
highlight the role of extended rainfall, distinctive lithology of the Deccan Volcanic Province and groundwater dynamics, particularly subsurface saturation and
pore pressure, in landslide initiation. These insights
have implications for hazard prediction and mitigation.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Highland, L. and Bobrowsky, P., The Landslide Handbook — A Guide
to Understanding Landslides. U. S. Geological Survey Circular 1325,
Reston, Virginia, 2008, p. 129.
NDMA, National Landslide Risk Management Strategy. National Disaster Management Authority, Government of India, 2019.
Literature cited 2: Gariano, S. L. and Guzzetti, F., Landslides in a changing climate.
Earth-Sci. Rev., 2016, 162, 227–252.
Kale, V. S., Nulkar, G., Upasani, D., Tamboli, A., Aslekar, U. and
Kulkarni, H., Landslides of Western Maharashtra: rapid appraisal
for developing improved preparedness and early warning systems for
landslides in Western Maharashtra and Konkan Regions, Maharashtra
State. Advanced Centre for Water Resources Development and Management, Pune, India, 2022.
ID: 66374
Title: Authentication and trade of true cinnamon: need for regulation and promotion of sustainable cultivation
Author: V. Sundaresan
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (12) 1210-1214 25 June (2025)
Subject: Authentication and trade of true cinnamon: need for regulation and promotion of sustainable cultivation
Keywords: Authentication, Ceylon cinnamon, cinnamaldehyde, Cinnamomum verum, coumarin, trade regulation.
Abstract: Humans have been incorporating spices into their diets
for centuries. Initially, spices served to mask unpleasant flavours and odours in food, but over time, they
became essential for enhancing taste and aroma. Cinnamon has been one of the most coveted spices globally for thousands of years, following black pepper.
True cinnamon comes from the bark of Cinnamomum
verum, a species native to Sri Lanka and often referred
to as ‘Ceylon cinnamon’. Due to the limited availability
and ever-growing demand for Ceylon cinnamon, many
similar-looking species from the Cinnamomum genus
are falsely marketed as genuine cinnamon. This practice raises health concerns because these substitutes often contain coumarin, a potentially harmful compound.
Consequently, there is a pressing need to ensure proper
identification and regulation of cinnamon in trade
to protect consumers and uphold quality standards.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Yuan, H., Ma, Q., Ye, L. and Piao, G., The traditional medicine and
modern medicine from natural products. Molecules, 2016, 21, 559;
https://doi:10.3390/molecules21050559.
Press Information Bureau, Export of Herbal Medicines, Ministry of
Commerce and Industry, 2019; https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.as
-px?PRID=1594929 (accessed on 8 September 2024).
Literature cited 2: The Economic Times, 2023; https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/
small-biz/trade/exports/insights/india-exported-ayush-herbalproducts-worth-1240-6-million-dollars-in-last-two-years-govt-torajya-sabha/articleshow/102560037.cms?from=mdr (accessed on 8
September 2024).
Mrityunjaya, M., Pavithra, V., Neelam, R., Janhavi, P., Halami, P. M. and Ravindra, P. V., Immune-boosting, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory food supplements targeting pathogenesis of COVID-19. Front. Immunol., 2020, 1, 570122; https://
doi:10.3389/fimmu.2020.570122.
ID: 66373
Title: Association of RANK gene variants with its circulatory level and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with and without osteoporosis
Author: Priya Dixit , Israr Ahmad, Shah Waliullah and Tabrez Jafar
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (12) 1200-1209 25 June (2025)
Subject: Association of RANK gene variants with its circulatory level and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with and without osteoporosis
Keywords: BMD, haplotype, osteoporosis, receptor activator of nuclear factor κ B, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand.
Abstract: The present study aims to explore the possible association pattern of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK) gene variants (rs 35211496 and
rs 1805034) with its circulatory level and bone mineral density (BMD) in North Indian postmenopausal
women. In this case-control study, we recruited 165
postmenopausal osteoporotic women as cases (age
54.44 ± 6.00) and 165 healthy postmenopausal women
as controls (age 54.47 ± 6.46). BMDs were taken in
all subjects using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry
at different skeletal sites, and genotyping was carried
out using polymerase chain reaction and the restriction fragment length polymorphism method. RANK
serum levels were also assessed in all enrolled subjects by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Findings from the present study indicated that subjects
with homozygous mutant TT genotype of rs35211496
(NC_000018.10 : g.62354528C > T) and rs1805034
(NC_000018.10 : g.62360008C > T) showed significantly
low BMD at forearm, lumbar spine, hip and femoral
neck and increased RANK level as compared to CC
and CT genotypes. Furthermore, at rs1805034, a
significant difference was noted in the frequency
of RANK genotypes and alleles among osteoporotic
cases and controls (P = 0.021; 0.005) respectively.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Khosla, S., Pathogenesis of age-related bone loss in humans. J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., 2013, 68(10), 1226-35.
Nachtigall, M. J., Nazem, T. G., Nachtigall, R. H. and Goldstein, S.
R., Osteoporosis risk factors and early life-style modifications to decrease disease burden in women. Clin. Obstet. Gynecol., 2013, 56(4),
650-653.
Literature cited 2: Cheung, C. L., Xiao, S. M. and Kung, A. W., Genetic epidemiology
of age-related osteoporosis and its clinical applications. Nat. Rev.
Rheumatol., 2010, 6(9), 507-517.
Ansari, M. G. A. et al., Influence of bone mineral density in circulating
adipokines among postmenopausal Arab women. Saudi J. Biol. Sci.,
2020, 27(1),374-379.
ID: 66372
Title: Basmati rice varietal differentiate using Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data in Google Earth Engine
Author: Dharmesh Verma, Manik H. Kalubarme , A. N. Singh, Brajendra and Ritesh Sharma
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (12) 1188-1199 25 June (2025)
Subject: Basmati rice varietal differentiate using Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data in Google Earth Engine
Keywords: Basmati rice varieties, Chlorophyll Index Red (CIred-edge), Chlorophyll Index Green (CIgreen), Google Earth Engine, Random Forest.
Abstract: A study on Basmati rice variety differentiation was carried out in two districts of Haryana, using Sentinel-1
SAR and Sentinel-2 MSI time series data and a Random Forest (RF) classifier on the Google Earth Engine
cloud computing platform. The fortnightly composite
stack of VH-VV difference and Sentinel-2 multispectral bands and their Red-edge indices, Chlorophyll
Index (CIgreen and CIred-edge), was analysed. Basmati
varieties could be distinguished into long- and shortduration and early Basmati. The accuracy of the RF
classifier model was validated by computing the AUC
and receiver operating characteristic curves. AUC was
> 0.9, ensuring the best model fitting and high accuracy.
The results revealed that long-duration Basmati varieties are being replaced by shorter-duration varieties.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Siddiq, E. A., Vemireddy, L. R. and Nagaraju, J., Basmati rices: genetics, breeding, and trade. Agric. Res., 2012, 1(1), 25–36; d10.1007/S40003-011-0011-5.
Vineet Kumar, Mamta Kumari and Saha, S. K., Discrimination of
basmati and non-basmati rice types using polarimetric target decomposition of temporal SAR data. Curr. Sci., 2016, 110(11), 2166.
Literature cited 2: Verma, D., Singh, A. N., Kalubarme, M. H., Saroha, G. P., Sharma, R.
and Brajendra, Varietal discrimination, acreage estimation and yield
prediction of basmati aromatic rice in North-Western India using satellite data. In: Remote Sensing of Agriculture and Land Cover/Land Use
Changes in South and Southeast Asian Countries, 2022, pp. 163–186;
doi:10.1007/978-3-030-92365-5_9.
Patel, N. K., Medhavy, T. T., Patnaik, C. and Hussain, A., Multitemporal ERS-1 SAR data for identification of rice crop. J. Indian
Soc. Remote Sensing, 1995, 12, 2259–2266.
ID: 66371
Title: Simulation study on efficient decarbonisation of coal-fired power plant flue gas using ionic liquid to capture CO2
Author: Pengjin Liu, Hongwei Mu, Jiafa Du, Jianfei Sun, Yongliang Zhang* , Bin Liu and Wentao Fan
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (12) 1167-1168 25 June (2025)
Subject: Simulation study on efficient decarbonisation of coal-fired power plant flue gas using ionic liquid to capture CO2
Keywords: Aspen Plus, carbon dioxide, CO2 capture, ionic liquids, process simulation
Abstract: The carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reduction technology has the limitation of high energy consumption, and the development of new and efficient capture media is a new way to achieve green and high-value utilisation of CO2. However, ionic
liquids (ILs) have attracted the attention of researchers as a novel capture medium. In this study, Aspen Plus software was
used to examine the process of capturing CO2 from flue gas of coal-fired power plants using ILs. The physical properties
of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([Bmim][BF4]) were analysed using known experimental data, and a
process flow for physical absorption of CO2 was established. Based on the established full process model, a sensitivity
analysis was conducted on the absorption tower and flash tank. The process simulation results showed that increasing
the number of absorption tower plates and the lean liquid flow rate benefits CO2 absorption. The optimised absorption
pressure is 3.0 MPa, the number of trays is 15, the lean liquid absorbent flow rate is 500 kmol/hr, the lean liquid feed temperature is 50°C, and the optimal operating conditions for the flash evaporation tank are a recovery pressure of 0.3 MPa
and a recovery temperature of 150°C. The calculation of direct equipment investment cost in the process shows that with
the increase of lean liquid load, the investment cost of all equipment except for the reboiler increases.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Yuan, J. et al., Indoor carbon dioxide capture technologies: a
review. Environ. Chem. Lett., 2023, 21(5), 2559-2581;
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-023-01620-3.
Navik, R., Wang, E., Ding, X., Qiu, K. and Li, J., Atmospheric
carbon dioxide capture by adsorption on amine-functionalized silica
composites: a review. Environ Chem Lett., 2024, 22(4), 1791-183;
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-024-01737-z.
Literature cited 2: Ochedi, F. O., Yu, J., Yu, H., Liu, Y. and Hussain, A., Carbon dioxide
capture using liquid absorption methods: a review. Environ. Chem.
Lett., 2021, 19(1), 77-109; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-020-01093-
8.
Wang, F. C., Liu, F., Zhao, R., Wang, T., Han, T., Yang, J. Y. and
Fang, M. X., Process simulation and techno-economic analysis on
150000t/year CO2 chemical absorption process from flue gas based
on DEEA/MEA biphasic solvent. Proc. CSEE. 2021, 41(23), 8088;
https://doi.org/10.13334/j.0258-8013.pcsee.201362.
ID: 66370
Title: Prolonged presence of Palearctic winter migrants in the Thar Desert, India: implications for climate change and avian migration phenology
Author: Manasi Mukherjee,
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (12) 1174-1175 10 June (2025)
Subject: Prolonged presence of Palearctic winter migrants in the Thar Desert, India: implications for climate change and avian migration phenology
Keywords: None
Abstract: A pair of breeding adult Western
Yellow Wagtails (Motacilla flava)
was recorded on 2 May 2025 at
07:45 a.m. in Jodhpur, Rajasthan,
within the Thar Desert landscape.
The Western Yellow Wagtail is a
small, slender passerine (body length
15–16 cm, weight 15–23 g) of the
family Motacillidae, distinguished by
its bright yellow underparts, olivegreen upperparts and prominent supercilium. The individuals recorded
during this trail were wholly bright
yellow below, with a greenish back.
The head was blue-grey with white
eyebrow (Figure 1). The recorded
plumage indicates it to be a breeding male regionally from central and
Southwest Europe. The species is
polytypic, with several subspecies
recognised across its broad Palearctic range1
. M. flava breeds across
temperate Europe and Central Asia
and migrates to sub-Saharan Africa
and South Asia for the non-breeding
season. In India, it is a regular winter migrant, typically arriving late
September and departing by February
or early March1
. Bar chart data from
eBird corroborate this pattern, showing a marked decline in records from
March onwards in Rajasthan2
. The
IUCN Red List currently classifies the
Western Yellow Wagtail as Least Concern, but recent assessments indicate
declining populations in parts of its
range
, attributed to habitat loss and
agricultural intensification. Alongside
this observation, Siberian Stonechat
(Saxicola maurus) and Eurasian Wryneck (Jynx torquilla), both winter
migrants to the Indian subcontinent,
were also recorded at the same site in
late April 2025
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: 1. SoIB. State of India’s Birds factsheet:
Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla
flava (State: Rajasthan), 2023;
https://stateofindiasbirds.in/species/rjeaywag1/ (accessed on 3 May 2025).
Sullivan, B. L., Wood, C. L., Iliff, M. J.,
Bonney, R. E., Fink, D. and Kelling, S.,
Biol. Conserv., 2009, 142, 2282–2292;
https://ebird.org/species/eaywag1/IN-RJ-JO
Literature cited 2: Dossman, C. B., Amanda D. Rodewald,
Colin E. S. and Peter, P. M., Ecology, 104(2),
e3938; https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.3938.
Thorup, K., Tøttrup, A. P. and Rahbek, C.,
Oecologia, 2007, 151(4), 697–703.
ID: 66369
Title: Why is ‘North-East’ a natural laboratory of geodiversity in India?
Author: Krishanu Datta
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (12) 1171-1173 10 June (2025)
Subject: Why is ‘North-East’ a natural laboratory of geodiversity in India?
Keywords: Brahmaputra plain, Eastern Himalaya, geodiversity, Meghalaya Plateau, North-East India.
Abstract: The north-eastern part of India, consisting of seven states, namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur,
Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura, can serve as a natural laboratory of geodiversity in India. This living laboratory can
offer important insights into the geotectonic evolution of South and South-East Asia, the quaternary fluvial dynamics,
the richest karst topography, the Meghalayan age, the site associated with one of the best preserved and most complete
records of K–Pg boundary transitions worldwide, and the nexus among geodiversity, biodiversity and human health and
wellbeing. Therefore, the concerned region requires a comprehensive geotourism policy that will not only promote its
unique geological diversity but also help to conserve all kinds of geological, ecological and even cultural treasures that
the region has since time immemorial.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Dikshit, K. R. and Dikshit, J. K., NorthEast India: Land, People and Economy,
Springer, Dordrecht Heidelberg, the Netherlands, 2014, pp. 1–16.
Baruah, S. and Hazarika, D., Curr. Sci.,
2008, 95(2), 176–177.
Literature cited 2: Borah, N. and Kumar, A., Geomat. Nat.
Hazards Risk, 2022, 14(1), 1–38.
Soibam, I., Khuman, M. CH. and Subhamenon, S. S., Geol. Soc. Spec. Publ.,
2015, 413, 301–331
ID: 66368
Title: India’s pioneering high-altitude atmospheric and climate research in the Himalayas
Author: Rajput, Abhay S. D. Gupta, Navneet K.
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (12) 1169-1170 10 June (2025)
Subject: India’s pioneering high-altitude atmospheric and climate research in the Himalayas
Keywords: None
Abstract: India is constantly upgrading its
meteorological infrastructure and
capabilities for making high-precision
weather predictions and climate
projections on regional and global
scales. Advanced climate models
powered by supercomputing facilities and large-scale observational data
have significantly improved India’s
capabilities to forecast weather and
climate events, including extreme
weather events such as tropical cyclones and tsunamis, on different
spatio-temporal scales. However, the
predictive capabilities of climate models remain restrained due to the lack of
adequate observational atmospheric
data from high-altitude regions1
, especially the Himalayas – the ‘Third
Pole’ of the Earth2
. Such underrepresentation of the Himalayas limits our
understanding of the global weather
and climate processes.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Krishnan, R. et al., The Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment (eds. Wester, P. et
al.), Springer, Cham, 2019, pp. 57–97;
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92288-
1_3.
Das, L. and Meher, J. K., EarthSci. Rev., 2019, 198, 102935; https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2019.102935.
Literature cited 2: Dimri, A. P. et al., Global Planet.
Change, 2018, 162, 212–234; https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2018.01.015.
Ouyang, L., Yang, K., Lu, H., Chen, Y.,
Lazhu, Zhou, X. and Wang, Y., J. Geophys.
Res. Atmos., 2020, 125, e2019JD031502;
https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JD031502
ID: 66367
Title: Survival concerns in endemic trees of India
Author: P. Venu M. Sanjappa
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (12) 1167-1168 10 June (2025)
Subject: Survival concerns in endemic trees of India
Keywords: None
Abstract: Trees are distinctive from other life forms of plants as
they characterise the landscape they prevail in and live for
decades with minimal attention. They are well-adapted
and resilient to their situations and provide ecological,
economic, cultural, and aesthetic payoffs to many beneficiaries. About 22,214 species represent the country’s
entire wealth of flowering plants as per the records of
the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) (Plant Discoveries,
2024). Trees constitute 3460 species, including 1262 introduced species, and 27% of them are exclusively confined to the Indian flora and are recognised as Indian endemic species (Pusalker et al., Trees of India, Vol. 1,
2025). These are restricted species; occasionally, the range
is symbolised by a single population (point endemics),
thereby susceptible to extinction. Their elimination here
amounts to their global elimination. Our concerns naturally go with them in the prioritisation of species conservation. India, which is committed to biodiversity conservation and is a signatory to multiple conservation treaties,
has a greater obligation to protect them. The IUCN Red
List (1964) uses five criteria: the species’ population decline or increase/geographic range/small population size
decline/very small or restricted population/quantitative
analysis to assess the threat of species extinction. The
guidelines for applying the IUCN Red List Categories and
Criteria are accessible with Version 16, March 2024, which
are being adopted by many countries to prioritise species
for conservation. This red list categorisation assesses information about range, population size, habitat and ecology,
use and/or trade, threats, and conservation actions taken,
if any. The said information on the species concerned is
to be collected through extensive and intensive field explorations in their probable areas of presence. It expedites
necessary conservation decisions. The species’ status can
be updated and revised as one acquires more quality data
from field work.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1:
Literature cited 2:
ID: 66366
Title: Dispersal record of a striped hyena from a camera trap survey
Author: Kainat Latafat, Ayan Sadhu* , Qamar Qureshi and Yadvendradev V. Jhala
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (11) 1137-1139 10 June (2025)
Subject: Dispersal record of a striped hyena from a camera trap survey
Keywords: Corbett Tiger Reserve, corridors, dispersal distance, hyena, Rajaji Tiger Reserve, Terai Arc Landscape.
Abstract: Dispersal plays a vital role in shaping large carnivores’
demography and distribution, ensuring their long-term
persistence through gene flow between populations.
Dispersal events of large carnivores are difficult to
record as they are cryptic and disperse long distances
from their area of origin. While the ecology and behaviour of striped hyena are well studied, information
on dispersal is scarce. The present study documented
a dispersal event of a striped hyena recorded from
camera traps, where the individual dispersed from Rajaji National Park, Uttarakhand, India, and adjoining
Shyampur forests to Corbett Tiger Reserve (Kalagarh),
covering 85 km from its first capture, which is significantly larger than the average maximum distance
travelled (4.95 km, range = 0.7–9.48 km) by hyenas, as
obtained from the camera traps. Our findings emphasised the importance of large-scale camera trap surveys
to study different aspects of multi-taxa systems, and
depicted the functional connectivity between Corbett
and Rajaji which is crucial to maintain gene flow in the
larger landscape.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Howard, W. E., Innate and environmental dispersal of individual vertebrates. Am. Midl. Nat., 1960, 63, 152–161.
Greenwood, P. J., Mating systems, philopatry and dispersal in birds
and mammals. Anim. Behav., 1980, 28(4), 1140–1162.
Literature cited 2: Travis, J. M. et al., Dispersal and species’ responses to climate change.
Oikos, 2013, 122(11), 1532–1540.
Habib, B., Ghaskadbi, P., Khan, S., Hussain, Z. and Nigam, P., Not
a cakewalk: insights into movement of large carnivores in human dominated landscapes in India. Ecol. Evol., 2021
ID: 66365
Title: Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles through green route and its application in methylene blue dye degradation
Author: Jayant K. Jogi , S. K. Singhal, Ravindra Jangir , Ashish Tanna , Sangita Chavda , Nikesh Shah , Madan Singh and Divya N. Panchotia
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (11) 1133-1136 10 June (2025)
Subject: Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles through green route and its application in methylene blue dye degradation
Keywords: Green synthesis, nanoparticles, photocatalysis, X-ray techniques.
Abstract: Zinc oxide nanomaterial, called ‘ZnO-G’ was synthesised by sol–gel auto combustion method using
lemon juice. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction along
with Rietveld refinement validated the single-phased
hexagonal structure with P63mc wurtzite space group.
The estimated average crystallite size of ZnO-G by
Williamson–Hall plot was 24 nm and obtained particle
size from field emission scanning electron microscopy
was 70 nm. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the purity of ZnO-G. In the presence of sunlight, maximum photodegradation (94%) of methylene
blue dye was obtained by employing ZnO-G because
of photo-induced charge carriers in conduction and
valence bands.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Arulraj, A., Senthil, T. S., Mangalaraja, R. V., Anitha, R. and Vijayalakshmi, V., Improved photocatalytic activity for degradation of
methylene blue dye using ZnO NPs. Mater. Lett., 2024, 362, 136176.
Mir, N., Salavati-Niasari, M. and Davar, F., Preparation of ZnO
nanoflowers and Zn glycerolate nanoplates using inorganic precursors
via a convenient rout and application in dye sensitized solar cells.
Chem. Eng. J., 2012, 181–182, 779–789.
Literature cited 2: Özgür, Ü., Hofstetter, D. and Morkoç, H., ZnO devices and applications: a review of current status and future prospects. Proc. IEEE,
2010, 98, 1255–1268.
Salavati-Niasari, M., Davar, F. and Khansari, A., Nanosphericals and
nanobundles of ZnO: synthesis and characterization. J. Alloys Compd.,
2011, 509, 61–65.
ID: 66364
Title: Characterisation of plant–pathogenic fungal associate from an invasive ambrosia beetle (Euplatypus parallelus) infesting rubber plantations of South India
Author: Aathira Pratap, Jithu Unni Krishnan, Prem Das Shanmughan and Murali Revanasiddappa
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (11) 1126-1132 10 June (2025)
Subject: Characterisation of plant–pathogenic fungal associate from an invasive ambrosia beetle (Euplatypus parallelus) infesting rubber plantations of South India
Keywords: Ambrosia beetles, Fusarium ambrosium, Fusarium solani, Hevea brasiliensis, mutualistic fungus.
Abstract: Ambrosia beetle infestations in rubber plantations of
northern Kerala caused rapid tree decline, impacting farmers significantly. The present study focused
on isolating and identifying fungal strains associated
with Euplatypus parallelus, a recently reported invasive pest in rubber trees. Two fungal associates,
Fusarium solani and Fusarium ambrosium, were identified. While F. Solani is a major sporulating plant
pathogen; this marks its first report from adult E.
parallelus beetles. Phytopathogenicity tests confirmed
both isolates as pathogenic to rubber, with F. solani
exhibiting higher virulence. The findings emphasise
the need for stringent phytosanitary measures to prevent the spread of this infestation to other regions.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: National Rubber Policy (NRP)-Department of Commerce, Ministry of
Commerce and Industry, Government of India, 2019.
Rubber Board of India – Annual Report 2022–2023.
Literature cited 2: Hiremath, S. R. and Prathapan, K. D., First report of the invasive South American pinhole borer, Euplatypus parallelus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Platypodinae), on rubber in India.
Coleopt. Bull., 2019, 73(3), 714; https://doi.org/10.1649/0010065x73.3.714.
Hulcr, J., Atkinson, T. H., Cognato, A. I., Jordal, B. H. and McKenna,
D. D., Morphology, taxonomy, and phylogenetics of bark beetles. In
Elsevier eBooks, 2015, pp. 41–84; https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-
417156-5.00002-2