Asian Journal of Research in Zoology

Gastrointestinal Parasite Burden and Zoonotic Risk in abattoir-sourced goats from Yenagoa, Bayelsa Sate, Nigeria

2026-06-05T09:30:26+00:00

Background: Gastrointestinal parasitism remains a major constraint to goat productivity and a potential public health concern in many developing regions, particularly where abattoir hygiene and veterinary control are inadequate.

Aim: This study assessed the prevalence, distribution, and zoonotic risk of gastrointestinal parasites in abattoir-sourced goats from Swali, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Method: A total of 80 faecal samples were collected from slaughtered goats across two abattoirs (A and B). Samples were examined using direct microscopic examination and formalin–ether sedimentation techniques. Parasites were identified based on morphological characteristics, and data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests at 95% confidence level.

Results: Overall, 50% (40/80) of samples were positive for gastrointestinal parasites. Abattoir B recorded a higher infection rate (62.5%) than Abattoir A (37.5%). Four parasite genera were identified: Moniezia spp., Taenia spp., Toxocara spp., and Spirometra spp. Moniezia spp. was the most prevalent (45.4%), followed by Taenia spp. (23.1%), Toxocara spp. (19.4%), and Spirometra spp. (12.0%). Parasite burden varied between abattoirs, with Abattoir A showing higher intensity (4.93) compared to Abattoir B (1.36). Differences in infection rates were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The study reveals a substantial burden of gastrointestinal parasites in goats slaughtered for human consumption in Yenagoa, with notable zoonotic implications, particularly from Taenia and Toxocara species. Improved husbandry practices, routine deworming, and strengthened abattoir inspection systems are recommended to reduce transmission risks and enhance public health safety.

Preliminary Checklist of Freshwater Fishes from the Eraviperoor Region of the Manimala River, Kerala, India

2026-06-08T12:12:44+00:00

The Western Ghats of India, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and globally recognized biodiversity hotspot, support exceptionally high freshwater fish diversity and endemism, particularly in the southern region, making them a critical area for ichthyological research and conservation. The present study provides a preliminary checklist of freshwater fishes recorded from the Eraviperoor region of the Manimala River, Kerala. The Manimala River is a west-flowing river draining the southern Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. Fish samples were collected from January to April 2026 using gill nets, cast nets, and traditional trap nets. A total of 17 fish species belonging to 17 genera, 13 families, and 9 orders were recorded during the survey. The order Cypriniformes was the most species-rich, represented by four species, followed by Siluriformes and Anabantiformes with four and three species, respectively. Among the recorded species, eight (47.06%) were categorized as Least Concern (LC), two (11.76%) as Vulnerable (VU), one (5.88%) as Near Threatened (NT), and one (5.88%) as Data Deficient (DD) according to the IUCN Red List. Three species had not yet been assessed by the IUCN. Two species, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus and Labeo rohita, were identified as exotic to the river system. Notably, the checklist includes recently described taxa such as Heteropneustes fuscus Plamoottil, 2021 (Travancore Black Stinging Catfish), and Pristolepis rubripinnis Britz, Kumar & Baby, 2012 (Red-finned Catopra). As the survey was conducted at a single sampling station, the checklist does not represent the complete ichthyofaunal diversity of the Manimala River. The occurrence of threatened and endemic species, together with exotic fishes, highlights the conservation importance of the Manimala River and underscores the need for further comprehensive biodiversity assessments.

Effect of Lead Nitrate on Glucose Content in Blood of an Air-Breathing Fish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

2026-06-25T11:57:30+00:00

Heavy metal contamination in freshwater ecosystems remains an environmental concern because metals such as lead persist in aquatic habitats and may affect exposed organisms. The present study evaluated the effect of lead nitrate on blood glucose content in the freshwater air-breathing fish Heteropneustes fossilis under laboratory conditions. Healthy fish were acclimatised before exposure and maintained either in control water or in water containing lead nitrate at a sublethal concentration of 5 mg/L for 28 days. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28, and glucose concentration was estimated by the glucose oxidase-peroxidase method. The control group showed only minor variation in blood glucose values, ranging from 82 to 85 mg/dL. In contrast, lead nitrate-exposed fish showed a gradual decline from 82 mg/dL on day 0 to 49 mg/dL on day 28, with a more evident reduction during prolonged exposure. Behavioural changes, including reduced swimming activity, irregular movement, decreased feeding response, mucus secretion and lethargy, were also observed in treated fish. These findings indicate that lead nitrate exposure may disturb carbohydrate metabolism and energy balance in H. fossilis. The observed decline in blood glucose may be associated with increased energy demand, depletion of glycogen reserves, altered liver metabolism, hormonal imbalance and disruption of enzymatic processes involved in glucose regulation. Blood glucose content may be used as a biochemical indicator of lead-induced stress in freshwater fish. Further studies with stronger replication, statistical validation and supporting physiological or histopathological observations are needed to clarify mechanisms of lead toxicity.

Phytochemical Screening and Insecticidal Effects of Some Botanical Powders against Periplaneta americana in Otukpo, Benue State, Nigeria

2026-07-04T10:27:08+00:00

This study evaluated the phytochemical composition and insecticidal efficacy of six selected botanical powders against the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, in Otukpo, Benue State, Nigeria. The botanicals investigated were Azadirachta indica, Terminalia catappa, Cymbopogon citratus, Citrus sinensis, Carica papaya and Prunus dulcis. Laboratory bioassays were conducted using graded concentrations of plant powders mixed with biscuit bait, and mortality was recorded at 24, 48 and 72 hours. Phytochemical screening revealed that all tested plants contained biologically active secondary metabolites, including steroids, phenols, flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids and saponins, with Azadirachta indica exhibiting the highest abundance of these compounds. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse mortality counts, while probit regression analysis was used to calculate LC values at a 5% significance level (p≤0.05). The results showed a time-dependent increase in mortality across treatments, with longer exposure periods resulting in increased insect death. Azadirachta indica demonstrated the highest insecticidal activity, achieving up to 95.8% mortality after 72 hours and recording the lowest LC₅₀ (0.12 g) and LC₉₅ (1.45 g), indicating strong toxicity. Citrus sinensis and Carica papaya showed moderate to high effectiveness, while Cymbopogon citratus exhibited moderate activity. In contrast, Prunus dulcis and Terminalia catappa showed relatively low insecticidal effects. Overall, the order of efficacy was A. indica > C. sinensis > C. papaya > C. citratus > P. dulcis > T. catappa. The findings suggest that botanical powders, particularly neem, have potential as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic insecticides for managing P. americana in domestic environments. However, further validation using standardised extraction methods and improved statistical modelling is recommended.

Mangrove-associated Avifauna in Kerala: A Comparative Study of Avian Biodiversity at Mangalavanam and Kadalundi

2026-07-06T07:14:42+00:00

Mangrove ecosystems provide important habitats for resident and migratory birds and support ecological functions in coastal landscapes. This study compared avian biodiversity in two mangrove-associated wetland systems in Kerala, India: Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary, an urban sanctuary in Ernakulam, and Kadalundi-Vallikunnu Community Reserve, a less disturbed estuarine site along the Kozhikode-Malappuram coastal belt. Monthly field surveys were conducted from August 2022 to July 2024 during morning and evening periods of peak bird activity. Bird species were recorded using point-count transects, visual identification, acoustic cues and opportunistic sightings. Species richness, Shannon-Wiener diversity and species evenness were used to assess community structure. Mangalavanam recorded 24 bird species from 19 families, whereas Kadalundi recorded 40 species from 20 families. Kadalundi showed higher avian diversity, with a Shannon-Wiener value of 3.17, compared with 2.86 for Mangalavanam. In contrast, Mangalavanam showed higher species evenness (0.90) than Kadalundi (0.79), indicating a more even distribution of individuals among recorded species at the urban site. The findings indicate that Kadalundi supports greater species richness and a wider range of functional groups, whereas Mangalavanam retains ecological value despite urban pressures. The study highlights the need for continued monitoring and conservation of both rural and urban mangrove habitats in Kerala.

Hepatic Histopathology and Recovery Dynamics in Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus, 1758) Following Exposure to Soil Suspension from Uranium Tailings Near Jaduguda, Jharkhand, India

2026-07-08T12:34:57+00:00

Uranium mining and tailings disposal may affect nearby aquatic environments through the release or mobilisation of sediment-associated contaminants. The present study examined liver histopathology in Clarias batrachus exposed under laboratory conditions to a soil suspension collected from the Jaduguda uranium waste-dumping area. Control fish were maintained in water collected from Ghatshila. Twelve healthy fish were acclimatised for seven days and divided into control and exposed groups, with six fish in each group. The exposed group was maintained for 30 days in 20 L of collected water mixed with 400 g of soil, corresponding to a sediment load of 20 g/L. After the exposure period, surviving fish from both groups were transferred to clean water for a further 30 days to assess tissue recovery. Liver tissues were processed following a routine histological protocol and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Control fish showed compact hepatic cords, distinct hepatocytes, centrally placed nuclei and regular sinusoidal spaces. In contrast, exposed fish showed marked histopathological alterations, including cytoplasmic vacuolisation, hepatocellular degeneration, nuclear pyknosis and karyolysis, sinusoidal dilation, disruption of hepatic organisation and focal necrotic changes. Fish transferred to clean water after exposure showed partial improvement in hepatic organisation, with reduced degeneration and better cellular arrangement. However, residual vacuolisation, focal necrosis and mild tissue disorganisation persisted in the liver sections of recovery-group fish. These observations indicate that exposure to soil suspension collected from the Jaduguda uranium tailings area was associated with hepatic tissue injury in C. batrachus under the experimental conditions used. The findings also suggest that recovery may begin after removal from the exposure condition, although complete histological restoration was not evident within 30 days.

New Distribution Record of Three Spider (Arachnida: Araneae) Species under Three Different Families in Chhattisgarh State, India

2026-07-09T10:54:42+00:00

This study reports new distributional information for three spider species representing three families from the forest region of Gariaband district, Chhattisgarh, India. The specimens examined comprised one female Gea subarmata Thorell, 1890 (Araneidae), two females Hamataliwa pentagona Tang & Li, 2012 (Oxyopidae), and one male Brettus cingulatus Thorell, 1895 (Salticidae). Specimens were collected during random field visits from sites along National Highway 130 (Raipur-Deobhog Road) using the hand-picking method. They were preserved in 70% ethanol and examined in the Zoology laboratory of Government D. B. Girls’ P. G. College, Raipur. Species-level identification was based on external morphology, body pattern, eye arrangement, leg characters and genital structures, including the epigyne in female specimens and the palp in the male specimen. The diagnostic characters were compared with published taxonomic descriptions and illustrations. The study records Gea subarmata and Hamataliwa pentagona from Chhattisgarh and provides a male record of Brettus cingulatus from the state, where a female had previously been reported. These records add to the known arachnofauna of Chhattisgarh and indicate that forested habitats in Gariaband district remain insufficiently documented. Further systematic surveys across seasons and habitats are required to refine state-level checklists and improve understanding of spider diversity in the region.

Effects of Different Inclusion Levels of Chicken Offal Meal as a Replacement for Fish Meal on Growth Performance and Nutrient Utilization of Clarias gariepinus Fingerlings

2026-07-14T12:04:19+00:00

This study evaluated the effect of partial fish meal (FM) replacement with chicken offal meal (COM) on the growth performance, feed utilisation and survival of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, fingerlings. Five isonitrogenous (35% crude protein) and isolipidic (10% lipid) experimental diets were formulated, in which chicken offal meal replaced fish meal at 0% (control), 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. A total of 150 fingerlings (initial weight 2.36 ± 0.02 g) were randomly stocked at 10 fish per 50-L hapa in a completely randomised design with three replicates per treatment and were fed twice daily at 5% of body weight for 63 days. The results showed that moderate replacement levels significantly improved growth performance. Fish fed the 50% and 75% COM replacement diets generally recorded higher final body weight, weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR), while the 75% replacement diet produced the best feed conversion ratio (FCR) and feed efficiency ratio (FER) compared with the control and other inclusion levels (P < 0.05). Complete replacement (100% COM) reduced growth performance. Survival rates ranged from 46% to 73% across treatments. The findings indicate that properly processed chicken offal meal can partially replace fish meal in practical diets for C. gariepinus fingerlings, with the best performance observed at moderate inclusion levels.

Impact of Taxifolin on Female Fertility Enhancing Factors against Oxidative Stress in Drosophila melanogaster

2026-07-16T10:15:58+00:00

Oxidative stress is a state of physiological imbalance that occurs when ROS production exceeds antioxidant defences, leading to cellular damage. It can adversely affect female reproductive function by disrupting ovarian physiology, including hormone synthesis, follicular development, and ovulation, and may ultimately reduce fertility. Various factors can mitigate oxidative stress by neutralising harmful reactive species. Antioxidants are among these factors and may support the maintenance and improvement of female reproductive function. In the present study, taxifolin, an antioxidant isolated from the plant Putranjiva roxburghii, was selected to evaluate its effects on antioxidant defence mechanisms in D. melanogaster. Flies were supplemented with two concentrations of TF (0.5 mg/mL and 2 mg/mL) as pretreatments and were then exposed to paraquat to induce oxidative stress. Oxidative-stress induction was confirmed by measuring ROS levels and LPO activity. OS-induced flies exhibited higher ROS and LPO levels. TF-fed flies showed 2.39-fold lower ROS levels and 1.47-fold lower LPO activity than the OS-induced control groups. Two female fertility-related enzymes, Esterase-6 and β-carbonic anhydrase, were measured together with antioxidant enzyme activities under stressed and non-stressed conditions by spectrophotometric analysis. Oxidative stress reduced Est-6 and β-CA levels, as well as SOD, CAT, and GSH activities. In contrast, TF-fed flies showed 1.39-fold higher Est-6 activity and 2.93-fold higher β-CA activity. In the non-stressed state, TF-fed groups showed 1.36-fold higher SOD activity and 1.46-fold higher CAT activity, whereas under stressed conditions, the corresponding increases were 1.45-fold and 1.22-fold. GSH was reduced by 1.25-fold in control groups after PQ induction. However, GSH activity increased by 1.46-fold in TF-fed groups with PQ induction compared with the PQ-induced control and by 1.33-fold in TF-fed flies exposed to PQ. These findings indicate that TF reduced oxidative stress and increased the activities of fertility-associated and antioxidant enzymes. The GSH pool may serve as a co-substrate for antioxidant enzyme activity.

Distribution Modelling of the Endemic Indian Spotted Creeper (Salpornis spilonota) in India

2026-07-25T10:06:07+00:00

Background: The Indian Spotted Creeper (Salpornis spilonota) is endemic to the Indian subcontinent and primarily inhabits the dry deciduous forests and woodlands of central and western India. Despite its restricted distribution and specialised habitat requirements, information on its potential distribution and environmental determinants remains limited.

Objectives: This study aimed to (i) predict the current potential distribution of the Indian Spotted Creeper across India using the MaxEnt modelling approach, (ii) identify the key environmental variables influencing its distribution, and (iii) provide baseline information to support future conservation and habitat management.

Methods: Occurrence records were compiled from systematic field surveys conducted between January 2022 and June 2026 and from verified observations in the eBird database. Species distribution modelling was performed using MaxEnt with 19 bioclimatic variables and elevation data.

Results: The model identified approximately 27,799.45 km² of suitable habitat across India, including 575.95 km² of highly suitable habitat and 27,223.50 km² of moderately suitable habitat. Precipitation seasonality was the most influential predictor, contributing 28.7% to the model. Overall, seasonal climatic variables were found to exert the strongest influence on habitat suitability.

Conclusions: The Indian Spotted Creeper occupies a relatively restricted climatic niche associated primarily with seasonal precipitation patterns and temperature variability within dry deciduous forest ecosystems. The limited extent of highly suitable habitat highlights the species' potential vulnerability to habitat degradation and future climate change. This study provides a comprehensive habitat suitability assessment for the species across India and offers a scientific basis for targeted field surveys, habitat protection, and future climate-change impact assessments.

Study of a New Species of Echinostome Cercaria, from the Freshwater Snail, Bellamya dissimilis (O.F. Müeller) in Palakkad, Kerala, India

2026-07-27T09:54:06+00:00

Freshwater snails serve as first intermediate hosts for numerous larval digeneans, and documentation of their cercarial fauna supports the assessment of parasite diversity and host–parasite relationships. This study examined the echinostome cercariae shed by Bellamya dissimilis collected from paddy wetlands in Palakkad district, Kerala, India. A total of 168 snails were collected from Kavassery and Erattakulam between May and August 2024 and screened individually for cercarial emergence. Fresh cercariae were examined by light microscopy, morphometric measurements were obtained from 20 heat-killed and formalin-fixed specimens, and five specimens were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Natural infection was detected in five snails, giving an overall prevalence of 2.98%; locality-specific prevalence was 2.25% at Kavassery and 3.80% at Erattakulam. Cercariae emerged mainly between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m., displayed positive phototaxis, and remained alive for approximately 16 h in well water. The cercarial form possessed a large elongate-oval aspinose body, a cylindrical aspinose tail with a dorsoventral fin fold, prominent oral and ventral suckers, three pairs of penetration glands, narrow caeca extending to the excretory bladder, and 15 pairs of flame cells. Rediae contained 15–20 developing cercariae. Comparison with selected related forms indicated several morphological distinctions, and the cercaria was provisionally designated Cercaria sp. XXVIII Malabar n. sp. Molecular characterisation and completion of the life cycle are required to support definitive species-level recognition.

Protective Effects of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract against Bisphenol A Induced Alterations in Blood Glucose and Serum Cholesterol in Mus musculus

2026-07-30T10:29:41+00:00

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most widely recognised endocrine-disrupting chemicals. It is a synthetic compound extensively used in the production of polycarbonate plastics; it was first identified by Aleksandr Dianin in 1891 and later synthesised by Zincke in 1905. BPA can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, or dermal contact. It can adversely affect the endocrine and reproductive systems, biochemical parameters, cardiovascular health, and growth and development. BPA exposure has also been associated with lung, breast, and prostate cancers, while prenatal exposure may reduce bone density in children. Moringa oleifera, also known as the magic tree, was evaluated as a protective agent in this study. It is rich in phenolics, flavonoids, isothiocyanates, glucosinolates, alkaloids, carotenoids, vitamins, saponins, tannins, and other bioactive substances. Owing to these phytoconstituents, it exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, hypolipidaemic, hepatoprotective, anticarcinogenic, and immune-protective properties. In the present study, Swiss albino mice were administered with BPA at 55 and 110 mg/kg body weight and their effects on blood glucose and total serum cholesterol were analyzed. Further, mice were co-treated with an ethanolic extract of M. oleifera leaves. The results showed that the extract attenuated the BPA-associated increases in blood glucose and total serum cholesterol, supporting the hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic potential of M. oleifera.

Comparative Evaluation of the Potential Antifertility Activity of Aqueous and Ethanolic Leaf Extracts of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. in Adult Male Mus musculus: Evidence from Epididymal Sperm Parameters

2026-07-30T12:57:45+00:00

The limited availability of safe, effective, and reversible male contraceptive methods has prompted increasing interest in medicinal plants as potential sources of novel contraceptive agents. Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. (Fabaceae) is a medicinal plant known for its diverse pharmacological properties; however, comparative information regarding the effects of its aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts on male reproductive parameters remains limited. The present study was designed to compare the dose-dependent effects of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Dalbergia sissoo on epididymal sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology in adult male Mus musculus. Fifty healthy adult Swiss albino male mice were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10). Group I served as the control and received distilled water, while Groups II and III received the aqueous leaf extract of Dalbergia sissoo at doses of 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Groups IV and V received the ethanolic leaf extract at the same dose levels. All treatments were administered orally once daily for 31 consecutive days. Epididymal sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology were assessed using standard laboratory methods. The data were expressed as the mean ± SEM and analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey's multiple-comparison test. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Oral administration of both aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts produced significant dose-dependent reductions (p < 0.05) in epididymal sperm count and sperm motility compared with the control group. A significant increase in morphologically abnormal spermatozoa was also observed in treated animals. The ethanolic extract produced more pronounced alterations in all evaluated sperm parameters than the aqueous extract at corresponding dose levels. The present findings indicate that aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Dalbergia sissoo adversely affected epididymal sperm characteristics in adult male Mus musculus, with the ethanolic extract producing comparatively greater changes. These observations suggest that D. sissoo may possess antifertility activity under the experimental conditions employed. However, further investigations involving fertility assessment, reproductive hormone analysis, histopathology, toxicity evaluation, phytochemical standardisation, and reversibility studies are required before its suitability as a plant-derived male contraceptive can be established.

Thwaitesia margaritifera O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1881: A New State Record of Mirror Cob Web Spider Species (Araneae: Theridiidae) in Chhattisgarh, India

2026-07-31T13:20:51+00:00

This study documents the first recorded occurrence of the mirror cobweb spider Thwaitesia margaritifera O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1881 in Chhattisgarh, India, and the first record of the genus Thwaitesia in the state. Two adult female specimens were collected by hand from the foliage of a Shorea robusta tree in a forested area of Gariaband District on 27 March 2026. Live specimens were photographed, preserved in 70% ethanol, and examined using a stereo zoom microscope. Identification was based on the morphology of the carapace, abdomen, eyes, legs, spinnerets, and female genital structures, followed by comparison with published taxonomic descriptions. The specimens were characterised by a small, pale greenish-yellow cephalothorax with a dark median stripe, a large laterally compressed abdomen bearing irregular reflective scale-like patches, eight eyes arranged in two rows, and a leg formula of I–IV–II–III. The epigynum was rounded, with a V-shaped posterior protrusion, oval spermathecae, and copulatory ducts coiled twice. The specimens were collected from a single locality and represent a distributional record rather than evidence of abundance or wider occurrence. This finding adds T. margaritifera to the documented spider fauna of Chhattisgarh and provides morphological information for future locality-based surveys. Further sampling across seasons, habitats, and districts is required to clarify the species’ distribution within the state.

The Role of Reflective Material in Animal Protection during the Rainy Season: A Global Review with Special Emphasis on India

2026-07-15T13:21:08+00:00

Collisions between animals and vehicles, and between animals and trains, are a persistent and under-addressed cause of mortality for wildlife, livestock and companion animals worldwide. Rainfall makes this hazard worse: it degrades driver visibility, shifts animal movement patterns and reduces the optical performance of conventional warning devices at the same time. Reflective and retroreflective materials, from roadside wildlife warning reflectors to fluorescent tape fixed directly onto animals, have long been proposed as a cheap mitigation option, yet their real-world effectiveness has been debated across several decades of field trials. This review draws together evidence from road ecology, transportation engineering, veterinary trauma literature and public health research to assess the physical principles, field performance and practical limits of reflective materials as an animal protection tool, with particular attention to monsoon-affected India, where stray cattle, dogs and wild elephants share congested, poorly lit roads and railway corridors. The evidence shows that reflector-based interventions produce inconsistent reductions in collision frequency, that rainfall itself substantially weakens retroreflective performance through water-film formation and beading, and that Indian field programmes fixing fluorescent strips to stray cattle remain largely unevaluated in peer-reviewed literature despite wide administrative uptake. Reflective material is best understood as one component of an integrated, multi-sectoral animal protection strategy rather than a stand-alone fix, and priority areas for controlled field research are identified, particularly for South Asian monsoon settings.

Insecticide-treated Nets and the Diversion of Anopheles Biting to Livestock: A Critical Narrative Review of Zooprophylaxis in Malaria Vector Control

2026-07-28T13:19:12+00:00

Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) remain the dominant tool for malaria prevention across endemic Africa and Asia, yet residual transmission persists where dominant vectors feed outdoors, early in the evening, or on non-human hosts. Zooprophylaxis, the practice of exploiting livestock as alternative blood-meal sources to divert Anopheles mosquitoes from humans, has been proposed for almost a century as a low-cost complement to net-based control, and a specific hypothesis has gained renewed attention: that ITN scale-up itself, by excluding mosquitoes from human sleeping spaces, increases the relative attractiveness of livestock and thereby amplifies passive zooprophylactic diversion. This critical narrative review synthesises entomological, epidemiological, theoretical and intervention literature bearing on this hypothesis, with particular attention to Anopheles arabiensis, the vector for which host diversion is most plausible. The evidence indicates that host diversion is real but conditional: it depends on vector species composition, the spatial placement of livestock relative to human dwellings, and the density ratio of animals to people, and it can reverse into zoopotentiation when livestock are housed close to or within sleeping areas. Direct tests of the ITN-livestock interaction remain scarce, and the clearest entomological demonstration reports a modest, species-specific reduction in human biting associated jointly with net coverage and cattle presence rather than a large, generalisable push-pull effect. Mathematical models show that whether livestock protect or endanger a population depends critically on mosquito mortality while host-seeking, a parameter rarely measured in the field. Converting passive diversion into a lethal event, through insecticide-treated livestock or systemic endectocides, has produced consistent entomological gains in trials but has not yet been validated against clinical malaria endpoints at scale. The review concludes that zooprophylaxis should not be promoted as a standalone control measure, that its interaction with ITNs is ecologically plausible but empirically under-demonstrated, and that insecticide-treated or endectocide-treated livestock represents the more defensible avenue for translating host diversion into measurable transmission reduction, contingent on further cluster-randomised evidence.

An Aberrant Ashy-plumaged Little Egret Egretta garzetta in Ajmer, Rajasthan, India

2026-07-11T12:37:51+00:00

An unusual Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) showing uniformly ashy-grey plumage was documented at Anasagar Lake, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India. The individual was observed and photographed on 15 December 2025 and 29 May 2026 during opportunistic bird-watching surveys using visual encounter and line-transect walking approaches. The bird retained key Little Egret characters, including a slender black bill, black legs, yellow feet and elongated plumes, while displaying a smooth grey-to-ashy tone across the head, neck, mantle, wings and underparts. The repeated observation across two dates, bright light conditions and absence of patchy soiling or localised marks reduce the likelihood of a single photographic artefact or temporary environmental staining. The field evidence is most consistent with a dilution-like plumage aberration, although this interpretation remains provisional because feather-level examination, genetic analysis, biometric assessment and long-term monitoring were not conducted. Dark or intermediate morph expression and possible hybrid origin, particularly with Indian Reef Heron, are also considered as alternative explanations. This record adds to the growing field documentation of unusual avian plumage phenotypes from Rajasthan and underscores the value of verifiable photographs and citizen-science records in identifying rare colour variation. Further repeated observations and, where feasible, feather or genetic studies are needed to clarify the mechanism and prevalence of such phenotypes in Indian Little Egret populations.