The spider diversity of Purna Wildlife Sanctuary, Dangs, Gujarat as recorded in 2000-2001 is 116 species belonging to 66 genera and 25 families. Family Araneidae was found to be dominating. Rare spiders like Rhene khandalaensis and Stegodyphus mirandus are first records for Gujarat. A burrow of ground Therasphosid was also sighted.

No abstract

The pectoralis muscles of two groups of anaesthetized pigeons were exercised in vivo by electrical stimulation for periods of 1 h and 5 h respectively. There was no significant change from controls in the level of blood glucose in both groups. Blood lactate level was significantly higher in the exercised groups but was relatively lower in the 5-h control group in comparison with its 1-h counter part. Blood lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was significantly higher in the 1-h stimulated pigeons as was also the case with liver LDH in the same group but markedly lower in the 5-h ones. No significant change was seen in liver glycogen content in the stimulated pigeons. Liver phosphorylase activity was markedly low in the 5-h stimulated pigeons as was also the case with liver LDH activity. Circulating level of corticosterone was significantly higher in both the stimulated groups. Blood thyroxine (T4) as well as triiodothyronine (T3) levels were considerably reduced in both stimulated groups. The T3/T4 ratio was higher in the 5-h stimulated pigeons. It was concluded that, while initially carbohydrate was used as fuel for exercise, in prolonged exercise, lipid became the chief fuel as was shown in earlier studies. While fat continued to be used as the main fuel, carbohydrate was spared and also gluconeogenesis was enhanced. It was also concluded that the rôle of the thyroid hormones in promoting oxidative metabolism was enhanced by markedly increasing peripheral deiodination of T4 to T3 in prolonged exercise.

The changes in the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 'malic' enzyme in the liver and adipose tissue were studied in two migratory birds, viz., rosy pastor and white wagtail, which have different dietary habits during their post- and pre-migratory periods. Activities of both the enzymes in the liver of these birds increased during their premigratory period which correlated well with premigratory hyperlipogenesis. It is suggested that hyperphagia, diet, and hormones are involved in induction of the enzyme activities and premigratory hyperlipogenesis. Data on enzymatic studies indicate that 'malic' enzyme catalyzed reaction plays a major role in generation of NADPH2 and the liver is the main site for lipogenesis in these birds.

Corticosterone was infused continuously through subcutaneously implanted mini-osmotic pumps into laying White Leghorn hens at the rate of 30 micrograms/hr for 14 or 28 days. In both groups receiving corticosterone, plasma levels of glucose and triglycerides were not altered significantly. Circulating levels of cholesterol and free fatty acids increased significantly following both 14 and 28-day infusions of the hormone. Corticosterone treatment for 28 days produced significant increases in plasma levels of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). However, following the 14-day corticosterone infusion, only T3 showed significant increase. The T3:T4 ratio in both groups of corticosterone-infused hens was significantly higher than in control hens. The concentration of plasma epinephrine showed no significant response to corticosterone treatment, while norepinephrine increased significantly following both periods of treatment.