The Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia are hotspots of murine biodiversity, but no species from the Arakan Mountain system that demarcates the border between the two areas has been subjected to molecular phylogenetic analyses. We examined the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences in six murine species (the Rattus rattus species complex, R. norvegicus, R. nitidus, Berylmys manipulus, Niviventer sp. and Mus musculus) from Manipur, which is located at the western foot of the mountain range. The sequences of B. manipulus and Niviventer sp. examined here were distinct from available congeneric sequences in the databases, with sequence divergences of 10-15%. Substantial degrees of intrapopulation divergence were detected in R. nitidus and the R. rattus species complex from Manipur, implying ancient habitation of the species in this region, while the recent introduction by modern and prehistoric human activities was suggested for R. norvegicus and M. musculus, respectively. In the nuclear gene Mc1r, also analyzed here, the R. rattus species complex from Manipur was shown to possess allelic sequences related to those from the Indian subcontinent in addition to those from East Asia. These results not only fill gaps in the phylogenetic knowledge of each taxon examined but also provide valuable insight to better understand the biogeographic importance of the Arakan Mountain system in generating the species and genetic diversity of murine rodents.

Rattus is the most studied genus all over the world but species of the genus are not thoroughly reported from Manipur. The present paper deals with the morphometric, cytotaxonomic and phylogenetic studies of Manipur, India. The different species of Rattus namely Rattus rattus, Rattus brunneusculus, Rattus tanezumi and Rattus nitidus were studied. Berylmys manipulus and Berylmys mackenziei were taken from the genus Berylmys. The studies of the species reveal that the polymorphic chromosomes in the genus Rattus were pair numbers that is, 1, 9, 10 and 13. The change of acrocentrics which are regarded as primitive/ancestral types of chromosomes into either subtelocentric or small metacentrics leads to speciation or simply new species particularly in Manipur. It is generally accepted cytologically that 2n=40 (Berylmys manipulus, B. mackenziei, R. kandianus etc) are derived from the 2n=42 through centric fusion/Robertsonian fusion, but the soft palate studies shows affinity of the species that is, B. manipulus and B. mackenziei from Manipur towards Niviventer. The present study is the first step towards the understanding of the relationship between these two genera-Rattus and Berylmys.

No-see-ums are biting midges of small size and difficult to spot belongs to the family Ceratogononodae. Their main feed comprised of blood of humans and animals. But the species of four genera attacked mammals. Both medically and veterinary these insects are very important of many diseases like Oropouche fever, manonellosis or Leishmaniasis. The records of over 4000 species from 78 genera of this family are cosmopolitan. There are over 4, 000 species in 78 genera worldwide for this family. The literature survey from Manipur on this family is not found. A survey of the insect was performed during 2019-2020 from different parts of the aquatic habitats like lake, pond and river. The larvae of the insect were captured and reared to obtain the full life cycle. The distinguishing morphological features of the larvae in the present study were presence of collar, epipharynx and anal bristles and they move quickly between the wet plant parts in their habitats with serpent like quick movement. The pupae were having prominent terminal processes in both the sexes. Adults were small with distinct black patches on the wings. The tentative identification of the species is Bezzia galesa. Their identities, diversity and control measures will be useful in preventing the diseases from such common insect for general population as well as the academic point.

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