Rodents (Order Rodentia) are one of the most speciose and diversified groups of the terrestrial mammals with several beneficial roles in the nature. They constitute 2277 known species which make 42% of total mammal fauna. They are reported to inhabit in all continents except Antarctica and several small islands. They perform several beneficial roles in the environment like soil aeration and mixing, insect control, spore and seed dispersal, succession of vegetation, pollination, nutrient cycling, and source of food for numerous predatory animals. Despite of several beneficial roles, rodents are also source of zoonotic pathogens. Rodents are important reservoirs of evolving zoonotic diseases because they come into close contact with livestock in the agricultural background and humans in urban zones. Almost 10% of rodent population is either carrier or reservoir of zoonotic pathogens of public health significance. Due to rapid development of agricultural and industrial change throughout the globe, has led to significant increase in zoonotic borne disease of rodents. Rodents transfer pathogenic agents to human through direct contact, and animals or via contamination of human food, water with rodents’ stool, or through urine. Arthropod vectors on skin of several rodents are also able to carry zoonotic pathogens. Several factors regulate human rodent pathogen transmission like rodent population handling, human socio-economic life style, and even war. Human activities such as animal trade, migration, urbanization, and large-scale travelling are facilitating factors in the rodent-pathogens transfer. This chapter will help in understand the role of rodents in human zoonotic transmission and way forward for their control preventive measures.

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Rotifers are zooplanktons that react more sharply to the environmental changes. Objective:To better understand the community composition of rotifers in Safari Zoo Lake, Lahore, PakistanMethods:We collected 16 water samples on monthly basis, dividing lake into four major sites: northern,southern, eastern, and western sites. Each of these was further subdivided into four locations, for a totalof 16 sampling sites. A total 23 rotifer species were recorded from the lake with Brachionus calyciorushaving maximum abundance. A species abundance curve was plotted between months and number ofspecies of rotifers indicating their lowest and highest abundance through the study period.Results:A Cluster Analysis yielded three main groups of closely related species including species likeBrachionus quadridentatus, Synchaeta stylata and Brachionus calyciorus etc. We used a PrincipalComponent Analysis (I and II) to study variation in the rotifer community on a seasonal basis and amongsampling sites. A biplot of Principal Component Analysis (PCA I) reected the relationship of rotifers withthe months. Some of the species showed a positive positive relationship, while others showed negativeone. PCA II was plotted between months and physico-chemical parameters showing their negative andpositive relations.Conclusion:We conclude that a lesser replacement of fresh water, increased density of waterfowl, reptilia andsolid waste left over during boating has resulted in eutrophication of lake leading to overall low diversity ofrotifers observed.

Temporary pools are relatively small water bodies with limited resources and are seasonally available.These freshwater bodies are rich source of microbial and planktonic life Objective: This survey wasconducted to find out the presence of rotifers in temporary pools formed in Jallo Park established in1978 and explore their density and diversity Methods: Sample collection was done from ten pools withthe help of a planktonic mesh. The counting was performed with a Sedgwick- Rafter chamber. Diversityindices like Shannon Weaver index etc. were applied Results: In present study 27 rotifer speciesbelonging to 14 genera were identified. The highest diversity and density was shown by Brachionus andLecane. There was even distribution in each pool. Results of ANOVA showed statistically significantdifference in population density and diversity Conclusions: This study has presented a guideline tofind out rotifer diversity which could be present in any water reservoir like temporary pool.

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