Biology subjects

Rajput, V.

Publications and source records attributed to Rajput, V..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

Water Hyacinth microbiome: metagenomic cues from environment and functionality in urban aquatic bodies

Water hyacinth (WH) is a widespread floating invasive aquatic plant having a prolific reproductive and dispersion rate. With the aid of its root-associated microbes, WH significantly modulates the ecosystems functioning. Despite their irrevocable importance, the WH microbiome remains unexplored in detail. Here, we present a shotgun analysis of WH rhizobiome (from urban rivers and a lake) and their surrounding water to unveil the diversity drivers and functional relationship. PCoA analysis revealed that microbial diversity of the WH is significantly shaped by the type of the aquatic bodies (River Vs Lake) (ANOSIM-R of 0.94 to 0.98 and R2 of 0.36 to 0.54). Temporal variations (River WH_2020 vs WH_2022) (R of 0.8 to 1 and R2 of 0.17 to 0.41) were observed in river WH, which could be mainly attributed to the transient taxa as there was higher sharing of core bacteria (48%). Also, the WH microbiome significantly differed (R= 0.46 to 1.0 and R2 of 0.18 to 0.52) from its surrounding water. WH inhabited more unique core members (42 to 45%), suggesting vertical transfer and selectivity in the microbiome. Functional metagenomics depicted the WH microbiome to harbour 140 pollutant-degrading enzymes involved in the degradation of various xenobiotic pollutants such as hydrocarbons, plastics, and dye. Moreover, an observed higher prevalence of metal and biocide resistance genes highlighted the persistence of resistant microbes assisting WH in environmental remediation application. HighlightsO_LIWater hyacinth (WH) from urban water bodies inhabited by diverse microbial population C_LIO_LIFirst study to report variability in WH microbiome amid aquatic bodies and their environment C_LIO_LILake WH showed more unique core (43%), and River WH shared core bacteria (48%) across time C_LIO_LI140 Pollutant degrading enzymes and 341 metal resistance genes indicates remediation potential C_LI

genomics↗

bioRxiv2022

Combinatorial encoding of odors in the mosquito antennal lobe

Among the cues that a mosquito uses to find a host for blood-feeding, the smell of the host plays an important role. Previous studies have shown that host odors contain hundreds of chemical odorants, which are detected by different receptors on the peripheral sensory organs of mosquitoes. But how individual odorants are encoded by downstream neurons in the mosquito brain is not known. We developed an in vivo preparation for patch-clamp electrophysiology to record from projection neurons and local neurons in the antennal lobe of Aedes aegypti. Combining intracellular recordings with dye-fills, morphological reconstructions, and immunohistochemistry, we identify different sub-classes of antennal lobe neurons and their putative interactions. Our recordings show that an odorant can activate multiple neurons innervating different glomeruli, and that the stimulus identity and its behavioral preference are represented in the population activity of the projection neurons. Our results provide the first detailed description of olfactory neurons in the central nervous system of mosquitoes and lay a foundation for understanding the neural basis of their olfactory behaviors.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2019

Fungal communities (Mycobiome) as potential ecological indicators within confluence stretch of Ganges and Yamuna Rivers, India

River confluences are a hub of biodiversity with limited information with respect to the structure and the functions of the microbial communities. The River Ganges is the national river of India, having manifold significance such as social, mythological, historic, geographic and agro-economic. It forms a sacred confluence (known as Triveni Sangam) with River Yamuna at Prayagraj, India. Recent reports indicated the presence of fecal coliform bacteria, an indicator recognized for water contamination in Ganges River leading to pollution. However, Fungi are also gaining attention as potential biological indicators of the trophic status of some rivers globally, but remain under-explored in terms of diversity, ecology and functional aspects. We performed whole long read, metagenome sequencing (MinION) of the sediment samples collected in December 2017 from confluence zone of Ganges and Yamuna Rivers spanning the pre-confluence, confluence and post-confluence zones. Mycobiome reads revealed a plethora of fungal communities, extending from saprophytes, endoparasites and edible fungi, to human pathogens, plant pathogens and toxin producers. The fungal genera recognized as bio-indicators of river pollution (Aspergillus, Penicillium) and eutrophication (Kluveromyces, Lodderomyces, and Nakaseomyces), were present in all samples. Functional gene analyses of myco-communities uncovered hits for neurodegenerative diseases and xenobiotic degradation potential, supporting bio-indicators of pollution. This study forms a foundational basis for understanding the impact of various anthropogenic activities on the mycobiome, as a bio-indicator of pollution across the confluence of Ganges and Yamuna Rivers and post-confluence of River Ganges, and could be useful in mitigating strategies for cleaning strategies of the Ganges River.

ecology↗