An
international journal on animal taxonomy,
diversity, ecology and zoogeography
ISSN: 0973-7871 (online)
ISSN: 0973-9955 (print)
Volume: 4, Number: 1
ISSN: 0973-7871(Online Edition)
Date of Publication: July 10, 2010
Editorial
July, 2010
All of us know the meaning of the word “Plagiarism”. It is the unauthorized use or close copying of the language and findings or thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work. While browsing through internet, we were shocked to see another kind of plagiarism, where some persons steal other’s published papers and publish them in their own books as chapters without the knowledge of the original author and original publisher. These thieves represent another kind of plagiarist who also does copyright infringement by their acts. They do it probably for two reasons: 1) Publish their edited books and make money by selling them; 2) Get acceptance of their book by showing the people that their book contains chapters by established well known authors, since no established author will accept their requests for contributing a chapter to their books.
While browsing in the ‘Google books’, we found that two professors of India have published two books (independently) in which they included two already published research papers of T.C. Narendran without his knowledge. The books published by them are: 1) Recent Advances in Ecobiological Research, vol.1:630 pages (1998 with print date 1997); 2) Biodiversity and conservation, 166-168 pp. The editor of the former book, who is a professor has included approximately three-fourths of the author’s paper “Alpha taxonomy of some Eupelmidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from India” published in Entomon in 1996 and approximately one forth of the author’s paper “Two new species of the rare genus Xenanastatus Boucek and a key to species from the Indo-Australian region” published in 1998 in Senckenbergiana Biologica, 77(2): 207 p. While doing this, the editor of the book made some very serious distortions too in the said paper as follows: 1. Altered the “Introduction”; 2. The description of new species including the words “sp.nov.” were copied verbatim, creating junior synonymy; 3. Combined two of the author’s earlier papers into one paper; 4. Changed the valid generic name of Reikosiella crisagatra to Hirticauda crisagatra. (Hirticauda is an established junior synonym of Reikosiella) and resulted in a junior synonymy. The editor of the second book copied verbatim the paper by T.C. Narendran, K. Sudheer, and B.K. Das, “Description of a new species of Mangostigmus Boucek (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) parasitic on mango gall midge from India”, published in 2004, in Journal of Current Sciences 5 (2): 502-504”and included it as the contribution made by T.C. Narendran. There may be several other instances of such scientific/literary theft existing elsewhere without our notice or knowledge. Thanks to the “Google search” which help very greatly in exposing such illegal literary thefts.
We strongly condemn such ‘literary piracy’ and copy right violations and warn all our colleagues to be aware of this. A Google search by any one can very easily find out the culprits and the publishers of the crimes committed mentioned here.
Biosystematica,4(1):5-14 (2010-07-10)
Accepted: 2010-05-18
Field observations on the mating behaviour of
the Oriental Rioxa sexmaculata (van der Wulp) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and
a review of the reproductive behaviour patterns in Acanthonevrini
Author[s]: DAMIR KOVAC, PATRICK DOHM & AMNON FREIDBERG
Abstract:
The mating of Rioxa sexmaculata was observed
on fallen tree trunks in north Thailand. Males attracted females by raising
their abdomen, inflating two pleural vesicles and probably releasing sex
pheromones (“pheromonal calling”). They established territories on tree trunk
surface areas containing bark-beetle holes. Males defended their territories
against opponents and allowed females to lay eggs in the bark-beetle holes only
after copulation. These observations reveal that Rioxa exhibits a
resource defence mating system. The reproductive behaviour of R. sexmaculata
is compared to other Acanthonevrini with respect to larval habitat, oviposition
site, pheromonal calling, mating trophallaxis, sexual dimorphism, resource
guarding, copulation duration and mating system.
Biosystematica,4(1):15-23 (2010-07-10)
Accepted: 2010-06-14
Diversity and Status of Fish Fauna of the River
Drainage Systems of Himachal Pradesh in Western Himalaya, India
Author[s]: INDU SHARMA
Abstract:
Ichthyofaunal samples from the river-drainages
systems of Himachal Pradesh were collected and studied to determine the
diversity and present status of the species. The study revealed the presence of
97 species belongingto 51 genera, 18 families
and 6 orders, of which the members of the family Cyprinidae constituted an
overwhelming majority. Eight species belonging to families Cyprinidae,
Balitoridae and Sisoridae have the type localities within the State. Himachal
Pradesh is rapidly progressing through harnessing hydroelectric energy by
damming larger rivers and their tributaries in high altitude areas. Such
man-made impoundments and other anthropogenic activities have resulted in
drastic changes in the habitats of fish fauna with consequent negative impact
on diversity and abundance of fishes in the river-drainages of the state.Wanton modification of aquatic habitats is
detrimental to the survival of the fish fauna and indigenous fishery in the
state.
Biosystematica,4(1):25-30 (2010-07-10)
Accepted: 2010-05-02
Studies on the life cycle of Nosomma monstrosum (Nuttall
& Warburton)(Acarina: Ixodidae)
Author[s]: K. PRAKASAN & N. RAMANI
Abstract:
Nosomma monstrosum was recognized as an ixodid tick parasite infesting
chiefly buffalo and also cow. During the present study, data were collected on
the biological aspects of N. monstrosum based on experimental
infestation made on albino rats in the laboratory. Under laboratory condition,
the development of the species was completed within 54-65 days. The newly
emerged adults resumed feeding activitywithin 7-8 days after moulting and their active feeding period
lastedfor 17-30 days. After 4 days of
pre-oviposition period, the females started oviposition which lasted for 9-11
days. Thus the species required84-109
days for the completion of life cycle.Further, contrary to the earlier record of the species as a three host
tick,results of the present study
indicated the possibility thatN.
monstrosum is a two-host tick since the larval stages of the species often
moulted into nymphs by remaining attached on to the body of the host animals.
Biosystematica,4(1):31-38 (2010-07-10)
Accepted: 2010-02-13
Morphometrics of the genus Hipposideros
from Northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra
Author[s]: VISHAKHA S. KORAD, RUPESH N. RAUT & M. S. PRADHAN
Abstract:
Morphometric studies of species of Hipposideros
from Northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra were carried out. The study was
carried out on 42 individuals based on 21 morphological characters.
Multivariate analysis of allometrically scaled cranial, dental and external
character measurements was carried out. Discriminant factor analysis (DFA) showed
formation of three clusters for five species. Phylogenetic analysis showed
three subtrees for Hipposideros fulvus and two clusters for H.
speoris group predicating possible cryptic species in these groups.
Biosystematica,4(1):39-58 (2010-07-10)
Accepted: 2010-05-30
Studies on Acridoidea
(Orthoptera) of Western Uttar Pradesh
Thirty
three species of locusts and grasshoppers representing thirty genera, eleven
subfamilies and four tribes belonging to the families Pyrgomorphidae,
Catantopidae and Acrididae are reported from different localities of Western
Uttar Pradesh. Localities surveyed and distribution of each species collected
from Western Uttar Pradesh is discussed. Their distinguishing characters and
economic importance are given. Bio ecological data on the species and their
relationship with vegetation are also provided. A comprehensive report of
Acridoid fauna of this region is given for the first time.
