AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this work is to demonstrate the use of a standardized health informatics framework to generate reliable and reproducible real-world evidence from Latin America and South Asia towards characterizing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Global South.Materials and MethodsPatient-level COVID-19 records collected in a patient self-reported notification system, hospital in-patient and out-patient records, and community diagnostic labs were harmonized to the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership common data model and analyzed using a federated network analytics framework. Clinical characteristics of individuals tested for, diagnosed with or tested positive for, hospitalized with, admitted to intensive care unit with, or dying with COVID-19 were estimated.ResultsTwo COVID-19 databases covering 8.3 million people from Pakistan and 2.6 million people from Bahia, Brazil were analyzed. 109 504 (Pakistan) and 921 (Brazil) medical concepts were harmonized to Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership common data model. In total, 341 505 (4.1%) people in the Pakistan dataset and 1 312 832 (49.2%) people in the Brazilian dataset were tested for COVID-19 between January 1, 2020 and April 20, 2022, with a median [IQR] age of 36 [25, 76] and 38 (27, 50); 40.3% and 56.5% were female in Pakistan and Brazil, respectively. 1.2% percent individuals in the Pakistan dataset had Afghan ethnicity. In Brazil, 52.3% had mixed ethnicity. In agreement with international findings, COVID-19 outcomes were more severe in men, elderly, and those with underlying health conditions.ConclusionsCOVID-19 data from 2 large countries in the Global South were harmonized and analyzed using a standardized health informatics framework developed by an international community of health informaticians. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates a potential open science framework for global knowledge mobilization and clinical translation for timely response to healthcare needs in pandemics and beyond.

HomePlant DiseaseVol. 103, No. 6First Report of Rhizopus stolonifer Causing Postharvest Fruit Rot of Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) from Pakistan PreviousNext DISEASE NOTES OPENOpen Access licenseFirst Report of Rhizopus stolonifer Causing Postharvest Fruit Rot of Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) from PakistanM. F. Aslam, G. Irshad, A. S. Gondal, M. N. Sajid, F. Naz, M. Z. Karamat, A. Bashir, S. Hyder, and R. AhmedM. F. Aslam†Corresponding author: M. F. Aslam; E-mail Address: farooqch.96@gmail.comhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-1864-0992Department of Plant Pathology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan; Search for more papers by this author, G. IrshadDepartment of Plant Pathology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan; Search for more papers by this author, A. S. Gondalhttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-3701-0897Department of Plant Pathology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan; Search for more papers by this author, M. N. SajidPotato Research Station Sahowali, Sialkot, Pakistan; and Search for more papers by this author, F. NazDepartment of Plant Pathology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan; Search for more papers by this author, M. Z. KaramatDepartment of Plant Pathology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan; Search for more papers by this author, A. BashirDepartment of Plant Pathology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan; Search for more papers by this author, S. Hyderhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-6094-5650Department of Plant Pathology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan; Search for more papers by this author, and R. Ahmedhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-9673-8610Department of Plant Pathology, University of The Poonch Rawalakot, PakistanSearch for more papers by this authorAffiliationsAuthors and Affiliations M. F. Aslam1 † G. Irshad1 A. S. Gondal1 M. N. Sajid2 F. Naz1 M. Z. Karamat1 A. Bashir1 S. Hyder1 R. Ahmed3 1Department of Plant Pathology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan; 2Potato Research Station Sahowali, Sialkot, Pakistan; and 3Department of Plant Pathology, University of The Poonch Rawalakot, Pakistan Published Online:2 Apr 2019https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-18-0809-PDNAboutSections ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmailWechat Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) was among one of the first fruits cultivated in Asia. In Pakistan, this fruit is becoming increasingly important and cultivation has expanded to an area of 1,415 ha (Alam et al. 2018). During a survey of 29 different market locations in the districts of Rawalpindi and Swat, loquat fruits with dark brown water-soaked irregular lesions were found, with disease incidence ranging from 33 to 42%. The lesions subsequently enlarged, leading to fruit rot after 4 days of incubation at room temperature (25 ± 2°C). Diseased portions of the fruits were cut into small pieces (5 mm) and surface sterilized with 1% sodium hypochlorite for 3 to 5 min, followed by a rinse with sterile distilled water, blotting on filter paper, and plating onto potato dextrose agar medium. The plates were incubated at 25 ± 2°C for 5 days. Fungal colonies purified on Czapek–Dox medium had a white cottony growth that later turned gray to brown. Rapidly growing fungal mycelia were characterized by numerous stolons connecting groups of unbranched, solitary, hyaline to light dark sporangiophores (6.9 to 14.1 × 5.3 to 9.7 μm). Each sporangiophore terminated in 82 to 187 × 93 to 195 μm wide columella. Sporangia were round shaped, dark-colored, having light brown oval spores, and were 121.3 to 246 μm in diameter. Rhizoids were found at the nodal position adjacent to the sporangiophore. These characteristics were identical to Rhizopus stolonifer as described by Lin et al. (2017). Molecular identification was conducted by amplifying the internal transcribed spacer ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region using ITS1 and ITS4 primers (Zhang et al. 2011) and subsequent sequencing. The consensus sequences of two isolates were submitted to GenBank (accessions MH348275 and MH348276). Nucleotide BLAST analyses of approximately 650- to 780-bp fragments showed that the sequences had 100% identity with the gene sequences of R. stolonifer (GenBank accessions FN401529 and AM933545). Koch’s postulates were conducted by first surface sterilizing fruits with ethanol for 2 to 3 min. Subsequently, the fruits were wounded with a sterilized needle, one wound per fruit, and mycelial plugs from a 5-day-old fungal culture growing on Czapek–Dox medium were placed onto each wound (Palou et al. 2013). For each of the isolates, five fruits were inoculated. A set of wounded healthy fruits were used as a control. The experiment was repeated three times. The fruits were kept at room temperature and were examined every 12 h. Two days after inoculation, symptoms were observed on the inoculated fruits that were similar to the original symptoms observed on fruits collected from the markets, whereas control fruits were symptomless. To our knowledge, this is the first report worldwide of R. stolonifer causing postharvest fruit rot of loquat. The study will be helpful in devising management strategies against postharvest fruit rot of loquat.The author(s) declare no conflict of interest.References:Alam, M. W., et al. 2018. Plant Dis. 102:2034. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-03-18-0408-PDN Link, ISI, Google ScholarLin, C., et al. 2017. Plant Dis. 101:254. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-07-16-1033-PDN Link, ISI, Google ScholarPalou, L., et al. 2013. Plant Dis. 97:421. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-08-12-0728-PDN Link, ISI, Google ScholarZhang, J., et al. 2011. Plant Dis. 95:872. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-01-11-0010 Link, ISI, Google ScholarThe author(s) declare no conflict of interest.Funding: Funding was provided by Higher Education Commission, Pakistan.DetailsFiguresLiterature CitedRelated Vol. 103, No. 6 June 2019SubscribeISSN:0191-2917e-ISSN:1943-7692 DownloadCaptionGreen mottle mosaic and leaf deformation symptoms on watermelon (Sui, Li, Shamimuzzaman, Wu, and Ling). Photo credit: K.-S. Ling. Postharvest rot on cucumber caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata (Li, Xu, Zhang, Song, Xie, Sun, and Huang). Photo credit: H. Song. Metrics Article History Issue Date: 6 Jun 2019Published: 2 Apr 2019First Look: 29 Jan 2019Accepted: 27 Jan 2019 Pages: 1410-1410 Information© 2019 The American Phytopathological SocietyFundingHigher Education Commission, PakistanThe author(s) declare no conflict of interest.Cited byThe Regulatory Mechanisms and Control Technologies of Chilling Injury and Fungal Diseases of Postharvest Loquat Fruit12 December 2022 | Plants, Vol. 11, No. 24Synthesis and characterization of titanium dioxide nanoparticles by chemical and green methods and their antifungal activities against wheat rustChemosphere, Vol. 258

Grapes (Vitis vinifera) are the important fruit crop in Pakistan, mostly cultivated for edible purpose. In September 2016, unusual fruit rot symptoms were observed 3-5 days after harvesting on grapes cv. Kishmishi in post-harvest packing houses in Jehlum district (32°56'22.3"N 73°43'31.4"E) of Punjab province. To determine the disease incidence, a total of 10 boxes of grapes from 5 different locations were selected randomly. Each box contained average 12 bunches and 30 bunches out of 120 inspected bunches displayed typical symptoms of the disease. The initial Symptoms were small, round, water-soaked lesions that rapidly developed into soft, white to light pink mycelium near the centre of infected fruits (Figure 1). A total of 186 symptomatic berries were surface sterilized with 1% sodium hypochlorite, rinsed three times with sterile distilled water and dried by placing on filter paper for 45 sec. Sterilized tissues (approximately 4 mm3) were excised and incubated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium at 25 ± 4°C. One week after incubation, colonies with abundant aerial mycelium were initially white, cottony and turned to violet and dark purple with age (Figure 2). A total of 25 isolates were examined morphologically. Macroconidia were slender, thin-walled, 3 to 5 septate, curved apical cell, with 20.9 to 45.2 × 3.2 to 7.1 μm and Microconidia were thin-walled, aseptate, club-shaped with 4.5 to 11.2 × 2.3 to 4.1 μm (Figure 3). These characteristics best fit for the description of Fusarium proliferatum (Leslie and Summerell, 2006). Portions of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region were sequenced (White et al., 1990). Sequences of two isolates Fus 07 and Fus 09 (GenBank Accessions; MH444366 and MH464139) showed 100% identity to the corresponding gene sequences of Fusarium proliferatum (GenBank Accessions; MH368119, MF033172 and KU939071) (Figure 4). Pathogenicity test was performed by inoculation with 50-μl conidial suspension (1 × 106conidia/ml) of two isolates onto three non-wounded and four wounded asymptomatic grapes berries. Sterile distilled water was used for a negative control (Figure 5). The experiment was conducted twice and berries were incubated at 25 ± 2°C in sterile moisture chambers (Ghuffar et al., 2018). White to light pink mycelium in appearance with the original symptoms were observed on both wounded and non-wounded inoculated berries after 3 days, whereas no symptoms were observed on the negative control. The morphology of the fungus that was re-isolated from each of the inoculated berries was identical to that of the original cultures. Fusarium proliferatum, one of the destructive species, causes diseases like foot-rot of corn (Farr et al., 1990), root rot of soybean (Díaz Arias et al., 2011), bakanae of rice (Zainudin et al., 2008), wilt of date palm (Khudhair et al., 2014), tomato wilt (Chehri, 2016) and tomato fruit rot (Murad et al., 2016). To our knowledge, this is the first report of Fusarium proliferatum causing fruit rot of grapes in Pakistan, where the disease poses a significant threat to the sustainability of this major fruit crop.

HomePlant DiseaseVol. 102, No. 6First Report of Postharvest Rot Caused by Pestalotiopsis sp. on Grapes in Punjab, Pakistan PreviousNext DISEASE NOTES OPENOpen Access licenseFirst Report of Postharvest Rot Caused by Pestalotiopsis sp. on Grapes in Punjab, PakistanS. Ghuffar, G. Irshad, F. Naz, X. Y. Zhang, A. Bashir, H. L. Yang, F. Y. Zhai, and M. L. GleasonS. Ghuffar†Corresponding author: S. Ghuffar; E-mail: E-mail Address: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author, G. IrshadSearch for more papers by this author, F. NazSearch for more papers by this author, X. Y. ZhangSearch for more papers by this author, A. BashirSearch for more papers by this author, H. L. YangSearch for more papers by this author, F. Y. ZhaiSearch for more papers by this author, and M. L. GleasonSearch for more papers by this authorAffiliationsAuthors and Affiliations S. Ghuffar † G. Irshad F. Naz , Department of Plant Pathology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan X. Y. Zhang , Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA A. Bashir , Department of Plant Pathology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan H. L. Yang , Bazhou Agricultural Technology Promotion Center, China F. Y. Zhai , Henan Institute of Science and Technology, China M. L. Gleason , Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA. Published Online:16 Apr 2018https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-08-17-1281-PDNAboutSections ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmailWechat Grapes (Vitis vinifera L.), a major crop in Pakistan, are cultivated mostly for the fresh market. In June 2016, severe fruit rot was observed in packing houses in Rawalpindi (33°38′19.2″N, 73°01′45.0″E) and Chakwal (32°56′01.5″N, 72°50′37.1″E) districts of Punjab province on cvs. King’s Ruby and Perlette after 3 to 5 days of postharvest storage. To determine incidence of symptoms, 10 boxes of each grape variety were selected randomly from each of five packing houses per district. Disease incidence was recorded at 4 to 6%. Initial symptoms occurred mainly on wounded berries; following infection, the fruit skin turned reddish brown, after which the area of discolored skin increased and whitish mycelium developed on the lesions. A total of 400 symptomatic berries were surface sterilized by immersing cheese cloth bags containing detached berries in 1% sodium hypochlorite for 1 min, then rinsing three times with sterile distilled water and allowing the berries to dry by placing them on filter paper for 45 s. Surface sterilized tissues at the margins of lesions were excised into 4-mm3 segments and then transferred to potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 25 ± 2°C. After 1 week, fungal colonies were white, floccose, and cottony, with black acervuli forming distinct concentric rings. A total of 29 isolates were examined morphologically; conidia were fusiform, straight or slightly curved, 4 to 5 celled, and 19.7 to 30.2 × 4.8 to 6.2 μm. The color of conidia was dark umber to olivaceous with a darker band at the septum between cells. Two to three appendages (22.6 ± 0.6 μm long) appeared at the apex of each conidium; apical appendages were not knobbed, whereas the basal end had a single appendage with a knobbed tip that was 5.7 ± 0.4 μm long. According to colony and conidia morphology, the isolates were identified as Pestalotiopsis clavispora (G.F. Atk.) Steyaert (González et al. 2012; Guba 1961). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS1, 5.8s, and ITS2) region of isolates PSTL01, PSTL06, and PSTL12 was amplified using ITS1 and ITS4 primers. Sequence comparison revealed 99% genetic homology (accession nos. MF448223, MF571908, and MF571909) with previously reported isolates of P. clavispora (KY319134 and KM402033). To confirm pathogenicity, 10-µl aliquots of conidial suspension (106 spores/ml) of PSTL01, PSTL06, or PSTL12 were pipetted onto three nonwounded and four wounded asymptomatic grape berries of cv. King’s Ruby per isolate; sterile distilled water was used as a negative control. The berries were incubated at 25 ± 2°C in sterile moist chambers, and the experiment was conducted twice. After 3 days, whitish mycelium and sunken lesions, similar in appearance to the original lesions, developed on both wounded and nonwounded inoculated berries, whereas no symptoms appeared on the negative controls. The morphology of the fungus that was reisolated on PDA was identical to that of the original cultures. Pestalotiopsis sp. has been reported to cause postharvest fruit rot on grapes in Korea (Deng et al. 2013). To our knowledge, this is the first report of Pestalotiopsis sp. causing fruit rot of grapes in Pakistan, where the disease poses a significant threat to sustainability of grape producers.References:Deng, J. X., et al. 2013. Australas. Plant Dis. Notes 8:111. Crossref, Google ScholarGonzález, P., et al. 2012. Plant Dis. 96:914. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-11-1070-PDN Link, ISI, Google ScholarGuba, E. F. 1961. Monograph of Pestalotia and Monocheatia. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA. Google ScholarDetailsFiguresLiterature CitedRelated Vol. 102, No. 6 June 2018SubscribeISSN:0191-2917e-ISSN:1943-7692 Metrics Article History Issue Date: 25 May 2018Published: 16 Apr 2018First Look: 13 Dec 2017Accepted: 11 Dec 2017 Pages: 1175-1175 Information© 2018 The American Phytopathological Society

The present study was conducted to detect seed borne mycoflora associated with seven cultivars of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and five cultivars of Zinnia (Zinnia elegans L.) by using Agar and Blotter paper methods. A total 12 genera of fungi were detected including; Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium sp., Stemphylium helianthi, Penicillium sp., Fusarium oxysporum, Mucor sp., Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium solani, Rhizocotonia solani and Rhizopus sp. The detected fungi depleted germination 10-30%, 10-20% and seedling mortality 10-17%, 10-12%. in sunflower and Zinnia respectively. A comparative study was designed to evaluate three fungicides to control seed mycoflora at the rate of of 1.5g/kg, 2.0g/kg, 2.5g/kg, 3.0g/kg, Maximum germination percentage was attained in case of seed dressing with Topsin M-70 followed by Bayton and Dithane M-45 at the rate of 3.0g/kg.

In India the distribution of genus Triplophysa has been reported only in the upper drainage of theIndus River in Jammu and Kashmir and Lahul and Spiti area of Himachal Pradesh. There is no study on thetaxonomic characterization of this genus from Kashmir Himalaya. Therefore the present study was aimed tocharacterize two important fish species Triplophysa marmorata and T. kashmirensis from Kashmir valley, byusing morphometric and molecular tools. It is difficult to discriminate these two species due to the poor qualityof original descriptions, and the lack of good reviews. Keeping this in view, a morphometric and molecularstudy was conducted. Morphometric data were analyzed by using univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) andmultivariate analyses (Principal component analysis) and mtDNA marker Cytochrome oxidase 1 was used formolecular support. Altogether, 22 morphometric characters were used and 15 characters were found significantlyvariable (P < 0.05). First two components of principal component analysis (PCA) i.e. PC1 and PC2 groupedthese two species into separate clusters. The Cytochrome oxidase 1 analysis showed that the mean intraspecificnucleotide divergence (K2P) was 0.001 and interspecific nucleotide divergence was 0.007. Despite havinglow K2P divergence, these two species got separated into two distinct clades in both Neighbour joining (NJ)and Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) tree building methods. But the patternof clade formation showed that these species were recently radiated from each other and may have the sameancestor. Furthermore, these two species were found closer to Nemacheilidae than to Balitoridae family inthe phylogenetic analysis. The molecular divergence between these species was also supported by variance inmorphometric data. This work may build the base for the revision of taxonomic identity of these two importantfishes of genus Triplophysa. The present investigation formulated that, based on morphological and mtDNA COIsequences analysis, these two taxonomic Triplophysa species should be considered as valid. The results may furtherassist to enhance the knowledge of the ichthyologists in understanding the ichthyofauna of Kashmir Valleyand will help them in planning strategies for conservation and management of these less studied small indigenousspecies along their natural range of distribution.

Introduction: In clinical practice, it was observed that TB patients rarely develop bronchial asthma. Objectives: To compare asthma prevalence in TB and non-TB patients. To compare the number of asthma attacks and severity before and after TB infection. Design and settings: The study was performed in 2013 on 322 adult TB Sudanese patients ( 194 from Khartoum and 128 from Kosti ). Subjects had completed a questionnaire containing data about incidence, number of attacks and severity of asthma. The prevalence of asthma in TB patients was compared to reference asthma prevalence in non-TB subjects. The number of asthma attacks and severity of symptoms before and after development of TB were compared. Results: In Khartoum: The prevalence of asthma in TB patients was 5% compared to 10% in non-TB patients (1). 80% of asthmatic TB patients had developed asthma before TB. 88% of asthmatic TB patients had reported an increase in the umber of asthma attacks before TB and 75% had reported an increase in asthma severity before they developed TB. In Kosti: The prevalence of asthma in TB patients was 5% compared to 6.4% in non-TB patients (1). 86% of asthmatic TB patients had developed asthma before TB. All asthmatic TB patients had reported an increase in number of asthma attacks before TB and 83% had reported an increase in asthma severity before they developed TB Conclusion: It had been found that TB infection decreased asthma prevalence, number of attacks and severity of symptoms.

Few studies have been done to explain gender difference in lung function and none was conclusive. This study questions whether there is a gender difference in respiratory muscle power and its correlation with the lung function values. The study included two groups of University students 25 males and 25 females matched for age, height and weight. They were of the same ethnic class, socioeconomic status and perfect health. Height and weight were measured using standard scales. Lung Function Tests (FVC, FEV1 & PEF) were performed using a digital spirometer and maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP &MEP) as indicators for respiratory muscle power were measured using a digital Respiratory Pressure Meter. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and independent ttest was used to compare the mean difference in results. The mean FVC (L), FEV1 (L) and PEF (L/min) were significantly higher in the males group (p<0.001). Similarly, mean MEP and MIP (cm/H2O) were significantly higher in the males group with a significant positive correlation between respiratory muscle power indicators (MEP or MIP) and lung function parameters (FEV1, FVC and PEF in both sexes (p < 0.001, r = 0.74). The study concluded that gender variation in lung function is likely explained by gender difference in the power of the respiratory muscles KeywordsGender and lung function; Respiratory muscle power; Pulmonary function test

There is a significant taxonomic ambiguity among snow trout species due to their morphometric similarities. In view of this, a morphometric and molecular study was conducted on five different species of genus Schizothorax that have been reported from Kashmir valley. Morphometric data analyzed using multivariate statistics (Principal component analysis and cluster analysis) indicated the significant grouping of species to individual clusters. Mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene analysis revealed 0.2%-4.5% genetic divergence among the five species. This study confirms that utility of cytochrome oxidase I in species delineation along with morphometric data. Phylogenetic tree obtained using Neighbor-Joining method revealed that all the five species represented distinct species group. The Schizothorax genus formed two distinct clades; one containing S. niger, S. curvifrons and S. plagiostomus, while other clade containing S. esocinus and S. labiatus. This phlogeny trend was also supported by cluster analysis of morphometric characters. The phylogenetic analysis with other published COI sequences revealed distinct nature of these five species. The study may aid in the taxonomic identification of snow trout species in India. This may further increase the knowledge of the ichthyologists in planning conservation and management strategies for these important fish species along with their natural habitat.

2 Abstract: The Present Study provides morphometric and meristic characteristics of Triplophysa marmorata from Kashmir valley which can be used for the management and conservation of this fish species in the Jhelum River of valley. By using different fishing gears a total of 45 samples were collected. The meristic characters of all the samples were D. III-7, A. III-5, P. I-9, V. I-7, C. 17. The total length ranged from 7.4-14 cm whereas, total weight of body ranged from 2- 19.3g. With the total length all other morphometric characters showed positive correlation and highest correlation was shown by fork length (0.99), whereas least correlation (0.44) was shown by distance from anal fin to caudal fin base (DACB). Correlation between head length and other head morphometric characters also showed positive correlation with snout length (SnL) showing maximum (0.87) and eye diameter (ED) minimum (0.49) correlation.

Cyprinus carpio (var. communis) and Carassius carassius (family Cyprinidae) are morphologically well characterized fish species but the ambiguity persists in their identification at very juvenile stage. This ambiguity could be more harmful in case of initial stocking of fries or in processed fish products that lack distinct morphological characters. The present study was conducted to characterize these species using molecular markers which could aid their decisive characterization. The molecular characterization was carried out using COI gene (620 bp) region. The results revealed a very low intra-specific nucleotide sequence divergence within both the species, whereas mean inter-specific nucleotide variation between the species was 0.154 (range 0.133–0.164). The sequences were also compared to the other species of genus Cyprinus and Carassius to depict their relationship with congeneric species as well as validation of molecular characterization. The topology of phylogenetic tree indicates the hetero-specificity of studied species from one another as well as to their congeneric one. Both the species were clustered in individual clades and grouped neighboring to the available reference sequences of the species. On the basis of present study it may concluded that CO1 gene region (620 bp) is suitable for molecular characterization of both the species which will also supplement their morphological characterization. Also the sequences can be utilized as reference in future molecular studies like population genetics and stock structure analysis of both the species.

2 Abstract: The present study aims to describe the meristic and morphometric characteristics of Crossocheilus diplochilus from a tributary of Indus River basin, India. Altogether 41 specimens ranging from 10.0 - 17.0 cm total length (TL) and 12.16 - 41.22 g body weight (BW) were used for the study of the morphometric and meristic characteristics using different local fishing gears. The morphometric characteristics on the head express greater variation in head height (SD=7.46) than those from the body in pre-anal fin length (SD=4.14). The highly correlated body parameter in relation to total length was standard length (r=0.996) and distance from anal fin to caudal fin base was found least correlated (r=0.804) and strong correlations were observed between head length and pre-orbital length (r=0.931) and least correlation between head length and head height (r=0.829). Even though the values of correlation coefficient (r) vary between 0.804 (distance from anal fin to caudal fin base) and 0.996 (standard length), they are all strongly significant (P<0.001). The correlation analysis shows that all morphometric traits change proportionally with increase in the total length. These results generate the baseline data on morphometry of C. diplochilus which help in easy identification and will help in the development of a strategy for conservation of the natural stocks of C. diplochilus in Indus basin, India.