Browsing by Author "Prabhu Nath Shukla"

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Environmental determinants of soil methane oxidation and methanotrophs
(2013) Prabhu Nath Shukla; K.D. Pandey; Virendra Kumar Mishra
Methane (CH4) is one of the strongest greenhouse gases. Sources of CH4 are anthropogenic and natural, former playing ∼60% role. Major sink for CH4 are the atmospheric OH and Cl radicals (originating from CFCs), and biological system. Biological CH4 sink is mediated through the CH4 oxidation by the specialized group of bacteria called methanotrophs (MB). Methanotrophs have been reported from almost all the soil systems such as sediments, oceans, extremes of pH, salinity, and temperature. They oxidize methane aerobically in the presence of the enzyme methane monooxygenase (MMO). Anaerobic methane oxidation (AOM) also occurs in marine ecosystem where sulfate is final electron acceptor. Methanotrophs are of two types, first is cultured and low affinity group while the second is uncultured and high affinity group. Most of them can be grouped as Type I and Type II belonging to γ-and α-Proteobacteria, respectively. They may constitute up to 2% of total bacterial population in soil depending on physical factors such as water, temperature, soil depth, pH, texture, gaseous atmosphere (methane, oxygen, and CO2), soil organic content, and biological factors such as vegetation and microbial consortia. Besides, anthropogenic factors such as fertilizers, agro-and organochemicals, and land use pattern have strong influence over them. Global climate change including acid rain, high temperature, increasing rainfall, and drought have potential to affect the global methane sink activity. The authors attempt to review the recent advances made regarding CH4 oxidation and methanotrophic population size as well as community structure as affected by the various natural and anthropogenic factors. © 2013 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
Factors influencing livestock grazing in Pench Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra
(Springer Nature, 2025) Prabhu Nath Shukla; E. C. Rao; Virendra kumar Mishra
Livestock grazing is a globally common land-use practice, impacting the micro- and macro-ecological dynamics. It is one of the most important managerial issues in the protected areas of India, which are home to most of the floral and faunal biodiversity of country. This study examines the intricate relationship between livestock grazing and factors within the Pench Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, focusing on the extent of grazing and its correlations with socio-ecological variables. We performed Spearman’s rank, Pearson, and Kendall’s Tau correlation tests, coupled with fixed kernel density analysis, and gathered empirical insights into grazing patterns. Results reveal that 15.33% of the total area of the PTR, and 9.12% of its core area, is subject to livestock grazing. Correlation analyses unveil nuanced associations between grazing and demographic variables. While the number of families and livestock numbers inversely correlate with grazing within the core, the percentage of tribal population exhibits a positive correlation, underscoring socio-cultural dimensions of grazing practices. Furthermore, environmental parameters such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and elevation exhibit significant correlations with grazing patterns, indicating ecological preferences and constraints. This study highlights the critical need for holistic management strategies that factor in socio-demographic dynamics and stakeholder engagement in forest management activities for sustainable conservation practices. © The Author(s) 2025.
First photographic record of a Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis (Kerr, 1792) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in central India
(Zoo Outreach Organisation, 2025) Prabhu Nath Shukla; Bilal Habib; Virendra kumar Mishra; Sumedh Lomesh Bobade; E. C. Rao; Kanishka
We report the first documented presence of the Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis in central India, significantly expanding the known range of the species. Camera trapping in Pench Tiger Reserve from 3 February to 3 March 2024, Maharashtra, revealed the presence of a Leopard Cat in one of 296 surveyed grid cells of 2 km2 each. The detection occurred in a seasonal stream with undulating, rocky terrain, and 40% canopy cover. The surrounding habitat was characterized by a mix of dense forest and human-dominated landscape, consistent with the species’ known adaptability and tolerance of human disturbance. This unexpected finding challenges previous assumptions about Leopard Cat distribution in India and has important implications for felid conservation in the region. Further studies would be required to ascertain whether this individual belongs to a distinct population or is an extension of already reported population in the country. © Shukla et al. 2025. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and distribution of this article in any medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publication.
Salt stress tolerance of methylotrophic bacteria Methylophilus sp. and Methylobacterium sp. Isolated from coal mine spoils
(Polish Society of Microbiologists, 2013) Deen Dayal Giri; Ajay Kumar; Prabhu Nath Shukla; Ritu Singh; P.K. Singh; Kapil Deo Pandey
Two methylotrophic strains of Bina coalmine spoil BNV7b and BRV25 were identified based on physiological traits and 16S rDNA sequence as Methylophilus and Methylobacterium species. The strains exhibited similar carbon utilization but differed in N utilization and their response to the metabolic inhibitors. Methylophilus sp. was less tolerant to salt stress and it viability declined to one tenth within 4 h of incubation in 2M NaCl due to membrane damage and leakage of the intracellular electrolytes as evident from malondiaaldehyde (MDA) assay. In 200 mM NaCl, they exhibited increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity while in 500 mM NaCl, enzyme activities declined in Methylophilus sp. and increased in Methylobacterium sp. Among exogenously applied osmoprotectants proline was most efficient; however, polyols (mannitol, sorbitol and glycerol) also supported growth under lethal NaCl concentration.
Variation in methanotrophic bacterial population along an altitude gradient at two slopes in tropical dry deciduous forest
(2007) Deen Dayal Giri; Prabhu Nath Shukla; Sudhanshu Kashyap; Priti Singh; Ajai Kumar Kashyap; Kapil Deo Pandey
Soil samples were collected from Panchamarhi dry deciduous forest in Satpuda Biosphere Reserve, India to determine the effect of hill slopes and altitude on the population size of methanotrophic bacteria. Population size, in range of 4×105-3.6×107 g-1 dry soil, was negatively correlated with altitude and increased exponentially (r2 = 0.97, P<0.001) at steep slope (60°) while logarithmically (r2 = 0.97, P<0.001) at low slope (45°). Soil organic C, total N, and soil moisture increased while C/N ratio and temperature decreased down the hill slope. The results indicated that nutritional status of the soil across the slopes determines the methanotrophic bacterial population size. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.