Abdul Majid Khan

University of the Punjab | PU · Institute of Zoology

Pakistan has introduced several alien exotic fish species e.g. grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella), bighead carp, (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), silver carp, (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), gold fish (Carassius auratus), and three species of tilapia (Oreochromis aureus, Oreochromis mossambicus, Oreochromis niloticus) in...

Abstract: New isolated teeth with maxillary and mandibular fragments from the Chinji Formation of the Lower Siwaliks are described and determined as Gaindatherium browni and Gaindatherium vidali. This material comes from the Middle Miocene of Lava and Dhok Bun Ameer Khatoon localities, northern Pakistan, and significantly increases the number of re...

The present paper reports the first record of Eotragus noyei from the late Miocene deposits of Dhok Pathan Formation, Chakwal, Pakistan. The sample comprises maxillary and mandibular fragments along with isolated upper and lower teeth. The morphometric analysis of the dental specimens led us to recognize the sample as belonging to Eotragus noyei, w...

Stable isotope analysis is pivotal for investigating the paleodiet and paleoecology of past mammals. In this paper, we analyzed thirty fossil enamel samples belonging to the families Suidae, Rhinocerotidae, and Deinotheriidae for δ13Cenamel and δ18Oenamel composition to investigate paleodiet and paleoecology of middle Miocene mammals of the Siwalik...

Introduction The utilization of fauna and fauna-based byproducts in ethnomedicinal usages has been a longstanding human activity, practiced across various cultures worldwide. This study focuses on investigating the utilization of animal-based traditional medicine by the people of Pakistan, specifically in the Gujranwala area. Methods Data collecti...

Stable isotope analysis (SIA) is an evolving method for determining diet, understanding food web and resolving biogeochemical issues in the ecosystem. This study aims to trace out ecological niche preferences/partitioning and competition among the lagomorphs, including two different breeds of European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), New Zealand rab...

After 1950s, a continuous decline in the population of Oryctolagus cuniculus has urged the IUCN to declare it an endangered species. There is a serious need to take conservational steps for Oryctolagus cuniculus breeds by research work on their different morphological and physiological aspects. The current study evaluates the growth of European rab...

Fossil tooth enamel archives the isotopic variability during its formation, an essential tool to reconstruct the paleoseasonal changes during an animal’s life. Stable isotopes of carbon and oxygen from enamel (δ13Cenamel and δ18Oenamel) reveal an animal’s dietary and drinking preferences and are helpful in the reconstruction of paleoclimate and sea...

Some new mammalian remains have been discovered in the new localities (Kangar, Dhilomora, Rasool pur, Nikki Rawal Wali) of the late Pliocene (3.5–2.58 Ma) of the Siwalik sub-group, Pakistan. This work describes the comprehensive systematic and taxonomic investigations of new fossils comprising molars and nasal horns belonging to three families incl...

Stable isotopes of carbon and oxygen (δ13C and δ18O) archived in fossil tooth enamel are essential tools to reconstruct the palaeoecology and palaeohabitat of mega-herbivores. Among the mega-herbivores, hippopotamus (Hippos) are the third-largest existing artiodactyls. The family Hippopotamidae consists of semi-aquatic, mostly herbivorous non-rumin...

The regional climate models are developed to assess the future trends of the climatic regimes and provide fine-scale information which is applied to check the vulnerability, impacts and adaptation in regard to climate change. The sub-tropical regions worldwide and specifically in Pakistan house a considerable diversity of faunal elements which is s...

Aquacultureenhancementistheneedoftimetoencounterthefooddemandofthe tremendously increasing population. Conventional animals and plants are equally important for human consumption, so examination of other little-researched nutritious plants such as Moringa oleifera(Lam) is necessary as an alternative source of aquaculture food protein that may be co...

An assessment of heavy metals (lead, titanium, aluminum, barium, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, sodium, phosphorus, sulphur, silicon, and zinc) in the organs (kidney, liver and muscle) of two fish species (Channa punctatus and Oreochromis aureus) was carried out from the sampling sites of Chenab River near Head Tr...

New fossil mandible as well as isolated upper and lower dentitions of the late Miocene Hipparionine species, have been discovered from a locality of Chakwal, Punjab, Pakistan. By using morphometric and morphologic analysis, we have deduced that these specimens belong to Sivalhippus theobaldi. The body size of this species was intermediate between S...

Biogeochemistry is crucial to reconstruct the climate, diet, and habitats of extinct animals. The Siwalik sediments of Pakistan exhibit an excellent record of faunal elements, providing an opportunity to explore palaeohabitats of diverse mammalian communities that existed in the Siwaliks. This study is the first to investigate the dietary niche and...

Numerous paleontologists have used research on tooth enamel hypoplasia as a stress signal when assessing paleoenvironments. The goal of the current study was to identify and evaluate stress periods that occurred in the middle Miocene to early Pleistocene eras of the Siwaliks of Pakistan by analyzing enamel hypoplasia in eight extinct suids species:...

Among the three main divergent lineages of gray wolf (Canis lupus), the Holarctic lineage is the most widespread and best-studied, particularly in North America and Europe. Less is known about Tibetan (also called Himalayan) and Indian wolf lineages in southern Asia, especially in areas surrounding Pakistan where all three lineages are thought to m...

Numerous mammalian and other warm-blooded animal species are susceptible to infection by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). In these warm-blooded creatures, it mostly goes unnoticed but can occasionally result in neurological, ophthalmic, and reproductive issues, particularly in cases where a mammal contracts the infection while pregnant. Rabbits, like...

Numerous mammalian and other warm-blooded animal species are susceptible to infection by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). In these warm-blooded creatures, it mostly goes unnoticed but can occasionally result in neurological, ophthalmic, and reproductive issues, particularly in cases where a mammal contracts the infection while pregnant. Rabbits, like...

The Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) is considered one of the largest carnivores inhabiting different territories including coniferous and broad-leaved forests, extending from sea level to the elevation of 4300 m. The Kaghan and Siran Valleys in Pakistan's District Mansehra were the location of the current study. To evaluate the altitudinal di...

The contents of trace elements (Al, Fe, S, Si, Cu, Cr, Sr, Mn and Zn) and macro-elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg, and P) in the muscle, liver and kidney of four freshwater fish species; (Bagarius bagarius, Channa marulius, Mastacembelus armatus, and Notopterus notopterus) from Head Trimmu (river Chenab) in Pakistan were examined through wet digestion method...

The Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) is a significant non-human primate species found in Pakistan's northern areas. Macaca mulatta has evolved to survive in a wide range of environmental conditions, depending upon the variety of food items, and is considered to be the most scattered primate on the earth. Craniometry, the fundamental morphometric appr...

Many natural fish populations undergo morphological and craniometric variations due to habitat alteration. The current study was planned to understand the influence of dissimilar habitats on fish growth. To analyze these variations, 14 morphometric and 06 craniometric characteristics of Bagarius bagarius from two sampling sites (head Balloki and He...

HIGHLIGHTS 1. Collection of fish samples (Ctenopharyngodon idella) from head Balloki (river Ravi) and head Trimmu (river Chenab), Pakistan. 2. Morphometric and craniometric analysis of Ctenopharyngodon idella. 3. Length-weight relationship of Ctenopharyngodon idella 4. Fish growth is more negatively allometric at head Balloki as compared to head Tr...

The intentional introductions of alien fishes as food and sport fishes or unintentional escapes from aquaria, bait buckets and water gardens etc.

my presentation was about the craniometric analysis of New Zealand and American Dutch Rabbit to evaluate the difference between the skulls of rabbits at breed level as well as gender level

HIGHLIGHTS 1. Collection of adult samples of Labeo rohita, Catla catla, Ctenopharyngodon idella, Cirrhinus mirgala, Hypophthalymichthys molitrix, Oreochromis niloticus, Cyprinus carpio, Wallago attu and Sperata sarwari from head Trimmu, river Jehlum, Pakistan 2. Quantification (in ppb) of Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Thallium (Ti), Lead (Pb) and Chr...

Background Fisheries have tremendous cultural and educational importance in human societies. The world is undergoing fast environmental and cultural changes, and local knowledge is being lost. Understanding how people interpret environmental change and develop practices in response to such change is essential to comprehend human resource use. This...

6.7% of total consumed high quality protein by global population comes from fish. Utilization of fish contaminated with metal causes unfavorable medical effects to human because of high penetrating probability of metal translocation in body. Current work had been done to investigate quantity of heavy metals in different fish organs by Inductively C...

This study serves to measure the prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus-II in Province Punjab, Pakistan, and evaluate possible clinical implications and treatment strategies for Diabetes Mellitus-II. This study also finds out the risk factors of Diabetes Mellitus-II in the Province of Punjab. A questionnaire was designed which has information on Diabetes...

Climate affects living ecosystems and defines species physiology. Climate change causes certain stress on animals, recorded as Enamel Hypoplasia (EH). Proboscideans, the mega herbivores, were extensively represented in the Siwaliks of Pakistan between the Middle Miocene to Pleistocene (~15.99–~0.6 Ma). This study was carried out on 15 species from...

Biogeochemistry is crucial to reconstruct climate, diet, and habitats of extinct animals. The Siwalik sediments of Pakistan exhibit an excellent record of faunal elements, providing an opportunity to explore palaeohabitats of diverse mam-malian communities that existed in the Siwaliks. This study is the first to investigate the dietary niche and cl...

Population estimation survey of Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus G. (Baron) Cuvier, 1823) was conducted in Kaghan and Siran Valleys of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan. The different surveys (questionnaire, sighting, and sign survey) were conducted in all sites of the forests from June to November 2018. Thirteen different types o...

trophic level, whereas niche size and trophic diversity of common carp was greater compared to both of the native species which indicated that this alien fish is a highly opportunistic feeder on different food items with multiple basal resources having a wide range of δ 13 C values. Mahseer occupied a very small trophic niche within the niche space...

The availability of clean water is one of the pivotal objectives toward sustainable growth of any country. Pakistan, as a developing country, is facing the problem of bad water quality for decades and purification of groundwater has always been a problem. Thus, the present study aims to give a realistic picture of microbial contamination of groundw...

Arsenic contamination of groundwater has become a serious health issue, globally. The presence of arsenic has been reported from many regions including southeast Asia, specifically the problem which has risen in developing countries and Pakistan is no exception. Since now, no cost-effective treatment of arsenic (As)-contaminated water has been advi...

This is the first details study on the breeding biology of Purple sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus) in Pakistan. This is only One specie belong to family Nectarinidea found in Okara, Pakistan. Forty five nests were located in the study area, from which 25 active nests were used by birds for breeding. The successful nests hanged with fork, middle and oth...

The paleoecological fluctuations left their impression marks on the tooth enamel of mammals during their tooth development. These marks can be used as stress indicators because they reflect the type of duress faced by the extinct mammalian species during their lives. The enamel hypoplasia (EH) is a common stress marker to trace out the paleoenviron...

Like plants, fauna is also utilized in folklore as well as modern medicine. Current research was planned with intend to note the folklore utilizes of freshwater fish fauna among the people in surrounding area of the Jhelum river, in province of Punjab, Pakistan. Folklores of fishes were analyzed utilizing various indices. During research, 15 specie...

Climate effects habitat and define species physiology. Climatic regimes were different in past and adaptability of different species varied. Climate change causes certain stress on animal, recorded as Enamel Hypoplasia (EH). Proboscideans, the mega herbivores were extensively represented in the Siwaliks of Pakistan between Middle Miocene to Pleisto...

The family Liproidae expresses the significant variation of morphometric features at species level. In already available literature on the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) the idea is proposed that there can be variation in the morphometric character of different breeds of Oryctolagus cuniculus but there are negligible scientific research ba...

Abstract Pakistan is the country with mega freshwater fish diversity of native and alien species. In the presence of enormous native fishes varies species of exotic fishes have been introduced into the freshwater bodies of Pakistan which are competing with native freshwater fish fauna and making them deprive of food and habitat as well. Intentional...

The gray wolf (Canis lupus) is a less studied wide-ranging endangered carnivore in Pakistan. The current investigation is the first to report their body morphometrics and chemical immobilization in Pakistan. Body morphometrics was examined for 12 wolves by measuring 15 variables. The majority of the 12 wolves had body weights that were more similar...

ABSTRACT Mastitis is highly prevalent infection in cattle causing cost-effective loss in dairy milk production. Escherichia coli is the most frequently isolated bacteria causing mastitis worldwide. The current study was performed to investigate the mastitis prevalence and effect of different antibiotics against pathogens causing it. In sum, 216...

Dental materials of three hipparionine species from Dhok Pathan Formation (late Miocene) has been utilized in this study to reconstruct the palaeodiet and palaeoecology by using stable isotope analyses of carbon and oxygen of tooth enamel carbonate. A gradual increase in hypsodonty and complexity in plications indicate the drier environments with h...

The state of Azad Kashmir covers an area of 13,297,000 square kilometers (km²). According to a population survey, it was estimated that the population was approximately 33.4 million in 2004 and 100% of the population is Muslim. The state lies between latitude 33° and 36° and longitude 73° and 75°. Geographically, Azad Kashmir consists of mountains...

Paleoclimatic archives preserved in bioapatite provide long-term temporal records of climatic change and allow us to explore how climate may have affected faunal and floral changes through time. Among the most comprehensively debated research questions is the question of C4 grassland expansion and its effects on community structure and dynamics. He...

An imminent threat to indigenous freshwater ichthyofauna is the introduction of alien fishes that can alter the behavior, population dynamics and native community structure. Thus, it is necessary to understand their feeding behaviour to avoid any unwanted incalculable loss. At sampling site, Head Baloki feeding habits both of native (L. calbasu, C....

New remains of Propotamochoerus hysudricus are described from localities of the Dhok Pathan and Nagri formations of the Middle Siwaliks of Pakistan. Propotamochoerus hysudricus is a moderate-sized extinct suid with comparatively larger cheek teeth, elongated first molar, and basal pillars. The Propotamochoerus hysudricus material described in this...

New remains of Propotamochoerus hysudricus are described from localities of the Dhok Pathan and Nagri formations of the Middle Siwaliks of Pakistan. Propotamochoerus hysudricus is a moderate-sized extinct suid with comparatively larger cheek teeth, elongated first molar, and basal pillars. The Propotamochoerus hysudricus material described in this...

Preeclampsia (PE) is a very common critical condition during pregnancy. As PE is a high- risk condition during pregnancy, occurring in 25% of all pregnancies, worldwide. In women with PE there is an increase in hypertension and albuminuria. Elevated blood pressure can be life-threatening after 20th week of pregnancy. Single nucleotide variation i...

Gomphotheres existed in the Siwaliks from the middle Miocene (14.2Ma) to the middle Pleistocene (0.8Ma) and became extinct later on. In this paper, we tried to discuss the reasons of such extinction of gomphotheres in the lower Pleistocene time span by considering Linear Enamel Hypoplasia (LEH) among 114 isolated tooth samples to assess whether eco...

Authors' Contribution MTW has helped in preparation and interpretation of results. Samples have also been prepared by him. AMK helped in preparation of manuscript. AG helped in samples analysis, manuscript writing and practical information about Hipparion. AI identified Hipparion species. RMA statistically analysed the data. Dental materials of thr...

Newly discovered rhinocerotid remains from the Middle Miocene (14.2–11.2 Ma) of the Siwaliks of Pakistan are described in this paper, adding new data to the existing rhinocerotid fossil record from the Siwalik region. The specimens are identified as belonging to a teleoceratine genus Brachypotherium on the basis of morphometric comparison with the...

The current study reports the cranial morphology of Sus scrofa, with detailed comparison of different features of skull. The cranial morphology has been utilized as a tool to discriminate between the different species of wild and domesticated suids. The studied material comprises of the three skulls. The straighter snouts and slenderer crania manif...

Abstract Background: Like botanical taxa, various species of animals are also used in traditional and modern health care systems. Present study was intended with the aim to document the traditional uses of herptile and fish species among the local communities in the vicinity of the River Chenab, Punjab Pakistan. Method: Data collected by semi-struc...

Current study deals with the systematic investigations of Boselaphine specimens belonging to genera Pachyportax and Selenoportax. The available information on both taxa is scanty and only few specimens are known for both genera especially Pachyportax. The members of both genera have medium to large sized body with strong hypsodonty of teeth represe...

Stable isotope analysis has become a leading tool to investigate palaeodiet and palaeoecology of past mammalian communities over the last three decades. In this paper we have utilized thirty fossil dental samples belonging to three families (viz. Deinotheridae, Rhinocerotidae and Suidae) for δ13C and δ18O analyses to investigate palaeodiet and pala...