COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY OF TEMPERATE AND TROPICAL WOOD BORERS

Project Code :

Project Title : Comparative Physiology of Temperate and Tropical Wood Borers

Key Words : Biodeterioration, Marine Wood borers

Area of Research : Biodeterioration

Category : CLP-0665

Status : Ongoing

Sponsoring Agency :

USIF PL-480 (Through Office of Naval Research Grant No. N00014-94-1-0422)

Collaborating Agencies : INDO-US

Date of Commencement : October 1995

Date of Completion : October 1998

Estimated Total Cost (RS. in lakhs) : 19,97,000/-

Project Leader : Dr. A.C. Anil

Project Team :

Objectives/ Scope of the Project :

i ) Develop systems to culture significant wood borers throughout their life cycles.

ii ) Comprehensive life cycle description.

iii ) Develop methodologies to measure physiological rate processes in significant wood borers in the laboratory and subsequently in the field .

vi ) Examination in selected key field sites of seasonal changes in numbers and quantity of wood borers and their larve present.

Present Status :

i ) Rearing of Nausitora hedleyi through its life cycle.

i ) Rearing of Martesia Striata through its life cycle and evalution of the influences of environmental factors on embryonic and larve development.

iii ) Evalution of incidence of wood boring organisms in the estuarine environment of Goa.

vi ) Biodiversity of wood deteriorating marine fungi in the estuarine environment of Goa .

v ) Evaluation of species specific interaction of marine fungi and Martesia striata larve through rearing experiments.

vi ) Reproductive physiology of Martesia striata and Nausitora hedleyi.

vii ) Nutrition physiology of Nausitora hedleyi.

Work Plan with Phases/ Milestones :

( October, 1995- October 1998 )

i ) Exposure of wooden panels at different stations in the Mandovi and Zuari estuaries.

ii ) Isolation and identification of wood deteriorating fungi and bacteria.

iii ) Rearing of the dominant wood boring organisms at different temperatures and salinity.

Expected S & T Output :