2025

Adult butterflies lay their eggs on specific plants that serve as the primary food source for caterpillars once they hatch. This study, conducted from March 2023 to April 2025, aimed to develop a comprehensive checklist and evaluate the distribution of butterfly species in Kaptai National Park (KNP), Bangladesh. A total of 103 plant species from 41 families were identified as larval host plants for 87 butterfly species belonging to 9 families. Of these plant species, 17 were classified as Least Concern (LC) according to the IUCN Red List 2024 for Bangladesh, while 86 species remain unclassified. The study covered eight sites (S1-S8) in Ram Pahar and Sita Pahar within KNP, emphasizing the distribution of 26 important larval host plant species that are ecologically significant and commonly utilized by butterflies. The 26 key plants include Syzygium cumini, Mangifera indica, Anacardium occidentale, Annona squamosa, Alstonia scholaris, Calotropis gigantea, Aristolochia indica, Mikania micrantha, Terminalia catappa, Delonix regia, Butea monosperma, Saraca asoca, Mimosa pudica, Tamarindus indica, Senna alata, Lagerstroemia speciosa, Bombax ceiba, Abelmoschus manihot, Ficus benghalensis, Moringa oleifera, Jasminum auriculatum, Passiflora foetida, Neolamarckia cadamba, Citrus aurantiifolia, Mimusops elengi, and Curcuma longa. These findings underscore the urgency of protecting butterfly habitats, including native plant species. The study also highlights the importance of habitat restoration and sustainable conservation initiatives in the Chittagong Hill Tracts area.

Antimicrobial residues in food products of animal origin represent a significant public health concern that requires careful consideration due to their harmful effects on consumer health. The presence of antibiotic residues in animal-derived food poses challenges for international trade involving animals and their products. Public health issues related to antibiotic residues in food include the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), allergic reactions, cancer risks, genetic mutations, birth defects, bone marrow damage, and disruption of normal gut microbiota. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics in livestock can lead to residue levels that exceed permissible limits, resulting in adverse health effects for humans. Limiting antibiotic use is crucial for the safety of animal products. This review examines the administration of antibiotics to food animals, the presence of antibiotic residues in animal-origin foods, and the various factors that influence these residue levels in animal-derived food products in developing countries. It underscores the urgent need for improved regulatory control and surveillance of antibiotic use in food-producing animals to ensure public health safety. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening residue monitoring systems, enforcing withdrawal periods, and promoting responsible antibiotic stewardship to reduce contamination in animal-derived foods.

Temperature and humidity play a crucial role in shaping the feed and water intake as well as mortality rates of layer chickens. This study examined the influence of these environmental factors on chicken survival in commercial poultry farms in Bangladesh, using data collected from two commercial layer farms over multiple years (2017–2020) and across different chicken strains. Variations in temperature and humidity were monitored in sheds L2, L3, and L4 at PHL, and L1 to L7 at DEL. The data were analyzed to calculate mean values and correlations among temperature, humidity, feed and water intake, and mortality rates. The results showed that elevated internal and external temperatures, combined with high humidity levels in sheds, were associated with increased water and feed intake as well as higher mortality rates among layer birds. A statistically significant difference was observed in shed L1 of DEL in 2020 (P = 0.0006), where significant correlations among the variables were also identified. Specifically, at PHL, a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.61) between internal temperature and mortality suggested that higher internal temperatures contributed to bird deaths due to heat stress. In contrast, at DEL, internal temperature exhibited only a weak positive correlation (r = 0.29) with mortality, implying that while heat stress played a role, it may not have been the dominant factor. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining optimal environmental conditions in controlled housing systems to safeguard the health, welfare, and productivity of layer chickens. The study also provides practical guidance for farmers and policymakers to implement improved environmental management strategies aimed at enhancing poultry production efficiency and minimizing economic losses in Bangladesh.

Abstract not available