No abstract

Humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) are widely distributed throughout the Indo-Paci¢c region, but usually at low densities. This species' distribution in India includes Lakshadweep, Gulf of Mannar, the east coast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The abundance and distribution of this species on the west coast of India was unknown prior to this study.

An inventory of sponges from the shallow subtidal reefs of the west and east coasts of southern India is presented. The specimens offered in this paper were based on in-situ collections unlike the previous records of dry and net-entangled collections. A total of 101 species belonging to 12 orders, 22 families, 5 subfamilies and 44 genera from 4 subclasses of Class Demospongiae and one species from Class Calcarea are recorded. We recorded 18 new records to India, six new species combinations, 37 potential new records, and 40 species for the first time from the southwest coast.

Background: West coast of India is characterized by the presence of rich rocky out-crops with a diversity of poorly illuminated vertical rocky walls, crevices, caves, tunnels and overhangs. Though these are the typical environment for azooxanthellate scleratinian corals, there is no report available on these corals from this region. Methods: In situ observations including photography were made by SCUBA diving Collected specimens were soaked in fresh water and then in sodium hypochlorite solution for cleaning. Finer details of coralla were photographed using a stereoscopic microscope.Result: The present account reported three species of azooxanthellate corals namely Balanophyllia cumingii Milne Edwards & Haime, 1848, Dentrophyllia indica Pillai, 1969 and Paracyathus profundus Duncan, 1889 for the first time from the rocky out-crops off Goa, mid-west coast of India and illustrated with in situ morphological characters of the species recorded. Conclusion: Despite their rich biodiversity, the seas and the deep shelf regions adjacent to India have had few surveys and limited reports (34 species) only are available on the occurrence of azooxanthellate corals. Detailed further studies along the coast would unveil the presence of more number of species.

Background: Polychaetes are an important component of the estuarine and mangrove ecosystem especially in fisheries perspective. The polychaete fauna of the Manakkudy estuary barmouth and mangrove was examined for species composition and taxonomic classification. A total of 27 species belonging to 16 genera under 12 families were collected. Results: Of these 27 species, 16 are new records to Manakudy estuary. Out of which, those coming under the group Errantia were dominant (9 species) when compared to Sedentaria group (7 species). Among the 12 families identified, the species diversity of Nereidae and Capitellidae were found to be high. Conclusions: Salinity and nature of substrata, two main factors which govern the distribution of polychaetes, are also given along with species description.