Journal of Environment and Sociobiology

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Threat to Diversity of Coral Reefs and its Associated Brachyuran Crabs in Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve


Affiliations
1 Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


The Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere reserve (GoMMBR) includes 21 islands under three groups, the Mandapam, Keelakarai and the Tuticorin. A detailed survey on the diversity and density of coral reef associated brachyuran crabs was carried out in all the islands of GoMMBR. The present study shows a declining trend in the overall diversity of brachyuran crabs in Gulf of Mannar. The crab diversity is abundant in Mandapam group of islands, low in Tuticorin group and moderate in Keelakarai group. The coral mining in large quantities may be one of the reasons for limited diversity of the corals and the coral reef associated crabs in Tuticorin groups of islands. The present study reveals 21 species of crabs from 7 families. The 1997 survey report on Gulf of Mannar revealed the existence of 106 species from 15 families. The wide variation from the earlier works emphasizes the decline of the coral reef associated brachyuran crabs in Gulf of Mannar. This may be due to the exploitation of corals. Sedimentation and overstress were observed more in the Tuticorin group of islands. Threats like coral mining, sand mining, sedimentation, commercial shell collection, industrial development along the coast and pollution from the coastal towns accelerate the coral reef degradation along with its associates in the GoMMBR.

Keywords

Threat, Coral Reef, Brachyuran Crabs, GoMMBR.
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Ajmalkhan, S. 2005. Biodiversity of Gulf of Mannar. In: Sakthivel M, Ronald J (eds.) Proceedings of National Seminar on the rejuvenation and reclamation of coral reefs of Gulf of Mannar, Aquameet, pp. 8-13.

  • Arif, M. M. 1990. Coral reef degradation conservation and management in Andamans - an overview. J. Sci. & Tech. : 104-106.

  • Arjan, R., Zahir, H., Mulley, E. V., Subramanian, B. R., Venkataraman, K., Wafar, M. V .M., Khan, S. M. M. H. and Whittingham, E. 2000. Status of coral reefs in South Asia: Bangaladesh, India, Maladives, Sri lanka. In: Kasim, M. (ed.) Procedings 9th international coral reef symposium, Bali, Indonesia, pp. 841-845.

  • Arthur, R. 2000. Coral bleaching and mortality in three Indian reef regions during an El Niño southern oscillation event. Curr. Sci., 79(12): 1723-1729.

  • Chandrasekaran, V. S., Shanthi, B. and Krishnan, M. 2005. The Tsunami, shrimp farms and mangroves. INFOFISH Int., 5: 10-12.

  • Devlin, M., Waterhouse, J. and Beodie, J. 2000. Terrestrial discharge into the Great Barrior Reef: Distribution of river water and pollutant concentrations during fl ood plumes. In: Kasim, M. (ed) Procedings 9th international coral reef symposium, Bali, Indonesia, 2 pp 1205-1211.

  • Dhandapani, P. 1998. The effect of human activities in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve and the needed remedial measures: A Case study. In: Maikhuri, R. K., Rao, K. S., Rai, R. K. (eds.) Biosphere Reserves and management in India. Himasvikas Occ. Pub. No.12: 237-243.

  • Gopakumar, G. 2000. Biodiversity of marine ornamental animals. In: Proceedings on National Seminar in Marine Biodiversity. JCAS publication, 3: 72-83.

  • Heil, C. A., Chaston, K., Jones, A., Bird, P., Longstaff, B., Costanzo, S. and Dennison, W. C. 2004. Benthic micro algae in coral reef sediments of the southern Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Coral Reefs, 23 (3): 336-343.

  • Hewitt, J. E., Cummings, V. J., Ellis, J. I., Funnell, F., Norkko, A., Talley, A. S. and Thrush, S. F. 2003. The role of waves in the colonisation of terrestrial sediments deposited in the marine environment. J. Exp. Mar. biol. Ecol., 290: 19-47.

  • Jaap, W. F. 1978. Holocene development of coral fringing reefs, Leeward off Curacao and Bonaire (Netherlands Antilles). Mar. Geol., 28: M31-M41.

  • James, D. B. 2005. Conservation of coral fauna and fl ora in the Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve. In: Sakthivel, M., Ronald, J. (eds.) Proceedings of National Seminar on the rejuvenation and reclamation of coral reefs of Gulf of Mannar, Aquameet, pp. 34-60.

  • Larcombe, P. and Woolfe, K. J. 1999. Increased sediment supply to the Great Barrier Reef will not increase sediment accumulation at most coral reefs. Coral reefs, 18(2): 163-169.

  • Mahadevan, S. and Nayar, K. N. 1972. Distribution of coral reef in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay and their exploitation and utilization. Symposium of corals and coral reef. Mar. biol. Ass. India, pp. 181-190.

  • Muley, E. V., Venkataraman, K., Alfred, J. R. B. and Wafar, M. V. M. 2000. Status of coral reefs in India. In: Kasim, M. (ed.) : Proceedings of 9th International coral reef symposium, Bali, Indonesia, 2: pp. 847-853.

  • Murugesan, A. G., Zahir, H. M. I. and Sukumaran, N. 2000. Conservation of marine bioversity in the Gulf of Mannar-an urgent need for preventing pollution.Proceedings on National Seminar on Marine Biodiversity, ICAS, Publication No, 3: 84-93.

  • Patterson, E. J. K. 2000. Resource management and socio-economic values in Gulf of Mannar coral reef ecosystem, south east coast of India. In: Kasim, M. (ed.) Procedings 9th international coral reef symposium, Bali, Indonesia, 2: 779-782.

  • Pillai, C. S. G. 1969. The distribution of corals on a reef at Mandapam (Palk Bay), S. India. J. Mar. biol. Ass. India, 11(1&2): 62-72.

  • Pillai, C. S. G. 1971. Composition of the coral fauna of the South eastern coast of India and the Laccadives. Symp. Zool. Soc. Lond., 28: 301-327.

  • Pillai, C. S. G. 1975. An assessment of the effects of environment and human interferance on the coral reefs of Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar along the Indian coast. Seafood Exp. J., pp. 9-22.

  • Piper, C. S. 1966. Soil and plant analysis. Hans Publishers, Bombay, 1-401.

  • Ranjeet, B. and Michio, H. 2003. Comparison of stress susceptibility of in hospite and isolated zooxanthellae among fi ve coral species. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol., 291: 181-197.

  • Ranjeet, B. and Michio, H. 2004. Photoinhibition, bleaching susceptibility and mortality in two scleractinian corals, Platgyra ryukyuensis and Stylophora pistallata in response to thermal and light stress. Comp. Biochem. Physiol., 137: 547-555.

  • Ravikumar, S. and Lazarus, S. 2000. Pollution threats to marine biodiversity. In: Proceedings of National Seminar in Marine Biodiversity, ICAS, 3: pp 94-102.

  • Roberto, A., Jack, M. and Olivieri, R. A. 1989. Modifi cation of coral reef zonation by Terrigenous sediment stress. Palaios, 4: 92-100.

  • Sergio, A. N., Attrill, M. J. and Warwick, R. M. 2003. The relationship between benthic fauna, carbonate sediments and reef morphology in reef fl at tidal pools of Rocas Atoll (North east Brazil). J. Mar. biol. Ass. U.K., 83: 425-432.

  • Stefano, F. 1997. The missing island of Palau Seribu (Indonesia). Economic and Business Review Indonesia, 262: 38-39.

  • Thanikachalam, M. and Ramachandran, S. 2003a. Shoreline and coral reef ecosystem changes in Gulf of Mannar, South east coast of India. J. Indian Soc. Rem. Sen., 31(3): 157-173.

  • Thanikachalam, M. and Ramachandran, S. 2003b. Monitoring changes in sea fl oor morphology using multi-date bathymetry data: A case study of the Gulf of Mannar, South east coast of India. Map Asia conference, pp. 1-8.

  • Tsuchiya, M. 1999. Effect of mass coral bleaching on the community structure of small animals associated with the hermatypic coral Pocillopora damicornis. Galaxea, JCRS, 1: 65-72.

  • Van, R. W. and Done, T. J. 1997. Coral communities and reef growth in the southern Great barrier reef. Coral reefs, 16: 103-115.

  • Venkataraman, K. 2000. Status survey of the Gulf of Mannar coral reefs following the 1998 bleaching event, with implications for reserve management. In: Kasim, M. (ed.) Procedings 9th International Coral Reef Symposium, Bali, Indonesia, 2, pp. 855-859.

  • Venkataraman, K. 2003. Natural aquatic ecosystems of India, Thematic biodiversity strategy and Action Plan. The National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan, India, pp. 1-275.

  • Venkataraman, K. 2005a. Coral reef ecosystem in India with special reference to the status of coral reefs of Gulf of Mannar. In: Sakthivel, M. and Ronald, J. (eds.) Proceedings of National Seminar on the Rejuvenation and Reclamation of Coral Reefs of Gulf of Mannar, Aquameet, pp. 97-122.

  • Venkataraman, K. 2005b. Impact of Tsunami on the marine biodiversity of India. Report submitted to the Ministry of Environment and forests (Unpublished).

  • Venkataraman, K., Srinivasan, M., Satyanarayana, Ch. and Prabakar, D. 2002. Faunal diversity of Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve. Con. Area Ser., 15: 1-77. Zoological Survey of India.

  • Vineeta, H. 1997. Coral reef of India: review of their extent, condition research and management status. In: Vineeta, H. (ed.) Proceedings in Regional Workshop on the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Coral Reefs, organised by M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation and BOBP of FAO/UN, pp. 1-27.


Abstract Views: 340

PDF Views: 1




  • Threat to Diversity of Coral Reefs and its Associated Brachyuran Crabs in Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve

Abstract Views: 340  |  PDF Views: 1

Authors

A. Gokul
Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, India
K. Venkataraman
Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, India

Abstract


The Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere reserve (GoMMBR) includes 21 islands under three groups, the Mandapam, Keelakarai and the Tuticorin. A detailed survey on the diversity and density of coral reef associated brachyuran crabs was carried out in all the islands of GoMMBR. The present study shows a declining trend in the overall diversity of brachyuran crabs in Gulf of Mannar. The crab diversity is abundant in Mandapam group of islands, low in Tuticorin group and moderate in Keelakarai group. The coral mining in large quantities may be one of the reasons for limited diversity of the corals and the coral reef associated crabs in Tuticorin groups of islands. The present study reveals 21 species of crabs from 7 families. The 1997 survey report on Gulf of Mannar revealed the existence of 106 species from 15 families. The wide variation from the earlier works emphasizes the decline of the coral reef associated brachyuran crabs in Gulf of Mannar. This may be due to the exploitation of corals. Sedimentation and overstress were observed more in the Tuticorin group of islands. Threats like coral mining, sand mining, sedimentation, commercial shell collection, industrial development along the coast and pollution from the coastal towns accelerate the coral reef degradation along with its associates in the GoMMBR.

Keywords


Threat, Coral Reef, Brachyuran Crabs, GoMMBR.

References