J. Mohanraj ¹, J. A. Johnson ², Rakesh Ranjan ¹, Lidwin Johnson ¹, Uma Pandi ¹, T. Shunmugaraj ³

Affiliations
1 Department of advanced Zoology and Biotechnology, Kamaraj College, Tuticorin - 628003, IN
2 Wildlife Institute of India, P.Box No. 18, Chandrabani, Dehradun – 248001, Uttarkhand, IN
3 Center for Marine Living Resources and Ecology, Ministry of Earth science, Cochin, IN

Abstract

Coral reef associated gastropods diversity study was undertaken in Tuticorin group of islands (Hare, Vaan and Koswari). Underwater survey was made in three quadrants (10 sq.m) in each site. A sum of 40 species of gastropods were recorded from the study area. Most of the species are commonly found in three islands. Twelve were rare viz., Ficus ficus, Colubraria muricata, Casmaria erinaceus, Natica didyma, Nerita polita, Rapana bulbosa, Purpura rudolphi, Strombus sp., Architectonica perspectiva, Cypraea tigris, Cymatium lotorium and Haustellum haustellum were reported form the study area. Species diversity and richness were found to be higher in the Vaan island.

Keywords

Mannar Biosphere Reserve, India, Biodiversity, Fauna, Conservation, Tamil Nadu, Coral Reef, Gastropods

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