Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

FLORA AND FAUNA OF CORAL REEF HABITATS EXCLUDING FISHES

M. Rajkumar, R. Aravind and Amit Kumar P. Pandey

Abstract

A study was conducted to explore the flora and fauna in the Mandapam region of Palk Bay during 2012 at 79° 17' E to 79° 8' E longitudes and 9° 17' N latitude. The flora and fauna in the coral reef beds were observed by SCUBA diving. The flora and fauna recorded in coral reef habitats of Palk Bay region belonged to corals (12 species), gastropods (6 species), seaweeds (7 species), bivalves (5 species), jellyfish (3 species), and one species of sponges, crab, shrimp, holothurian, brittle star, seagrass each. Among the coral reef species Poritessp., Faviasp., Sinulariasp., Turbinariasp. were the most dominant species followed by seaweeds (Halimeda obuntia), gastropods (Lambissp.), bivalves (Pinctada sujilata), jellyfish (Rhopilemasp.), crustaceans (Alpheussp.), holothurians (Holothuria atra), seagrass (Cymodocea sp.), brittle star (Ophiothrix fragilis) and sponges (Cliona sp.).The study will provide the baseline data of flora and fauna excluding fishes present in the coral reef habitats of Palk Bay.