Spatial Preference of Coral Associated Brachyuran Crabs in Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve

Jump To References Section

Authors

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

Keywords:

Cryptofauna, Symbiotic, Pocillopora, Spatial Preference.

Abstract

Brachyuran crabs associated with the head forming coral Pocillopora spp were accessed for their spatial preference in the islands of Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve (GoMMBR). The inter-branch volume of the corals is positively correlated with the number of associated crabs. The maximum average volume of the coral was observed at Appa Island (516 ml). Comparatively more species diversity and abundance of brachyuran were observed in Mandapam group of islands where maximum number of Pocillopora spp (19 no) was examined for the occurrence of these crabs. Very less coral colonies along with meager cryptofaunal associates were observed in Tuticorin group of islands. This probably indicates the deteriorating status of the coral health. Various natural as well as human disturbances enhanced the decrease in coral cover along with its crab associates.

Downloads

Published

2012-06-01

Issue

Volume 9, Issue 1, June 2012

Section

Articles

License

All the articles published in JES are distributed under a creative commons license. The journal allows the author(s) to hold the copyright of their work (all usages allowed except for commercial purpose).

Please contact us at editorgjeis@gmail.com for permissions related to commercial use of the article(s).

 

References

Alcock, A. 1895-1900. Materials for the carcinological fauna of India, (Nos.1-6. The Brachyura, Oxyrhyncha, Oxystoma, Cyclometopa, Primigenia or Dromicea and Catometopa or Grapsoidea). J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, 64: 157-291; 65: 134-296; 67: 67-233; 68: 1-104; 68: 123-169; 69: 279-456. (Reprinted in 1984, International Books & Periodical supply service, New Delhi).

Anita, M. G., Lazarus, S. and Prakash, V. S. G. 1998. Marine organisms containing bioactive compounds - A check list. In: Proceedings on first National Seminar in Marine Biotechnology, pp. 13-27.

Bruce, A. J. 1972. A review of information upon the coral hosts of commensal shrimps of the subfamily Pontoninae, Kingsley, 1878 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Palaemonidae). Symposium on corals and coal reefs. Mar. biol. Ass. India, pp. 399–417.

Done, T. J. 1983. Coral zonation: its nature and significance. In: Barnes, D. J.(ed.), Perpectives on Coral Reefs, Brain clouston publisher for the Australian Institute of Marine Science, pp. 107–148.

Edwards, A. and Emberton, H. 1980. Crustacea associated with the scleractinian coral, stylophora pistillata (Esper.) in the Sudanese Red Sea. J. Exp. Mar. biol. Ecol, 42: 225–240.

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

Hutchings, P. 1983. Cryptofaunal communities of coral reefs. In: Barnes, D. J.(ed.), Perspectives on Coral Reefs, published by Brain clouston publisher for the Australian Institute of Marine Science, Australia. 200 – 208.

Jaime, R. C., Carlos Orozco, K., Edgardo Londono, C. and Toro–Farmer, G. 2003. Abundance and distribution patterns of infaunal associates and macroborers of the branched coral (Pocillopora damicornis) in Gorgonia Island (Eastern Tropical Pacific). Bull. Mar. Sci., 72 (1): 207 – 219.

Jeyabaskaran, R., Ajmalkhan, S. and Ramaiyan, V. 2000. Brachyuran crabs of Gulf of Mannar. CAS in Marine Biology. Annamalai University. pp. 154.

Klopfer, P. H. 1964. Behavioral Aspects of Ecology. Published by Prentice – Hall of India (private) Ltd, New Delhi, pp. 1–166.

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.

Nair, R. V. and Nandakumar, G. 1974. On a new prawn ground in the Gulf of Mannar. Indian J. Fish., 21(1): 281 – 284.

Patton, W. K. 1994. Distribution and ecology of animals associated with branching corals (Acropora spp.) from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Bull. Mar. Sci., 55(1): 193 – 211.

Reed, K. J. and Mikkelsen, P. M. 1987. The molluscan community associated with the Scleractinian coral Oculina varicosa. Bull. Mar. Sci., 40 (1): 99–131.

Reed, K. J., Robert, H. G., Liberta, E. S. and Kim, A. W. 1982. Community composition, structure, areal and trophic relationships of decapods associated with shallow and deep water Oculina varicosa coral reefs. Bull. Mar. Sci., 32 (3): 761 – 786.

Robert, R. 1970. Review of the predators and parasites of stony corals, with special reference to symbiotic prosobranch gastropods. Pac. Sci., 24(1): 43 – 54.

Sakai, T. 1976. Crabs of Japan and adjacent seas. Tokyo, Kodansha. pp. 1–725.

Sandra, J. and Wolfgang, S. 2003. Spatio-temporal distribution patterns of the crab assemblage in the shallow subtidal of the north Chilean pacific coast. Crustaceana, 75(10): 11611200.

Sekar, T. 2000. Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Resources. In: Proc. Biosphere. Res. India and their management. Kerala forest Research Institute, Peechi. Kerala, pp. 57–58.

Serene, R. 1972. On the brachyuran fauna of the Indo–Pacific coral reefs. Symp. corals and coral reefs. Mar. biol. Ass. India, pp. 419–424.

Sloan, N. A. 1982. Size and structure of echinoderm populations associated with different coexisting coral species at Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles. Mar. Biol., 66(1): 67–75.

Thomas, J. K., Raffi, S. M., Ajmalkhan, S. and Kannan, L. 2002a. Diversity, distribution and relative abundance of mangrove crabs in nullahs of Campbell Bay, Great Nicobar Isand. SDMRI. Res. Publ., 2: 42–47.

Thomas, J. K., Raffi, S. M., Ajmalkhan, S. and Kannan, L. 2002b. Biodiversity, species composition distribution and relative abundance of crabs in coral reef ecosystems of Campbell bay, Great Nicobar Island. SDMRI Res. Publ., 2: 125 – 131.

Tsuchiya, M. 1999. Effect of mass coral bleaching on the community structure of small animals associated with the hermatypic coral Pocillopora damicornis, Galaxea, J. C. R. S., 1: 65–72.

Tsuchiya, M., Yamauchi, Y., Moretzsohn, F and Tsukiji, M. 1992. Species composition and some population traits of obligate symbiotic xanthid crabs, Trapezia and Tetralia associated with bleached corals. Proceedings of seventh International coral reef symposium, Guam, vol.1, pp. 56–63.

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

Venkataramanujam, R., Santhanam, R. and Sukumaran, N. 1981. Coral resources of Tuticorin (S. India) and methods of their conservation. In: Proceedings of 4th International Coral Reef Symposium, Manila. pp. 259–262.

Vytopil, E. and Willis, B. L. 2001. Epifaunal community structure in Acropora spp. (scleractinia) on the Great Barrier Reef: implications of coral morphology and habitat complexity. Coral Reefs, 20 : 281 – 288.