Marine and Estuarine Isopod Fauna (Crustacea:Isopoda) of India

Abstract

Isopods are found in diverse habitats. In this communication, marine and estuarine isopods of India are dealt. A total of 232 species under 101 genera and 25 families have been recorded from different maritime states of India including Andaman and Nicobar islands and Lakshadweep. Maximum diversity has been noted in the family Cymothoidae (62 species), which is followed by Bopyridae (52 species) and Sphaeromatidae (22 species). The distribution of these species indicates highest diversity in Kerala (79 species), which is followed by Tamil Nadu (64 species) and Andaman and Nicobar slands (46 species). Five isopod families are recorded only from the state of Kerala and a single family each from Andhra Pradesh and Andaman Islands respectively. Introduction of species in Indian water by ballast water is also discussed.