Conservation Concerns on Crustacean Fauna of India

Abstract

Crustaceans are primarily aquatic organisms excepting few terrestrial forms. The subphylum Crustacea comprises of 22 orders containing 3,731 species in India. Of these, more than 3000 species occur in marine and estuarine environments. Maximum number of crustaceans is represented in the order Decapoda (1655 species), followed by Copepoda (1016 species) and Isopoda (319 species). Due to high commercial value, certain decapod crustaceans , viz., prawns, crabs and lobsters are widely harvested throughout the country. But despite their high fishery values, immense biodiversity importance and socio-economic support, crustaceans are scarcely brought under conservation measures in India, and no legislative regulations are imposed on harvesting commercially important species. Only one species of anomura commonly known as Coconut crab (Birgus latro) is included in the Schedule of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, while 89 species belonging to 4 families, viz., Diaptomidae, Coenobitidae, Gecarcinucidae and Portunidae are brought under IUCN control measures. However, in India there are many species of different orders reported more than hundred years ago, of which, 224 species of brachyuran crabs are listed herein to indicate the conservation concerns of these species.