First Record of five Scleractinians Corals to Indian water from Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Tamal Mondal^1*, C. Raghunathan¹ and K. Venkataraman²

¹Zoological Survey of India, Andaman & Nicobar Regional Centre, National Coral Reef Research Institute, Haddo, Port Blair-744 102, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India

²Zoological Survey of India, Prani Vigyan Bhavan, M- Block, New Alipore, Kolkata-700 053, India.

ABSTRACT:

The pristine islands of Andaman & Nicobar groups are well known for its biological features in terms of faunal and floral diversity coupled with several ecosystems which made these areas a natural heritage for the world community. The extensive favorable habitat with a continental shelf helped the coral community to develop for the construction of reef. Five species of scleractinians such as Pavona frondifera (Lamarck, 1816) belongs to Agariciidae family, Platygyra yaeyamaensis Eguchi and Shirai, 1977 and Montastrea magnistellata Chevalier, 1971 belong to Faviidae family whereas Goniopora palmensis Veron & Pichon, 1982 and Goniopora tenella (Quelch, 1886) under Poritidae family were recorded for the first time in Indian water from Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The present paper dealt with the findings of newly recorded five species of scleractinian corals along their morphological features and the existing distributional ranges with the present one.

KEY WORDS: Scleractinian corals, Species, New record, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

INTRODUCTION:

Andaman & Nicobar Islands are the groups of islands sparkle like a chain of beads in between Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea (6º45’-13º30’ N latitude and 90º20’-93º56’E longitude) with a number of 572 islands where only 6.64% of islands are inhabited. The islands were once a part of the Asian mainland but got detached due to geological upheaval during Upper Mesozoic Period. The total landmass of these islands is 8249 sq km with a coastline of 1962 km [1,2,3]. The immaculate islands along with wide spread continental shelf regions have a plenty of scleractinian corals mostly in fringing pattern of distribution. The coral reefs constitute a colorful network of several faunal communities in Indo-Pacific Reefs [4]. Coral reef ecosystems are the most diverse and complex aquatic realm. Although they are diverse as a whole, this diversity is not evenly distributed among habitat types within the reef [5]. The corals of the Andaman Islands belong to the Indo-West Pacific faunal province [6]. The coral reefs of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are the biodiversity hot spot of India [2]. The structure of a reef provides home and food for many types of plants, fish and invertebrates. These ecosystems are packed with the highest densities of animals to be found anywhere on the planet. Thronging with life, they rival even the tropical rainforests in terms of diversity. The present paper depicts the taxonomical features of five newly recorded species of scleractinian corals with their ecological status and distribution ranges.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Undersea field surveys were conducted in Diglipur of North Andaman and Nancowry group of islands during the month of June 2011 to August 2012for the monitoring of health status of coral reefs by employing Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) diving. Underwater digital photography was by was done by Sony- Cyber shot, Model DSC-TX1, marine pack, 10.2 megapixels for detailed identification. Some specimens were sampled to examine detailed morphological characters for taxonomic study. Taxonomic identification of dried samples was made following the keys of Veron et al.[7], Veron and Pichon [8] and Veron [9].Corallites of the specimen were examined in detail to study the taxonomical features under stereo zoom microscope (Leica, M 205 A) as well as corallites photography was made on the same. The specimens were registered in National Zoological Collections of India and deposited at Zoological Survey of India, ANRC, Port Blair after completion of detailed study.

RESULTS:

Five species of scleractinian corals were reported as new record to Indian water on the basis of morphological characters described below with their distribution ranges.

1. Pavona frondifera (Lamarck, 1816), Fig. 1

Synonyms:

Lophoseris frondifera (Lamarck, 1816)

Pavonia frondifera Lamarck, 1816

Taxonomic References:

1816. Lamarck, J. B. P. A. de Monet de. Histoire naturelle des animaux sans vertèbres, 2. Verdière-Paris.

1999. Cairns, S. D., Hoeksema, B. W. and van der Land, J. List of extant stony corals. Appendix (pp. 13-46) in S. D. Cairns, Species richness of Recent Scleractinia. Atoll Research Bulletin, (459) 46 pp.

2000. Veron, J. E. N. Corals of the world. Vol 2. Australian Institute of Marine Science and CRR Qld Pty Ltd pp 182-3.

Material Examined:

Four colonies were observed at Twins Island, Diglipur (Lat. 13º24.865’N & Long. 93º04.105’E) on 03.06.2011 at the depth of 4-12 meter. A portion of one specimen was sampled for detailed taxonomic study (Reg. No.: ZSI/ ANRC -7833).

Description:

Colonies are thin plates and or contorted fronds with narrow bases and which divide irregularly. Plates usually have radiating ridges which intergrade with fronds. Corallites are aligned in irregular shallow valleys roughly parallel to plate or frond margins.

Colour: Colonies are pale and dark brown.

Habitat:

This species occurs in shallow reef environments and found from 3-15m depth.

Occurrence:

Rare to A & N Islands.

IUCN Red list Criteria and Category:

Vulnerable, 2012.

Fig. 1 Pavona frondifera (Lamarck, 1816)

Distribution:

In India: Andaman & Nicobar Islands; Elsewhere: American Samoa, Australia, Bahrain, British Indian Ocean Territory, Cambodia, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Comoros, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guadeloupe, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Micronesia, Federated States of Mozambique, Nicaragua, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Réunion, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sudan, Taiwan, Province of China, Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Vietnam, Wallis & Futuna and Yemen.

2. Platygyra yaeyamaensis Eguchi and Shirai, 1977, Fig. 2

Synonym:

Goniastrea yaeyamaensis Eguchi & Shirai, 1977

Taxonomic References:

1977. Eguchi, M. and Shirai, S. In S. Shirai, ed. (Japanese)

2000. Veron, J. E. N. Corals of the world. Vol 3. Australian Institute of Marine Science and CRR Qld Pty Ltd pp 184-185.

Material Examined:

Seven colonies were observed at Twins Island, Diglipur (Lat. 13º24.865’N & Long. 93º04.105’E) on 03.06.2011 at the depth of 5-17 meter. A portion of one specimen was sampled for detailed taxonomic study (Reg. No.: ZSI/ ANRC -7821).

Description:

Colonies are encrusting or submassive. Most are monocentric or nearly so, especially towards the colony centre. Septa are exsert and have irregular teeth giving colonies a ragged appearance. Columellae form indistinct centres. Paliform lobes are weakly developed.

Colour:

Brown or cream, sometimes with green or cream valley floors.

Habitat:

This species occurs in shallow, tropical reef environments. Found on the back and fore slope of the reef and in lagoons. This species is found to 20 m.

Occurrence:

Rare to A & N Islands.

IUCN Red list Criteria and Category:

Vulnerable, 2012.

Distribution:

In India: Andaman & Nicobar Islands; Elsewhere: Australia, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Micronesia, Federated States of Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Province of China, Thailand and Vietnam.

Fig. 2 Platygyra yaeyamaensis Eguchi and Shirai, 1977

Fig. 3 Montastrea magnistellata Chevalier, 1971

3. Montastrea magnistellata Chevalier, 1971, Fig. 3

Synonym:

Montastraea magnistellata Chevalier, 1972

Taxonomic References:

1972. Chevalier, J.P. Les scléractiniaires de la Mélanesie française (Nouvelle-Calédonie, Iles Chesterfield, Iles Loyauté, Nouvelles-Hébrides).I. Exped. Fr. Récifs Coralliens Nlle-Cal. 5: 1-307. Foundation Singer-Polignac . –Paris. 1999. Cairns, S. D., Hoeksema, B. W. and van der Land, J. List of extant stony corals. Appendix (pp. 13-46) in S. D. Cairns, Species richness of Recent Scleractinia. Atoll Research Bulletin, (459) 46 pp.2000.

Veron, J. E. N. Corals of the world. Vol 3. Australian Institute of Marine Science and CRR Qld Pty Ltd pp 225.

Material Examined:

Two colonies were observed at Aalukiya of Camorta Island (Lat. 07º59.502’N & Long. 93º29.493’E) on 23.04.2012 at the depth of 15 meter.

Description:

Colonies are massive, flattened or irregular in shape or are encrusting. Septa are in two orders, arranged alternately with very constant interseptal distances. First order septa slope gradually towards the columella in shallow calices or may have an initial steep slope inside the theca in deeper calices. The septal dentations are always large and conspicuous. In some corallites they extend uniformly across the full length of the septo-costae, in others the dentations become increasingly elongated and interwoven towards the calice centres to form trabecullar Columellae. A circle of paliform lobes can usually be distinguished. These usually have vertical inner margins descending towards the Columellae. Second order septa are small, frequently occurring only as ridges down the inner thecae. They are the thinner than the first order septa and less exsert. Costae are usually unequal and well developed. Those of the adjacent corallites are not adjoined and may be separated by a small ridge. The septo-costae and septal dentations are granulated. The Columellae may be trabecular, spongy or compact.

Colour:

Colonies are blue to grey.

Habitat:

This species is found in shallow, tropical reef environments on protected reef slopes. It forms sub-massive to massive colonies. This species is found on subtidal rock and rocky reefs, on the back and foreslope, and in lagoons. It may be found in the outer reef channel. This species is found to 30 m depth.

Occurrence:

Rare to A & N Islands.

IUCN Red list Criteria and Category:

Near Threatened, 2012.

Distribution:

In India: Andaman & Nicobar Islands; Elsewhere: American Samoa, Australia, British Indian Ocean Territory, Cambodia, China, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Fiji, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mayotte, Micronesia, Federated States of Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, New Caledonia, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Réunion, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Taiwan, Province of China, Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wallis & Futuna and Yemen.

4. Goniopora palmensis Veron & Pichon, 1982, Fig. 4

Taxonomic References:

1982. Veron, J. E. N. and Pichon, M. Scleractinia of eastern Australia, IV. Family Poritidae. 5: 1-159. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Monograph Series.

1999. Cairns, S. D., Hoeksema, B. W. and van der Land, J. List of extant stony corals. Appendix(pp. 13-46) in S. D. Cairns, Species richness of Recent Scleractinia. Atoll Research Bulletin, (459) 46 pp.

2000. Veron, J. E. N. Corals of the world. Vol 3. Australian Institute of Marine Science and CRR Qld Pty Ltd pp 374.

Material Examined: Five colonies were observed at Durgapur, Diglipur (Lat. 13º16.081’N & Long. 93º02.510’E) on 08.08.2012 at the depth of 5-13 meter. A portion of one specimen was sampled for detailed taxonomic study (Reg. No.: ZSI/ ANRC -7895).

Description:

Colonies are sub-massive, digitate or branching. Branches are short, terete, with rounded ends or sometimes tapered. They are seldom anastomosed. Calices are rounded, thick-walled and generally uniform over the whole corallum surface. Septa are in 2 orders of 12 each, or 3 cycles of 6, 6, 12, and have an irregular gonioporoid pattern effusion. Third cycle septa are always very short, consisting of little more than trabecular pillars in the wall. These alternate with the other 12 septa which may be of similar lengths or be differentiated into 2 cycles of 6 each. Pali is usually 6 in number, although additional irregular pali are not uncommon. They are fused with the palar synapticular ring which is always thick. All septa are granulated. Columellae may be small to rare. In the latter case, the palar synapticular ring and columella are sufficiently fused to form an almost solid floor to the corallites. Walls are primarily composed of septa which are evenly exsert with pointed granulated tips.

Colour:

Living colonies are usually brown, green or cream in colour. Polyps have a large oral cone and short pointed tentacles which have pale, often white tips

Habitat:

This species is found in shallow reef environments, generally up to the depths of 20 m.

Occurrence: Rare to A & N Islands.

IUCN Red list Criteria and Category:

Least Concern, 2012.

Distribution:

In India: Andaman & Nicobar Islands; Elsewhere: Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Micronesia, Federated States of, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Province of China, Thailand and Vietnam.

5. Goniopora tenella (Quelch, 1886), Fig. 5

Synonym:

Tichopora tenella Quelch, 1886

Taxonomic References:

1886. Quelch, J. J. Report on the reef corals collected by H. M.S. Challenger during the years 1873-76. Scientific Reports Res. Voyage H.M.S. Challenger, Zoology 16(46): 203 pp.

2000. Veron, J. E. N. Corals of the world. Vol 3. Australian Institute of Marine Science and CRR Qld Pty Ltd pp 360.

Material Examined: Three colonies were observed at Durgapur, Diglipur (Lat. 13º16.081’N & Long. 93º02.510’E) on 08.08.2012 at the depth of 4-15 meter. A portion of one specimen was sampled for detailed taxonomic study (Reg. No.: ZSI/ ANRC -7896).

Description:

Colonies are encrusting or explanate plates. Corallites are shallow and have thin walls. Septa are numerous and even. Corallites are 5-7 millimetres diameter. Polyps are short, without tubular trunks.

Colour:

Colonies are brown, grey or mottled.

Habitat:

This species is found in shallow reef environments, generally up to the depths of 20 m.

Occurrence:

Rare to A & N Islands.

IUCN Red list Criteria and Category:

Near Threatened, 2012.

Distribution:

In India: Andaman & Nicobar Islands; Elsewhere: Australia, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Malaysia, Micronesia, Federated States of Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand and Yemen.

DISCUSSION:

Coral reefs are critical habitat that supports diversity of both residential and migratory faunal species especially for those are considered to be endangered and vulnerable. The structure of a reef provides home and food for many types of plants, fishes and invertebrates. Coral and rocky reefs constitute one of the most important ecosystems in our planet, being their astonishing diversity, productivity, abundance and beauty are some of the main characteristics [10]. According to recent studies, coral reefs constitute one of the country’s main marine assets [11,12]. Pillai listed 135 coral species from Andaman, and found that Andaman Islands were less diverse (31 genera with 82 species) than the Nicobar Islands (43 genera with 103 species) [13]. 223 species of Scleractinian were reported from the Andaman Islands by Turner [14]. Ramakrishna et al. reported checklist of a total of 418 scleractinian coral species from the Andaman & Nicobar Archipelago along with the description of 86 species of scleractinians as new record to Indian water [4]. Whereas, Tamal et al. [15-26] reported 88 species of scleractinian corals from different areas of these entire group of islands as new record to Indian water. Tamal et al. reported a detailed account of faviids of these group of islands with 88 species of scleractinian corals among them the genus Montastrea comprised of 7 species of corals as well as the genus Platygyra included 9 species in these islands [27]. The present report depicts inclusion of five species of scleractinians from North Andaman regions where as one species from Nicobar regions. Identification of Montastrea magnistellata Chevalier, 1971 and Platygyra yaeyamaensis Eguchi and Shirai, 1977 is enhanced the database faviids corals of these areas resulted with the increment in scleractinian corals diversity in India.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

Authors are grateful to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India for providing financial assistance to undertake the study through the projects of National Coral Reef Research Institute, Zoological Survey of India, Port Blair.

REFERENCES:

1. Tikadar, B.K and Das, A.K. Glimpses of animal life of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. 1985, 1-170.

2. Jeyabaskaran, R. Report on Rapid Assessment of coral reefs of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. GOI/UNDP/GEF Project on Management of Coral Reef Ecosystem of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Published by Zoological Survey of India, Port Blair, 1999, p. 110.

3. Venkataraman, K., Satyanarayan, C., Alfred , J.R.B. and Wolstenholme, J. Handbook on Hard Corals of India, 2003, pp. 1-266.

4. Ramakrishna, Tamal Mondal, C. Raghunathan, R. Raghuraman, and C. Sivaperuman, New records of Scleractinian Corals in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Rec. zool. Surv. India, Occ. Paper No., 321; 2010: 1-144.

5. Karlson, R. H., Cornell, H. V. and Hughes, T. P. Coral communities are regionally enriched along an oceanic biodiversity gradient, Nature, 429; 2004:867-870.

6. Hoeksema, B. and Dai, C.F. Scleractinian of Taiwan. II. Family Fungiidae (including a new species). Bull. Zool. Acad. Sin., 30; 1992: 201-226.

7. Veron, J.E.N., Pichon, M. and M. Wijsman-Best. Scleractinia of Eastern Australia. Part II. Australian Institute of Marine Science, 1977.

8. Veron, J.E.N and M. Pichon. Scleractinia of Eastern Australia. Part IV. Australian Institute of Marine Science, 1982.

9. Veron, J. E. N. Corals of the World. Australian Institute of Marine Science. 1-3 volumes, 2000.

10. Goldman, B. and Talbot, F.H. Aspects of the Ecology of Coral Reef Fishes. In: Jones, O. A. & R. Endean (editores). Biology and Geology of Coral Reefs, Vol. III: Biology 2; 1976: 125–154 pp. New York, Academic Press.

11. Schleyer, M.H., Obura, D., Motta, H. and Rodrigues, M.J. A Preliminary Assessment of Coral Bleaching in Mozambique. South African Association for Marine Biological Research, Unpublished Report, 168; 1999: 12

12. Rodrigues, M.J., Motta, H., Pereira, M.A.M., Gonçalves, M., Carvalho, M. and Schleyer, M. Reef Monitoring in Mozambique. I: The Monitoring Programme and 1999 Report, Maputo, MICOA/IIP, 1999,p. 57.

13. Pillai, C.S.G. Structure and genetic diversity of recent Scleractinia of India. J. Mar. Bio. Assoc. India, 25; 1983: 78-90.

14. Turner, J.R., Vousden, D., Klaus, R., Satyanarayana, C.H., Fenner, D., Venkataraman, K., Rajan, P.T., Subba Rao, N.V., Alfred, J.R.B., Ramakrishna and Raghunathan, C. Coral Reef ecosystem of Andaman Islands - Remote Sensing and Rapid Site Assessment Survey. Rec. zool. Surv. India, Occ. Paper No., 301; 2009: 1-132.

15. Tamal Mondal, C. Raghunathan and Ramakrishna. New record of thirteen Scleractinian Corals in Indian waters from Middle and North Andaman. Biosystematica, 4; 2010a: 75-89.

16. Tamal Mondal, C. Raghunathan and Ramakrishna. New record of nine Scleractinian Corals from Rutland Island, Andaman. Int. J. Biol. Sci. 1; 2010b:155-170.

17. Tamal Mondal, C. Raghunathan, C. Sivaperuman, and Ramakrishna. Identification of seven Scleractinian Corals from Andaman & Nicobar Island as New Record to Indian Water. Proc. Zool. Soc. 63; 2010c: 61-66.

18. Tamal Mondal, C. Raghunathan and Ramakrishna. New record of five Scleractinian Corals from Rutland Island, South Andaman Archipelago. Asian J. Exp. Biol Sci. 2; 2011a: 114-118.

19. Tamal Mondal, C. Raghunathan and Ramakrishna. Notes on three new records of scleractinian corals from Andaman Islands. Journal of Oceanography and Marine Science, 2; 2011b:122-126.

20. Tamal Mondal, C. Raghunathan and Ramakrishna. Occurrence of seven Scleractinian Corals in Ritchie's Archipelago, Andaman Islands of India. Proc. Zool. Soc, 64; 2011c:57-61.

21. Tamal Mondal, C. Raghunathan and Ramakrishna. New Record of Six Scleractinian Corals to Indian Water from Rani Jhansi Marine National Park, Andaman & Nicobar Archipelago. International Journal of Science and Nature, 2; 2011d:321-326.

22. Tamal Mondal, C. Raghunathan and Ramakrishna. Addition of thirteen Scleractinians as New Record to Indian Water from Rutland Island, Andamans. Asian J. Exp. Biol. Sci. 2; 2011e: 383-390.

23. Tamal Mondal and Raghunathan, C. New record of two Scleractinian Corals from Neil Island, Ritchie's Archipelago. International Journal of Plant, Animal and Environmental Sciences, 1; 2011f:76-79.

24. Tamal Mondal, Raghunathan, C. and Venkataraman, K. Five Scleractinian Corals as a new record from Andaman Islands- A New Addition to Indian Marine Fauna. World Journal of Fish and Marine Sciences, 3; 2011g: 450-458.

25. Tamal Mondal, Raghunathan, C. and Venkataraman, K.. Distributional record of five scleractinian corals from Andaman & Nicobar Islands. IOSR Journal of Pharmacy, 2; 2012a: 38-43.

26. Tamal Mondal, Raghunathan, C. and Venkataraman, K. New Distribution Report of Ten Scleractinian Corals to Indian Water from Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Research J. Science and Tech., 4; 2012b: 152-57. Tamal Mondal, Raghunathan, C. and Venkataraman, K. An account of Faviid corals of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India. Research J. Science and Tech., 4; 2012c: 62-66.

Received on 22.10.2012

Modified on 08.11.2012

Accepted on 02.12.2012

Research J. Science and Tech. 4(6): November –December, 2012: 278-284