A new distributional record of vermiculated spinefoot, (Valenciennes, 1835), belonging to the fam... more A new distributional record of vermiculated spinefoot, (Valenciennes, 1835), belonging to the family Siganus vermiculatus Siganidae, for the first time from the northwest coast of India at Veraval fish landing centre (20 54'03" N 70 22' 10" E) in Gir-Somnath district of 0 0 the state of Gujarat on 23 March 2022. The morphometric and meristic characters of the specimen were measured using standard taxonomic keys. Further, DNA barcoding was carried out for the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene from the tissues of the holotype specimen and phylogenetic studies using neighbor joining tree construction were done to ascertain the relationship and similarity with the specimens of the same species barcoded in the other places of southern India, and authentication of the specimens to was S. vermiculatus done. The species is reported from 900 km north of the previous nearest reported location.
In the present study, two rare brachyuran crabs were caught from the intertidal zone of Kachchh a... more In the present study, two rare brachyuran crabs were caught from the intertidal zone of Kachchh and identified for the first time from Gujarat, India. The first species, Nursia plicata (Herbst, 1803), previously known from the Indo-West Pacific region and the Indian coastline (Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Orissa), is reported here for the first time from the Gujarat waters. The second species, Trichia indica (Sankarankutty, 1968), was originally described from a single female specimen collected from Sri Lanka. Later, it was only known from the locality of Thailand. This specimen represents the third global record of this species, marking the first report of this species and genus from the Indian coast. Detailed morphological descriptions, habitat, and present distribution status are provided for their biogeographic range.
The present study reports two new records of flatworm species, Pseudobiceros fulgor Newman and Ca... more The present study reports two new records of flatworm species, Pseudobiceros fulgor Newman and Cannon, 1994 and Pseudobiceros hancockanus (Collingwood, 1876), from the Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat. Pseudobiceros fulgor is recorded for the first time from the West coast of India, while Pseudobiceros hancockanus is a new record for Gujarat, India. This study provides detailed information on the morphology, distribution, and habitat of these species. The discovery of these species raises the number of flatworm species recorded in Gujarat from eight to ten. A comprehensive checklist of the flatworm fauna is prepared based on previous records from Gujarat waters. The study includes a comprehensive review of previously recorded flatworms from the region and presents new distribution data, particularly for Gujarat, where flatworm fauna had not been extensively explored before. The study emphasizes the importance of further exploration and documentation to understand the diversity and distribution of marine flatworms in India.
Phytoplankton serve as crucial indicators of environmental health, reflecting changes in water qu... more Phytoplankton serve as crucial indicators of environmental health, reflecting changes in water quality. By monitoring water quality parameters, we can assess the overall status of the coastal/marine ecosystem hence the diversity, distribution, and abundance of phytoplankton and their relationship to hydro-biological factors were investigated at three industrial hotspots in the Original Research Article Northern Gulf of Kachchh. The density of phytoplankton species ranged from 237*10 3 to 1115*10 3 No/lit. The Shannon wiener diversity index, Margalef richness index, and Pielou's evenness index, respectively, were 2.498 to 3.746, 4.941 to 7.531 and 0.259 to 0.9 during the study. 78 taxa from three phyla and three classes were reported throughout the study period. Chaetoceros was the most dominant genus among other groups. The study was carry out for 2 years and planktons were collected from study sites by using plankton net. During all seasons, taxa such as Fragilariopsis oceanica, Nitzschia sp, Biddulphia sp, Asterionella japonica, Ditylum sol, Pleurosigma sp, and Trieres mobiliensis were documented from all sites during all seasons. The influence of dissolved oxygen, turbidity, temperature, salinity, pH, total suspended solid, nitrites, nitrates, and phosphate on plankton distribution and abundance has been discussed. The areas were selected based on the presence of industrial establishments, coastal characteristics and the study will serve as a baseline database for future research. The various industrial activities may have adverse effect on the plankton diversity.
This study examined the fish diversity along the Sikka coast, Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat, focusing ... more This study examined the fish diversity along the Sikka coast, Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat, focusing on two sampling sites: the DCC (Digvijay Cement Company) jetty area and the GSFC (Gujarat State Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited) jetty area, during the period from October 2020 to March 2021. A total of six species from three orders Gobiiformes, Blenniformes, and Mugiliformes representing four families (Gobiidae, Oxudercidae, Blenniidae, and Mugilidae) were documented. Acentrogobius dayi, Mugil cephalus and Blenniella periophthalamus were observed at both sites indicating broader habitat adaptability, while Amblygobius albimaculatus, Trypauchen vagina, and Omobranchus Original Research Article
which is noticeably differentiated from P. ceratophthalma due to distinctive characteristics in t... more which is noticeably differentiated from P. ceratophthalma due to distinctive characteristics in the pereiopodal dactyli from Sagami Bay, Japan. Phyllognathia ceratophthalma has been documented in various locations across the Indo-Pacific region, including Australia, Japan, Maldives and New Caledonia [1, 2, 5-7]. Notably, Borradaile [2] reported its occurrence in the Maldives within the Indian Ocean. In the current study context, this species is reported for the first time along the Indian coast and within the Indian Ocean after a significant span of 105 years. The present study aims to investigate the occurrence and habitat ecology of Phyllognathia ceratophthalma in the Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat. Materials and Methods The Sikka reef, located in Gujarat, is characterized by its diverse marine ecosystem, comprising intricate coral formations and abundant marine life. The reef's structure includes a variety of hard and soft coral species, providing habitat and shelter for numerous marine organisms [8]. Two specimens of P. ceratophthalma were collected from the lower Hitesh Kardani
A new distributional record of vermiculated spinefoot, (Valenciennes, 1835), belonging to the fam... more A new distributional record of vermiculated spinefoot, (Valenciennes, 1835), belonging to the family Siganus vermiculatus Siganidae, for the first time from the northwest coast of India at Veraval fish landing centre (20 54'03" N 70 22' 10" E) in Gir-Somnath district of 0 0 the state of Gujarat on 23 March 2022. The morphometric and meristic characters of the specimen were measured using standard taxonomic keys. Further, DNA barcoding was carried out for the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene from the tissues of the holotype specimen and phylogenetic studies using neighbor joining tree construction were done to ascertain the relationship and similarity with the specimens of the same species barcoded in the other places of southern India, and authentication of the specimens to was S. vermiculatus done. The species is reported from 900 km north of the previous nearest reported location.
First Geographic Record of Acanthurus xanthopterus and Family Acanthuridae from the Gulf of Kachchh, Northwest Coast of India
Uttar Pradesh journal of zoology, Jun 14, 2024
This study focused on Acanthurus xanthopterus, a reef-associated species also known as Yellowfin ... more This study focused on Acanthurus xanthopterus, a reef-associated species also known as Yellowfin surgeonfish from the family Acanthuridae. The objective of this study was to identify and describe A. xanthopterus. A single specimen of 39.6 cm in length and 1263 g. weight was collected from a fisherman involved in traditional Wada fishing in Sikka. Detailed morphological parameters were observed and recorded for taxonomic identification. The results reveal that this species has been observed for the first time on the northwest coast of India, it is also the first recorded mention of the family Acanthuridae from the Gulf of Kachchh northwest coast of India.
Microplastic (MP) occurrence in pelagic and demersal fishes of Gujarat, northwest coast of India
Environmental science and pollution research international, Feb 9, 2024
Microplastics (MPs) are globally observed in marine as well as freshwater habitats, and laborator... more
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