Taxonomic account of genus Scylla (de Haan, 1833) from Gujarat State, India with two new records of species

The present study describes the taxonomic account of genus Scylla from Gujarat state, India. Specimens of crab were collected from 11 different marine sites/ habitats along the coastal region of the state. Of the several specimens examined on site, 30 morphologically distinct samples were selected for the study, and total 47 different morphological characters were measured. Three different species of genus Scylla were identified viz. Scylla serrata, Scylla tranquebarica and Scylla Olivacea. We report Scylla tranquebarica and Scylla Olivacea for the first time from the state. In general, S. serrata is reported as a dominant species with wide spread distribution while rest of the species show patchy distribution

The distribution and population ecology of semaphore crab Ilyoplax sayajiraoi Trivedi, Soni, Trivedi and Vachhrajani 2015, on mud flat region of Gulf of Khambhat, Gujarat, India

The semaphore crab Ilyoplax sayajiraoi is a newly discovered species distributed in the Gulf of Khambhat, Gujarat, India. Consequently, almost no information is available regarding its population structure. The distribution of species is limited to upper most reaches of the gulf and thus any alteration in the habitat will eventually affect its population. Studies on the population structure of I. sayajiraoi will provide baseline data for future studies and probably, it has potential to serve as a bioindicator species. Morphometric measurements of the carapace (width and length), cheliped and body weight were measured for specimens, collected monthly. The growth was not isometric, demonstrating a significant difference in carapace of males and females, giving sexual dimorphism. Relationship established between carapace width and weight indicate that species is allometric in nature. Sex ratio was 1.3 : 1 (M : F).  Ovigerous female and juvenile recruitment showed a bimodal distribution pattern for maintaining the overall size of population

Diversity and habitat preference of brachyuran crabs in Gulf of Kutch, Gujarat, India

The biodiversity of Gulf of Kutch is studied well with special reference to scleretinia and mollusca but the brachyuran crab taxa are rather neglected. Gulf of Kutch is very rich in floral and faunal diversity and comprises different types of communities and habitats like very unique coral reefs, mangroves, sandy shores, rocky shores and mudflats. Brachyuran crabs are the most diverse group among marine fauna having 5000 species world wide. Some studies on the intertidal fauna, including brachyuran crabs, have been carried out in Gulf of Kutch but the findings were not sufficient to draw out taxonomic diversity. Present work on Gulf of Kutch is an initiative to scan the entire coastal Gujarat and establish directory of brachyuran crab diversity. Since the Gulf habitat is diverse and distinct, eight different stations (16 sample sites) were sampled. The selection of the sample site was done on the basis of habitat type which included mangrove mudflats, open mudflats and rocky shores. A total of 19 species belonging to 8 families and 15 genera were recorded. Open mud flats were most preferred by the crabs followed by the mangrove mud flats and rocky shore

IN SITU AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON THE INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION INDUCED ALTERATIONS IN THE ORGANS OF FISHES

Abstract: Studies were carried out to compare in situ and experimental exposure to industrial pollutants on the status of oxidative stress generation and structure of liver, muscle and gills of fish. The fishes, Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus Peters 1852), length 15-18cm (weight 26-32g), collected from non polluted pond site, Dumad, were exposed to 10 and 20 % of industrial effluent, collected from the discharge point of CETP, Undera of Vadodara industrial area, in standard lab conditions. For insitu studies Tilapia of similar weight group were collected from polluted site, Koyali pond, located within the industrial area and brought to laboratory for studies without any further experimental exposure. Histological findings indicated prominent damage at higher exposure doses in all the tissues studied. The fishes of Koyali pond also showed structural damage comparable to those noted following high dose experimental exposure. The metabolic and oxidative stress indicator parameters were least affected by day 7 but by day 30 in the high dose exposure group and in the in situ exposed fishes the changes were significant. Among the heavy metals, cadmium, lead and copper accumulated in the fish tissues both in the 30 day high dose experimental and in situ exposure groups. Present studies suggested that at the polluted site, the continuous long term exposure may lead to patho-physiological alterations in fishes or other edible organisms which may be of people's health concern

Brachyuran crab diversity of lower estuarine mud flats of Mahi River with new record of two species from Gujarat, India

A systematic study of brachyuran crab diversity and distribution was carried out for two years on the lower estuarine mud flats of the Mahi River, the upper Gulf of Khambhat, Gujarat. A total of 10 brachyuran crab species belonging to eight genera and eight families were identified. Study documented the distribution and habitat preference of the reported species on the intertidal area. The study records the occurance of two species Dotilla intermedia and Macrophthalmus brevis, for the first time from Gujarat. Moreover the study briefed on the habitat preference, general ethology and morphometry of new recorded species

MACROBENTHOS INTERACTIONS AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION ON LOWER ESTUARINE MUDFLATS OF MAHI RIVER, GUJARAT, INDIA

Abstract: Juvenile recruitment, interactions of macrobenthos and their distribution pattern were studied along the intertidal area of Kamboi, Gulf of Khambhat. The study area was divided in five zones with respect to its sediment characteristics. The sediments were analysed for sand, silt and clay ratio, soil organic carbon, water content (%), porosity, wet and dry bulk densities. Twelve transects of 200 m covering all specified zones were laid monthly, perpendicular to the shore line from surf zone to lower intertidal area spreading over nearly 3 km length of the estuary and distribution pattern of macrobenthos was evaluated. Density of four dominant macrobenthos was evaluated monthly by quadrate sampling and fluctuation in density was studied. Impact of juvenile recruitment period of Boleophthalmus dussumieri and Dotilla blandfordi on distribution of these and other macrobenthos was studied. The results suggest that abiotic factor like sediment characteristic play major role in habitat preference and thus over all distribution pattern of macrobenthos but biotic factor like juvenile recruitment and resulting interactions alter the distribution pattern of macrobenthos for specific period at intertidal area of Kamboi

Study of Color Morphs of Brachyuran crab <i>Etisus laevimanus </i>Randall, 1840

659-664Present study consists the color polymorphism in brachyuran crab Etisus laevimanus Randall, 1840, which is common species found on the rocky shores of indo-pacific region. Total 83 specimens were collected from four different rocky shore sites of Saurashtra coast. Seven different morphs including orange morph, orange morph with brown dots on carapace, green morph, white morph with brown markings on carapace, yellow morph with brown markings on carapace, orange morph with white stripe on carapace and green morph with black spot on carapace were identified. Yellow morph with brown markings on carapace was the most common morph while green morph with black spot on carapace was rare morph found in the study area. Morphs also show peculiar micro habitat preference

Redescription of Arcotheres placunae (Hornell & Southwell, 1909) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Pinnotheridae) from India and Pakistan

Trivedi, Jigneshkumar N., Vachhrajani, Kauresh D., Ng, Peter K. L. (2018): Redescription of Arcotheres placunae (Hornell & Southwell, 1909) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Pinnotheridae) from India and Pakistan. Zootaxa 4433 (1), DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4433.1.