Primary productivity of populations of Zoanthus sp. in Minicoy Lagoon, Lakshadweep

Abstract

Knowledge on algal association with animal cells particularly reef coelenterates has greatly increased in the recent years. Unicellular zooxanthellae are invariably present in all hermatypic corals. They are also present in many other reef coelenterates namely hydrozoans, scyphozoans and anthozoans. Their importance as primary producers and their productivity are reported for the first time from Minicoy Lagoon of Lakshadweep Archipelago.