Morphological traits and spatial distribution of azooxanthellate corals of Rhizangiidae in the Laccadive Sea

Viswambharan, Divya and Sreenath, K R (2024) Morphological traits and spatial distribution of azooxanthellate corals of Rhizangiidae in the Laccadive Sea. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 104. pp. 1-7. ISSN 1469-7769

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Abstract

Azooxanthellate corals of Rhizangiidae, with their distinctive morphological and ecological features, are widely distributed across global oceans but remain under-studied due to identification challenges. Comprehensive underwater surveys across diverse marine habitats such as rocky reefs and submerged shipwrecks were undertaken, and findings highlighted the exclusive presence of Culicia stellata in natural rocks, off the coast of Kaup for the first time in Indian EEZ. The study also records the presence of Cladangia exusta, nearly six decades after the first record from off Cochin, Laccadive Sea. This research presents a detailed study of the taxonomic description, distribution, and ecological preferences of Cladangia exusta and Culicia stellata in the Laccadive Sea. This study underscores the importance of accurate species identification for effective conservation strategies and enriching biodiversity records.

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