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TAXONOMY OF MARINE FAUNA

DISCOVERY OF NEW SPECIES

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2 species of scleractinian corals were described as new to science.

 

  1. Favites monticularis Tamal Mondal, Raghunathan & Venkataraman, 2013

  2. Ctenactis triangularis Tamal Mondal and Raghunathan, 2013

 

1 species of ascidia was described as new to science.

 

  1. Rhopalaea bilobata Mondal, Raghunathan & Mondal, 2017

 

NEW DISTRIBUTIONAL RECORD OF SPECIES IN INDIAN WATERS

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  • A total of 213 species of scleractinian corals

  •  4 species of octocorals

  •  10 species of ascidians

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ECOLOGY OF CORALS

Report on coral bleaching 2010 

Massive coral bleaching was observed in Andaman and Nicobar Islands along with the world’s oceans in April-May 2010 due to rise of SST & El Nino. The record of massive coral bleaching of 2010 from Andaman and Nicobar Islands was made as the pioneer study from these islands.

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Permanent Monitoring Plots

Participation and team leading was made to set 10 permanent mentoring plots at Andaman and Nicobar Islands along with 3 addition long term monitoring sites from Landfall Island to Great Nicobar Island to monitor the health status of coral reef along with entire reef ecosystem. Systematic data documentation have been going on.

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Report on coral bleaching 2016

Massive coral bleaching was observed in Andaman and Nicobar Islands along with the world’s oceans in April-May 2016 due to EL Nino. The record of massive coral bleaching of 2016 from Andaman and Nicobar Islands was made as the pioneer studies from these islands.

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First Report of Coral Reefs at Visakhapatman Coast- 2019

Pilot surveys were carried out by SCUBA diving at the offshore region of Visakhapatnam coast to record the coral reefs and associated faunal communities at the survey sites. A total of 103 faunal communities including sponge, scleractinian corals,  octocorals, hydrozoans, polyclads, molluscs, opisthobranchs, echinoderms, ascidians, and snake were documented. 

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THE BIODIVERSITY AND STATUS SURVEY OF ANIMALS

Preparation of Management Plan of Loha Barrack Crocodile Sanctuary

Conducted surveys and involved for the preparation of Management Plan of Loha Barrack Crocodile Sanctuary (10 years plan) for the Department of Environment and Forests, A&N Administration.

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Preparation of Management Plan of Cinque Island Sanctuary

Conducted surveys and involved for the preparation of faunal details of Cinque Island Sanctuary for the Department of Environment and Forests, A&N Administration.

 

Preparation of Management Plan of Landfall, East and West Island Sanctuaries

Conducted surveys and involved for the preparation of faunal details of Landfall, East and West Island Sanctuaries for the Department of Environment and Forests, A&N Administration.

 

Mass stranding of pilot whales

Mass Stranding of 40 short-finned pilot whales was reported for the first time from Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Physical measurement was collected for all the stranded whales. Regional investigation was made in field as well as data on earthquake on the date of incident was procured from website of US Geological Survey.

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Status Survey

Participated in the –

  • Status survey on Schedule – IV gastropod Trochus niloticus in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

  • Status survey on Schedule – I [W(P)A, 1972] holothurians was also conducted in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

  • Status survey of Scleractinian corals (Schedule – I [W(P)A, 1972] ) of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

 

Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve: Participation in preparation of nomination form

Participated in the preparation of nomination form for Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve to include it under UNESCO-MAB World Network. The biosphere reserve was included under UNESCO- World Network of Biosphere Reserves during May 2013.

 

Crocodile Census of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Participation of Crocodile Census in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park

Participated in crocodile census programme in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, organized by Department of Environment and Forests, Andaman and Nicobar Administration on 30th and 31st January 2016 during both day and night time.

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First Report of Coral Reefs at Visakhapatman Coast- 2019

Pilot surveys were carried out by SCUBA diving at the offshore region of Visakhapatnam coast to record the coral reefs and associated faunal communities at the survey sites. Six sites were surveyed exploration of reef biodiversity where scattered rocky substratum was found along with the old shipwrecks as substrate. 

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