No abstract

This study reports an updated checklist of marine shrimps found along the Indian coast, including the Lakshadweep and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.  A total of 364 species classified under 128 genera belonging to the order Decapoda is reported, thus adding 27 species to the existing checklist of 337 species.  Marine shrimps are classified under two suborders of the order Decapoda, viz., Dendrobranchiata and Pleocyemata, and the two suborders account for 155 (42.6 %) and 209 species (57.4 %) of these 364 species, respectively.  Pleocyemata is represented by three infraorders, viz., Axiidea, Caridea and Stenopodidea, while Caridea has a maximum of 199 reported species. Among the 12 superfamilies, Penaeoidea contributed to 38.13% (135 species) followed by Paleaemonidea with 18.07% (64 species).  All other superfamilies were found to contribute less than 12%.  Superfamilies, Bresilloidea and Psalidopodoidea had only single species representatives (0.28% each).  The final list was compiled after reviewing all existing literature including monographs, catalogues, checklists, websites and fishery reports. The scientific names were validated with the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) database.  A total of 25 issues were identified from the previous checklist out of which 19 species have been updated with the correct, accepted names and six species have been removed from the previous list.

A marine invertebrate of starfish is a most familiar one. It was mainly occur on the seabed and diversity of starfish is remarkable ones. Astropecten sp is not easily identified organism while a number of species a long-lived planktotrophic larval stage. As a rule of pentamerism, Astropecten indicus strictly produces only 5 arms but some time the number was lesser than or greater than five and shows its abnormality. The reason may be of regeneration of plate systems which is responsible for forming the whole organs during larval metamorphosis or regenerating the lost plate systems in the disc in the later stages or due to environmental factors or may be of mutation.

Species checklists enlist the species available within the defined geographical region and thus serve as essential input for developing conservation and management strategies. The fields of conservation biology and ecology confront the challenge of inflated biodiversity, attributed to non-recognition of taxonomic inconsistencies such as synonyms, alternate representation, emendations etc. Critical review of the checklists and distributional records of Phylum Echinodermata from Indian waters and subsequent validation of species names with World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) database, revealed that the current literature included 236 incorrect entries comprising of 162 synonyms, 15 emendations, 5 nomina dubia, 1 nomen nudum, 40 species under alternate representation, 9 species with author misnomer, 1 subspecies and 1 unaccepted. The 226 species found to be mixed with valid names and a revised checklist was prepared. The revised and updated checklist holds 741 species of echinoderms comprising of 182 asteroids (24.56%), 70 crinoids (9.45%), 138 echinoids (18.62%), 179 holothuroids (24.16%) and 172 ophiuroids (23.21%), placed under 28 orders and 107 families. This paper discusses the cause for taxonomic inflation and argues that such taxonomic inconsistencies alter our interpretations of a species including its inaccurate distribution and, could possibly impede the country's conservation and management efforts.

Eggs and larvae of the fishes are known as Ichthyoplankton. Mostly, the eggs are a planktonic and they cannot swim effectively and drift with the ocean currents. A fish larva is a part of zooplankton there consumes small organisms. It is a bio-indicator of an aquatic ecosystem. In the present study, totally 748/100 m 3 fish eggs were collected from both the stations of Point Calimere and Muthupettai. The finfish eggs were recorded maximum in 18/100 m 3 and 24/100 m 3 at station I and II and the larvae were recorded maximum in 8/100 m 3 and 12/100 m 3 at station I and II respectively. When compare two sampling station the maximum of fish eggs and larvae were observed station I than there other station. Sensitive development stages of the fish, like egg and larvae which can affect mainly on predatory problem, environmental parameters and manmade activities. The true diversity date is need for the species conservation and maintenance. Distribution of Fin-fish Eggs and Results Distribution of fish eggs and larvae