Incidence of a crustacean wood borer Limnoria platycauda Menzies (Isopoda : Limnoriidae) in Bombay harbour, west coast of India

Abstract

Observation on the occurrence of a crustacean wood borer Limnoria platycauda was made in Bombay harbour (Aug.1993-0ct.1994). Initially, the incidence of L. platycauda was quite high in the first two monsoon months of August and September 1993 but subsequently the number dwindled. However, the occurrence of the species remained consistent till the end of study. The attack was relatively more at nearshore waters than at inner break waters. This is the first report on the occurrence of L. platycauda in Bombay waters. Its continuous occurrence during the present investigation suggests that the species may become a serious menace to waterfront structures in Bombay harbour.