Distribution of algae, seagrasses and coral communities from Lakshadweep Islands, eastern Arabian Sea

Abstract

Marine algae, seagrasses and coral from the intertidal, lagoon, reef and subtidal regions (up to 22 m depth) at Kavaratti, Agatti, Bangaram and Suheli islands, of Lakshadweep were studied. Marine algae and seagrasses were mainly confined to intertidal and lagoonal zones. Out of 69 species of marine algae observed, 21 species were reported for the first time from Lakshadweep Islands. The maximum species of seaweeds reported belonged to Rhodophyceae (26 g, 32 spp). <i>Gracilaria edulis</i> and <i>Halimeda</i> spp showed biomass of 1 kg.m^-2 in the lagoon while <i>Laurencia</i> spp showed biomass of 65 g.m^-2 in the intertidal zone, at Kavaratti. Very few species like <i>Halimeda</i> spp, <i>Turbinaria</i> spp and <i>Asparagopsis taxi-formis</i> were observed in the subtidal zone (3-10 m). The absence of marine algal growth in the greater depth might be due to coral growth and sandy substratum and constant grazing by herbivores. <i>Thalassia hemprichii</i> was observed to be the dominant seagrass in the lagoon of Kavaratti and Agatti. The density of coral increased with depth and alcyonaceans were dominant at greater depth (15-22 m).