Diversity and Distribution of Scleractinian Corals in Middle Andaman, India

Abstract

The coral fauna of Middle Andaman was surveyed from April, 2009 to October, 2010. A total of 72 species belonging to 32 genera and 11 families were recorded. The present investigation estimated the coral diversity and distribution of Scleractinia fauna at Aves Island, Sound Island, Rail Island, and Karlo Island of Middle Andaman. Underwater field survey was carried out at four selected sites by skin diving and scuba diving methods and for quantitative analysis, LIT and quadrate methods were used. In Middle Andaman, coral reef communities mainly composed of Acroporidae, Faviidae, Fungiidae, Poritidae, Agariciidae and Pocilloporidae families. The maximum diversity of corals is found in the Aves Island (H'=2.58). The species evenness was higher in Sound Island (J=0.92) and less in Karlo Island (J=0.77). Among the genera Acropora, Porites, Favites and Fungia are highly distributed at the different study areas.