Studies on the Diversity and Shallow Waters of Echinoderms from Port Blair Bay, South Andaman Island, India

M Vishwas Rao and TT Ajith

Abstract

Studies on the Diversity and Shallow Waters of Echinoderms from Port Blair Bay, South Andaman Island, India Echinoderm species diversity in the coastal waters of South Andaman was investigated in ten sites. Totally 89 species of Echinoderms were identified which plunge under five classes of echinoderms such as Holothurioidea, Echinoidea, Ophiuroidea, Asteriodea and Crinoidea belonging to 52 genera, 13 orders and 24 families, which were the most diverse classes. Species richness (S) was generally greater, higher levels were noted in Pongibalu and Chidiyatapu followed by Marina Park, Wandoor and Barmanallah.