Sluka_2011-The biota of shallow, rocky reefs on the west coast of India

<strong>The</strong> <strong>biota</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>shallow</strong>, <strong>rocky</strong> <strong>reefs</strong> on the west coast <strong>of</strong> India
ROBERT D. SLUKA 1 , ANITA G. MARY 2 , AND S. LAZARUS 3
1 Marine Conservation Consultant, 61 Mill Lane, Chinnor Oxfordshire OX39 4QU United Kingdom bobsluka@hotmail.com
2 Marine Scientist, HMR Consultants, P.O.Box 1295, CPO Seeb, PC 111, Sultanate <strong>of</strong> Oman
3 Institute for Environmental Research and Social Education, 14/C3 Nesamony Nagar, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu 629001 India
Abstract
Reefs on India’s west coast have been little studied.
We report on surveys conducted on this coast.
Percent coverage <strong>of</strong> major benthic groups were
determined using line intercept transects. Coral
diversity was low relative to other coral reef habitats
in India with 20 species observed. Bottom coverage
was dominated by algae, ranging from 24-­‐63%. Coral
cover was low (

<strong>The</strong> <strong>biota</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>shallow</strong>, <strong>rocky</strong> <strong>reefs</strong> on the west coast <strong>of</strong> India. <strong>Sluka</strong> et al. CORDIO Status Report <strong>2011</strong>
Figure 1. Location <strong>of</strong> study sites (squares) along the west coast <strong>of</strong> India. Filled circles represent two islands <strong>of</strong>fshore <strong>of</strong> Muttom
records <strong>of</strong> coral distribution for this area. Sites were
thus chosen by exploring potential hardbottom sites,
especially near <strong>rocky</strong> outcrops and known <strong>rocky</strong>
substrate.
Line intercept transects were used to calculate the
percent coverage <strong>of</strong> both living and non-­‐living
benthos. Categories examined are listed in Table 1.
At each site between four and nine 25 m transects
were lain in representative areas <strong>of</strong> the substrate.
One observer (RDS) examined the bottom
underneath points each 25 cm along the line, giving a
total <strong>of</strong> 100 possible points per transect. Some
transects contained less than 100 points due to
diving related problems or the presence <strong>of</strong> mobile
invertebrates underneath the point (mainly
crinoids). <strong>The</strong> percent coverage was calculated as
the total number <strong>of</strong> points for each benthic category
divided by the total number <strong>of</strong> points for that
transect (range 85-­‐100 points, mean points per
transect = 99). When more than one category could
be scored, the observer made a decision about which
category should be scored. For example, many <strong>of</strong> the
barnacles observed were covered by a thin layer <strong>of</strong>
sponge. In these cases, the points were scored as
barnacle. Similarly, in cases where a thin layer <strong>of</strong>
sediment was covering encrusting sponges, sponges
were scored. Coral was also noted as healthy/live or
bleached.
Total hard coral, sponge, and algal cover were
compared among the three areas: Grand Island (n=7
transects), Netrani Island (n=6), and South India
(n=32, all five sites combined). <strong>The</strong>se areas are
significantly distant from each other and the two
northern island sites were significantly further
<strong>of</strong>fshore than the southern sites. Observes noticed
2

<strong>The</strong> <strong>biota</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>shallow</strong>, <strong>rocky</strong> <strong>reefs</strong> on the west coast <strong>of</strong> India. <strong>Sluka</strong> et al. CORDIO Status Report <strong>2011</strong>
Table 1: Summary <strong>of</strong> benthic coverage (percent ± 1 SE) by site.
Benthos
Grand Netrani Vizhinjam Enayam Kolachel Muttom Muttom
Island Island
inside outside
n 7 6 9 5 8 4 6
Habitat <strong>of</strong>fshore <strong>of</strong>fshore inshore <strong>of</strong>fshore inshore inshore <strong>of</strong>fshore
Total hard coral 31.0 (6.2) 14.7 (6.6) --- 0.8 (0.5) 0.9 (0.5) --- 0.7 (0.5)
Total octocoral 0.1 (0.1) --- --- --- --- --- ---
Anemones --- --- 2.6 (0.7) 1.6 (0.5) 1.3 (0.5) --- ---
Zoanthids 0.1 (0.1) --- --- --- --- --- ---
Corallimorphs --- --- --- --- 0.3 (0.2) --- ---
Hydroid --- --- --- 0.2 (0.2) --- --- ---
Tunicates/ascidia --- --- --- --- 0.1 (0.1) --- ---
ns
Sponges 3.7 (1.3) 2.7 (1.4) 24.7 (5.1) 25.4 (7.6) 44.0 (9.3) 7.3 (3.6) 14.4 (3.2)
Total algal cover 43.9 (4.4) 63.2 (5.0) 41.9 (6.9) 25.0 (5.7) 35.1 (5.7) 56.9 (7.5) 24.5 (3.6)
Fine turf 39.0 (2.6) 60.3 (5.9) 38.9 (5.8) 22.0 (5.8) 32.8 (5.8) 55.4 (7.5) 22.3 (3.4)
Thick turf --- --- 0.1 (0.1) --- 0.7 (0.4) 1.0 (1.0) 0.5 (0.5)
Crustose
3.6 (2.0) 1.2 (0.7) 2.9 (1.4) 3.0 (0.7) 1.6 (0.4) --- 1.5 (0.5)
coralline
Brown frondose 0.6 (0.6) --- --- --- --- 0.3 (0.3) ---
Green frondose 0.4 (0.4) 1.7 (0.9)
Red frondose 0.3 (0.2) --- --- --- --- 0.3 (0.3) 0.2 (0.2)
Barnacle --- --- 2.0 (1.0) 21.0 (6.7) 2.5 (1.1) --- 42.0 (6.0)
Mussel --- 0.3 (0.2) 16.0 (5.2) 8.2 (4.4) 13.0 (4.5) --- 4.1 (2.2)
Polychaete 0.4 (0.2) 13.3 (4.5) --- --- --- --- ---
Bare space --- --- 0.3 (0.2) 0.2 (0.2) 0.4 (0.2) --- 0.9 (0.6)
Sand 1.1 (1.0) 0.3 (0.2) --- --- --- 27.3 (9.3) 1.2 (0.8)
Sand on hardbottom
5.1 (2.1) 3.3 (1.4) 9.7 (3.2) 1.4 (1.4) 0.3 (0.2) 5.8 (2.6) 0.7 (0.3)
Silt on hardbottom
8.6 (4.0) --- --- --- 0.3 (0.3) 2.0 (2.0) ---
Rubble 5.7 (1.8) 2.2 (1.4) 2.7 (0.9) 16.2 (4.2) 2.1 (0.9) --- 11.7 (2.5)
differences among the areas and these were
explored graphically.
Results
<strong>The</strong> southwestern sites consisted <strong>of</strong> three types <strong>of</strong>
habitat. <strong>The</strong> Vizhinjam site could be described as a
fringing <strong>rocky</strong> reef as the <strong>rocky</strong> boulders were
located directly <strong>of</strong>fshore <strong>of</strong> <strong>rocky</strong> coastal areas. This
site ranged in depth from 1 -­‐ 10 m depth and
included large boulders (3m diameter) nearshore
which graded into lower relief boulders and a sandy
bottom at 10 m depth. <strong>The</strong> Enayam, Kolachel, and
Muttom outside sites were also fringing <strong>rocky</strong> <strong>reefs</strong>,
but were located along the shoreline <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fshore
solitary rock structures. <strong>The</strong>se solitary rocks were
isolated from land by less than 1 km and usually the
top 3-­‐5 m was above the surface <strong>of</strong> the water with an
area above the waterline approximately circular
with a diameter <strong>of</strong> 15-­‐20 m. <strong>The</strong>se <strong>rocky</strong> <strong>reefs</strong>
ranged from the intertidal to 15 m depth. <strong>The</strong> last
habitat type was what appeared to be an eroded
limestone structure. <strong>The</strong> Muttom inside site was
located directly <strong>of</strong>fshore and consisted <strong>of</strong> low-­‐relief
(

<strong>The</strong> <strong>biota</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>shallow</strong>, <strong>rocky</strong> <strong>reefs</strong> on the west coast <strong>of</strong> India. <strong>Sluka</strong> et al. CORDIO Status Report <strong>2011</strong>
(Table 1). <strong>The</strong> southwestern sites were
characterized by high sponge (7-­‐43%), barnacle (0-­‐
42%), and mussel (0-­‐16%) cover. With the exception
<strong>of</strong> the <strong>shallow</strong> water Muttom site, there was an
inverse relationship between barnacle and mussel
cover (Table 1). <strong>The</strong> central west coast sites had
higher coral cover and lower sponge cover than the
southwestern sites (Figure 2). Barnacles and
mussels were absent or low in abundance at Grand
and Netrani islands. Polychaetes were an especially
important part <strong>of</strong> the benthos at Netrani Island.
<strong>The</strong>se were boring species whose tubes covered
large rocks almost in their entirety.
Significant coral bleaching was observed at Grand
Island. <strong>The</strong> water temperature during our survey
was observed as low as 21° C. Bleaching was
observed in 34% <strong>of</strong> corals found under transect
lines. <strong>The</strong> total percent coverage <strong>of</strong> bleached corals
at the site was 10.6 ± 3.4 % (± 1 SE).
<strong>The</strong>re were differences in the mean percent cover <strong>of</strong>
coral, sponge, and algae among areas (Figure 2). All
three areas had significantly different coral cover.
While sponge cover appeared similar between Grand
and Netrani islands, South India had higher sponge
cover than either island. Algal cover was significantly
different between Netrani Island and the South
Indian sites.
Discussion and conclusion
Benthic communities
Recent maps <strong>of</strong> coral distribution in India show coral
<strong>reefs</strong> <strong>of</strong>fshore <strong>of</strong> the southwestern sites in this study
(e.g. Wilhemsson et al 2005, Tamelander and
Rajasuriya 2008, Reefbase (http://www.reefbase.
org). Based on data in Table 1, the sites <strong>of</strong>fshore <strong>of</strong>
the southwestern coast should not be considered
coral <strong>reefs</strong> as coral cover is < 1% and with the
exception <strong>of</strong> the Muttom inside site, are not biogenic
in origin. <strong>The</strong>se sites also do not have any type <strong>of</strong>
hermatypic structures. Offshore <strong>of</strong> Kovalam Beach,
near the Vizhinjam site in Table 1, <strong>Sluka</strong> and Lazarus
(2006) found only scattered, encrusting corals, none
within their sampling units. Pillai (1996, cited in
Figure 2. Mean percent cover <strong>of</strong> hard coral, sponge, and algae
among the three study areas. South India represents the five
sites between Vizhinjam and Muttom shown in Figure 1.
Hoon 1997) reported hermatypic corals from this
area and these are termed “patchy outcrops” by
Pillai (1997). <strong>The</strong> central sites <strong>of</strong> Netrani and Grand
Island are <strong>of</strong>ten shown on these maps, but coral
cover has only recently been documented by this
study and the authors’ previous works (Patterson
Edward et al. 2005a, <strong>Sluka</strong> and Lazarus 2009).
During this study, 45 sponge and 16 octocoral
species were identified. Many <strong>of</strong> these species are
new records for the Indian subcontinent and a few
for the Indian Ocean (Mary et al. <strong>2011</strong>).
<strong>The</strong> <strong>reefs</strong> <strong>of</strong> Netrani and Grand Island are more
similar to those in the Gulf <strong>of</strong> Mannar, except that
algae cover is higher. Grand Island, especially, had
similarly high coral cover as reported for the Gulf <strong>of</strong>
4

<strong>The</strong> <strong>biota</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>shallow</strong>, <strong>rocky</strong> <strong>reefs</strong> on the west coast <strong>of</strong> India. <strong>Sluka</strong> et al. CORDIO Status Report <strong>2011</strong>
Mannar (Patterson Edward et al. 2005b, Patterson
Edwards et al. 2008). <strong>The</strong> mechanism by which these
central <strong>reefs</strong> maintain relatively high coral cover
could be due to the wave action and current
movements which are more in southern India and
less in the central coast. <strong>The</strong> southern sites also
become undiveable during the southwest monsoon
and are subjected to high wave energy and are likely
to have high sedimentation. Grand Island is
occasionally shelled by the Indian Navy for target
practice, but no obvious destruction to the reef due
to this process was recorded.
Most <strong>of</strong> the earlier studies on Indian coral <strong>reefs</strong> have
focused on general descriptions <strong>of</strong> the <strong>reefs</strong> or
taxonomic surveys primarily <strong>of</strong> scleractinian fauna
(see reviews by Muley et al. 2000, Bakus et al. 2000
and references therein). Patel (1978) and Pillai et al.
(1979) report that coral cover was 10% in intertidal
rock pools and 45% on the fringing <strong>reefs</strong> in the Gulf
<strong>of</strong> Kutch. <strong>The</strong> Andaman and Nicobar islands are
reported to have the healthiest coral <strong>reefs</strong> and one
study documented a reef with 75% coral cover
(Reddiah 1977 in Bakus et al. 2000). Kulkarni and
Saxena (2002) studied 23 sites in the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands. Live coral cover was high; they also
reported some sites <strong>of</strong> up to 74% cover. Algae and
s<strong>of</strong>t coral cover were low, less than 3% and usually
less than 1%. Published reef studies have primarily
focused on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and
Gulf <strong>of</strong> Mannar (for summaries <strong>of</strong> these results, see
Wilhelmsson et al. 2005, Tamelander and Rajasuriya
2008)
It should be noted that despite the high algal cover
observed, very little macroalgae was found. This is
likely due to the large number <strong>of</strong> herbivorous fish
and urchins at these sites. Large schools <strong>of</strong> parrotfish
(Scaridae) and surgeonfish (Acanthuridae) were
consistently observed roaming the <strong>reefs</strong>. Octocoral
cover was low at all sites with the exception <strong>of</strong> one
area located at the western tip <strong>of</strong> Grand Island where
the sea whip coral (Junceella juncea) was abundant.
This area is closest to the channel between Grand
Island and the shoreline and likely experience higher
current velocities than the other areas <strong>of</strong> that island.
Many authors have noted coral reef structures along
the west coast <strong>of</strong> India (Bakus et al. 2000). This
study has shown that there are extensive fringing
<strong>reefs</strong> at some sites on the central western coast,
sometimes called the Malvan coast, and include
areas farther south than previously noted, at least to
14.02N 74.33 E along the northern coast <strong>of</strong>
Karnataka. <strong>The</strong> “pr<strong>of</strong>usion” <strong>of</strong> hermatypic corals that
Pillai and Jasmine (1995) found no longer exist.
Neither does the “pr<strong>of</strong>use growth <strong>of</strong> hermatypes” at
Enayam. <strong>The</strong> destruction <strong>of</strong> these <strong>shallow</strong>-­‐water
formations was surely helped by the collection <strong>of</strong>
these corals as noted in Pillai and Jasmine (1995).
However, at Melekel, a <strong>rocky</strong> pinnacle <strong>of</strong>fshore <strong>of</strong>
Muttom extending from the surface to 35 m depth,
and unlikely to be subjected to coral collection, we
also did not find extensive hermatypic corals (R.
<strong>Sluka</strong> personal observation). Corals were abundant
at this site relative to other sites between Vizhinjam
and Muttom, but were mainly from the ahermatypic
genera Dendrophylia and Tubastrea. Hermatypic
forms were rare and mainly encrusting at Melekel,
suggesting significant environmental restrictions to
extensive reef growth in this area. <strong>The</strong> presence <strong>of</strong>
the hermatypic <strong>reefs</strong> noted in Pillai and Jasmine
(1995) indicate that it is possible for branching
forms to grow in pr<strong>of</strong>usion. <strong>The</strong> geology <strong>of</strong> this
region should be further examined to look at
historical reef growth and potential environmental
and anthropogenic factors influencing reef
development on the southwest coast.
Pillai and Jasmine (1995) listed 13 hermatypic
species from the southwest coast <strong>of</strong> which only 2
species and an additional 2 genera are in common
with our study. <strong>The</strong> forms found in common
between the two studies are mainly branching
species, with the exception <strong>of</strong> the encrusting Porites
lichen (Table 2). Eight <strong>of</strong> the 13 species identified by
Pillai and Jasmine (1995) are branching species,
though some may encrust in <strong>shallow</strong> water. During
our study, only one colony <strong>of</strong> Pocillopora verrucosa, a
branching species, was observed. With the exception
<strong>of</strong> the deeper water genera Dendrophyllia and
Tubastrea, all coral species along this coast were
encrusting forms. <strong>The</strong> differences in our species lists
may result from the different method <strong>of</strong> sampling
(SCUBA vs snorkel) and depths sampled (2-­‐30m vs
2-­‐5 m) or may reflect the changing nature <strong>of</strong> these
coral communities. Both natural and anthropogenic
factors seem to have reduced the number <strong>of</strong>
5

<strong>The</strong> <strong>biota</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>shallow</strong>, <strong>rocky</strong> <strong>reefs</strong> on the west coast <strong>of</strong> India. <strong>Sluka</strong> et al. CORDIO Status Report <strong>2011</strong>
Table 2: Coral species observed. x indicates that this species was observed at a particular region. xx indicates a new
distribution record based upon maps in Veron (2000).
Species/Genus SW coast Natrani
Island
Grand
Island
Phylum Coelenterata
Class Anthozoa
Order Scleractinia
Family Pocilloporidae
Pocillopora verrucosa (Ellis and Solander, 1786) x x
Family Siderastreidae
Siderastrea savignyana Milne Edwards and Haime, 1880
x
Psammocora pr<strong>of</strong>undacella Gardiner, 1898
xx
Coscinaraea monile (Forskal, 1775) x x
Family Agariciidae
Leptoseris foliosa Dineson, 1980
xx
L. incrustans (Quelch, 1886) xx
L. mycetoseroides Wells, 1954 xx
Family Dendrophylliidae
Turbinaria mesenterina (Lamarck, 1816)
x
Dendrophyllia sp. x x
Tubastrea sp. x x
Family Faviidae
Favia matthaii Vaughan, 1916 x x
F. speciosa Dana, 1846 x
Favites pentagona (Esper, 1794) x xx xx
F. spinosa (Klunzinger, 1879) xx
Plesiastrea vesipora (Lammarck, 1816) x x
Family Poritidae
Porites lichen Dana, 1846
x
P. lobata Dana, 1846 xx
P. lutea Milne Edwards and Haime, 1851 x
Goniopora sp.
x
Order Stylasterina
Stylaster sp.
x
branching forms so that the surviving coral colonies
are encrusting species. No data exists for comparison
for the coral fauna <strong>of</strong> Grand and Netrani Islands.
External impacts
<strong>The</strong> anthropogenic activities and development near
our survey sites pose numerous threats to the health
<strong>of</strong> the marine environment. <strong>The</strong>se threats can be
divided into two categories 1) human habitation and
2) fishing related activities. Several important
sources <strong>of</strong> human abuse were noted. Many <strong>of</strong> the
sites were littered with plastic and linen trash. <strong>The</strong>
damage these cause is unknown. Other problems
include untreated effluent being discharged into the
sea and <strong>of</strong>fshore <strong>of</strong> Goa, the silt and potential
chemical destruction affecting <strong>reefs</strong> because <strong>of</strong> strip
mining. Fishing pressure at these sites is intense, but
artisanal in nature. Most inshore fishing is conducted
by small canoe. Dynamite fishing was observed
<strong>of</strong>fshore <strong>of</strong> one village (Vizhinjim). Most sites had
several nets and/or traps which were caught among
the rocks and continued fishing. Numerous fish were
observed dead in these nets and traps.
Hard coral and octocoral cover was very low (< 1%)
in the southwestern sites in this study. This is likely
due to heavy sedimentation which can severely
affect coral growth (Loya 1976). <strong>The</strong> benthic habitat
surrounding these <strong>rocky</strong> areas is silty-­‐sand. This
results in high sedimentation. Inshore sites were
6

<strong>The</strong> <strong>biota</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>shallow</strong>, <strong>rocky</strong> <strong>reefs</strong> on the west coast <strong>of</strong> India. <strong>Sluka</strong> et al. CORDIO Status Report <strong>2011</strong>
clearly influenced by this as evidenced by the high
amount <strong>of</strong> sediment found on <strong>reefs</strong> and the low
visibility while diving. In some cases, dives had to be
abandoned as near total darkness engulfed the
researchers as they approached the bottom in 10 m
depth. <strong>The</strong> <strong>of</strong>fshore sites were much less affected by
sedimentation and consistently had better visibility.
Corals were also exploited from Muttom for use in
cement factories as raw material. In all <strong>of</strong> these sites,
mussels are collected for food. It is unknown if in the
process <strong>of</strong> collecting mussels, corals are destroyed or
whether mussels and barnacles simply outcompete
corals for space. Patterson-­‐Edwards (2002)
indicated that coral cover in unprotected sites in the
Gulf <strong>of</strong> Mannar was significantly lower than those in
protected sites. <strong>The</strong> islands <strong>of</strong> central India are
located farther <strong>of</strong>fshore (2-­‐10 km) than the
southwestern sites and coral cover was much higher
than our south western sites.
Conservation value
<strong>The</strong> west coast <strong>of</strong> India is subject to heavy swells and
terrestrial run<strong>of</strong>f and this coast has long been
thought to not be able to support coral communities
(Backus et al 2000). For example, Seymour Sewell
(1932) reported that coral growth was abundant in
India, except peninsular India. He attributed this
absence <strong>of</strong> <strong>reefs</strong> to the effects <strong>of</strong> freshwater and mud
brought down from India’s great rivers. <strong>The</strong>
biodiversity <strong>of</strong> coral communities on the west coast
is low compared to other reef areas in India and is
likely the result <strong>of</strong> impacts from sedimentation,
nutrient enrichment, and turbidity, all <strong>of</strong> which
impact coral reef biodiversity (Fabricius 2005).
Additionally, coral cover is likely reduced by these
same processes as well as through anthropogenic
factors listed above.
<strong>The</strong>se <strong>rocky</strong> <strong>reefs</strong> are likely islands <strong>of</strong> biodiversity in
the surrounding sea <strong>of</strong> sand and mud. <strong>The</strong> extent to
which fish life, for example, is concentrated around
this sites is unknown. However, local fishermen
appear to target <strong>rocky</strong> areas for their fishing activity.
Additionally, non-­‐coral biodiversity is likely high in
these areas, especially sponges and octocorals,
though the extent <strong>of</strong> other taxonomic biodiversity is
unknown. Some sites, for example, were found to
have large numbers <strong>of</strong> crinoids and octocorals were
abundant on deeper sites <strong>of</strong>fshore in clearer water.
Though we would expect that these systems would
be simpler than in clearer water due to increased
exposure to run<strong>of</strong>f (Fabricius 2005), local
biodiversity is likely high. <strong>The</strong>se <strong>reefs</strong> might reflect
the future <strong>of</strong> <strong>reefs</strong> in other areas that are beginning
to experience these types <strong>of</strong> combined
anthropogenic and sedimentation stresses.
Reductions in biodiversity and perhaps shifts
towards greater abundance <strong>of</strong> sediment and nutrient
tolerant taxa are expected with increases in
sedimentation (Fabricius 2005). <strong>The</strong> <strong>reefs</strong> <strong>of</strong> India’s
west coast might be indicative <strong>of</strong> the future <strong>of</strong> many
continental coral <strong>reefs</strong>.
Conclusions and future research
This study represents one <strong>of</strong> the first in situ
investigations <strong>of</strong> these benthic communities on the
west coast <strong>of</strong> India. Clearly further basic research is
necessary to document reef biodiversity, variability
through time and space, and these <strong>reefs</strong>’
contribution to the local communities. All <strong>reefs</strong>
studied were in relatively <strong>shallow</strong> water. Deeper
<strong>reefs</strong> may be significantly different. Additionally, as
<strong>reefs</strong> worldwide are subjected to stresses that these
communities have adapted to, studies on
sedimentation rates and sediment types could prove
beneficial for understanding impacts in other areas
<strong>of</strong> the world. <strong>The</strong> future <strong>of</strong> many coral <strong>reefs</strong>
worldwide may be mirrored in the natural history <strong>of</strong>
the <strong>reefs</strong> on India’s West Coast. This study
represents a first step towards understanding these
<strong>reefs</strong> locally with the hope that this will provide
value to coral reef managers locally and globally.
Acknowlegements
This study was funded by the Committee for
Research and Exploration, National Geographic
Society. We thank S. Thomas, F.G. Nazareth and V.
Charloo for diving assistance. V. Charloo and K.
Gregory <strong>of</strong> Barracuda Diving Services, Goa provided
dive support at cost at Grand and Netrani Islands. An
anonymous reviewer made excellent suggestions for
improving the manuscript. <strong>The</strong> authors thank M.
Aneel Kumar and Sini Sony, GIS Experts, RTS, Oman
for producing the map.
7

<strong>The</strong> <strong>biota</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>shallow</strong>, <strong>rocky</strong> <strong>reefs</strong> on the west coast <strong>of</strong> India. <strong>Sluka</strong> et al. CORDIO Status Report <strong>2011</strong>
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