Hydrozoa (Macrorhynchia Philippina) a Health Indicator of Coral Reef

Hydrozoa (Macrorhynchia philippina) a Health Indicator of Coral Reef

G. ARUN Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Marine Science, Bharathidasan University R. Rajaram Assistant professor, Marine Genomics and Barcoding Lab, Department of Marine Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli – 620024.Tamil Nadu, India

ABSTRACT

The study has been conducted for the collection of hydrozoa species in Gulf of Mannar coast, Tamil

Nadu, Southeastern India and investigate their occurrence in related to coral reef health assessment. During the study period of February 2017,the Macrorhynchia philippina species associated on the dead /degraded reef flats and absence in the healthy reef. The increased occurrence of M. Philippina colonies were observed based on the substratum availability of dead coral reef. The study has reviled, the M.Phiippina preferably grow on the dead reef part and the increased occurrence act as the indicator species for the reef health assessment.

KEY WORDS: Hydrozoa, Macrorhynciha philippina, Coral associate, Reef health.

INTRODUCTION

Hydrozoa, the most inconspicuous species, which is one of the most voracious feedersinbenthic marine ecosystem.Also the most reported species in terms of complex lifecycle stages. Among the reported hydozoa, Aglaopheniidae, is the most specious family comprising ≈250 valid species having the wide range of geographic distributional record in tropical and temperature seas (Bouillon et al., 2006). The epibiont organisms will grow on the substrate of dead coral, gorgonian and submerged ropes (Di Camillo et al.

2009).A few works, in related to their occurrence on coral reefs andtheir health were reported recently. Yet the information on these coral- hydrozoa and their relationship are still cryptic and to be analyzed (Glynn,

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1983; De Vantier et al., 1986; Hoeksema et al. 2017). The Gulf of Mannar, first biosphere reserve of southern Asia is paradise of many marine liveforms and comprised of wide coral reef ecosystems

(Venkataramen and wafar, 2005). The genus Macrorhynchia (Kirchenpauer, 1872) comprised of 25 valied species and distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Moreover the only species of the Mediterranean

(Bitar&Bitar-Kouli 1995) from this genus. Their extended occurrence was reported form Atlanticocean

(Nutting, 1900). The only species which produce swimming free medusae producer among the

Aglaopheniidae. Many reports have shown the association of Macrorynchia philippina Kirchenpauer, 1872, as an epibiont of coral reefs (Ansı´nAgı´s et al. 2001).Recently the species reported in Gulf of kutch on

2013 on the report of intertidal hydroidspecies (pooja Nagale and apte 2013), after the records of Mamman

(1965). The present study was focused on the association of stinging hydrozoa, Macrorhynchiaphilippina association on the degraded coral reef patch compared with healthy coral reef patches. In related to the reef health monitoringbased on the occurrence ofhydrozoan species are analysed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Colonies of Hydrozoa (Macrorhynchia philippina) were observed during the sample collectionof reef associated hydrozoa in Gulf of Mannar coast, Tamil Nadu, Southeastern India. In Mandapam sampling location (9°16' N and 79° 9' E)the experiment were made by SCUBA diving from February 2018 (Di

Camillo et al. 2009). The collection site is sub-tidal area typically composed of a shallow and mainly reef flat and the location was subjected to strong water currents were showing the hydroid abundance in the dead part of the reef rather than the live organisms (Di Camillo et al. 2009). Before the collection, the colonies were photographed along with their substratum. The specimen of M.Philippinanwere collected using hand picking method and preserved in the 4% neutralized formaldehyde solution and transported to laboratory for further identification. The identification were performed using compound microscope by examine their standard referential key characteristics, with previous reports and morphological key features

(Gibbons & Ryland 1989; Cornelius, 1995; Schuchert, 2001).

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Figure1. Map showing the Mandapam sampling location, Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu, Southeastern India.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS The collected specimen were examined with their key discretional characteristics and confirmed as M. Philippina. The taxonomic classification and their occurrence also been compared with the previous reports. Macrorhynchiaphilippina (Kirchenpauer,1872) Phylum: Cnidaria Class: Hydrozoa Order: Leptothecata Family: Agalopheniidae Genus: Macrorhynchia Species: M. philippina

The species M.Philippinacollected in the shallow region and substratum of the dead coral reefs. The dark and irregular branched with thin hydrocladia. Branches aremonosciphonic end. The branch nodes are oblique and their nematothecaconnected with hingedjoints(GBIF Secretariat, 2017). The lateral alternative branches of main stem are transparent or colorless. hydrocladia and the presence of mamelons in the central auxiliary tubs. The thin perisarc bearing elongated hydrotheca with visible internodes. The visible abcauline cusps with thecal margins and two shorter rounded teeth. Large interthecalseptam arise from the adcaulinesides are located under the theca. Lateral arrangement of nematotheca are situated on the above margine. Colony without gonotheca are observed in the study period Calder (1997); Calder et al. (2003); Schuchert (2003).

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A B

C D

Figure 2. A and B- Healthy live coral reef patch without association of Hydrozoa (Macrorhynchiaphilippina); C and D - Occurrence of M.Philippina colony on dead coral reef patches.

The commonly known “fire fern”, “white stinger” is the venomous M.Philippina hydrozoa caused an intense sting on contact. Their seasonal in occurrence at the tropical regions were well reported elsewhere on the artificial structuresand the dead corals (Rifkin et al. 1993; Cairns et al. 2002; Clark &Goetzfried.

1976). The coral reef ecosystem contain most diverse ecosystem which are now in threatened condition

(Carpenter et al. 2008; Hughes et al. 2017). The interaction between the associated species plays a vital key role in countless propagation in the vulnerable global changes (Strona and Lafferty, 2016). However, monitoring the associated species could be notedfor passiveidentificationof their health status. The hydrozoan on corals has been recently documented and their host specificity. The evidence of the hydroids on coral reef could be the indication of modifying scenario. Even though, the complete understanding were not been established on the association and interaction aspects. The hydrozoans may help in monitoring of coral reef impacts assessment.The observation of the present study, shows the abundant growth of

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M.Philippinaon the dead coral reef and the absence in the health reef of the adjoin location were the indication in two ways, The species may prefer on the dead substratum of coral reefs or the healthy reefs may competitor for the inconspicuous Hydrozoa. Although the figure 2. A and B shows the absence at the healthy condition and the degraded or dead part which occupied by the sandy layer and algal assemblage with the patches of colonial M.Philippina in 2. C and D. Our findings suggests that increasing global change may provide a merer chances in proper understanding of the intimate relationships between coral reef and hydrozoa significance of ecology. Although, this study will covers theimportance of regular field investigations in coral reef ecosystem with targeted novel invertebrate species, which were most component of their ecosystem.

CONCLUSION

The occurrence in specific dead coral reefs and the abundance may indicate the dead coral substratum availability of the benthic locality. Since, the hydrozoa are indicator species of the, environmental pollution indicator. The M.Philippinapresence in coral reef may sign for the suitable water condition, which may lead to further resilience or new recruit on the location. With the continuous monitoring of the certain reef may provide the clear understanding among the species interaction and their interaction behavior.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Authors are thankful to the authorities of Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli – 620 024, Tamil Nadu for providing the necessary facilities for the study. REFERENCE

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