World Journal of Zoology 9 (2): 93-100, 2014 ISSN 1817-3098 © IDOSI Publications, 2014 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wjz.2014.9.2.83326

Threatened Scleractinian of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

11Tamal Mondal, C. Raghunathan and 2 K. Venkataraman

1Zoological Survey of India, Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre, National Reef Research Institute, Haddo, Port Blair-744 102, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India 2Zoological Survey of India, Prani Vigyan Bhavan, M- Block, New Alipore, Kolkata-700 053, India

Abstract: Conservation is the measure to safeguard any against the depletion. Depending upon the natural and human threats, several species are under threat towards extinction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) was founded to compute the status of floral and faunal lives to protect them against degradation by means of several categorizations. Threatened species is the combination of three categories such as Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable which are very near to extinction stage. Depending upon five criterions 228 species of scleractinian corals were categorized under threatened species. Andaman and Nicobar Islands harbors 121 species of threatened corals comprising of 8.26% Endangered (EN) and 90.90% Vulnerable (VU) species. Only one species of scleractinian coral under Critically Endangered (CR) category was reported from Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Among them, 44.62% species are common in occurrence and distribution in Andaman and Nicobar Islands which implies the enriched marine biodiversity of these areas.

Key words: Conservation Threatened Species Endangered Vulnerable Andaman and Nicobar Islands

INTRODUCTION contributing a lot for sustainable development of the world from biological, ecological, socio-economical etc. Andaman and Nicobar Islands are the mountain chain aspects as well as by taking protective measures against of 572 islands from Landfall Island to Great Nicobar natural calamities. However, due to over exploitation of Island located in between Bay of Bengal and Andaman natural resources from the reef environments, pollution, Sea within 6-14°N to 92-94°E [1, 2]. The importance of coral mining, non-scientific fishing practices etc. the these islands is incredible due to the presence of immense corals are facing threats against their survival. Where biodiversity from terrestrial to marine ecosystem. The existence of the corals are obvious for the development mesmerizing interlinking relationships among the and healthy world, depletion, destruction and devastation ecosystems are the building blocks of entire biodiversity of the scleractinian lives and associated faunal in terrestrial as well as marine avenues in the form of 106 communities are being faced simultaneously which leads protected areas in these groups of islands with two to the threat of extinction. The threat towards extinction Marine National Parks denote as the part of one of the may be a long term process in due course of evolution biological hotspots [3]. All these islands of this either by natural causes or anthropogenic. In 1948, with archipelago are surrounded by well spread healthy the extensive efforts of world’s biologist, the International fringing type coral reefs on the continental shelf with Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) was established diversified scleractinians. Coral reefs are the baseline to conserve the biological organisms around the globe. ecosystem where of all the phyla except one are Depending upon some criterions and a thorough research found [4]. The coral reefs of marine realm have been of 6 years, IUCN Red List was published in 1994 while

Corresponding Author: Tamal Mondal, Zoological Survey of India, Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre, National Research Institute, Haddo, Port Blair-744 102, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, E-mail: [email protected]

93 World J. Zool., 9 (2): 93-100, 2014

compilation of animals was made in 1996. According to more than 500 Self Contained Underwater Breathing the Red List, nine categorizations such as Extinct (EX), Apparatus (SCUBA) diving at coral reef ecosystem of Extinct in the Wild (EW), Critically Endangered (CR), these group of islands and snorkeling during the above Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU), Near Threatened (NT), said study period. Status quantification was made by Line Least Concern (LC), Data Deficient (DD) and Not Intercept Transect Method and Quadrate Study Method Evaluated (NE), were made to evaluate the status of the [6, 7] to state their regional occurrences. Digitization of animals from micro-organisms to the mammals. According individual species was made by underwater camera (Sony- to this category, the first two categories explains the Cyber Shot, Model-T900, marine pack, 12.1 megapixels). damaged status of the animals groups from the Identification of the species was made in conjunction with biodiversity whereas the next three categories are the Veron and Pichon [8], Veron and Pichon [9], Veron and reflecting the trend towards extinction. The animals under Pichon [10], Veron et al. [11] Veron and Wallace [12], CR, EN and VU are considered as threatened animals Veron [13] and Wallace [14]. under certain time. Five criterions are considered to make evaluation of any to conclude about the threatened RESULTS such as A. Declining population from past to future, B. Geographic range size and A total of 121 species of scleractinian corals fragmentation, decline or fluctuations, C. Small under 36 genera and 12 families were identified as population size and fragmentation, decline, or threatened corals from Andaman and Nicobar Islands fluctuations, D. Very small population or very restricted (Table 1). Among them, 110 species are Vulnerable (VU), distribution and the last not the least E. Quantitative ten are Endangered (EN) and one species is Critically analysis of extinction risk [5]. When any species meets Endangered (CR). The family describes any of the five criterions and considerably facing for the maximum number of 50 of corals high risk of extinction from the wild will be encountered where Pectinidae family describes only two species of under any one of the three threatened categories. The vulnerable corals from Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The present paper dealt with the threatened scleractinian family Acroporidae represents three species of corals of Andaman and Nicobar Islands with their regional Endangered corals while Mussidae and Poritidae occurrences. represents two from each of the family whereas Fungiidae, Merulinidae and Pocilloporidae MATERIALS AND METHODS represents only one endangered species from each of the family (Table 2). On the basis of quantified data, it was The studies were conducted in Andaman and encountered that 67 species are Rare and 54 species are Nicobar Islands from July 2009 to April 2014 to document Common according to regional occurrence in these the scleractinian species. Species recording was made by groups of islands.

Table 1: Threatened Scleractinian Corals of Andaman and Nicobar Islands A and N Islands ------Sl. No. Species Andaman Islands Nicobar Islands IUCN, 2013 Occurrence in A and N Family: ACROPORIDAE Verrill, 1902 Genus: Oken, 1815 1. (Brook, 1893) VU R 2. Wallace and Wolstenholme, 1998 VU C 3. Acropora donei Veron and Wallace, 1984 VU R 4. Acropora globiceps (Dana, 1846) VU R 5. Acropora hemprichii (Ehrenberg,1834) VU C 6. Acropora hoeksemai Wallace, 1997 VU R 7. Acropora horrida (Dana, 1836) VU C 8. Acropora kosurini Wallace, 1994 VU R 9. Acropora kimbeensis Wallace, 1999 VU R 10. Acropora loisetteae Wallace, 1994 VU R 11. (Ehrenberg, 1834) VU C 12. Acropora paniculata Verrill, 1902 VU R

94 World J. Zool., 9 (2): 93-100, 2014

Table 1: Continue A and N Islands ------Sl. No. Species Andaman Islands Nicobar Islands IUCN, 2012 Occurrence in A and N 13. Acropora palmerae Wells, 1954 VU R 14. Acropora papillare Latypov, 1992 VU C 15. (Brook, 1891) VU C 16. Acropora pharaonis (Milne Edwards and Haime, 1860) VU R 17. Acropora rudis (Rehberg, 1892) EN C 18. Acropora roseni Wallace, 1999 EN C 19. (Quelch, 1886) VU C 20. Acropora striata (Verrill, 1866) VU C 21. Acropora vaughani Wells, 1954 VU C 22. Acropora verweyi (Veron and Wallace,1984) VU R 23. Acropora aspera (Dana, 1846) VU C 24. Acropora caroliniana Namenzo, 1976 VU R 25. Acropora multiacuta (Nemenzo, 1967) VU C 26. (Dana, 1846) VU R 27. Acropora solitaryensis Veron and Wallace, 1984 VU C 28. (Wallace, 1994) VU R 29. Acropora spicifera (Dana, 1846) VU C 30. Acropora dendrum (Bassett-Smith, 1890) VU C 31. Acropora batunai Wallace, 1997 VU R 32. Acropora turaki Wallace, 1994 VU R 33. Acropora acuminata (Verrill, 1864) VU R 34. Acropora cervicornis (Lamarck, 1816) CR R Genus: Ridley, 1884 35. Anacropora reticulata Veron and Wallace, 1984 VU R 36. Anacropora matthai Pillai, 1973 VU R 37. Anacropora spinosa Rehberg, 1892 EN R Genus: de Blainville, 1830 38. Astreopora incrustans Bernard, 1896 VU R 39. Astreopora cucullata Lamberts, 1980 VU R Genus: Montipora de Blainville, 1830 40. Montipora angulata (Lamarck, 1816) VU R 41. Montipora caliculata (Dana, 1846) VU C 42. Montipora cebuensis (Nemenzo,1976) VU C 43. Montipora crassituberculata Bernard, 1897 VU R 44. Montipora delicatula Veron, 2002 VU C 45. Montipora flabellata Studer, 1901 VU C 46. Montipora florida Nemenzo, 1967 VU R 47. Montipora corbettensis Veron and Wallace, 1984 VU R 48. Montipora samarensis Nemenzo, 1967 VU R 49. Montipora meandrina (Ehrenberg,1834) VU R 50. Montipora gaimardi (Bernard, 1897) VU C 51. Montipora turtlensis Veron and Pichon, 1984 VU R 52. Montipora vietnamensis Veron, 2002 VU R 53. Montipora verruculosus Veron, 2002 VU R 54. Montipora capricornis Veron, 1985 VU R Family: Gray, 1847 Genus: Leptoseris Milne Edwards and Haime, 1849 55. Leptoseris incrustans (Quelch, 1886) VU C 56. Leptoseris yabei (Pillai and Scheer, 1976) VU R

95 World J. Zool., 9 (2): 93-100, 2014

Table 1: Continue A and N Islands ------Sl. No. Species Andaman Islands Nicobar Islands IUCN, 2012 Occurrence in A and N Genus: Pachyseris Milne Edwards and Haime, 1849 57. Pachyseris rugosa (Lamarck, 1801) VU C Genus: Lamarck, 1801 58. Pavona bipartita Nemenzo, 1980 VU C 59. Pavona cactus (Forskal, 1775) VU C 60. Pavona diffluens (Lamarck, 1816) VU R 61. Pavona danai (Milne Edwards and Haime, 1860) VU C 62. Pavona decussata (Dana, 1846) VU C 63. Pavona venosa (Ehrenberg, 1834) VU C Family: DENDROPHYLLIIDAE Gray, 1847 Genus: Turbinaria Oken, 1815 64. Turbinaria stellulata (Lamarck, 1816) VU C 65. Turbinaria reniformis Bernerd, 1816 VU C 66. Turbinaria mesenterina (Lamarck, 1816) VU C 67. Turbinaria peltata (Esper, 1794) VU C Family: EUPHYLLIDAE Veron, 2000 Genus: Euphyllia Dana, 1846 68. Euphyllia ancora Veron and Pichon, 1979 VU C 69. Euphyllia cristata Chevalier, 1971 VU R 70. Euphyllia paraglabrescens Veron, 1990 VU R Genus: Catalaphyllia Wells, 1971 71. Catalaphyllia jardinei (Saville-Kent, 1893) VU R Genus: Physogyra Quelch, 1884 72. Physogyra lichtensteini (Milne Edwards and Haime, 1851) VU C Family: FAVIIDAE Gregory, 1900 Genus: Barabattoia Yabe and Sugiyama, 1941 73. Barabattoi laddi (Wells, 1954) VU C Genus: Caulastrea Dana, 1846 74. Caulastrea echinulata (Milne Edwards and Haime, 1849) VU R 75. Caulastrea curvata Wijsman-Best, 1972 VU R Genus: Cyphastrea Milne Edwards and Haime, 1848 76. Cyphastrea agassizi (Vaughan, 1907) VU R 77. Cyphastrea ocellina (Dana,1864) VU C Genus: Favia Oken, 1815 78. Favia rosaria Veron, 2002 VU R Genus: Favites Link, 1807 79. Favites spinosa (Klunzinger, 1879) VU C Genus: Leptoria Milne Edwards and Haime, 1848 80. Leptoria phrygia (Ellis and Solander, 1786) VU C Genus: Leptastrea Milne Edwards and Haime, 1848 81. Leptastrea aequalis Veron, 2002 VU C Genus: Montastrea de Blainville, 1830 82. Montastrea salebrosa (Nemenzo, 1959) VU C Genus: Platygyra Ehrenberg, 1834 83. Platygyra yaeyamaensis Eguchi and Shirai, 1977 VU R Family: FUNGIIDAE Dana, 1846 Genus: Cycloseris Milne Edwards and Haime, 1849

96 World J. Zool., 9 (2): 93-100, 2014

Table 1: Continue A and N Islands ------Sl. No. Species Andaman Islands Nicobar Islands IUCN, 2012 Occurrence in A and N 84. Cycloseris curvata (Hoeksema, 1989) VU C Genus: Fungia Lamarck, 1801 85. Fungia seychellensis Hoeksema, 1993 VU R 86. Fungia taiwanensis Hoeksema and Dai, 1991 VU R Genus: Halomitra Dana, 1846 87. Halomitra clavator Hoeksema, 1989 VU R Genus: Cantharellus Hoeksema and Best, 1984 88. Cantharellus noumae Hoeksema and Best, 1984 EN R Family: MERULINIDAE Verrill, 1866 Genus: Hydnophora Fischer de Waldheim, 1807 89. Hydnophora bonsai Veron, 1990 EN R Family: MUSSIDAE Ortmann, 1890 Genus: Milne Edwards and Haime, 1848 90. Acanthastrea bowerbanki Milne Edwards and Haime, 1851 VU R 91. Acanthastrea brevis Milne Edwards and Haime, 1849 VU R 92. Acanthastrea hemprichii (Ehrenberg, 1834) VU C 93. Acanthastrea regularis Veron, 2002 VU C 94. Acanthastrea faviaformis Veron, 2002 VU R 95. Acanthastrea ishigakiensis Veron, 1990 VU R Genus: Lobophyllia de Blainville, 1830 96. Lobophyllia diminuta Veron, 1985 VU R 97. Lobophyllia serratus Veron, 2002 EN R 98. Lobophyllia dentatus Veron, 2002 VU R Genus: Isophyllia Milne Edwards and Haime, 1851 99. Isophyllia rigida (Dana, 1846) EN R Genus: Symphyllia Milne Edwards and Haime, 1848 100. Symphyllia hassi Pillai and Scheer, 1976 VU C Family: OCULINIDAE Gray, 1847 Genus: Galaxea Oken, 1815 101. Galaxea acrhelia Veron, 2002 VU R 102. Galaxea cryptoramosa Veron, 2002 VU R 103. Galaxea astreata (Lamarck, 1816) VU C Family: PECTINIIDAE Vaughan and Wells, 1943 Genus: Pectinia Oken, 1815 104. Pectinia alcicornis (Saville-Kent,1871) VU C 105. Pectinia lactuca Pallas, 1766 VU C Family: PORITIDAE Gray, 1842 Genus: Alveopora de Blainville, 1830 106. Alveopora allingi Hoeffmeister, 1925 VU R 107. Alveopora gigas Veron, 1985 VU R 108. Alveopora verrilliana Dana, 1846 VU R Genus: Goniopora de Blainville, 1830 C 109. Goniopora burgosi (Nemenzo,1955) VU R 110. Goniopora albiconus Veron, 2002 VU R 111. Goniopora planulata (Ehrenberg, 1834) VU R

97 World J. Zool., 9 (2): 93-100, 2014

Table 1: Continue A and N Islands ------Sl. No. Species Andaman Islands Nicobar Islands IUCN, 2012 Occurrence in A and N Genus: Porites Link, 1807 112. Porites attenuata (Nemenzo 1955) VU C 113. Porites desilveri Veron, 2002 EN R 114. Porites eridani Umbgrove, 1940 EN R 115. Porites horizontalata Hoffmeister, 1925 VU C 116. Porites nigrescens Dana, 1846 VU C Family: POCILLOPORIDAE Gray, 1842 Genus: Pocillopora Lamarck, 1816 117. Pocillopora ankeli Scheer and Pillai, 1974 VU C 118. Pocillopora danae Verrill, 1864 VU C 119. Pocillopora elegans Dana, 1846 VU C 120. Pocillopora fungiformis Veron, 2002 EN R Genus: Seriatopora Lamarck, 1816 121. Seriatopora aculeata Quelch, 1886 VU R (VU=Vulnerable, EN= Endangered, CR=Critically Endangered; C= Common, R= Rare)

Table 2: Comparative family status of threatened scleractinian corals of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Vulnerable species Endangered species Critically Endangered species ------Family Name A and N Islands Global Percentage A and N Islands Global Percentage A and N Islands Global Percentage 1. Acroporidae 50 85 58.82 03 07 42.85 01 02 50.00 2. Agariciidae 09 11 81.81 ------3. Dendrophylliidae 04 07 57.14 - -- - 02 - 4. Euphyllidae 05 09 55.55 ------5. Faviidae 11 22 50.00 - 03 - - -- 6. Fungiidae 04 05 80.00 01 02 50.00 - -- 7. Merulinidae --- 01 01 100.00 - -- 8. Mussidae 09 11 81.81 02 11 18.18 - -- 9. Oculinidae 03 04 75.00 ------10. Pectinidae 02 05 40.00 - 01 - - -- 11. Poritidae 09 25 36.00 02 05 40.00 - 01 - 12. Pocilloporidae 04 07 57.14 01 02 50.00 - -- 13. Meandrinidae - 02 - - 01 - - -- 14. Astrocoeniidae - 01 ------15. Caryophylliidae - 01 ------16. Siderastreidae - 04 - - -- - 01 - Total 110 199 54.27 10 23 39.13 00 06 -

DISCUSSION on them demands the formulation of effective conservation strategies against their extinction. Alteration The scleractinians are widely distributed in world’s and loss of habitat or environmental conditions is the first oceans under 25 families [4], of which 19 families are and foremost threats against the populations. The reported from the waters of Andaman and Nicobar Islands changes make the environment critical to sustain. All the comprising of 550 species of scleractinians. The diversity animals are well associated with each other in a chain for and distribution of scleractinian corals are quite healthy the maintenance of ecosystems. Depletion and extinction in Andaman and Nicobar Islands with optimum diversity of any species from the chain may cause destructive [15-21]. Though the present status of scleractinian corals effect in the balance of ecosystem. The importance of the is quite appreciable in these areas but the global threats coral reefs is immense not only for marine lives but also to

98 World J. Zool., 9 (2): 93-100, 2014 our daily requirements and existence. The depletion of REFERENCES coral reefs will be dangerous to the society as well. Depending upon the nourishing role of animals in 1. Tikadar, B.K. and A.K. Das, 1985. Glimpses of animal biodiversity context, conservation strategies were taken life of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. pp: 1-170. place by means of categorization. In 1996-98 a total (Published by the Director, ZSI, Kolkata). number of 10533 organisms, comprising of 3314 2. Venkataraman, K., C.H. Satyanarayana, J.R.B. vertebrates, 1891 invertebrates, 5328 plants, were included Alfred and J. Wolstenholme, 2003. Handbook on under threatened category where only one species of Hard Corals of India, pp: 1-266. (Published by the coral was incorporated and up to 2006 the incorporation Director, ZSI, Kolkata). was same. In 2007, three more coral species were included 3. Jeyabaskaran, R., 1999. Report on Rapid Assessment under that list of threatened category. However, major of coral reefs of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. importance was given in 2008 when a total number of 235 GOI/UNDP/GEF Project on Management of Coral Reef species of corals were considered as threatened due to Ecosystem of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. massive global threats and continued up to 2011. In 2013, Published by Zoological Survey of India, Port Blair, a total of 236 corals were announced as threatened pp: 110. species where 856 species of corals were evaluated and a 4. Venkataraman, K. and ClH. Satyanarayana, 2012. total numbers of threatened organisms were 21286 Coral Identification Manual.1-136. (Published by the species. The 236 species of corals include both 231 Director, ZSI, Kolkata). species of anthozans and five species of hydrozoans. 5. IUCN Standards and Petitions Subcommittee. Among the anthozoans 228 species under 16 families were 2010. Guidelines for Using the IUCN Red List considered as threatened corals which composed of 199 Categories and Criteria. Version 8.1. Prepared species of Vulnerable, 23 species of Endangered and six by the Standards and Petitions Subcommittee in species of Critically Endangered scleractinian corals [5, March 2010. 22-26]. Andaman and Nicobar Islands supports an 6. Loya, Y., 1978. Plotless and transect methods. In: extensive sustainable habitat which harbors 53.07% Monographs on Oceanic Methodology. Coral Reefs: threatened scleractinian corals in global comparison. Only Research Methods. D.R. Stoddart and R.E. Johannes one species was recorded as Critically Endangered (eds.) UNESCO Press, 5: 197-218. species of corals but, 55.27% of Vulnerable and 43.47% 7. English, S., C. Wilkinson and V. Baker, 1997. Survey Endangered scleractinians in global comparison under 12 manual for tropical marine resources. 2nd Edition. families warranted attention for the conservation in Australian Institute of Marine Science. pp: 390. Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Though the threatened 8. Veron, J.E.N. and M. Pichon, 1976. of categorization was made depending upon the trend of Eastern Australia. Part I. Australian Institute of population size towards degradation, 44.62% species Marine Science. pp: 86. among the 121 threatened species are common to Andaman and Nicobar Islands whereas rest of the species 9. Veron, J.E.N. and M. Pichon, 1979. Scleractinia of are rare in occurrence and distribution pattern. Eastern Australia. Part III. Australian Institute of Scleractinian corals are the indicator species for the Marine Science. pp: 421. sustainable underwater biodiversity of any area. The 10. Veron, J.E.N. and M. Pichon, 1982. Scleractinia of presence of healthy number of scleractinians corals with Eastern Australia. Part IV. Australian Institute of moderate percentage of threatened species denotes the Marine Science. pp: 159. global importance of Andaman and Nicobar Islands for its 11. Veron, J.E.N., M. Pichon and M. Wijsman-Best, enriched biodiversity and scope towards conservations. 1977. Scleractinia of Eastern Australia. Part II. Australian Institute of Marine Science. pp: 233. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 12. Veron, J.E.N. and C.C. Wallace. 1984. Scleractinia of Eastern Australia. Part V. Australian Institute of Authors are grateful to the Ministry of Environment Marine Science. pp: 485. and Forests, Government of India for providing financial 13. Veron, J.E.N., 2000. Corals of the World. Australian assistance to undertake the study through the projects of Institute of Marine Science. pp: 1-3 volumes. National Coral Reef Research Institute, Zoological Survey 14. Wallace, C.C., 1999. Staghorn Corals of the world. of India, Port Blair. CSIRO Publications, Melbourne. pp: 421.

99 World J. Zool., 9 (2): 93-100, 2014

15. Tamal Mondal, C. Raghunathan and K. 20. Tamal Mondal, C. Raghunathan and Venkataraman. 2013a. Bleaching: The Driving Force of K. Venkataraman. 2011a. Diversity of Scleractinian Scleractinian New Recruitment at Little Andaman Corals in Middle and North Andaman Archipelago. Island andaman and Nicobar Islands. Proc. Natl. World Journal of Zoology, 6(4): 407-419. Acad. Sci. India, Sect. B Biol. Sci. DOI 10.1007/s40011- 21. Tamal Mondal, C. Raghunathan and Ramakrishna, 013-0168-8. 2011b. New recruitment of scleractinian corals in little 16. Tamal Mondal, C. Raghunathan and Andaman Island after tsunami. Indian Journal of Geo- K. Venkataraman. 2013b. Status of Scleractinian Marine Science, 40(5):653-656. Diversity at Nancowry Group of Islands andaman and 22. IUCN, 2013. IUCN Red List version 2013.2, Tabe-1: Nicobar Islands. Middle-East Journal of Scientific Number of threatened species by major groups of Research, 14(5):587-597. DOI: 10.5829/ idosi. organisms (1996-2013). mejsr.2013.14.5.71212. 23. IUCN, 2003. Guidelines for Application of IUCN 17. Tamal Mondal, C. Raghunathan and Criteria at Regional Levels. Version 3.0. IUCN Species K. Venkataraman. 2012a. Diversity and Distribution of Survival Commission. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Corals in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. J. Coast. Cambridge, UK.ii pp: +26. Env., 3(2): 101-110. 24. IUCN, 2001. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: 18. Tamal Mondal, C. Raghunathan and Version 3.1. IUCN Species Survival Commission. K. Venkataraman. 2012b. An account of Faviid Corals IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, U.K. ii + pp: of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Research J. Science 30. and Tech., 4(2): 62-66. 25. IUCN, 1998. Guidelines for Re-introductions. Prepared 19. Tamal Mondal, C. Raghunathan and by the IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group. K. Venkataraman, 2012c. Scleractinian Diversity of IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, U.K. Ritchie’s Archipelago andaman and Nicobar Island. 26. IUCN, 1994. IUCN Red List Categories. IUCN Species GJSFR, 12(4): 53-64. Survival Commission. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, U.K. pp: 21.

100