Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Fifteen new records of Batoids (Elasmobranchii) from waters off Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Volume 62 Issue 1

K. K. Bineesh, R. R. Kumar, S. Venu, M. Nashad, V. S. Basheer, K. V. Akhilesh and C. Sivaperuman

doi:10.6024/jmbai.2020.62.1.2098-04

Abstract

Marine waters of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India in the tropical Indian Ocean, is a poorly explored high faunal diverse region. The present study documents new records of batoids from the region, identified during the fishery and diversity monitoring surveys conducted during November 2016 to June 2019 at different fish landing centers of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Fifteen elasmobranch species including 2 wedgefishes, 1 skate and 12 rays were identified and confirmed as new reports for the region. Results of this study indicate that the elasmobranch diversity, especially batoid diversity of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are poorly documented and future systematic surveys including that of deeper reef habitat may help to explore the diversity in the region. 

Keywords

Batoids, new records, bycatch, Andaman Nicobar Islands, India, Eastern Indian Ocean, Elasmobranchs

Date : 25-05-2020