Scyphozoan jellyfish diversity and distribution along the north-eastern Arabian Sea, off Gujarat coast, India


Abstract views: 89 / PDF downloads: 105

Authors

  • Tarachand Kumawat Regional Station of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Veraval – 362 269, Gujarat
  • R. Saravanan Regional Centre of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Mandapam – 623 520, Tamil Nadu
  • K. Vinod Regional Station of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kozhikode – 673 005, Kerala
  • K. K. Joshi ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi – 682 018, Kerala
  • A. K. Jaiswar ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai – 400 061, Maharashtra
  • G. Deshmukhe ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai – 400 061, Maharashtra
  • L. Shenoy ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai – 400 061, Maharashtra

https://doi.org/10.21077/ijf.2022.69.3.110008-15

Abstract

Swarming of Scyphomedusae in large numbers in the Indian Ocean and specifically in the north-eastern Arabian Sea has been found to impact fishing operations; however, information on the diversity and distribution of these enigmatic jellyfishes are scanty. Hence, a study was carried out along the Gujarat coast, India during 2017-2020. Field surveys were conducted to identify the areas where jellyfish landings or swarming were regularly reported and locations viz. Jakhau, Okha, Porbandar, Veraval and Navabandar emerged as jellyfish focal stations. Fisher-assisted onboard surveys were conducted from the jellyfish focal stations. The results revealed the occurrence of six Scyphozoan jellyfish species viz., Catostylus cf perezi, Rhopilema hispidum, Cassiopea cf. andromeda, Cyanea cf. nozakii, Chrysaora cf. chinensis, and Chrysaora cf. caliparea identified based on the morphological characteristics. This study also mapped the diversity of these jellyfishes to understand the species-specific occurrences along the Gujarat coast, India which would form a baseline for further monitoring of potential changes in the swarming of jellyfishes.

Keywords: Gujarat coast, Jellyfish, North-eastern Arabian Sea, Scyphomedusae

 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Submitted

2021-02-05

Published

2022-09-30

How to Cite

Kumawat, T., Saravanan, R., Vinod, K., Joshi, K. K., Jaiswar, A. K., Deshmukhe, G., & Shenoy, L. (2022). Scyphozoan jellyfish diversity and distribution along the north-eastern Arabian Sea, off Gujarat coast, India. Indian Journal of Fisheries, 69(3). https://doi.org/10.21077/ijf.2022.69.3.110008-15

Issue

Vol. 69 No. 3 (2022)

Section

Articles

License

The copyright of the articles published in Indian Journal of Fisheries vests with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, who has the right to enter into any agreement with any organization in India or abroad engaged in reprography, photocopying, storage and dissemination of information contained in these journals. The Council has no objection in using the material, provided the information is being utilized for academic purpose but not for commercial use. Due credit line should be given to the ICAR where information will be utilized.
Citation