Structure and Generic Diversity of Scleractinia at Laku Point, Gulf of Kutch
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Authors
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Sreenath K. R.
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Chandra Prakash
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George R. M.
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Chadha N. K.
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Neelam Saharan
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Chandan Debnath
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Kirubashankar S
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Shiju, P.
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Soniakumari
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Makwana N. P.
Abstract
In the present study, a total of 15 hard coral genera belonging to seven families were recorded. Acanthastrea, Bernardpora, Coscinaraea, Cyphastrea, Dipsastraea, Favites, Goniastrea, Hydnophora, Montipora, Platygyra, Porites, Pseudosiderastrea, Siderastrea, Symphyllia and Turbinaria were the genera recorded during the study period while Turbinaria, Montipora, Favia, Favites, Leptoria, Porites, Leptastrea, Goniopra and Goniastrea were the nine genera recorded by Patel (1978). Family Merulinidae contributed maximum percentage (58) of hard coral cover. This was followed by Families Poritidae and Siderastreidae with the share of 26% and 5% respectively. Genus Porites contributed maximum (45%) of the total hard coral cover of Laku point. The genera Dipsastrea and Platygyra were at the second and third position with a share of 18% and 7% respectively. No massive, arborescent and laminose forms of growth was observed in the area. All corals showed either submissive or encrusting kind of growth.
