Guide to Reef Fishes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

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The marine ecosystem of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands offers a varied and complex animal life of which the colourful coral reefs constitute the most fragile and interesting faunal element as elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific reefs. The fascinating ‘underwater coral gardens’ of these Islands comprise more than 200 species of corals and several hundreds of associated faunal components. Majority of these coral reefs are of fringing type occurring close to the shore. These are most productive natural ecosystems supporting rich fish resources in addition to other fascinating multicoloured fauna. In recent years, scores of stunning and exciting colourful fishes are being discovered in the Indo-Pacific Reefs. Many excellent publications are available on the reef fishes of Indo-Pacific and Caribbean Reefs. Unfortunately, no such publication is available on the reef fishes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Prompted by this lacuna, a study on the reef fishes of these islands was undertaken. Intensive surveys all along the length and breadth of the archipelago facilited in the preparation of this guide on the reefs fishes of these islands. The main aim is to present a comprehensive account of the great diversity of reef fishes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This illustrated volume, it is hoped, with line drawings as well as colour photographs and brief notes on ecology, shall serve as a valuable field guide to ichthyologists, reef-watchers, conservationists etc. From the conservation point of view, fish particularly of the reef ecosystem command no less attention than the members of other faunal groups. The indiscriminate destruction of the coral reefs results in loss of habitat for a variety of animals including the fishes. Only recently, corals and a few inhabitants of the reefs are included in the Schedules of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; only some sharks found a place in them. The present book brings out the rich diversity of fishes in the reef ecosystem, stressing the need for protection of the reefs.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR D.V. Rao

Dr. D.V. Rao had his early education in his native town, Rajahmundry of East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh. He received his M.Sc. Degree in Zoology (Marine Biology) and Ph.D. for studies on Reef Fishes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. Dr. Rao is Scientist in the Andaman and Nicobar Regional Station of Zoological Survey of India at Port Blair. He is also a PADI Scuba Diver. During the posting at Port Blair, he extensively surveyed Andaman and Nicobar Islands including many remote and uninhabited islands and studied mainly the reef associated fauna, particularly fish and soft corals. In addition to several research publications to his credit, Dr. Rao authored three books: Ichthyofauna of Bay Islands, Poisonous and Venomous Fishes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Soft Corals of Andaman Islands. The present Guide to Reef Fishes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, like the earlier works, is the outcome of dedicated and sincere efforts during field studies for more than a decade in these islands. This is the first comprehensive publication on Indian Reef Fish Biodiversity dealing with more than 700 spectacular and colourful denizens. The book is designed to serve as a valuable field guide to amateurs, ichthyologists, reef-watchers, conservators etc.