First distributional report of Scleractinian species Favites spinosa (Klunzinger, 1879) from Gulf of Mannar

Abstract

Gulf of Mannar is comprised of rich marine and coastal resources which provide various goods and services to coastal population of India. Coral reefs in Gulf of Mannar (GoM) is one of the key components of marine biodiversity in India. During an intensive coral reef monitoring survey in Mandapam group of Islands, a scleractinian coral species Favites spinosa was recorded for the first time from Gulf of Mannar with photographic evidences. Colonies are found at a depth range between 0.5m to 3m in reefs of Manoli Island and Shingle Island. Colonies are submassive, cream or yellow in colour. Corallites are angular, deeply excavated and septa arranged in alternating rows. The detailed morphological characteristics and earlier distributional range of F. spinosa are described in the present study.