Journal of Environment and Sociobiology

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Conservation Concerns on Crustacean Fauna of India


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1 Zoological Survey of India, 27 Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata-700016, India
     

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The subphylum Crustacea comprises of 22 orders containing 4258 species in India. Of these, more than 3500 species occur in marine and estuarine environments. Maximum number of crustaceans is represented in the order Decapoda (1655 species), followed by Copepoda (1060 species) and Isopoda (319 species). Due to high commercial value, certain decapod crustaceans, viz., prawns, crabs and lobsters are widely harvested throughout the country. But despite their high fishery values, immense biodiversity importance and socio-economic support, crustaceans are scarcely brought under conservation measures in India, and no legislative regulations are imposed on harvesting commercially important species. However, only one species of anomura commonly known as Coconut crab (Birgus latro) is included in the schedule of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, while 89 species belonging to 4 families, viz., Diaptomidae, Coenobitidae, Gecarcinucidae and Potamidae are brought under IUCN control measures.

Keywords

Crustacean Biodiversity, India, Conservation Measures.
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  • Conservation Concerns on Crustacean Fauna of India

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Authors

M. K. Dev Roy
Zoological Survey of India, 27 Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata-700016, India

Abstract


The subphylum Crustacea comprises of 22 orders containing 4258 species in India. Of these, more than 3500 species occur in marine and estuarine environments. Maximum number of crustaceans is represented in the order Decapoda (1655 species), followed by Copepoda (1060 species) and Isopoda (319 species). Due to high commercial value, certain decapod crustaceans, viz., prawns, crabs and lobsters are widely harvested throughout the country. But despite their high fishery values, immense biodiversity importance and socio-economic support, crustaceans are scarcely brought under conservation measures in India, and no legislative regulations are imposed on harvesting commercially important species. However, only one species of anomura commonly known as Coconut crab (Birgus latro) is included in the schedule of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, while 89 species belonging to 4 families, viz., Diaptomidae, Coenobitidae, Gecarcinucidae and Potamidae are brought under IUCN control measures.

Keywords


Crustacean Biodiversity, India, Conservation Measures.

References