Cavernularia obesa from the bay coast of ...

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Virgularia) harbour zooxanthellae and are active diurnally. Other shallow-water .... Mumbai Port Trust and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and the four source ports ...
Marine Biodiversity Records, page 1 of 6. # Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 2013 doi:10.1017/S1755267213000250; Vol. 6; e54; 2013 Published online

Cavernularia obesa from the bay coast of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India s. veena1 and p. kaladharan2 1

Visakhapatnam Regional centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Pandurangapuram, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, 530003, India, 2Calicut Research Centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Westhill PO, Kozhicode, 673005, India

Delicate shallow-water sea pens were collected from Mangamaripeta fish landing centre of Visakhapatnam, India where they were brought in along with the fish catch. The sea pens were preserved and identified as Cavernularia obesa Valenciennes in Milne Edward & Haime, 1850. The species is being recorded for the first time from these waters.

Keywords: Octocorallia, Pennatulacea, Veretillidae, sea pen, Cavernularia obesa, Visakhapatnam, India Submitted 3 November 2012; accepted 16 February 2013

INTRODUCTION

Sea pens are colonial marine cnidarians belonging to the order Pennatulacea having a cosmopolitan distribution in tropical and temperate waters worldwide. The common name ‘sea pen’ comes from the ancient Romans who had knowledge of pennatulaceans and called them Penna marina (sea feathers or sea pens), or referred to them as Mentula alata (winged penis) (Williams, 2011b). Sea pens or pennatulaceans are grouped with the octocorals (soft corals), together with sea whips and gorgonians. They have been encountered in benthic communities from all the world’s oceans, from polar to equatorial latitudes, and from intertidal regions from a depth of a few metres to more than 6200 m (Williams, 2011a). Based on the work of 18 researchers, the pennatulaceans includes more than 200 species in 35 genera and 14 families (Williams, 1995a; Lo´pez-Gonza´lez et al., 2000; Lo´pez-Gonza´lez & Williams, 2002; Williams, 2011b). The earliest account of pennatulacean natural history is from the anonymous chronicler of Captain James Lancaster’s voyage to the East Indies in 1601 (Kerr, 1824). The most thorough account of the classification of the Pennatulacea is that of Ku¨kenthal (1915) and 80 years later, Williams updated classification of the group at the familial and generic levels, and gave a brief account of the nominal and valid species recognized for each genus (Williams, 1995a). Some papers dealing with the systematics and addition of new pennatulacean taxa include: Williams (1989, 1995b, 2007a, b) from Australia, New Zealand and the Campbell Plateau; Acun˜a & Zamponi (1992) and Lo´pez-Gonza´lez & Williams (2002) from the Antarctic region; Grasshoff (1982) and Lo´pez-Gonza´lez & Williams (2010) from the Atlantic region; and Lo´pez-Gonza´lez et al. (2000, 2001) from the eastern Atlantic, western Pacific Oceans and African coast.

Corresponding author: S. Veena Email: [email protected]

Pennatulaceans are a specialized and morphologically distinct group of octocorallian cnidarians (Bayer, 1956). Morphological diversity in the Pennatulacea is remarkable and includes a great variety of growth forms such as plumose, umbellate, clavate, foliate, capitates, digitiform, whip-like, or vermiform. Most species have a muscular peduncle for anchoring in soft sediments, and thus are able to inhabit vast areas of relatively uniform benthic environments such as abyssal plains (Williams, 2011a). Dispersal potential is undoubtedly of fundamental importance regarding patterns of restricted versus widespread geographical ranges. It has been postulated that pennatulaceans initially differentiated in shallow waters of tropical oceans and diversified and dispersed to all depths of the temperate and polar regions as well as tropical seas (Williams, 1993, 1997). Shallow-water genera living in areas of soft sediment associated with coral reefs include Cavernularia, Veretillum, Sclerobelemnon, Scytalium, Virgularia and Pteroeides (Williams, 1996). The 35 extant pennatulacean genera can be divided into three groups based on their bathymetric ranges: shallow-water (0 – 400 m); mid-depth range (400– 2000 m); and deep-water (2000 –6100 m) (Williams, 2011b). Species with greater depth-ranges often tend to have greater geographical ranges. This is to be expected with the deep-sea being more homogeneous than coastal environments. The pennatulacea are postulated to have originated in the shallow-water tropics (William, 1992, 1993). Veretillids are considered the least derived of the extant sea pens and exhibit a high diversity in the relatively shallow waters (,320 m in depth) of the Indo-Pacific, whereas a great variety of more derived sea pen taxa are present worldwide with unrestricted bathymetric ranges (Williams, 1997). From off the African Atlantic coast, Lo´pez-Gonza´lez et al. (2001) have reported the occurrence of 13 species of pennatulaceans based on cruises carried out from 1982 to 1989. Bioluminescence has been recorded in at least 21 species of pennatulaceans and many more are likely to have such capabilities (Williams, 2001). Bioluminescence in sea pens is most likely for defence, to startle and ward off potential predators 1

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(Williams, 2011b). Some virgulariids are capable of rapidly disappearing into the sediment when disturbed. At least two shallow-water species (in the genera Cavernularia and Virgularia) harbour zooxanthellae and are active diurnally. Other shallow-water species are nocturnal and withdraw into the surrounding sediment during the day, emerging at night to feed (Williams, 2011b). Williams (1989, 1995a) has reported 14 species in the genus Cavernularia occurring worldwide out of which 4 species are known to occur from the Indian waters. Ku¨kenthal & Broch (1911) and Williams (1989) defined Cavernularia as having smooth sclerites oval to stick-shaped or spindle-shaped elongate rods, spindles or needles (0.02 – 0.70 mm long) and are mostly unbranched or non-bifurcated at the ends, with or without an axis and without a sclerite-free outer layer to the peduncle. Pennatulaceans from in and around India were studied by Tizard et al. (1885), Alcock (1902), Allen & Steene (1994), Dinamani (1965), Marshall & Fowler (1888), Fowler (1894), Gosliner et al. (1996), Gravely (1941), Hickson (1905), Thomson & Henderson (1905a, b, 1906), Thomson & Crane (1909a, b), Hornell (1922), Pasternak (1964), Sankolli & Neelakantan (1971), Parulekar (1981), Imahara (1991), Williams (1993), Harkantra & Rodrigues (2003) and Veena & Kaladharan (2012). Cavernularia obesa, Valenciennes have been described from the Bay of Bengal, Orissa coast, Palk Strait, Pulo Penang, northern part near Vankalli reef of the Gulf of Manaar, Cheval Paar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, West Bengal and the Digha Coast (Thomson & Henderson, 1905a; Thomson & Simpson, 1909; Tikadar et al., 1986; Goswami, 1992; Rao & Devi, 2003; Ramakrishna & Talukdar, 2003). Benthic fauna from Visakhapatnam have been studied by Radhakrishna (1964), Raman (1980), Ganapati & Raman (1976), Sudarsan (1983), Adiseshasai (1992) and Vijayakumaran (2003); and the occurrence of the genus Cavernularia Valenciennes, 1850 from these waters has been previously reported by Radhakrishna (1964). Cavernulina orientalis is the one species of pennatulacea described from the Visakhapatnam coast (Veena & Kaladharan, 2012). There are no records pertaining to the presence of C. obesa from Visakhapatnam waters and hence the present paper highlights the identification of the species for the first time from the Visakhapatnam coast.

Fig. 1. Study area.

been deposited in the Visakhapatnam Regional centre of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute Museum, India.

RESULTS

systematics Order PENNATULACEA Verrill, 1865 Family VERETILLIDAE Herklots, 1858 Genus Cavernularia Valenciennes in Milne-Edwards & Haime, 1850 Cavernularia obesa Valenciennes in Milne Edward & Haime, 1850 (Figure 2A, B)

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The specimens were handpicked from discards during regular sampling from the beach at Mangamaripeta, Visakhapatnam (17851′ 3.35′′ N and 83824′ 50.45′′ E) (Figure 1). They were fixed in buffered formaldehyde (4% in seawater) and then transferred to 70% ethanol. The following morphologies were examined: colony form (clavate); sclerites (rods, spindles and ovals); colour; and axis. Colorations of colonies were noted of fresh specimens. Sclerites were isolated from different parts of the colonies for microscopic examination following the procedure described by Bayer (1961) and measurements noted using an ocular micrometer. Colony and sclerite terminology was mainly adapted from Bayer et al. (1983) and Williams (1993), and the species identification was done using the key given by Williams (1989). The specimens have

Fig. 2. (A) Specimen VSCO1 Cavernularia obesa; (B) specimen VSCO2 C. obesa.

cavernularia obesa from andhra pradesh, india

morphology Sample 1 (Figure 2A) VSCO1, Mangamaripeta, Visakhapatnam (17851′ 3.35′′ N and 83824′ 50.45′′ E), beach, coll. S. Veena, 2009, 1 colony. Colony is clavate with a total length of 33 mm. Peduncle length is 14 mm long and 10 mm width forming about 42% of colony length. Rachis length is about 58% of colony length measuring 19 mm long and 17 mm width (maximum width). Both rachis and peduncle are thick and fleshy. Autozooids and siphonozooids are distributed on rachis surface slightly elevated from the surface, represented by dark blackish brown spots, 244 in number and varying in diameter from 0.10– 0.60 mm and separated by distances varying from 1.0 – 1.7 mm. Sample 2 (Figure 2B) VSCO2, Mangamaripeta, Visakhapatnam (17851′ 3.35′′ N and 83824′ 50.45′′ E), beach, coll. P. Kaladharan, 2009, 1 colony. Colony is cylindrical having a total length of 58 mm. The peduncle length is about 28% of colony length, 16 mm long and 8 mm width. Rachis length is about 72% of colony length, 42 mm long and 13 mm width (maximum width). Both rachis and peduncle are thick and fleshy comprising a vent on the ventral side. Autozooids and siphonozooids are distributed on the rachis surface with no orderly pattern of arrangement. Autozooids are 236 in number, 2 –3 mm long, 3 mm wide, capable of total retraction into rachis. The tentacles of the autozooids comprise 7– 8 arms (Figure 3). Distribution of the autozooids along the apical portion of the rachis are dense and few in number on the lower basal portion. Siphonozooids are densely distributed on rachis surface between the autozooids, also covering the distal terminus of the colony.

axis and coloration Calcium carbonate internal axis is absent in both the samples. Colony colour of specimen 1 is greyish white in the rachis, with dark brown to black zooids and that of specimen 2 is creamish white. Sclerites are colourless.

sclerites Rachis surface sclerites are represented by three-flanged rods 0.07 –0.23 mm, rods and few spindles 0.04 –0.22 mm (Figure 4A). Sclerites from the interior of rachis are similar in shape and size to those of the surface. Peduncle surface

Fig. 4. (A) Rachis sclerites; (B) peduncle surface sclerites; (C) peduncle internal clerites Cavernularia obesa.

Fig. 3. Autozooid microphotograph of specimen VSCO2 Cavernularia obesa.

sclerites are sparsely represented by three-flanged rods measuring 0.06 –0.09 mm, spindles measuring 0.07– 0.15 mm (Figure 4B). Peduncle interior sclerites are dense

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comprising finger biscuit like sclerites, platelet like sclerites 0.05 –0.22 mm and three-flanged rods and rods 0.06– 0.15 mm (Figure 4C). Autozooid sclerites are completely absent. The second colony sclerites characters are much the same as those of the one described above.

DISCUSSION

The area under surveillance is a small fishing region where gillnets are commonly operated. The specimens were dislodged from their habitat and brought ashore by fishermen along with the fish catch and discarded as trash. The probable source of Cavernularia obesa in Visakhapatnam waters may be through the exchange of ballast waters, as Visakhapatnam is one of the major Indian ports known for frequent vessel arrivals from other ports (Visakhapatnam Port Trust, 2009). Scheltema & Carlton (1984) have also observed the emigrants being brought in by the shipping activity and ballast water discharge. Nearly 1.5 million tonnes of ballast water is exchanged annually from the Mumbai Port Trust and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and the four source ports supplying the highest frequencies of ballast water discharges are Karachi (13.9%), Singapore (10.9%), Colombo (10.1%) and Jebel Ali (United Arab Emirates, 8%). The presence of Caribbean black striped mussel (Mytilopsis sallei) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust is believed to be port hobbed from Visakhapatnam and the presence of green-lipped mussel (Perna viridis) in Visakhapatnam is believed to be from Mumbai (Anil et al., 2004). Hence ballast water monitoring, especially monitoring the species of mussels, oysters, barnacles, sponges, sea pens, ascidians, fish and planktons in Visakhapatnam is very much needed, as Visakhapatnam Port Trust is the major bulk export port that has more frequent vessel arrivals from Atlantic ports than any other ports in India (Visakhapatnam Port Trust, 2009). Some of the pennatulaceans including Cavernularia are known to be associated with the coral reefs (Williams, 1996) and also Cavernularia and Virgularia harbour zooxanthellae which highlights their importance in the ecosystem. The recovery of this specimen, though accidental, tends to focus on the fact that due to certain disturbances like trawling, dredging and/or shipping, the specimens may have dislodged off from their habitat. Hence the presence of more numbers of this species along this region cannot be ruled out. The habitat of these species is being continuously disturbed and immediate action is necessary to be initiated in order to monitor and conserve them. The publications regarding the sea pens are inadequate from India and hence the need to bring out the resources available for these waters is very essential. As there is no previous record of Cavernularia obesa from Visakhapatnam waters, our present objective highlights the identification for the first time from theVisakhapatnam coast as well as adding this species as a new record to the benthic fauna of this area.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors thank Dr G. Syda Rao, Director CMFRI for his constant encouragements; Dr V.N. Nayak, Professor, Marine

Biology P.G. Centre, Karnatak University, Karwar, Dr Gary C. Williams, Curator and Chair, Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Geology, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco and Dr Lo´pez-Gonza´lez, Biodiversidad y Ecologia de Invertebrados Marinos, Departamento de Fisiologı´a y Zoologı´a, Universidad de Sevilla, Reina Mercedes, Sevilla for providing literature for further study and confirming the identification; and Mr K. Bhaskar Babu, graphic designer for help with the photographic images. This research received no specific grant from any funding agency, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

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Correspondence should be addressed to: S.Veena Visakhapatnam Regional centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute Pandurangapuram, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, 530003, India email: [email protected]