WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • MARCH 2023 59 eight islands of Lakshadweep and 692 individuals, comprising 26 species of shrimps were collected. This includes the discovery of six new species, including Periclimenes agattii, Urocaridella arabianensis and Actinimenes koyas (Bharathi et al. 2019, Akash et al. 2020, Paramasivam et al. 2022). Three species are in the process of publication and twelve new distributional records to Indian as well as Lakshadweep waters were established (Madhavan et al. 2018, Jose et al. 2020, Jose et al. 2021) (six are unpublished, Fig. 1). The discovery of new shrimps in a short span of survey illustrates that the Lakshadweep islands is an unexplored potential of marine biodiversity, still awaiting description. Most of these reef-dwelling shrimps recorded have high trade value as they receive ‘ornamental status’ because of their dazzling coloration, delicacy and adaptability in captivity (Calado et al. 2017). Marine ornamentals trading in domestic and international markets is being scaled up, however, subtle data is available, as the documented information is still deficient to make a precise conclusion on trade value (Ajith Kumar and Gunasundari 2013). On the other hand, global trade of marine ornamentals is increasing at an average growth rate of 14 percent per year, comprising both wholesale and retail business (FAO 2014, Calado et al. 2017). The ornamental trade is a booming sector and the value of this industry, including retail sales, associated materials, wages and non-exported products, is estimated at around US$15-30 billion per year (Evers et al. 2019). Most ornamentals are sourced from developing countries in tropical and sub-tropical regions. India is identified as one of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries, harboring nearly 7-8 percent of recorded species in the world (www.cbd.int/countries/ profile/?country=in). In recent decades, the ornamental trade has gained in popularity and become an important part of the fisheries sector in India. A study conducted with special focus on the Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve (GOMMBR) revealed that 21 taxa frequently contribute to the marine aquarium trade and unfortunately all are harvested from nature (Prakash et al. 2017). In this milieu, the only solution to address this exploitation is expansion of marine ornamental aquaculture. Ornamental Shrimp Diversity in Lakshadweep The Lakshadweep Islands — the coral reef paradise of India — is one of the least explored terrains in the country. Although the coral reef ecosystem is blessed with a wide variety of marine organisms encompassing different phyla, substantial numbers of them are not reported. Hence, regular exploratory surveys were conducted in different islands of the Lakshadweep Islands during 2019-2021 to bring out the hidden living resources, mainly focusing on ornamental invertebrates, particularly shrimps. Exploratory surveys (132) were made covering Marine Ornamental Shrimps in Lakshadweep, India: Obscure to the Limelight Sheena Jose, T.T. Ajith Kumar and Kuldeep K. Lal FIGURE 1. Shrimps documented from Lakshadweep waters: A. Thor hainanensis, B. Arete dorsalis, C. Cinetorhynchus sp., D. Coralliocaris graminea, E. Coralliocaris superba, F. Periclimenella agattii, G. Lysmata amboinensis, H. Gnathophyllum americanum, I. Ancylocaris brevicarpalis, J. Actinimenes koyas, K. Alpheus lottini, L. Lysmata ternatensis, M. Zenopontonia soror, N. Saron marmoratus, O. Urocaridella arabianensis, P. Laomenes nudirostris, Q. Stenopus hispidus, R. Zenopontonia rex. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 60)
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