The Hindu Business Line : Cup corals identified in Gulf of Mannar

MADURAI: Researchers of the Fisheries College and Research Institute at Tuticorin have identified two abnormally huge cup corals belonging to the species, Tubinaria undata, around the Gulf of Mannar.

The identified cup corals measure 72 and 89 cm in diameter respectively. The height of the corals are said to be 46 and 56 cm and their colour is brown. Normally, corals of these species in Indian and international waters have measured less than 50 cm diameter, it is said.

The researchers came upon the corals while researching on `Resource Assessment of Ornamental Reef Fisheries of Gulf of Mannar, South Coast of India' under an Indian Council of Agricultural Research and National Agricultural Technology project. According to Prof V.K. Venkataramani, the Principal Investigator of the project, these corals provided shelter to molluscan species and finfish varieties, including ornamental fish, worth exporting.

The study on coral ecology would help to assess the biodiversity of the region, it is said.

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