Taxonomic and Morphometric study of Ichthyofaunal diversity of Odisha Coast with special reference to benthic Ichthyofauna

Abstract

Exploring taxonomic diversity is a continuous process in which some species are added by the discovery of new species or might require renaming due to traits which can reflect specifically the functional diversity. Taxonomic research requires collection of data on species diversity, richness, distribution, extinction risk, and conservation. India s coastline is adorned with the variety of marine habitat consisting of huge number of fish diversity. In the coastline, Odisha has created a unique position for its diverse and dynamic habitat composition, which is now flourishing with the discovery of the new species along the coast. The entire work of the current study is based on three objectives: (i) Inventory of Ichthyofauna of Odisha coast with special reference to benthic fishes (Periodic surveys were conducted along the Odisha coast to prepare an inventory of the Ichthyofauna and benthic fishes. The goal also included their threat status, zone, habitat, and common name for the individual fishes) (ii) Current status of IUCN Red Listed species and Scheduled fish species under Wild life protection Act, 1972 in Odisha, and (iii) Molecular analysis of novel species. The current study has been performed along the Odisha coast and more specifically at four landing centres (Balaramgadi, Dhamara, Paradeep, and Gopalpur fish landing centres) from 2018 2021. The sampling was carried out twice every month per landing centre at four selected landing centres, except during newline