Occurrence of Abnormal Echinoderms From the Intertidal Zone of Saurashtra Coast, Gujarat, India

Abstract: Present communication is about occurrence of abnormal echinoderms in an intertidal area of the Saurashtra coastline of Gujarat state. Specimens of abnormal echinoderms were collected from the intertidal zones of Okha (22˚ 28΄ N, 69˚ 40΄ E), Veraval (200 55΄ N, 700 20΄ E) and Diu (20° 42΄ N, 70° 53΄ E) of Saurashtra coastline. Three abnormal echinoderms were noted from the intertidal area. Among them two were asteroids species, Echinaster purpuresus and Aquilonastra sp. and one was ophiuroid specie Amphipholis squamata. Primary observations of abnormal echinoderms occurrence are described. A. squamata is the commonly observed species along the Indian coastline but its abnormal four arm form is the first-time record from the Gujarat coastline. In present study we observed four arm E. purpuresus. All these echinoderm species in abnormal form was observed from the intertidal region. The previous records of all abnormal echinoderms species from India were collected from the subtidal zones. It is believed that environmental conditions, habitat structure, pollution are the key factors to induce an abnormal form.