Occurrence of Eutrichocheles modestus (Herbst) in the Near-shore Waters of Porto Novo, South India

Abstract

FAUNAL studies of this region on the Coromandel Coast have been in progress for some years. Some interesting finds have been reported^1–3 recently, after the establishment of a marine biological laboratory at Porto Novo (11° 29′ N. and 79° 47′E.), and this communication relates to the occurrence of the extremely rare decapod crustacean Eutrichocheles modestus (Herbst) (Fig. 1). A specimen 80 mm. in length (from the tip of the rostrum to the posterior extremity of the telson) was first obtained from a seine net operated by local fishermen at about the 10-fathom line (about 4–5 miles from shore) in February 1960. This area is well within the limits of the continental shelf, which extends to about 20 miles along this coast. Another specimen measuring 75.2 mm. in length was obtained in January 1961.