Diversity of Ascidians from the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve (GNBR), India

The Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve nurtures a diverse amount of life and is very importantto the biological diversity of India. Ascidians diversity has been recorded for the first timefrom the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve. In the present study, 15 species of ascidians werenoticed in both intertidal and sub-tidal regions of GNBR, belonging to two orders, threesuborders, six families and ten genera (Didemnum fulgens, Didemnum vexillum, Didemnumgranulatum, Didemnum albidum, Didemnum candidum, Trididemnum cyanophorum,Diplosoma simile, Diplosoma spongiforme, Clavelina oblonga, Aplidium fuscum, Synoicumcastellatum, Pycnoclavella diminuta, Ascidia virginea, Ascidiella aspersa and Styela sp.)during the year 2013-2014 of which, the Didemnidae family was recorded with the highdiversity of 15 species. Species richness were highly recorded in Bquary Beach and lowlyrecorded from Campbell Bay. The present data suggests that GNBR coast offers a uniqueopportunity for future research on the ascidians diversity and ecology assessment.Keywords: Ascidians, Biodiversity, GNB