<span style="font-size:13.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt" lang="EN-GB">Record of bi-operculate fouling serpulid polychaete, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Hydroides operculatus</i> (Treadwell, 1929) from Diu, west coast of India </span>

381-384Present study consists the documentation of the bi-operculate form of fouling serpulid polychaete,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"> Hydroides operculatus Treadwell, 1929 for the first time from India. It is provided for the first time from India. This variant was found in samples collected from Diu, North West coast of India. A perusal of literature indicates that the bi-operculate form is an advanced ontogenic stage of the polychaete rather than a different taxon. Such stages are transient and therefore rarely seen in natural populations. Polychaete species identification is intrinsic to many ecological and environmental studies. Therefore the present documentation will help prevent possible taxonomic confusion due to the presence of dual functional opercula