Due to its long coastal stretch, these islands have a very rich marine biodiversity. They harbour more than 1200 species of fish, 350 species of echinoderms, 1000 species of molluscs and many more lower forms of life. Among vertebrates, dugongs, dolphins, whales, salt water crocodiles, sea turtles, sea snakes etc. are common. Corals and Coral reefs are the most fascinating part of marine ecosystem here. So far 179 species of corals belonging to 61 genera have been reported. Reefs are mostly fringing type on eastern coast and barrier type on the western coast. Important genera include Acropora, Montipora,Pocillipora,Porites, Favia, Fungia, Gonopora, Millipora and Heliopora. Coral reefs are important breeding and nursery ground for fish and many other organisms and have been aptly called "The Tropical Rain forests in the Sea."

Common Corals of Andaman & Nicobar Islands

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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Species	Common Name	Scientific Name
	Boulder coral	Porites porites
	Boulder coral	P. lobata
	Boomerang coral	Herpolitha limax

Species	Common Name	Scientific Name
	Common lettuce coral	Pectinia lactuca

Species	Common Name	Scientific Name
	Digitate coral	A. gemmifera
	Digitate coral	A. humilis

No Species

Species	Common Name	Scientific Name
	Fine spined coral	Montipora sp.
	Fire coral	Millepora dichotoma

No Species

Species	Common Name	Scientific Name
	Hood coral	Stylophora pistallata
	Hedgehog coral	Stylophora pistallata

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Species	Common Name	Scientific Name
	Joker coral	Euphyllia glabrescens

Species	Common Name	Scientific Name
	Knob coral	Favia laxa

Species	Common Name	Scientific Name
	Lesser star coral	Goniastrea retiforis
	Lobed cup coral	Lobophyllia corymbosa

Species	Common Name	Scientific Name
	Mushroom coral	Fungia fungites

Species	Common Name	Scientific Name
	Needle coral	Seriatopora hystrix

No Species

No Species

No Species

Species	Common Name	Scientific Name
	Rough fingered coral	P. nigresens

Species	Common Name	Scientific Name
	Stag horn coral	Acropora valenciennesi
	Stag horn coral	A. Formosa
	Stag horn coral	A. robusta
	Serpent coral	Pachyseris rugosa
	Spine coral	Hydnophora rigida

Species	Common Name	Scientific Name
	Tipped bubblegum coral	Physogyra lichtensteini

No Species

Species	Common Name	Scientific Name
	Valley coral	Oulophyllia crsipa

No Species

No Species

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Shells Included in the Schedule

SHELLS INCLUDED IN THE SCHEDULE-I OF WILDLIFE (PROTECTION) ACT 1972

Trade in above species in banned. Possession of above species without ownership certificate issued by Chief Wildlife Warden is illegal.

SHELLS INCLUDED IN THE SCHEDULE-IV OF WILDLIFE (PROTECTION) ACT 1972

Trade in above species without license issued by Chief Wildlife Warden is illegal. Please buy above items from licensed shops only and insist on Cash Memo.