Marine flora of Nicobar group of islands in Anadman Sea

Abstract

The marine flora of 4 islands comprised 66 species of marine algae, 7 of seagrasses, and 10 of mangroves. Maximum number of marine algae (6) and mangroves (9) were reported from Great Nicobar Island, whereas more (7) species of seagrasses were observed from Nancowry and Katchall islands. Mangroves were dominatEd. by Rhizophora stylosa and Bruguiera gymnorhiza whereas seagrasses were dominatEd. by Cymodocea rotundata and Enhalus acoroides. The most common seaweeds observed were Boodlea composita, Caulerpa spp., Cladophora patentiramia, Halimeda spp., Padina gymnospora, Turbinaria ornata, and Amphiroa spp.