Impact of mangrove defoliation by Hyblaea puera on diversity of associated crustaceans in the Dharamtar Estuary, Maharashtra, India

Mangrove defoliation, caused by teak defoliator moth (Hyblaea puera), has been reported in India and other countries. However, research on its impact on the associated fauna remains limited. We observed extensive mangrove defoliation from August to October 2019 in the Dharamtar Estuary, Maharashtra, India. Consequently, a study was conducted to assess the impact of this defoliation on the diversity of crustaceans within the mangroves and the surrounding estuarine waters. A total of 27 crustacean species were recorded in the mangrove region exhibiting reduced species richness and abundance during the mangrove defoliation period. Whereas, a total of 32 species of crustaceans were recorded from the estuarine region, where both species richness and abundance were higher during the defoliation period. These findings indicate that the crustaceans on the mangrove floor and in the estuarine waters responded differently to the changing environmental conditions caused by defoliation. Keywords: Crustaceans, Diversity, Estuary, Mangrove defoliation, Moth infestation