Diversity, Distribution and Checklist of Brachyuran Crabs Inhabiting Along the Mumbai and Konkan Coast of Maharashtra, India

The present paper includes a diversity of brachyuran crabs inhabiting along intertidal and shallow subtidal regions of Mumbai and Konkan coasts of Maharashtra, India. During a survey from 2014 to 2016, a total of 55 species of crabs, belonging to 45 genera and 22 families, were recorded from these areas. According to the Shannon Weiner index (H’), the maximum diversity was recorded around Mumbai rocky shores, having mixed types of microhabitats. The values of Shannon-Weiner index (H’) varied between 2.3 and 3.0 for Mumbai as well as Jaitapur, whereas, evenness varied between 0.86 and 0.97, while richness fluctuated between 3.2 and 5.9. Seasonal observations revealed maximum diversity in pre monsoon and post monsoon at Marine Drive shore. The present study also reports total 10 species with 4 new records from intertidal regions of west coast of India (Xenophthalmus wolfii, Ozius rugulosus, Achaeus cf spinosus, Leptodius cf sanguines); 5 new distributional records for Maharashtra state (Ozius tuberculosus, Ocypode brevicornis, Atergatis laevigatus, Pilumnopeus convexsus, Scylla olivacea); and 1 first record of genus from Indian Ocean (Anomalifrons garthii). The results of present study can be used as baseline data for conservation and management of these ecologically sensitive fauna.