Demospongiae of Minicoy Island (Indian Ocean) Part 1 - orders Keratosida and Haplosclerida

Abstract

Fortyone species of Demospongiae falling under 23 families and 32 genera collected from Minicoy Island during the years 1964 to 1970 are dealt with in this communication. Since no information is available on the sponge fauna of Minicoy or the Lakshadweep in general in the faunistic Series edited by J. S. Gardiner during the years 1903 to 1906, it is hoped that the present account may serve as an addendum to the pioneering works on the Fauna and Geography of the Maldive and Laccadive Archipelagoes. In the present communication, the first in the series, descriptions of 11 species of sponges belonging to the orders Keratosida and Haplosclerida are presented in detail.