Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography
Open Access

Abstract

Studies on sea snakes (Family: Hydrophiidae) occurring in the east coast of Tamil Nadu (South East Coast of India) has revealed that presence of fourteen species included in five genera, during the period of 2011-2012. The distribution patterns and systematic biology of all the valid species known to occurs in the Tamil Nadu coastal region. Hydrophis cyanocinctus and Enhydrina schistosa major species were frequently recorded during the study period. Regarding the turtles Olive ridley ( Lepidochelys olivacea ), green turtle ( Chelonia mydas ), leatherback ( Dermochelys coriacea ) and hawksbill ( Eretmochelys imbricata ) occurred during the study period. A great number of reptiles are slowly disappearing mainly due to the human interference with rapid growth of industrializations and land exploitation. Snakes and turtles are hunted for skin as leather, sometimes for meat. Turtle breeding beaches have also been threatened by sand quarrying, egg poaching and pollution. Sea turtle populations in this area have been reported to have declined due to their over-exploitation for trade and from accidental drowning in fishing gear such as gillnets and trawlers. This study therefore recommends that Government officials should periodically for TEDs (Turtle Excluder Devices) in their trawler nets.

Biography

K. Chandrasekar has completed M.Sc., M.Phil. Marine Biology & Oceanography at 2008-2010 and at presently Ph.D. Research Scholar from Center of Advanced Study (CAS) in Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Annamalai University, Parangipettai. He worked as a Guest Lecturer in Department of Marine and Coastal Studies, School of Energy Environment and Natural Resources, Madurai Kamaraj University, Tamil Nadu, India. He also worked as a Junior Research Fellow under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP) in GEER Foundation. He attended five training programes, four workshops and three research papers published in reputed national and international journals.