Classification and Inventory of Natural Resources

**VI**

and development projects. We acknowledge the contributions of Dr. Mohd Nazip Suratman, Universiti Teknologi, MARA, Malaysia, and Dr. Sumit Chakravarty and Dr. Gopal Shukla both of North Bengal Agricultural University, India in the review of selected chapters. We also thank the staff of IntechOpen for copyediting and

**Emeritus Edward R. Rhodes**

Department of Soil Science,

Associate Professor of Environmental Biology,

**Dr. Humood A. Nasser**

Department of Biology, University of Bahrain, Zallaq, Bahrain

Professor,

Njala University, Freetown, Sierra Leone

proofreading all the chapters.

**3**

**Chapter 1**

**Abstract**

Taxonomical Keys for

Great Nicobar Islands

protected areas in Great Nicobar Islands.

**1. Introduction**

*Veeramuthu Sekar, Ramadoss Rajasekaran,* 

Morphological Identification of

*Srinivasan Balakrishnan and Ramamoorthy Raguraman*

**Keywords:** polychaetes, taxonomy, Great Nicobar, identification, coral reef

Generally, taxonomy is essential for basic identification keys for the animal kingdom to learn about the global biodiversity, and gain the knowl-edge and understanding of bio-resources and its wise use. Correct identification of organisms is necessary to analyze and assess the biological diversity of an ecosystem at all levels, namely, diversity among ecosystems, phyletic diversity or diversity of species, and their genetic diversity among species [1, 2]. Polychaetes are a large group of segmented worms that display a wide range of morphological diversity [3]. Identifying organisms precisely at spe-cies level is fundamental to any ecological research and environmental monitoring. Generally, identification of polychaetes at species rank is quite difficult without illustrated monographs which may have been hampered by their morphological similarity to their fully marine counterparts [4]. Polychaetes vary widely from generalized pattern and can display a range of different body

Coral-Associated Polychaetes from

The present study illustrates the insufficient taxonomy records and highlights the use of microscopic diagnostic tool in polychaete taxonomy. It leads to a better understanding of coral-associated polychaete taxonomy in Great Nicobar Islands, India. A total of 24 species under 14 genera, 7 orders, and 11 families were identified, in spite of 3 species of Phyllocidae, 8 species of Nereidae, 5 species of Eunicidae, 2 species of Spionidae, and 1 species of Opheliidae, Sabellariidae, Terebellidae, Polynoidae, Amphinomidae, and Sabellidae. The current status of taxonomic information varies greatly among taxa and among geographic areas within taxa. The problems encountered included nomenclature, diagnoses, and determination of taxonomic relationships. We provide examples of a variety of these problems. Each species has distinct features of the particular families, and taxonomic section to assist the polychaete identification that is necessary to assess the biodiversity and taxonomy at any level. This chapter considers the importance of monitoring biological diversity, current morphological taxonomy of polychaetes and describes the approach developed for

#### **Chapter 1**

## Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great Nicobar Islands

*Veeramuthu Sekar, Ramadoss Rajasekaran, Srinivasan Balakrishnan and Ramamoorthy Raguraman*

#### **Abstract**

The present study illustrates the insufficient taxonomy records and highlights the use of microscopic diagnostic tool in polychaete taxonomy. It leads to a better understanding of coral-associated polychaete taxonomy in Great Nicobar Islands, India. A total of 24 species under 14 genera, 7 orders, and 11 families were identified, in spite of 3 species of Phyllocidae, 8 species of Nereidae, 5 species of Eunicidae, 2 species of Spionidae, and 1 species of Opheliidae, Sabellariidae, Terebellidae, Polynoidae, Amphinomidae, and Sabellidae. The current status of taxonomic information varies greatly among taxa and among geographic areas within taxa. The problems encountered included nomenclature, diagnoses, and determination of taxonomic relationships. We provide examples of a variety of these problems. Each species has distinct features of the particular families, and taxonomic section to assist the polychaete identification that is necessary to assess the biodiversity and taxonomy at any level. This chapter considers the importance of monitoring biological diversity, current morphological taxonomy of polychaetes and describes the approach developed for protected areas in Great Nicobar Islands.

**Keywords:** polychaetes, taxonomy, Great Nicobar, identification, coral reef

#### **1. Introduction**

Generally, taxonomy is essential for basic identification keys for the animal kingdom to learn about the global biodiversity, and gain the knowl-edge and understanding of bio-resources and its wise use. Correct identification of organisms is necessary to analyze and assess the biological diversity of an ecosystem at all levels, namely, diversity among ecosystems, phyletic diversity or diversity of species, and their genetic diversity among species [1, 2]. Polychaetes are a large group of segmented worms that display a wide range of morphological diversity [3]. Identifying organisms precisely at spe-cies level is fundamental to any ecological research and environmental monitoring. Generally, identification of polychaetes at species rank is quite difficult without illustrated monographs which may have been hampered by their morphological similarity to their fully marine counterparts [4]. Polychaetes vary widely from generalized pattern and can display a range of different body

forms. The most gen-eralized polychaetes are those that crawl along the bottom, but others have adapted many different ecological niches including burrowing, pelagic life, tube dwelling or boring, and commensalism and parasitism, requiring various modifications to their body structure.

In polychaete taxonomy, parapodia are the important organs for identification particularly segment of origin, shape, and structural composition in body regions. Special features of branchiae or occurrences of multiple cirri are also important. A key morphological feature of seta construction, notopodia for the superfamilial and ordinal levels, and development of each ramus with the various parapodial lobes and cirri are very important at the generic and species levels. The presence of branchiae may not even be considered a specific character [5]. A number of pioneering conventional taxonomic studies on polychaetes were made by Fauvel [6, 7], Day [8] and Fauchald [9]. There is yet a lag in making taxonomic information available in many ecological programs and databases for polychaetes. In early studies, all the characteristics were mainly featured by diagrammatic figures. The importance of accurate examination of the setae is still underestimated by most taxonomists; the precise observations require close microscopic analysis to make proper identification, which should be followed for all taxonomic studies as a routine [9]. Thus, the present study was focused on analysis of the taxonomical features of Great Nicobar Island polychaetes through advance magnification techniques to improve the quality and precision of identification through key characteristic features.

#### **2. Materials and methods**

#### **2.1 Study area**

Great Nicobar Islands, the southernmost land piece of India, has the greatest length of about 55 km between North Murray Point and South Indira Point. It has a width of about 30 km in the north but narrows down to about 3 km at the southern tip (**Figure 1**). In the present study, samples were collected from 11 different stations in the intertidal region of the Great Nicobar Islands (**Tables 1** and **2**).

#### **2.2 Sample collection**

Samples were collected from the intertidal areas, and the dead coral material were bro-ken down into smaller fragments with the help of hammer and chisel. Polychaetes picked with the help of forceps were transferred to plastic containers, before fixation, into strong alcohol to have their pharynx everted, which will aide in the identification of the group. Samples were fixed with 10% formalin diluted with seawater and were later transferred to 70% ethanol the purpose of staining with Rose Bengal.

#### **2.3 Examination of specimens**

Stained specimens were placed in petri dishes containing tap water to dissect the morphological features of parapodia and proboscis of the jaws and other features of all the family which were made into thin sections with a surgical blade (No. 2). They were then mounted on slides and examined under a compound binocular microscope (Olympus CX41). Specimens were sorted up to genus level, and later detailed exami-nation staining of specimens with Rose Bengal provided a useful diagnostic tool.

**5**

9. Galathea

estuary

**Figure 1.**

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great…*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

*The map showing the sampling point along the Great Nicobar Islands.*

**Station no. Station name Latitude Longitude Coast Substrate type**

1. Pigeon Island 07°05.823′ N 93°53.010′ E East Small pebbles on the western side

2. Dongi nallah 07°01.700′ N 93°53.933′ E East On the northern side of the nallah,

3. Campbell Bay 06°55.962′ N 93°55.896′ E East Vast dead coral patches are found on

4. Dillon nallah 06°55.962′ N 93°54.770′ E East The coast is sandy on the southern

5. Vijaynagar 06°54.606′ N 93°55.770′ E East Up to 3 km seawards during low-tide

6. Lakshmi Nagar 06°52.993′ N 93°55.990′ E East At this station, dead coral patches

7. Sastri Nagar 06°48.163′ N 93°53.304′ E East Rocky shore and vast stretches of

8. Galathea Bay 06°49.166′ N 93°51.544′ E East This bay has a sandy coast for about

06°48.974′ N 93°51.810′ E East Collection sites were mangroves

and huge rocks on the eastern side

the coast is rocky

the northern side between the "B" quarry and breakwaters

side, while vast stretches of coral rubbles are on the northern side of the seashore

periods, vast stretches of dead corals and rocks extend both northwards and southwards being exposed

observed on the landward side

coral reefs. These rocks and dead corals are exposed up to a distance of 2 km

2 km along with rocky shore

surrounding the estuarine region about 1.5 km upstream

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

modifications to their body structure.

characteristic features.

**2.2 Sample collection**

with Rose Bengal.

**2.3 Examination of specimens**

**2.1 Study area**

**2. Materials and methods**

forms. The most gen-eralized polychaetes are those that crawl along the bottom, but others have adapted many different ecological niches including burrowing, pelagic life, tube dwelling or boring, and commensalism and parasitism, requiring various

In polychaete taxonomy, parapodia are the important organs for identification particularly segment of origin, shape, and structural composition in body regions. Special features of branchiae or occurrences of multiple cirri are also important. A key morphological feature of seta construction, notopodia for the superfamilial and ordinal levels, and development of each ramus with the various parapodial lobes and cirri are very important at the generic and species levels. The presence of branchiae may not even be considered a specific character [5]. A number of pioneering conventional taxonomic studies on polychaetes were made by Fauvel [6, 7], Day [8] and Fauchald [9]. There is yet a lag in making taxonomic information available in many ecological programs and databases for polychaetes. In early studies, all the characteristics were mainly featured by diagrammatic figures. The importance of accurate examination of the setae is still underestimated by most taxonomists; the precise observations require close microscopic analysis to make proper identification, which should be followed for all taxonomic studies as a routine [9]. Thus, the present study was focused on analysis of the taxonomical features of Great Nicobar Island polychaetes through advance magnification techniques to improve the quality and precision of identification through key

Great Nicobar Islands, the southernmost land piece of India, has the greatest length of about 55 km between North Murray Point and South Indira Point. It has a width of about 30 km in the north but narrows down to about 3 km at the southern tip (**Figure 1**). In the present study, samples were collected from 11 different stations in the intertidal region of the Great Nicobar Islands (**Tables 1** and **2**).

Samples were collected from the intertidal areas, and the dead coral material were bro-ken down into smaller fragments with the help of hammer and chisel. Polychaetes picked with the help of forceps were transferred to plastic containers, before fixation, into strong alcohol to have their pharynx everted, which will aide in the identification of the group. Samples were fixed with 10% formalin diluted with seawater and were later transferred to 70% ethanol the purpose of staining

Stained specimens were placed in petri dishes containing tap water to dissect the morphological features of parapodia and proboscis of the jaws and other features of all the family which were made into thin sections with a surgical blade (No. 2). They were then mounted on slides and examined under a compound binocular microscope (Olympus CX41). Specimens were sorted up to genus level, and later detailed exami-nation staining of specimens with Rose Bengal provided a useful diagnostic

**4**

tool.

*The map showing the sampling point along the Great Nicobar Islands.*



#### **Table 1.**

*Sampling stations and substrate type of the Great Nicobar Islands.*


**7**

257–268.

Fauvel [7] and Day [8].

**3.1 Systematic account**

*3.1.1 Species description*

*Eurythoe complanata* **(Pallas, 1766)** *Aphrodita complanata* [10]: 109.

**3. Results**

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great…*

**Sl. no. Scientific name Habitat Collected station**

Occurring in silty coral line sediments with sandy shore regions

Silty sediments in littoral region of sandy shore

Hard tube formed with sand particles on corals and rocks

Soft tube forming on dead and live corals at 1 m water depth

Tube forming (boring) on corals at 1 m water depth, living inside of the tubes

Silty sediments in sandy shore areas St. 1, 2, 3, 9, and 11

St. 3

St.1–7, 9–11

St. 2–7 and 10

St. 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 11

St. 3 and 7

The diagnostic tool in some families had good refractive qualities even at high magnification, and thickness of the mount was easily controlled. A thicker mount was necessary when viewing larger structures such as parapodia, cross sections, and the whole animal as such. The specimen was mounted in lactophenol and then heated carefully to avoid air bubbling. This procedure clears the tissue immediately making chitinized internal structures such as jaws and acicula more visible. Compound microscope was used to elucidate the small structures of setae and the permanent mounts of the parapodia and setae with polyvinyl lactophenol. All the characteristic features of the polychaetes focused in the light microscope and labeled image were done by correct pathway. All the species were identified with the help of the standard illustrated manuals of

At all stations, polychaetes were found to be the dominant group with 24 species

*Eurythoe alcyonaria* [11]: 248, pl. 9 figs. 140–143, pl. 10 figs. 144–146, text-figs.

belonging to 2 major classes, 14 genera, and 7 orders with 11 different families selected for the morphological studies. Among these Polynoidae, Amphinomidae, Sabellariidae, Terebellidae, Sabellidae, and Opheliidae accounted for 1 species in their group, and the rest comprised of 3 Phyllocidae, 8 Nereidae, 5 Eunicidae, and 2 Spionidae. Each species has distinct features, and the taxonomic section serves as a key to genera, generic diagnoses, and species identification with their physiological

characteristics. Each species description comprised several sections.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

(Fauvel, 1928)

(Muller, 1806)

(Grube, 1878)

(Peters, 1985)

(Grube, 1870)

*quadrioculatum* (Willey, 1905)

*Systematic account and species habitat along the Great Nicobar Islands.*

19. *Malacocers indicus*

20. *Scolelepis squamata*

21. *Aramandia leptocirrus*

22. *Idanthyrsus pennatus*

23. *Terebella ehrenbergi*

24. *Megalomma* 

**Table 2.**

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*


#### **Table 2.**

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

1. *Eurythoe complanata*

**Table 1.**

2. *Iphione muricata*

3. *Phyllodoce quadraticeps*

4. *Phyllodoce fristedti*

5. *Phyllodoce castanea*

6. *Ceratonereis mirabilis*

7. *Perinereis nigro-punctata*

8. *Perinereis nuntia brevicirrus* (Grube, 1876)

9. *Perinereis nuntia caeruleis*

10. *Perinereis vancaurica*

11. *Perinereis cultrifera*

12. *Perinereis cultrifera typica*

13. *Pseudonereis variegata*

14. *Eunice antennata*

15. *Eunice vittata*

16. *Eunice afra punctata*

17. *Lysidice collaris*

18. *Lysidice ninetta* (Audouin & Milne Edwards, 1833)

(Pallas, 1766)

*Sampling stations and substrate type of the Great Nicobar Islands.*

(Savigny, 1818)

(Grube, 1878)

(Bergstrom, 1914)

(Marenzeller, 1879)

(Kinberg, 1866)

(Horst, 1889)

(Hoagland, 1920)

(Ehlers, 1868)

(Grube, 1840)

(Grube, 1840)

(Grube, 1857)

(Savigny 1820)

(Delle Chiaje, 1825)

(Peters, 1854)

(Grube, 1870)

**Sl. no. Scientific name Habitat Collected station**

**Station no. Station name Latitude Longitude Coast Substrate type**

10. Indira Point 06°45.293′ N 93°49.648′ E South The Great Channel (international

11. Inhengloi 06°48.185′ N 93°47.871′ E West The dead coral patches are found at

Dead corals, cervices and surface of live corals

Silty sand substratum under coral rubbles and surface of dead corals

Found among oysters and dead coral crevices of low tide

Found among barnacles and oysters and in dead coral crevices at low tide

Occurs in intertidal areas of oyster- and barnacle-encrusted coral rocks

Boring in dead corals and living in coral cavity

Boring in dead corals and living under rocks

Burrowing on rocks and dead and live corals

Boring into dead corals and living on cavity of dead corals and rocks

Boring in dead corals and living on cervices of dead corals

Boring in dead corals and living on cavity of corals

Rocks and dead corals St. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10

Dead corals crevices and beach rocks St. 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11.

Crevices of dead corals and beach rocks St.1 and 4

Crevices of dead corals and beach rocks St. 2–7 and 8

Boring into dead corals to live on cavity St. 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10. and 11

Boring into dead corals and beach rocks St. 1–8 and 11

Boring into beach rocks and dead corals St. 2–8 and 10

St. 1–8, 10. and 11

sea route) lies at a distance of 60 km south from this point in the Indian Ocean. Vast stretches of dead corals and sand substratum

the northern end which are exposed to about 2.5 km during low tides

and 13

St. 1–10

All station except St. 9

St. 2, 3, 5, 6,7. and 11

St. 1, 2, 3, 5, 7. and 11

All the 11 stations

All the stations except St. 6

All the 11 stations

St. 1, 3, 5. and 9

St. 1–8, 10, and 11

St. 2–8 and 10

**6**

*Systematic account and species habitat along the Great Nicobar Islands.*

The diagnostic tool in some families had good refractive qualities even at high magnification, and thickness of the mount was easily controlled. A thicker mount was necessary when viewing larger structures such as parapodia, cross sections, and the whole animal as such. The specimen was mounted in lactophenol and then heated carefully to avoid air bubbling. This procedure clears the tissue immediately making chitinized internal structures such as jaws and acicula more visible. Compound microscope was used to elucidate the small structures of setae and the permanent mounts of the parapodia and setae with polyvinyl lactophenol. All the characteristic features of the polychaetes focused in the light microscope and labeled image were done by correct pathway. All the species were identified with the help of the standard illustrated manuals of Fauvel [7] and Day [8].

#### **3. Results**

At all stations, polychaetes were found to be the dominant group with 24 species belonging to 2 major classes, 14 genera, and 7 orders with 11 different families selected for the morphological studies. Among these Polynoidae, Amphinomidae, Sabellariidae, Terebellidae, Sabellidae, and Opheliidae accounted for 1 species in their group, and the rest comprised of 3 Phyllocidae, 8 Nereidae, 5 Eunicidae, and 2 Spionidae. Each species has distinct features, and the taxonomic section serves as a key to genera, generic diagnoses, and species identification with their physiological characteristics. Each species description comprised several sections.

#### **3.1 Systematic account**

*3.1.1 Species description*

#### *Eurythoe complanata* **(Pallas, 1766)**

*Aphrodita complanata* [10]: 109.

*Eurythoe alcyonaria* [11]: 248, pl. 9 figs. 140–143, pl. 10 figs. 144–146, text-figs. 257–268.

#### **Figure 2.**

*Eurythoe complanata (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) stout neurosetae, (d) Harpoon setae, and (e) smooth notopodial spine.*

*Eurythoe complanata* [7]: 83, fig. 38b-m; [8]: 128–129, fig. 3.2i-l; [12]: 734; [13]: 200; [14]: 74; [15]: 95.

**Habitat:** Living in crevices of rocks and dead corals.

**Description**: Body elongated, 10–15 mm wide, and dorsoventrally flattened; prostomium with pair of eyes having three antennae (**Figure 2a**). One pair of palps is color pale red with light brown branchiae and white setae. The caruncle terminates on the anterior part of the fourth setiger. Its lateral lobes are not very clear since they are hidden. Gills begin on the second setiger and extend to the end of the body (**Figure 2b**). The notosetae vary greatly and are long and white with a slender, elongated tip and a few serrations along the cutting edge together with a spur below the serrations; large, straight, and harpoon-shaped setae with recurved fangs (**Figure 2d**). The neurosetae are short forked with unequal prongs (**Figure 2c**), and slender setae have a small spur (**Figure 2e**).

**Remarks**: On irritation, the worms erect their setae which break off easily releasing the poisonous contents.

**Distribution**: Tropical waters of Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans, Mergui, Ceylon, Great Barrier Reef, Florida, West Indies, Australia, Zanzibar, Maldives, and Madagascar. India: Lakshadweep, Gulf of Mannar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Gujarat and Orissa coast.

#### *Iphione muricata* **(Savigny, 1818)**

*Polynone muricata* [16]: 308, pl. 3 fig. 1.

*Iphione muricata* [11]: 226, pl. 9 figs. 129-135; [7]: 32; fig. 13a–e; [8]: 43 fig. 1.3a–f; [13]: 197; [17]: 55; [18]: 140.

**Habitat**: Dead corals and cervices and surface of live corals.

**Description**: Body oval, much flattened, 20–22 mm long (**Figure 3a**). Prostomium is square deeply bilobed with two tentacles and four eyes (**Figure 3b**).

**9**

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great…*

Lateral antenna terminal with large ceratophores is fused to the facial tubercle. Median antennae are represented by a small papilla posterodorsal in position and usually hidden under the nuchal fold dorsally covered by 13 pairs of tough imbricating elytra (**Figure 3c**) which are large and reniform; they are divided into punctate polygonal areas with one to two rows of stout chitinous projection and long adhesive papillae near the posterior margin (**Figure 3d**). Ventral cirri are papillose, and notopodium has very fine numerous short setae (**Figure 3e**).

*Iphione muricata (a) entire worm, (b) anterior end, (c) elytra, (d) marginal capillaries, (e) setae, and* 

Neuropodium is large and truncate with numerous stout unidentate setae orna-

**Remarks**: The present material agrees well with the earlier descriptions. **Distribution**: Mozambique, South Africa, Madagascar, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Mergui, Philippines, Japan, and Solomon Islands. India: Lakshadweep, Andaman

**Habitat**: Crevices of dead corals and beach rocks of intertidal zone.

*Phyllodoce quadraticeps* [19]: 98; [20]: 198, pl. 10 figs. 22-24, text-figs. 56-60; [8]:

**Description**: Body elongated, 400–460 mm long with numerous segments. Each segment is slender and yellowish with a dark crossbar on. Prostomium is oval or square with an occipital papilla in the posterior notch (**Fig. 4a**). Antennae are ovoid dorsally; first tentacular segments are not visible, but the second and third are distinct and separate. Tentacular cirri are cylindrical; others are tapered having long cirrophores and short swollen cirrostyles. Tentacular segments without setae. Dorsal cirri are reddish, oval, broader, and long (**Figure 4b**). Setigerous lobes are long and faintly bilobed. Ventral cirri are oval and uniramous, and parapodia have

**Remarks:** The present material agrees well with the descriptions of Day [8].

Neurosetae are stout with smoothly curved apical portion (**Figure 3f**).

mented with transverse striations.

145, fig. 5.2h–j; [13]: 201.

**Figure 3.**

*(f) enlarged view of setae.*

and Nicobar Islands, and Gulf of Mannar. *Phyllodoce quadraticeps* **(Grube, 1878)**

compound seta spinigers (**Figure 4c** and **d**).

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

**Figure 3.**

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

*Eurythoe complanata* [7]: 83, fig. 38b-m; [8]: 128–129, fig. 3.2i-l; [12]: 734; [13]:

*Eurythoe complanata (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) stout neurosetae, (d) Harpoon setae, and* 

**Description**: Body elongated, 10–15 mm wide, and dorsoventrally flattened; prostomium with pair of eyes having three antennae (**Figure 2a**). One pair of palps is color pale red with light brown branchiae and white setae. The caruncle terminates on the anterior part of the fourth setiger. Its lateral lobes are not very clear since they are hidden. Gills begin on the second setiger and extend to the end of the body (**Figure 2b**). The notosetae vary greatly and are long and white with a slender, elongated tip and a few serrations along the cutting edge together with a spur below the serrations; large, straight, and harpoon-shaped setae with recurved fangs (**Figure 2d**). The neurosetae are short forked with unequal prongs (**Figure 2c**), and

**Remarks**: On irritation, the worms erect their setae which break off easily

*Iphione muricata* [11]: 226, pl. 9 figs. 129-135; [7]: 32; fig. 13a–e; [8]: 43 fig.

mium is square deeply bilobed with two tentacles and four eyes (**Figure 3b**).

**Description**: Body oval, much flattened, 20–22 mm long (**Figure 3a**). Prosto-

**Habitat**: Dead corals and cervices and surface of live corals.

**Distribution**: Tropical waters of Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans, Mergui, Ceylon, Great Barrier Reef, Florida, West Indies, Australia, Zanzibar, Maldives, and Madagascar. India: Lakshadweep, Gulf of Mannar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands,

**Habitat:** Living in crevices of rocks and dead corals.

slender setae have a small spur (**Figure 2e**).

*Iphione muricata* **(Savigny, 1818)** *Polynone muricata* [16]: 308, pl. 3 fig. 1.

1.3a–f; [13]: 197; [17]: 55; [18]: 140.

releasing the poisonous contents.

and Gujarat and Orissa coast.

**8**

200; [14]: 74; [15]: 95.

*(e) smooth notopodial spine.*

**Figure 2.**

*Iphione muricata (a) entire worm, (b) anterior end, (c) elytra, (d) marginal capillaries, (e) setae, and (f) enlarged view of setae.*

Lateral antenna terminal with large ceratophores is fused to the facial tubercle. Median antennae are represented by a small papilla posterodorsal in position and usually hidden under the nuchal fold dorsally covered by 13 pairs of tough imbricating elytra (**Figure 3c**) which are large and reniform; they are divided into punctate polygonal areas with one to two rows of stout chitinous projection and long adhesive papillae near the posterior margin (**Figure 3d**). Ventral cirri are papillose, and notopodium has very fine numerous short setae (**Figure 3e**). Neurosetae are stout with smoothly curved apical portion (**Figure 3f**). Neuropodium is large and truncate with numerous stout unidentate setae ornamented with transverse striations.

**Remarks**: The present material agrees well with the earlier descriptions.

**Distribution**: Mozambique, South Africa, Madagascar, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Mergui, Philippines, Japan, and Solomon Islands. India: Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Gulf of Mannar.

#### *Phyllodoce quadraticeps* **(Grube, 1878)**

*Phyllodoce quadraticeps* [19]: 98; [20]: 198, pl. 10 figs. 22-24, text-figs. 56-60; [8]: 145, fig. 5.2h–j; [13]: 201.

**Habitat**: Crevices of dead corals and beach rocks of intertidal zone.

**Description**: Body elongated, 400–460 mm long with numerous segments. Each segment is slender and yellowish with a dark crossbar on. Prostomium is oval or square with an occipital papilla in the posterior notch (**Fig. 4a**). Antennae are ovoid dorsally; first tentacular segments are not visible, but the second and third are distinct and separate. Tentacular cirri are cylindrical; others are tapered having long cirrophores and short swollen cirrostyles. Tentacular segments without setae. Dorsal cirri are reddish, oval, broader, and long (**Figure 4b**). Setigerous lobes are long and faintly bilobed. Ventral cirri are oval and uniramous, and parapodia have compound seta spinigers (**Figure 4c** and **d**).

**Remarks:** The present material agrees well with the descriptions of Day [8].

#### **Figure 4.**

*Phyllodoce quadraticeps (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) setae, and (d) spinigers.*

**Distribution**: Pacific Ocean, Korea, New Caledonia, Philippines, Indian Ocean, and Red Sea. India: Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

#### *Phyllodoce fristedti* (**Bergstrom, 1914**)

*Phyllodoce fristedti* [21]: 152, pl. 3 fig. 1, text-fig. 49; [7] :118, fig. 58a–b; [22]: 636, 1967: 147, fig. 5.2k–m; [23]: 104.

**Habitat**: Crevices of dead corals and beach rocks in intertidal zone.

**Description:** Body long, slender with numerous segments. Prostomium is heart shaped with a pair of prominent black eyes (**Figure 5a**). Posterior margin of prostomium is notched and a small occipital tentacle is present. Four short subulate tentacles. The longest tentacular cirri reach back to the seventh setiger. Numerous irregular rows of short papillae at the base of the long proboscis. Feet are uniramous (**Figure 5b**). Dorsal and ventral cirri are foliaceous, lanceolate, nearly twice as long, and broad. Ventral cirri are small and broad (**Figure 5c**). Compound setae are minutely serrated (**Figure 5d**).

**Remarks**: The present material agrees well with the descriptions of Day [8]. **Distribution**: Indian Ocean and Ceylon. India: Andaman and Nicobar Islands. *Phyllodoce castanea* **(Marenzeller, 1879)**

*Carobia castanea* [24]: 127; [25]: 199, pl. 21 fig. 3.

*Genetyllis castanea* [26]: 158, fig. 53, pl. 3 fig. 3; [7]: 115, fig. 56a–c.

*Phyllodoce castanea* [8]: 149, fig. 5.3d–f.

**Habitat**: Crevices of dead corals and beach rocks of intertidal zone.

**Description**: Body is short with some red pigmentation; prostomium is bluntly triangular with four antennae (**Figure 6a**); no occipital tentacles. Tentacular segments are separated from the prostomium, but the first is often fused to the second, and only the third is separated dorsally and distinct. Proboscis is slender with covered small irregular arranged papillae. All tentacular cirri are short and spindle

**11**

Nicobar waters.

**Figure 5.**

Tuticorin pearl bank, and India.

324, fig. 14.10a–f; [18]: 145.

*Ceratonereis mirabilis* (**Kinberg, 1866**)

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great…*

shaped. The second and third tentacular segments with setae. Dorsal cirri are cordate and reddish, and setigerous lobes are bluntly rounded apically (**Figure 6b**). Ventral cirri are oval. Setae are few, with long shafts ending in truncate and strongly

**Remarks:** In earlier description this species is the first record in Andaman and

*Ceratonereis mirabilis* [27]: 170; [11]: 172, pl. 11, fig. 42; [7]: 200, fig. 103a–e; [8]:

**Habitat**: Silty sand substratum under coral rubbles and surface of dead corals. **Description**: The prostomium is broad, more than twice as wide as long and has a deep cleft between the antennae. The basalia of palps is quite long, and terminalia is button shaped (**Figure 7a**). Two pairs of eyes in rectangular arrangement. The longest peristomialcirus extends back to the 17th setiger. Prostomium and dorsum of palps are light green, and dorsum of segment has distinct light green or greenbrown band, which becomes lighter toward posterior. The other parts of the body are white. Paragnaths are present only on maxillary ring of the proboscis: I = 0; II = 10–13 cones in 2 oblique clusters; III = 7–9 cones in 1 cluster; and IV = 10–14 cones.

**Distribution**: Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Ceylon, Read Sea, California,

striated shaft heads. Blades are short and dagger-like (**Figure 6c**).

*Phyllodoce fristedti (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) posterior foot and (d) setae.*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

#### **Figure 5.**

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

**Distribution**: Pacific Ocean, Korea, New Caledonia, Philippines, Indian Ocean,

*Phyllodoce fristedti* [21]: 152, pl. 3 fig. 1, text-fig. 49; [7] :118, fig. 58a–b; [22]: 636,

**Remarks**: The present material agrees well with the descriptions of Day [8]. **Distribution**: Indian Ocean and Ceylon. India: Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

**Description**: Body is short with some red pigmentation; prostomium is bluntly triangular with four antennae (**Figure 6a**); no occipital tentacles. Tentacular segments are separated from the prostomium, but the first is often fused to the second, and only the third is separated dorsally and distinct. Proboscis is slender with covered small irregular arranged papillae. All tentacular cirri are short and spindle

*Genetyllis castanea* [26]: 158, fig. 53, pl. 3 fig. 3; [7]: 115, fig. 56a–c.

**Habitat**: Crevices of dead corals and beach rocks of intertidal zone.

**Habitat**: Crevices of dead corals and beach rocks in intertidal zone. **Description:** Body long, slender with numerous segments. Prostomium is heart shaped with a pair of prominent black eyes (**Figure 5a**). Posterior margin of prostomium is notched and a small occipital tentacle is present. Four short subulate tentacles. The longest tentacular cirri reach back to the seventh setiger. Numerous irregular rows of short papillae at the base of the long proboscis. Feet are uniramous (**Figure 5b**). Dorsal and ventral cirri are foliaceous, lanceolate, nearly twice as long, and broad. Ventral cirri are small and broad (**Figure 5c**). Compound setae are

*Phyllodoce quadraticeps (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) setae, and (d) spinigers.*

and Red Sea. India: Andaman and Nicobar Islands. *Phyllodoce fristedti* (**Bergstrom, 1914**)

*Phyllodoce castanea* **(Marenzeller, 1879)** *Carobia castanea* [24]: 127; [25]: 199, pl. 21 fig. 3.

*Phyllodoce castanea* [8]: 149, fig. 5.3d–f.

1967: 147, fig. 5.2k–m; [23]: 104.

**Figure 4.**

minutely serrated (**Figure 5d**).

**10**

*Phyllodoce fristedti (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) posterior foot and (d) setae.*

shaped. The second and third tentacular segments with setae. Dorsal cirri are cordate and reddish, and setigerous lobes are bluntly rounded apically (**Figure 6b**). Ventral cirri are oval. Setae are few, with long shafts ending in truncate and strongly striated shaft heads. Blades are short and dagger-like (**Figure 6c**).

**Remarks:** In earlier description this species is the first record in Andaman and Nicobar waters.

**Distribution**: Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Ceylon, Read Sea, California, Tuticorin pearl bank, and India.

*Ceratonereis mirabilis* (**Kinberg, 1866**)

*Ceratonereis mirabilis* [27]: 170; [11]: 172, pl. 11, fig. 42; [7]: 200, fig. 103a–e; [8]: 324, fig. 14.10a–f; [18]: 145.

**Habitat**: Silty sand substratum under coral rubbles and surface of dead corals.

**Description**: The prostomium is broad, more than twice as wide as long and has a deep cleft between the antennae. The basalia of palps is quite long, and terminalia is button shaped (**Figure 7a**). Two pairs of eyes in rectangular arrangement. The longest peristomialcirus extends back to the 17th setiger. Prostomium and dorsum of palps are light green, and dorsum of segment has distinct light green or greenbrown band, which becomes lighter toward posterior. The other parts of the body are white. Paragnaths are present only on maxillary ring of the proboscis: I = 0; II = 10–13 cones in 2 oblique clusters; III = 7–9 cones in 1 cluster; and IV = 10–14 cones.

**Figure 6.** *Phyllodoce castanea (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot and (c) setae.*

#### **Figure 7.**

*Ceratonereis mirabilis (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) posterior foot, (d) setae, and (e) dorsal view of proboscis.*

**13**

tide.

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great…*

Lateral teeth of the jaw are indistinct (**Figure 7e**). The first two pairs of parapodia are uniramous, the rest biramous. The dorsal cirrus is very long, three times as long as notoligule. Neuroligule is slightly shorter but thicker (**Figure 7b** and **c**). The dorsal and ventral cirri are digitate; acicular lobes are very small, only as a projection, shorter than ventral cirrus. The dorsal cirrus of anterior parapodia is five times long as notoligule, and notoligules digitate, while supra-notoligules are thicker. The acicular lobes of neuropodium are short and distally obtuse; neuroligule is short but slightly longer than neuro-acicular lobe. The dorsal segments of middle and posterior cirrus are rather long. Anterior notoseate are homogomph spinigers. Indistinct heterogomph falcigers appear from the middle parapodium, and the end of terminal piece is beaked. Some posterior setigers bear homogomph falcigers in which the end of terminal piece is bifid. Notopodial falcigers are homogomph;

**Remarks:** The species is characterized by its cleft prostomium and the presence

*Perinereis nigro-punctata* [30]: 107; [7]: 210; [8]: 337, fig. 14.13r-v; [12]: 741; [14]:

**Description**: Body 50–60 mm long with three rows of brown marks, and prostomium is "V"-shape trapezoidal with deep median furrow anteriorly; tentacular cirri are short. Palps with robust, short palpophores, and globular palpostyles. Antennae

Ventral ligule elongates digitiform longer than remaining notopodial ligules, and ventral cirrus is approximately half as long as ventral ligule. Dorsal notopodial ligule increases in length and expands in posterior setigers with dorsal cirrus distally inserted. Notosetae homogomph spinigers only, with 1–3 robust heterogomph

**Remarks:** The present materials agree well with the earlier descriptions. **Distribution**: Malay Archipelago and Great Barrier Reef. India: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chilika Lake, Orissa, Gujarat coast, Tuticorin, Cape Comorin,

**Habitat**: Found among barnacles and oysters and in dead coral crevices at low

**Description**: Maximum length of specimen is 100 mm long and 6 mm wide. Prostomium is pyriform, with pairs of eyes in trapezoidal arrangement situated on the posterior part of prostomium (**Figure 9a**). Tentacles are short and small and distally slender; the palps are large, and the basalia is expanded; the terminalia is

**Habitat**: Found among oysters and dead coral crevices of low tide.

two short, triangular longest tentacular cirri usually extend to third setiger. Peristomium is relatively long (**Figure 8a**). Anterior notopodia, subtriangular; notopodial ligules, conical; median ligules with small superior lobes (**Figure 8b**). Dorsal cirrus is as long as dorsal notopodial lobes on anterior setigers and slightly longer posteriorly (**Figure 8c**). Neuropodia with digit firm superior lobe; low,

rounded inferior lobe; shorter post-setal lobe with straight border.

falcigers (**Figure 8d**). Anal cirri are narrow and elongated.

Ganges Delta, Madras Coast, and Bombay Coast. *Perinereis nuntia brevicirrus* **(Grube, 1876)**

*Perinereis mictodonta* var. *mictodontoides* [34]: 117.

*Perinereis nuntia* var. *brevicirrus* [30]: 110; [7]: 214; [12]: 742.

*Nereilepas brevicirrus* [33]: 19.

**Distribution**: Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Indian and Atlantic Oceans, Japan, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Honolulu, Australia, Brazil, and West Indies. India: Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Krusadai Island, Pamban, Kilakarai,

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

neuropodial falcigers are homogomph (**Figure 7d**).

of notopodial falcigers on posterior setigers.

*Perinereis nigro-punctata* **(Horst, 1889)**

Maharashtra, and Goa Coast.

77; [31]: 325; [32]: 202.

*Nereis nigro-punctata* [28]: 171. *Perinereis marjorii* [29]: 595.

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

Lateral teeth of the jaw are indistinct (**Figure 7e**). The first two pairs of parapodia are uniramous, the rest biramous. The dorsal cirrus is very long, three times as long as notoligule. Neuroligule is slightly shorter but thicker (**Figure 7b** and **c**). The dorsal and ventral cirri are digitate; acicular lobes are very small, only as a projection, shorter than ventral cirrus. The dorsal cirrus of anterior parapodia is five times long as notoligule, and notoligules digitate, while supra-notoligules are thicker.

The acicular lobes of neuropodium are short and distally obtuse; neuroligule is short but slightly longer than neuro-acicular lobe. The dorsal segments of middle and posterior cirrus are rather long. Anterior notoseate are homogomph spinigers. Indistinct heterogomph falcigers appear from the middle parapodium, and the end of terminal piece is beaked. Some posterior setigers bear homogomph falcigers in which the end of terminal piece is bifid. Notopodial falcigers are homogomph; neuropodial falcigers are homogomph (**Figure 7d**).

**Remarks:** The species is characterized by its cleft prostomium and the presence of notopodial falcigers on posterior setigers.

**Distribution**: Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Indian and Atlantic Oceans, Japan, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Honolulu, Australia, Brazil, and West Indies. India: Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Krusadai Island, Pamban, Kilakarai, Maharashtra, and Goa Coast.

*Perinereis nigro-punctata* **(Horst, 1889)**

*Nereis nigro-punctata* [28]: 171.

*Perinereis marjorii* [29]: 595.

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

*Phyllodoce castanea (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot and (c) setae.*

**12**

**Figure 7.**

**Figure 6.**

*proboscis.*

*Ceratonereis mirabilis (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) posterior foot, (d) setae, and (e) dorsal view of* 

*Perinereis nigro-punctata* [30]: 107; [7]: 210; [8]: 337, fig. 14.13r-v; [12]: 741; [14]: 77; [31]: 325; [32]: 202.

**Habitat**: Found among oysters and dead coral crevices of low tide.

**Description**: Body 50–60 mm long with three rows of brown marks, and prostomium is "V"-shape trapezoidal with deep median furrow anteriorly; tentacular cirri are short. Palps with robust, short palpophores, and globular palpostyles. Antennae two short, triangular longest tentacular cirri usually extend to third setiger. Peristomium is relatively long (**Figure 8a**). Anterior notopodia, subtriangular; notopodial ligules, conical; median ligules with small superior lobes (**Figure 8b**). Dorsal cirrus is as long as dorsal notopodial lobes on anterior setigers and slightly longer posteriorly (**Figure 8c**). Neuropodia with digit firm superior lobe; low, rounded inferior lobe; shorter post-setal lobe with straight border.

Ventral ligule elongates digitiform longer than remaining notopodial ligules, and ventral cirrus is approximately half as long as ventral ligule. Dorsal notopodial ligule increases in length and expands in posterior setigers with dorsal cirrus distally inserted. Notosetae homogomph spinigers only, with 1–3 robust heterogomph falcigers (**Figure 8d**). Anal cirri are narrow and elongated.

**Remarks:** The present materials agree well with the earlier descriptions.

**Distribution**: Malay Archipelago and Great Barrier Reef. India: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chilika Lake, Orissa, Gujarat coast, Tuticorin, Cape Comorin, Ganges Delta, Madras Coast, and Bombay Coast.

*Perinereis nuntia brevicirrus* **(Grube, 1876)**

*Nereilepas brevicirrus* [33]: 19.

*Perinereis mictodonta* var. *mictodontoides* [34]: 117.

*Perinereis nuntia* var. *brevicirrus* [30]: 110; [7]: 214; [12]: 742.

**Habitat**: Found among barnacles and oysters and in dead coral crevices at low tide.

**Description**: Maximum length of specimen is 100 mm long and 6 mm wide. Prostomium is pyriform, with pairs of eyes in trapezoidal arrangement situated on the posterior part of prostomium (**Figure 9a**). Tentacles are short and small and distally slender; the palps are large, and the basalia is expanded; the terminalia is

#### **Figure 8.**

*Perinereis nigro-punctata (a) anterior and posterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) posterior foot, and (d) setae.*

**15**

**Figure 10.**

*(e) seta structure.*

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great…*

very small and button shaped. The longest peristomial cirrus extends back to the

broad paragnaths; and VII and VIII = 30–40 cones in 3 irregular rows. Typical parapodia have all ligules conical with the dorsal longest ones (**Figure 9b**). Dorsal cirri are slender and extend distally somewhat beyond the tips of dorsal ligules (**Figure 9c**). The anterior setigers, more than 10 in a live specimen, are blue-black or green-black; the posterior region is pale-brown. Notosetae with homogomph spinigers and neurosetae with heterogomph falcigers (**Figure 9d**). **Remarks:** The present materials agree well with the description of Fauvel [7].

**Distribution**: Japan, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Malay Archipelago, Indian Ocean, Saint Paul Island, and Red Sea. **India**: Gulf of Mannar, Tuticorin, Cape Comorin, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Maharashtra, and Goa

*Nereis* (*Heteronereis*) *caeruleis* [35]: 608–610, pl. 47 fig. 13–16, pl. 48 fig. 1–4.

**Description**: Body 120–125 mm long, eyes black in color. A prominent, circular depression present in anterior prostomium between the antennae. Antennae are one third long as prostomium. Tentacular cirri extend back to 2–4 setigers (**Figure 10a** and **b**). Jaws are dark brown with no teeth. Paragnaths I = 0; II = 0; and III = 60–90 in central group; IV = 80–100 cones, bars absent; V = 1 large cones plus 10–15 small cones; VI = 8–12 bars; VII–VIII = about 100–150 very small cones, plus 3–4 large

*Perinereis nuntia caeruleis (a) anterior end, (b) posterior end, (c) anterior foot, (d) posterior foot, and* 

*Perinereis nuntia caeruleis* **(Hoagland, 1920)**

**Habitat**: Boring into dead corals to live on cavity.

*Perinereis nuntia caeruleis* [36]: 261–262.

The paragnaths on proboscis have the following arrangement: I = 3 cones, II = 12–15 cones in 3 oblique rows; III = 13 cones in 3 longitudinal rows; IV = a dense triangular group; V = 3 cones in a triangle; VI = a transverse row of 5–8 flattened

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

seventh setiger.

Coast.

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

very small and button shaped. The longest peristomial cirrus extends back to the seventh setiger.

The paragnaths on proboscis have the following arrangement: I = 3 cones, II = 12–15 cones in 3 oblique rows; III = 13 cones in 3 longitudinal rows; IV = a dense triangular group; V = 3 cones in a triangle; VI = a transverse row of 5–8 flattened broad paragnaths; and VII and VIII = 30–40 cones in 3 irregular rows.

Typical parapodia have all ligules conical with the dorsal longest ones (**Figure 9b**). Dorsal cirri are slender and extend distally somewhat beyond the tips of dorsal ligules (**Figure 9c**). The anterior setigers, more than 10 in a live specimen, are blue-black or green-black; the posterior region is pale-brown. Notosetae with homogomph spinigers and neurosetae with heterogomph falcigers (**Figure 9d**).

**Remarks:** The present materials agree well with the description of Fauvel [7].

**Distribution**: Japan, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Malay Archipelago, Indian Ocean, Saint Paul Island, and Red Sea. **India**: Gulf of Mannar, Tuticorin, Cape Comorin, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Maharashtra, and Goa Coast.

*Perinereis nuntia caeruleis* **(Hoagland, 1920)**

*Nereis* (*Heteronereis*) *caeruleis* [35]: 608–610, pl. 47 fig. 13–16, pl. 48 fig. 1–4. *Perinereis nuntia caeruleis* [36]: 261–262.

**Habitat**: Boring into dead corals to live on cavity.

**Description**: Body 120–125 mm long, eyes black in color. A prominent, circular depression present in anterior prostomium between the antennae. Antennae are one third long as prostomium. Tentacular cirri extend back to 2–4 setigers (**Figure 10a** and **b**). Jaws are dark brown with no teeth. Paragnaths I = 0; II = 0; and III = 60–90 in central group; IV = 80–100 cones, bars absent; V = 1 large cones plus 10–15 small cones; VI = 8–12 bars; VII–VIII = about 100–150 very small cones, plus 3–4 large

#### **Figure 10.**

*Perinereis nuntia caeruleis (a) anterior end, (b) posterior end, (c) anterior foot, (d) posterior foot, and (e) seta structure.*

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

*Perinereis nigro-punctata (a) anterior and posterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) posterior foot, and (d) setae.*

*Perinereis nuntia brevicirrus (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) posterior foot, and (d) setae structure.*

**14**

**Figure 9.**

**Figure 8.**

cones on each side close to area VI. Parapodia of first and second setigers are anteriorly directed. Anterior notopodia with two equal lobes (**Figure 10c**) and basal lobe becoming expanded from median setigers up to twice as long as ventral lobe with distally attached dorsal cirri. All notosetae are homogomph spinigers. Neurosetae are heterogomph spinigers and heterogomph falcigers in both supra-acicular and infraacicular positions. Neuropodial heterogomph spinigers are absent from anterior-most 24th–35th setigers. Anal cirri are as long as posterior-most fourth setigers (**Figure 10d**).

**Remarks:** The present material agrees well with the description of Wilson and Glasby [36]. In earlier collections as a new distribution record species in Andaman and Nicobar Islands [37].

**Distribution**: Australia and Philippines.

*Perinereis vancaurica* **(Ehlers, 1868)**

*Nereis vancaurica* [38]: p. xx.

*Perinereis horsti* [11]: 182, pl. 11, fig. 47, text-figs. 182-4.

*Perinereis vancaurica* [30]: 103; [7]: 205, fig. 105f–g; [8]: 334, fig. 14.12, k–o; [12]: 740; [15]: 96; [14]: 77; [18]: 146.

**Habitat**: Occurs in intertidal areas of oyster- and barnacle-encrusted coral rocks.

**Description**: Paragnaths are arranged as follows: I = 1, II = 16–20 in triangle, III = 32–40, IV = 25–45 cones, V = 3 cones in a triangle, VI = 2 long flattened bars, and VII–VIII = 58–80 in 3 irregular rows. Paragnaths in VII–VIII in 2 bands. The band closest to the oral end of the pharynx consists of large cone in two irregular rows. Anterior notopodia with conical notopodial ligule (**Figure 11b**). Dorsal cirrus is slightly longer than dorsal ligule (**Figure 11c**). Neuropodia with superior lobe are poorly developed and inferior lobe is dome-shaped. Posterior notopodia with dorsal ligule triangular are broad. Dorsal cirri are becoming distally inserted on notopodial ligule on posterior setigers. Other parapodial lobes are posteriorly similar to anterior setigers. All notosetae are homogomph spinigers. Neurosetae are heterogomph falcigers in both supra-acicular and infra-acicular positions (**Figure 11d**).

**Remarks:** The present material agrees well with the earlier description.

**Distribution**: Philippines, Indochina, Great Barrier Reef, New Zealand, Singapore, Mergui, Red Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and French Guiana. **India**: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Goa Coast and Gujarat.

#### *Perinereis cultrifera* **(Grube, 1840)**

*Nereis cultrifera* [39]: 74.

*Perinereis cultrifera* [40]: 352, fig. 137, 11953, p. 206, fig. a–l; [8]: 337, 14.13, fig. o–q; [41]: 71, [18]: 146.

**Habitat**: Boring in dead corals and living in coral cavity.

**Description**: Body 85–90 mm long. Prostomium is broadly triangular; palps are large; tentacular cirri are rather long and slender (**Figure 12a**). Faint transverse pigmented bands on several anterior setigers, otherwise lacking pigmentation patterns. Eyes are black, antennae one-third as long as prostomium, longest tentacular cirri extend back to fifth setiger. Jaws about five distinct teeth. Paragnaths: I = 1–2; II = 5–9; III = 9–11; IV = 9–12 cones; V = 3 cones in triangle; VI = 1; VII–VIII = 26–30 cones in 2 regular rows. Notopodia with 2 equal lobe anteriorly. Dorsal cirrus as long as dorsal notopodial ligule anteriorly (**Figure 12b** and **c**). Heterogomph spinigers present in ventral neuropodial fascicles from the first setiger. Anal cirri extend back to about seven setigers (**Figure 12d**).

**Remarks:** The present material agrees well with the earlier descriptions.

**Distribution**: Cosmopolitan; Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans; Mediterranean Sea; Israel; Japan; and Burma and Diamond Island. India: Lakshadweep, Maharashtra coast, Travancore, Cape Comorin, Tuticorin, Gulf of Mannar, Orissa coast, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

**17**

(**Figure 13d**).

**Figure 11.**

Goa Coast.

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great…*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

*Perinereis cultrifera typica* **Grube, 1840**

**Habitat**: Boring in dead corals and living under rocks.

*Perinereis cultrifera typica* [39]: 74; [40]: 352, fig. 137; [7]: 208; [12]: 740.

*Perinereis vancaurica (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) posterior foot and (d) seta structure.*

two short, small digitate tentacles. Palps are large (**Figure 13a**). Two pairs of black eyes in rectangular arrangement. The longest peristomial cirrus extends backward to 5–6 setigers (**Figure 13b**). Proboscis has paragnaths on both rings: I = 2 cones; II = 12–18 cones in 3 oblique rows; III = 14–20 cones in 3–4 transverse rows; IV = 10–20 cones in 3 oblique rows; V = 3 cones in a triangle; VI = a single flat triangular cone; VIII and VIII = 20–30 cones in 2 rows. And the jaws have 4–5 lateral teeth. Anterior parapodium is enlarged about two times as large as the uniramous one, and dorsal cirri are located at the dorsum of notoligule (**Figure 13c**). The dorsal cirrus is slightly longer than notoligule, and ventral cirrus is shorter than neuroligule. Ventral cirri with pointed end. Posterior parapodium is smaller, but supra-notoligules are very distinct, large, long, terminate, slender, and pointed carrying the dorsal cirrus on top. The ventral cirrus is short, digitate, and distally slender. Notoselae are homogomph spinigers throughout, and neurosetae are homogomph spinigers and heterogomph falcigers in supra-acicular position. Heterogomph spinigers and heterogomph falcigers in infra-acicular position

**Remarks:** The present material agrees well with the original description. **Distribution**: Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Indian Ocean. India: Tuticorin, Pamban backwaters, Chandipore, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Maharashtra, and

**Description**: Specimen is 80–90 mm long. Prostomium is pyriform and bears

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

**Figure 11.** *Perinereis vancaurica (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) posterior foot and (d) seta structure.*

#### *Perinereis cultrifera typica* **Grube, 1840**

*Perinereis cultrifera typica* [39]: 74; [40]: 352, fig. 137; [7]: 208; [12]: 740. **Habitat**: Boring in dead corals and living under rocks.

**Description**: Specimen is 80–90 mm long. Prostomium is pyriform and bears two short, small digitate tentacles. Palps are large (**Figure 13a**). Two pairs of black eyes in rectangular arrangement. The longest peristomial cirrus extends backward to 5–6 setigers (**Figure 13b**). Proboscis has paragnaths on both rings: I = 2 cones; II = 12–18 cones in 3 oblique rows; III = 14–20 cones in 3–4 transverse rows; IV = 10–20 cones in 3 oblique rows; V = 3 cones in a triangle; VI = a single flat triangular cone; VIII and VIII = 20–30 cones in 2 rows. And the jaws have 4–5 lateral teeth. Anterior parapodium is enlarged about two times as large as the uniramous one, and dorsal cirri are located at the dorsum of notoligule (**Figure 13c**). The dorsal cirrus is slightly longer than notoligule, and ventral cirrus is shorter than neuroligule. Ventral cirri with pointed end. Posterior parapodium is smaller, but supra-notoligules are very distinct, large, long, terminate, slender, and pointed carrying the dorsal cirrus on top. The ventral cirrus is short, digitate, and distally slender. Notoselae are homogomph spinigers throughout, and neurosetae are homogomph spinigers and heterogomph falcigers in supra-acicular position. Heterogomph spinigers and heterogomph falcigers in infra-acicular position (**Figure 13d**).

**Remarks:** The present material agrees well with the original description.

**Distribution**: Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Indian Ocean. India: Tuticorin, Pamban backwaters, Chandipore, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Maharashtra, and Goa Coast.

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

**Distribution**: Australia and Philippines. *Perinereis vancaurica* **(Ehlers, 1868)**

*Perinereis cultrifera* **(Grube, 1840)**

*Nereis cultrifera* [39]: 74.

to about seven setigers (**Figure 12d**).

o–q; [41]: 71, [18]: 146.

*Perinereis horsti* [11]: 182, pl. 11, fig. 47, text-figs. 182-4.

and Nicobar Islands [37].

*Nereis vancaurica* [38]: p. xx.

740; [15]: 96; [14]: 77; [18]: 146.

rocks.

cones on each side close to area VI. Parapodia of first and second setigers are anteriorly directed. Anterior notopodia with two equal lobes (**Figure 10c**) and basal lobe becoming expanded from median setigers up to twice as long as ventral lobe with distally attached dorsal cirri. All notosetae are homogomph spinigers. Neurosetae are heterogomph spinigers and heterogomph falcigers in both supra-acicular and infraacicular positions. Neuropodial heterogomph spinigers are absent from anterior-most 24th–35th setigers. Anal cirri are as long as posterior-most fourth setigers (**Figure 10d**). **Remarks:** The present material agrees well with the description of Wilson and Glasby [36]. In earlier collections as a new distribution record species in Andaman

*Perinereis vancaurica* [30]: 103; [7]: 205, fig. 105f–g; [8]: 334, fig. 14.12, k–o; [12]:

**Habitat**: Occurs in intertidal areas of oyster- and barnacle-encrusted coral

**Description**: Paragnaths are arranged as follows: I = 1, II = 16–20 in triangle, III = 32–40, IV = 25–45 cones, V = 3 cones in a triangle, VI = 2 long flattened bars, and VII–VIII = 58–80 in 3 irregular rows. Paragnaths in VII–VIII in 2 bands. The band closest to the oral end of the pharynx consists of large cone in two irregular rows. Anterior notopodia with conical notopodial ligule (**Figure 11b**). Dorsal cirrus is slightly longer than dorsal ligule (**Figure 11c**). Neuropodia with superior lobe are poorly developed and inferior lobe is dome-shaped. Posterior notopodia with dorsal ligule triangular are broad. Dorsal cirri are becoming distally inserted on notopodial ligule on posterior setigers. Other parapodial lobes are posteriorly similar to anterior setigers. All notosetae are homogomph spinigers. Neurosetae are heterogomph

falcigers in both supra-acicular and infra-acicular positions (**Figure 11d**). **Remarks:** The present material agrees well with the earlier description. **Distribution**: Philippines, Indochina, Great Barrier Reef, New Zealand, Singapore, Mergui, Red Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and French Guiana. **India**: Andaman

and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Goa Coast and Gujarat.

**Habitat**: Boring in dead corals and living in coral cavity.

Mannar, Orissa coast, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

*Perinereis cultrifera* [40]: 352, fig. 137, 11953, p. 206, fig. a–l; [8]: 337, 14.13, fig.

**Description**: Body 85–90 mm long. Prostomium is broadly triangular; palps are large; tentacular cirri are rather long and slender (**Figure 12a**). Faint transverse pigmented bands on several anterior setigers, otherwise lacking pigmentation patterns. Eyes are black, antennae one-third as long as prostomium, longest tentacular cirri extend back to fifth setiger. Jaws about five distinct teeth. Paragnaths: I = 1–2; II = 5–9; III = 9–11; IV = 9–12 cones; V = 3 cones in triangle; VI = 1; VII–VIII = 26–30 cones in 2 regular rows. Notopodia with 2 equal lobe anteriorly. Dorsal cirrus as long as dorsal notopodial ligule anteriorly (**Figure 12b** and **c**). Heterogomph spinigers present in ventral neuropodial fascicles from the first setiger. Anal cirri extend back

**Remarks:** The present material agrees well with the earlier descriptions. **Distribution**: Cosmopolitan; Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans; Mediterranean Sea; Israel; Japan; and Burma and Diamond Island. India:

Lakshadweep, Maharashtra coast, Travancore, Cape Comorin, Tuticorin, Gulf of

**16**

#### **Figure 12.**

*Perinereis cultrifera (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) posterior foot and (d) seta structure.*

**19**

**Figure 14.**

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great…*

*Nereis* (*Mastigonereis*) *variegata* [43]: 37, pl. 1 figs. 6–10, pl. 2 figs. 11, 12.

*Pseudonereis variegata* [8]: 331, fig. 14-12.a–f; [44]: 74; [15]: 96l [14]: 77.

**Description**: Body up to 90 mm long, prostomium somewhat pyriform. Two pairs of eyes in trapezoidal arrangement, tentacles are small, and palps are large with bulbous tip. The longest peristomial cirrus reaches backward to five setigers (**Figure 14a**). Proboscis is large, paragnaths are present on both rings; I = 1 cone; II = 16–20 points in a regular triangular cluster; III =12–18 points in 3 triangular rows; IV = 17–22 points; V = 1 cone; VI a single transverse bar; VII and VIII have

Anterior parapodia bear rounded supra- and infra-ligules (**Figure 14b**). Both dorsal and ventral cirri are digitate, and middle parapodia have almost the same size as notoligule; but the end of the supra-notoligule is slender. The dorsal cirri are longer than notopodial lobes slenderized toward the end. The ventral cirrus is very short, situated at the base of infra-neuroligule (**Figure 14c**). Beyond the 50th setiger, supra-notoligule expands toward the posterior end in rectangular shape; it is carrying the dorsal cirrus at the end; ventral cirrus is very short. The upper margin or supra-notoligule in posterior parapodia bears a gland. Notosetae are

*Pseudonereis variegata (a) anterior end, (b) posterior end, (c) anterior foot, (d) posterior foot, and (e) setae.*

*Pseudonereis gallapagensis* [27]: 174; [7]: 215, fig. 110a–e.

**Habitat**: Burrowing on rocks and dead and live corals.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

*Nereilepas variegata* [42]: 164.

30–40 cones in 3–4 irregular rows.

*Pseudonereis variegata* **(Grube, 1857)**

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

#### *Pseudonereis variegata* **(Grube, 1857)**

*Nereilepas variegata* [42]: 164.

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

**18**

**Figure 13.**

**Figure 12.**

*Perinereis cultrifera typica (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) posterior foot, and (d) setae.*

*Perinereis cultrifera (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) posterior foot and (d) seta structure.*

*Nereis* (*Mastigonereis*) *variegata* [43]: 37, pl. 1 figs. 6–10, pl. 2 figs. 11, 12. *Pseudonereis gallapagensis* [27]: 174; [7]: 215, fig. 110a–e. *Pseudonereis variegata* [8]: 331, fig. 14-12.a–f; [44]: 74; [15]: 96l [14]: 77.

**Habitat**: Burrowing on rocks and dead and live corals.

**Description**: Body up to 90 mm long, prostomium somewhat pyriform. Two pairs of eyes in trapezoidal arrangement, tentacles are small, and palps are large with bulbous tip. The longest peristomial cirrus reaches backward to five setigers (**Figure 14a**). Proboscis is large, paragnaths are present on both rings; I = 1 cone; II = 16–20 points in a regular triangular cluster; III =12–18 points in 3 triangular rows; IV = 17–22 points; V = 1 cone; VI a single transverse bar; VII and VIII have 30–40 cones in 3–4 irregular rows.

Anterior parapodia bear rounded supra- and infra-ligules (**Figure 14b**). Both dorsal and ventral cirri are digitate, and middle parapodia have almost the same size as notoligule; but the end of the supra-notoligule is slender. The dorsal cirri are longer than notopodial lobes slenderized toward the end. The ventral cirrus is very short, situated at the base of infra-neuroligule (**Figure 14c**). Beyond the 50th setiger, supra-notoligule expands toward the posterior end in rectangular shape; it is carrying the dorsal cirrus at the end; ventral cirrus is very short. The upper margin or supra-notoligule in posterior parapodia bears a gland. Notosetae are

**Figure 14.** *Pseudonereis variegata (a) anterior end, (b) posterior end, (c) anterior foot, (d) posterior foot, and (e) setae.*

homogomph spinigers throughout, and neurosetae in anterior and middle parapodia are homogomph spinigers and heterogomph falcigers. Posterior neurosetal lobes with heterogomph spinigers and falcigers (**Figure 14d**).

**Remarks:** The present material agrees well with the description of Day [8].

**Distribution**: Pacific Ocean, Galapagos, Peru, Chile, Strait of Magellan, Indochina, Indian Ocean, Madagascar, and Brazil. **India**: Orissa coast, Gulf of Mannar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, and Gujarat.

*Eunice antennata* **(Savigny 1820)**

*Leodice antennata* [45]: 50.

*Eunice antennata* [46]: 312; [47]: 17; [7]: 138 & 240; [8]: 384, fig. 17.2 k–q; [12]: 743; [13]: 204; [18]: 148.

**Habitat**: Boring into dead corals and beach rocks.

**Description**: Body 30–155 mm long, prostomium is bilobed with five prostomial tentacles, pair of tentacular cirri on the second apodous segment, and the dorsal cirri and anal cirri are moniliform. The first apodous segment is about three and a half times as long as the second apodous segment (**Figure 15a**). The setae of the first foot are arranged in two bundles. A bundle of simple capillaries at the base of the dorsal cirrus (**Figure 15b**). Branchiae first start on the 6th setigerous segment well developed between the 10th and 25th segments, where they have 6th or 7th filaments, and decrease to two or three in median region; thereafter, the number increases again in posterior segments (**Figure 15c**). The anal segment bears two long anal cirri. Acicular setae are first present in the 19th setigerous segment; they are yellow, tridentate, and distally hooded. Other setae include slender capillary, bidentate compound falcigers with rounded hood, and pectinate setae with lateral, asymmetrical extensions (**Figure 15d**).

**Remarks:** Present material agrees well with the earlier descriptions.

**Distribution**: Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean, Philippines, Pacific Ocean, Indochina, and Ceylon. **India**: Lakshadweep; Gulf of Mannar; Andaman and Nicobar Islands; Pamban, Krusadai, and Shingle Island; and Tuticorin and Maharashtra Coast.

#### *Eunice vittata* **(Delle Chiaje, 1825)**

*Nereis vitta* [48]: 195.

*Eunice vitta* [40]: 404, fig. 158 h–n; [8]: 385, fig. 17.3a–e.

**Habitat**: Boring into dead corals and living on cavity of dead corals and rocks. **Description**: Body 30–35 mm long, anterior segments with red bars which fade in alcohol, antennae and cirri are smooth without annulations, the longest or median one extends back to the sixth segment (**Figure 16a**). A pair of circular eyes at the outer bases of the median antenna, tentacular cirri are smooth and extend forward not quite to the front of the prostomium. Branchiae are first present from the third parapodium (**Figure 16b** and **c**) and continue back to 45th segment; they have 10–18 filaments. Acicula is yellow with blunt tips, slightly curved. Acicular setae are yellow and tridentate with small apical tooth. Compound setae are falcigerous and are distally bifid and covered with a pointed hood (**Figure 16d**).

**Remarks:** In earlier findings of Rajasekaran [37], this species is the first record from Indian waters.

**Distribution**: Australia.

*Eunice afra punctata* **Peters, 1854**

*Eunice punctata* [49]: 611.

*Eunice afra* var. *punctata* [50]: 89; [8]: 393; [13]: 204; [17]: 59; [18]: 150.

**Habitat**: Boring into beach rocks and dead corals.

**Description**: Body 130–140 mm long, brown in color with dotted tiny white punctations on the anterior portion. Prostomial antennae are smooth, and peristomial cirri are long as the peristomial segment (**Figure 17a**). From the first segment,

**21**

rounded (**Figure 17e**).

**Figure 15.**

Andaman and Nicobar Islands. *Lysidice collaris* **Grube, 1870**

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great…*

branchiae are absent (**Figure 17b**) Branchiae are starting from about 16th segment, with 2–4 filaments; they are pectinately divided and attain a maximum of 8 filaments at the 30th setiger; the last 10 segments lack them (**Figure 17c**). There are 2 acicula each of the first 28–30 parapodia and only 1 in others. Acicular hooks are first present in 30th segment; they are distally bidentate and subdistal tooth is directed laterally. Other setae are of three kinds: slender capillary (**Figure 17d**), pectinate (**Figure 17f**), and bidentate compound falcigers in which the hood is distally

**Remarks:** Present material agrees well with the original descriptions. **Distribution**: South Africa. **India**: Lakshadweep, Gulf of Mannar, and

**Habitat**: Boring in dead corals and living on cervices of dead corals.

402-403, fig. 17.8.a–f; [7]: 248, fig. 124a–g; [13]: 205; [14]: 78.

*Eunice antennata (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) posterior foot and (d) setae.*

*Lysidice collaris* [51]: 495; [20]: 272, pl. 14 figs. 93–95, text-figs. 144–147; [8]:

**Description:** Prostomium is distinctly bilobed in front and has two reniform eyes located near the outer base of the paired antennae (**Figure 18a**). The three prostomial antennae are slender, and the second dental plate has three heavy teeth. In anterior segments the dorsal cirri are slenderer than ventral ones (**Figure 18b** and **c**). In posterior segments the dorsal cirri become shorter. Setae include capillary setae (**Figure 18d**), bidentate composite falcigers, and comb setae, and bidentate

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

#### **Figure 15.**

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

*Eunice antennata* **(Savigny 1820)**

asymmetrical extensions (**Figure 15d**).

*Eunice vittata* **(Delle Chiaje, 1825)**

Maharashtra Coast.

from Indian waters.

**Distribution**: Australia.

*Eunice punctata* [49]: 611.

*Eunice afra punctata* **Peters, 1854**

**Habitat**: Boring into beach rocks and dead corals.

*Nereis vitta* [48]: 195.

*Leodice antennata* [45]: 50.

743; [13]: 204; [18]: 148.

with heterogomph spinigers and falcigers (**Figure 14d**).

Mannar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, and Gujarat.

**Habitat**: Boring into dead corals and beach rocks.

homogomph spinigers throughout, and neurosetae in anterior and middle parapodia are homogomph spinigers and heterogomph falcigers. Posterior neurosetal lobes

**Remarks:** The present material agrees well with the description of Day [8]. **Distribution**: Pacific Ocean, Galapagos, Peru, Chile, Strait of Magellan, Indochina, Indian Ocean, Madagascar, and Brazil. **India**: Orissa coast, Gulf of

*Eunice antennata* [46]: 312; [47]: 17; [7]: 138 & 240; [8]: 384, fig. 17.2 k–q; [12]:

**Description**: Body 30–155 mm long, prostomium is bilobed with five prostomial tentacles, pair of tentacular cirri on the second apodous segment, and the dorsal cirri and anal cirri are moniliform. The first apodous segment is about three and a half times as long as the second apodous segment (**Figure 15a**). The setae of the first foot are arranged in two bundles. A bundle of simple capillaries at the base of the dorsal cirrus (**Figure 15b**). Branchiae first start on the 6th setigerous segment well developed between the 10th and 25th segments, where they have 6th or 7th filaments, and decrease to two or three in median region; thereafter, the number increases again in posterior segments (**Figure 15c**). The anal segment bears two long anal cirri. Acicular setae are first present in the 19th setigerous segment; they are yellow, tridentate, and distally hooded. Other setae include slender capillary, bidentate compound falcigers with rounded hood, and pectinate setae with lateral,

**Remarks:** Present material agrees well with the earlier descriptions. **Distribution**: Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean, Philippines, Pacific Ocean, Indochina, and Ceylon. **India**: Lakshadweep; Gulf of Mannar; Andaman and Nicobar Islands; Pamban, Krusadai, and Shingle Island; and Tuticorin and

erous and are distally bifid and covered with a pointed hood (**Figure 16d**).

*Eunice afra* var. *punctata* [50]: 89; [8]: 393; [13]: 204; [17]: 59; [18]: 150.

**Description**: Body 130–140 mm long, brown in color with dotted tiny white punctations on the anterior portion. Prostomial antennae are smooth, and peristomial cirri are long as the peristomial segment (**Figure 17a**). From the first segment,

**Habitat**: Boring into dead corals and living on cavity of dead corals and rocks. **Description**: Body 30–35 mm long, anterior segments with red bars which fade in alcohol, antennae and cirri are smooth without annulations, the longest or median one extends back to the sixth segment (**Figure 16a**). A pair of circular eyes at the outer bases of the median antenna, tentacular cirri are smooth and extend forward not quite to the front of the prostomium. Branchiae are first present from the third parapodium (**Figure 16b** and **c**) and continue back to 45th segment; they have 10–18 filaments. Acicula is yellow with blunt tips, slightly curved. Acicular setae are yellow and tridentate with small apical tooth. Compound setae are falcig-

**Remarks:** In earlier findings of Rajasekaran [37], this species is the first record

*Eunice vitta* [40]: 404, fig. 158 h–n; [8]: 385, fig. 17.3a–e.

**20**

*Eunice antennata (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) posterior foot and (d) setae.*

branchiae are absent (**Figure 17b**) Branchiae are starting from about 16th segment, with 2–4 filaments; they are pectinately divided and attain a maximum of 8 filaments at the 30th setiger; the last 10 segments lack them (**Figure 17c**). There are 2 acicula each of the first 28–30 parapodia and only 1 in others. Acicular hooks are first present in 30th segment; they are distally bidentate and subdistal tooth is directed laterally. Other setae are of three kinds: slender capillary (**Figure 17d**), pectinate (**Figure 17f**), and bidentate compound falcigers in which the hood is distally rounded (**Figure 17e**).

**Remarks:** Present material agrees well with the original descriptions. **Distribution**: South Africa. **India**: Lakshadweep, Gulf of Mannar, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

### *Lysidice collaris* **Grube, 1870**

*Lysidice collaris* [51]: 495; [20]: 272, pl. 14 figs. 93–95, text-figs. 144–147; [8]: 402-403, fig. 17.8.a–f; [7]: 248, fig. 124a–g; [13]: 205; [14]: 78.

**Habitat**: Boring in dead corals and living on cervices of dead corals.

**Description:** Prostomium is distinctly bilobed in front and has two reniform eyes located near the outer base of the paired antennae (**Figure 18a**). The three prostomial antennae are slender, and the second dental plate has three heavy teeth. In anterior segments the dorsal cirri are slenderer than ventral ones (**Figure 18b** and **c**). In posterior segments the dorsal cirri become shorter. Setae include capillary setae (**Figure 18d**), bidentate composite falcigers, and comb setae, and bidentate

**Figure 16.** *Eunice vittata (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) posterior foot and (d) setae.*

sub-acicular hooks are first present at the 21st setiger and continue posteriorly (**Figure 18e**).

**Remarks:** Present materials agree well with the descriptions of Day [8].

**Distribution**: Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea. **India:** Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Kilakarai, Pamban, Gujarat coast, and Gulf of Mannar.

*Lysidice ninetta* (**Audouin & Milne Edwards, 1833**)

*Lysidice ninetta* [52]: 235; [40]: 411, fig. 162a–f; [8]: 403, fig. 17.8g-I; [18]: 150. **Habitat**: Boring in dead corals and living on cavity of corals.

**Description**: Body 75–100 mm long, reddish with white spots and white bar on the second and fifth setiger (**Figure 19a**). Prostomial antennae are short and three in number, and peristomial appendages and gills are absent. Each parapodium with bluntly conical dorsal cirrus, rounded ventral cirrus, and a broad setigerous lobe (**Figure 19b**). Setae include capillaries with pectinate setae, composite falcigers, and bidentate acicular hooks (**Figure 19c**). Acicula black with blunt tips. Bidentate sub-acicular hooks from the 22nd–25th setigers onwards.

**Remarks:** Present material agrees well with the descriptions of Day [8].

**Distribution**: Red Sea, West Indo-Pacific, north Atlantic Ocean, North Carolina, Mediterranean Sea, and Angola. **India**: Lakshadweep, Kilakarai, Pamban, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

**23**

**Figure 18.**

*and comb setae.*

**Figure 17.**

*(e) heterogomph falciger, and (f) comb setae.*

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great…*

*Eunice afra punctata (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) posterior foot, (d) simple capillary seta,* 

*Lysidice collaris (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) posterior foot, (d) limbate capillary, and (e) falciger* 

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

#### **Figure 17.**

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

sub-acicular hooks are first present at the 21st setiger and continue posteriorly

**Remarks:** Present materials agree well with the descriptions of Day [8]. **Distribution**: Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea. **India:** Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Kilakarai, Pamban, Gujarat coast, and Gulf of

*Lysidice ninetta* [52]: 235; [40]: 411, fig. 162a–f; [8]: 403, fig. 17.8g-I; [18]: 150.

**Remarks:** Present material agrees well with the descriptions of Day [8]. **Distribution**: Red Sea, West Indo-Pacific, north Atlantic Ocean, North Carolina, Mediterranean Sea, and Angola. **India**: Lakshadweep, Kilakarai, Pamban,

**Description**: Body 75–100 mm long, reddish with white spots and white bar on the second and fifth setiger (**Figure 19a**). Prostomial antennae are short and three in number, and peristomial appendages and gills are absent. Each parapodium with bluntly conical dorsal cirrus, rounded ventral cirrus, and a broad setigerous lobe (**Figure 19b**). Setae include capillaries with pectinate setae, composite falcigers, and bidentate acicular hooks (**Figure 19c**). Acicula black with blunt tips. Bidentate

*Lysidice ninetta* (**Audouin & Milne Edwards, 1833**)

*Eunice vittata (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) posterior foot and (d) setae.*

sub-acicular hooks from the 22nd–25th setigers onwards.

and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

**Habitat**: Boring in dead corals and living on cavity of corals.

**22**

(**Figure 18e**).

Mannar.

**Figure 16.**

*Eunice afra punctata (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) posterior foot, (d) simple capillary seta, (e) heterogomph falciger, and (f) comb setae.*

#### **Figure 18.**

*Lysidice collaris (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) posterior foot, (d) limbate capillary, and (e) falciger and comb setae.*

### *Malacocers indicus* **(Fauvel, 1928)**

*Scolelepis indica* [53]: 93–94, fig. 2g–n; [6]: 35, **fig. 7g**–**n;**, [18]: 153. *Malacoceros indicus* [54]: 219; [55]: 6–7, figs. 2a–g, 3a–j; [8]: 447, fig. 18.5p-u. *Malacoceros indicu*s [56]: 50–53; [44]: 74.

**Description**: Body 45–55 mm long, yellowish tan in alcohol, prostomium with lateral peaks tapering with posteriorly and blunt caruncle extending to posterior edge of the first setiger, with irregular clusters of small 6–8 eyespots (**Figure 20a**). Branchiae are present from the first setiger continuing to the end of the body. Notopodial lamellae are slender and triangular, with tapered end attached only at the base of the branchiae (**Figure 20b**). Neuropodial lamellae are rounded anteriorly with a nipple-like projection posteriorly (**Figure 20c**). Notosetae capillaries through the body (**Figure 20d**); neurosetae capillaries in anterior setigers and hooded hooks in posterior setigers (**Figure 20e**).

**Remarks:** In earlier findings 9 specimens are collected from station 2 and 10 and the first record of the genus is from Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

**25**

**Figure 20.**

*(e) saber setae and hooded hook.*

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great…*

**Distribution**: Caribbean, New Caledonia, Chile, Japan, and Australia. **India**:

**Description**: Body 55–60 mm long, prostomium is pointed anteriorly with 4–5 pairs of eyes in a row and a well-marked occipital keel reaching the second setiger (**Figure 21a**). A pair of long and stout coiled palps; branchiae start from the second setiger and continue to the posterior end and attached to the dorsal lamellae (**Figure 21b**). Only capillary setae are present in the first few segments (**Figure 21c** and **d**). Bidentate hooded hooks in the neuropodia from the 30th–35th setigers onwards and in the notopodia from the 60th setiger (**Figure 21e**). A maximum of 12

**Remarks:** This is the first record of the genus from Andaman and Nicobar

*Malacocers indicus (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) posterior foot, (d) notopodial capillary, and* 

**Distribution**: Mozambique, Madagascar, Atlantic Ocean, and Mediterranean Sea. **India**: Orissa coast, Rushikulya estuary, Visakhapatnam coast, Pulicat Lake,

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

*Scolelepis squamata* **(Muller, 1806)** *Lumbricus squamatus* [57]: 39. *Lumbricus cirratulus* [48]: 196.

Vellar estuary, and Godavari estuary.

Islands [37].

Lakshadweep, Gulf of Mannar, Orissa, and Visakhapatnam.

*Scolelepis squamata* [8]: 483, fig. 18.7c–h, [18]: 153. **Habitat**: Silty sediments in sandy shore areas.

*Nerine cirratulus* [58]: 36, fig. 11g–n; [59]: 412, fig. l–j; [60]: 26.

neuropodial hooks, pygidial cushion is small, broader, and long.

**Figure 19.** *Lysidice ninetta (a) anterior end, (b) middle foot and (c) acicular seta.*

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

**Distribution**: Caribbean, New Caledonia, Chile, Japan, and Australia. **India**: Lakshadweep, Gulf of Mannar, Orissa, and Visakhapatnam.

*Scolelepis squamata* **(Muller, 1806)**

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

*Malacoceros indicu*s [56]: 50–53; [44]: 74.

hooded hooks in posterior setigers (**Figure 20e**).

*Scolelepis indica* [53]: 93–94, fig. 2g–n; [6]: 35, **fig. 7g**–**n;**, [18]: 153.

the first record of the genus is from Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

*Malacoceros indicus* [54]: 219; [55]: 6–7, figs. 2a–g, 3a–j; [8]: 447, fig. 18.5p-u.

**Description**: Body 45–55 mm long, yellowish tan in alcohol, prostomium with lateral peaks tapering with posteriorly and blunt caruncle extending to posterior edge of the first setiger, with irregular clusters of small 6–8 eyespots (**Figure 20a**). Branchiae are present from the first setiger continuing to the end of the body. Notopodial lamellae are slender and triangular, with tapered end attached only at the base of the branchiae (**Figure 20b**). Neuropodial lamellae are rounded anteriorly with a nipple-like projection posteriorly (**Figure 20c**). Notosetae capillaries through the body (**Figure 20d**); neurosetae capillaries in anterior setigers and

**Remarks:** In earlier findings 9 specimens are collected from station 2 and 10 and

*Malacocers indicus* **(Fauvel, 1928)**

**24**

**Figure 19.**

*Lysidice ninetta (a) anterior end, (b) middle foot and (c) acicular seta.*

*Lumbricus squamatus* [57]: 39. *Lumbricus cirratulus* [48]: 196. *Nerine cirratulus* [58]: 36, fig. 11g–n; [59]: 412, fig. l–j; [60]: 26. *Scolelepis squamata* [8]: 483, fig. 18.7c–h, [18]: 153. **Habitat**: Silty sediments in sandy shore areas.

**Description**: Body 55–60 mm long, prostomium is pointed anteriorly with 4–5 pairs of eyes in a row and a well-marked occipital keel reaching the second setiger (**Figure 21a**). A pair of long and stout coiled palps; branchiae start from the second setiger and continue to the posterior end and attached to the dorsal lamellae (**Figure 21b**). Only capillary setae are present in the first few segments (**Figure 21c** and **d**). Bidentate hooded hooks in the neuropodia from the 30th–35th setigers onwards and in the notopodia from the 60th setiger (**Figure 21e**). A maximum of 12 neuropodial hooks, pygidial cushion is small, broader, and long.

**Remarks:** This is the first record of the genus from Andaman and Nicobar Islands [37].

**Distribution**: Mozambique, Madagascar, Atlantic Ocean, and Mediterranean Sea. **India**: Orissa coast, Rushikulya estuary, Visakhapatnam coast, Pulicat Lake, Vellar estuary, and Godavari estuary.

#### **Figure 20.**

*Malacocers indicus (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) posterior foot, (d) notopodial capillary, and (e) saber setae and hooded hook.*

#### *Aramandia leptocirrus* **(Grube, 1878)**

*Aramandia leptocirrus* [19]: 194; [61]: 435; [62]: 50; [8]: 577; fig. 25.2h; [18]: 157. **Habitat**: Silty sediments in littoral region of sandy shore.

**Description**: Body elongated, 20–30 mm. long, pointed anteriorly, and not divided into two regions (**Figure 22a**). The gills arise from the second setiger to the last setiger. Eyes are lateral—spots on the 7th setiger to around the 18th setiger. The parapodia arise from the dorsal margin of the ventrolateral folds. Parapodia with short presetal lobe, short ventral cirrus (**Figure 22b**), and two bundles of capillary setae (**Figure 22c**). Anal funnel is long and obliquely truncate so that the anus opens upward. It has long ventral cirrus and 12 fine dorsal papillae.

**Remarks**: *Aramandia leptocirrus* is extremely specialized, being highly adapted to life within sandy sediments. The branchiae are directed backwards and are present from the anterior end of the ventral groove.

**Distribution**: Red Sea, Mozambique, South Africa, Persian Gulf, Philippines, Indochina, and New Caledonia. **India**: Lakshadweep, Gulf of Mannar, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

*Idanthyrsus pennatus* **(Peters, 1985)**

*Sabellaria* (*Pallasia*) *pennata* [63]: 613.

*Idanthyrsus pennatus* [64]: 88; [23]: 117; [8]: 675, fig. 2j–n; [13]: 207.

**Habitat**: Hard tube formed with sand particles on corals and rocks.

**Description**: Body 30–60 mm long, prostomium covered by two large opercular stalks bearing modified setae in two rows, paleae of the opercular peduncle with a number of 19–32 pairs in the outer row and 15–18 pairs in the inner one (**Figure 23a**). Outer paleae with strongly curved shaft and slender denticles giving the general impression of a feather or a palm leaf (**Figure 23c**). Inner paleae smooth with tapering tips (**Figure 23b**). The middorsal line of the opercular peduncle has a

**27**

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great…*

pair of nuchal hooks (**Figure 23e**) and a pair of long papillae. The second segment has a pair of branchiae. The three parathoracic segments are biramous. Thoracic uncini have eight teeth (**Figure 23d**). Caudal region is achaetous and apodous.

*Aramandia leptocirrus (a) posterior end, (b) middle foot, and (c) simple capillary.*

**Remarks:** The present material agrees well with the description of Day [8]. **Distribution**: Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. **India:**

**Habitat**: Soft tube forming on dead and live corals at 1 meter water depth. **Description**: Body 35–40 mm in length with long and coiled tentacles; tentacles are filamentous, numerous, and slender. Three pairs of arborescent gills are present on segments 2, 3, and 4 (**Figure 24a**). Lateral lobes are lacking. The peristomium has eye spots. Notosetae are first present from the fourth segment and continue posteriorly but are absent from the last 40 segments. Setae are very slender and distally serrated (**Figure 24b**). Uncini are in single rows on segments 5–10 and the last segment and in double rows on other segments. Each uncinus has 3–5 large

**Remarks:** The present material agrees well with the original description. **Distribution**: Japan, China Sea, Burma, and Red Sea. **India:** Gulf of Mannar,

Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mahanadi River Estuary, and Gujarat.

*Terebella ehrenbergi* [51]: 511; [65]: 213, pl. 4 figs. 224–225; [66]: 188; [8]: 748, fig.

Segments are numerous and indistinguishable.

*Terebella ehrenbergi* **(Grube, 1870)**

Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

36.10g–i; [14]: 81; [32]: 207.

**Figure 22.**

teeth (**Figure 24c**).

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

#### **Figure 22.** *Aramandia leptocirrus (a) posterior end, (b) middle foot, and (c) simple capillary.*

pair of nuchal hooks (**Figure 23e**) and a pair of long papillae. The second segment has a pair of branchiae. The three parathoracic segments are biramous. Thoracic uncini have eight teeth (**Figure 23d**). Caudal region is achaetous and apodous. Segments are numerous and indistinguishable.

**Remarks:** The present material agrees well with the description of Day [8]. **Distribution**: Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. **India:**

Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

#### *Terebella ehrenbergi* **(Grube, 1870)**

*Terebella ehrenbergi* [51]: 511; [65]: 213, pl. 4 figs. 224–225; [66]: 188; [8]: 748, fig. 36.10g–i; [14]: 81; [32]: 207.

**Habitat**: Soft tube forming on dead and live corals at 1 meter water depth.

**Description**: Body 35–40 mm in length with long and coiled tentacles; tentacles are filamentous, numerous, and slender. Three pairs of arborescent gills are present on segments 2, 3, and 4 (**Figure 24a**). Lateral lobes are lacking. The peristomium has eye spots. Notosetae are first present from the fourth segment and continue posteriorly but are absent from the last 40 segments. Setae are very slender and distally serrated (**Figure 24b**). Uncini are in single rows on segments 5–10 and the last segment and in double rows on other segments. Each uncinus has 3–5 large teeth (**Figure 24c**).

**Remarks:** The present material agrees well with the original description.

**Distribution**: Japan, China Sea, Burma, and Red Sea. **India:** Gulf of Mannar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mahanadi River Estuary, and Gujarat.

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

*Aramandia leptocirrus* **(Grube, 1878)**

ent from the anterior end of the ventral groove.

*Idanthyrsus pennatus* **(Peters, 1985)** *Sabellaria* (*Pallasia*) *pennata* [63]: 613.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

**Habitat**: Silty sediments in littoral region of sandy shore.

opens upward. It has long ventral cirrus and 12 fine dorsal papillae.

*Aramandia leptocirrus* [19]: 194; [61]: 435; [62]: 50; [8]: 577; fig. 25.2h; [18]: 157.

**Remarks**: *Aramandia leptocirrus* is extremely specialized, being highly adapted to life within sandy sediments. The branchiae are directed backwards and are pres-

**Distribution**: Red Sea, Mozambique, South Africa, Persian Gulf, Philippines,

**Description**: Body 30–60 mm long, prostomium covered by two large opercular stalks bearing modified setae in two rows, paleae of the opercular peduncle with a number of 19–32 pairs in the outer row and 15–18 pairs in the inner one (**Figure 23a**). Outer paleae with strongly curved shaft and slender denticles giving the general impression of a feather or a palm leaf (**Figure 23c**). Inner paleae smooth with tapering tips (**Figure 23b**). The middorsal line of the opercular peduncle has a

Indochina, and New Caledonia. **India**: Lakshadweep, Gulf of Mannar, and

*Idanthyrsus pennatus* [64]: 88; [23]: 117; [8]: 675, fig. 2j–n; [13]: 207. **Habitat**: Hard tube formed with sand particles on corals and rocks.

*Scolelepis squamata (a) anterior end, (b) anterior foot, (c) posterior foot, (d) hooded hook, and* 

**Description**: Body elongated, 20–30 mm. long, pointed anteriorly, and not divided into two regions (**Figure 22a**). The gills arise from the second setiger to the last setiger. Eyes are lateral—spots on the 7th setiger to around the 18th setiger. The parapodia arise from the dorsal margin of the ventrolateral folds. Parapodia with short presetal lobe, short ventral cirrus (**Figure 22b**), and two bundles of capillary setae (**Figure 22c**). Anal funnel is long and obliquely truncate so that the anus

**26**

**Figure 21.**

*(e) notosetae.*

#### **Figure 23.**

*Idanthyrsus pennatus (a) anterior end, (b) inner palea, (c) outer palea, (d) uncinus, and (e) opercular hook.*

#### **Figure 24.**

*Terebella ehrenbergi (a) anterior end, (b) notopodial seta, and (c) Thoracic uncinus.*

#### *Megalomma quadrioculatum* **(Willey, 1905)**

*Branchiomma quadrioculatum* [67]: 307. *Branchiomma mushaensis* [68]: 94, pl.7 fig. 267–270, fig. 447–453. *Megalomma quadrioculatum* [8]: 758, fig. 371h–o.

**29**

of the tubes.

**Figure 25.**

tips (**Figure 25f**).

**4. Discussion**

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great…*

**Habitat**: Tube forming (boring) on corals at 1 m water depth and lives on inside

*Megalomma quadrioculatum (a) entire worm, (b) radioles with subterminal eye, (c) paleae with slender tip,* 

**Description**: Body 35–40 mm long (**Figure 25a**). About 20–30 branchial radioles (**Figure 25b**) with the tips coiled inwards each bearing large subterminal eye. Collar is notched back dorsally to form two small and large lateral lobes, and palps are short. Thoracic notosetae of the 2nd–8th setigers include two types of setae: long slender winged capillaries (**Figure 25c** and **d**) and paleae with pointed tips (**Figure 25e**). Thoracic neurosetae include avicular uncini with long tails and striated crests, plus two rows of pick ax setae with symmetrical blades and tapering

**Remarks:** This is the first record of the species from Indian waters.

The present study is an attempt to understand the basic polychaete taxonomical tools, diversity, and morphological identification of the common coral-reefassociated polychaetes of Great Nicobar Islands. Over 5400 species of polychaetes have been described so far worldwide. Many polychaete worms are beautiful and strikingly colored red, green, or pink or with a combination of different colors, and some are iridescent. The most common and visible polychaetes found on coral reefs are feather dust and Christmas tree worms. Hence, in the present survey, a total of 24 species belonging to 14 genera, 7 orders, and 11 families were identified Three species of Phyllocidae, 8 species of Nereidae, 5 species of Eunicidae, 2 species of Spionidae, 1 species of Opheliidae, Sabellariidae, Terebellidae,

Polynoidae, Amphinomidae, and Sabellidae of coral-reef associate polychaetes are so far reported from Great Nicobar Island coastal waters. Fauvel [7] gave about

**Distribution**: Red Sea, Madagascar, and Sri Lanka.

*(d) thoracic winged capillary, and (e) pick ax setae and Avicular uncinus.*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

**Figure 25.**

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

**28**

**Figure 24.**

**Figure 23.**

*Megalomma quadrioculatum* **(Willey, 1905)** *Branchiomma quadrioculatum* [67]: 307.

*Megalomma quadrioculatum* [8]: 758, fig. 371h–o.

*Branchiomma mushaensis* [68]: 94, pl.7 fig. 267–270, fig. 447–453.

*Idanthyrsus pennatus (a) anterior end, (b) inner palea, (c) outer palea, (d) uncinus, and (e) opercular hook.*

*Terebella ehrenbergi (a) anterior end, (b) notopodial seta, and (c) Thoracic uncinus.*

*Megalomma quadrioculatum (a) entire worm, (b) radioles with subterminal eye, (c) paleae with slender tip, (d) thoracic winged capillary, and (e) pick ax setae and Avicular uncinus.*

**Habitat**: Tube forming (boring) on corals at 1 m water depth and lives on inside of the tubes.

**Description**: Body 35–40 mm long (**Figure 25a**). About 20–30 branchial radioles (**Figure 25b**) with the tips coiled inwards each bearing large subterminal eye. Collar is notched back dorsally to form two small and large lateral lobes, and palps are short. Thoracic notosetae of the 2nd–8th setigers include two types of setae: long slender winged capillaries (**Figure 25c** and **d**) and paleae with pointed tips (**Figure 25e**). Thoracic neurosetae include avicular uncini with long tails and striated crests, plus two rows of pick ax setae with symmetrical blades and tapering tips (**Figure 25f**).

**Remarks:** This is the first record of the species from Indian waters. **Distribution**: Red Sea, Madagascar, and Sri Lanka.

#### **4. Discussion**

The present study is an attempt to understand the basic polychaete taxonomical tools, diversity, and morphological identification of the common coral-reefassociated polychaetes of Great Nicobar Islands. Over 5400 species of polychaetes have been described so far worldwide. Many polychaete worms are beautiful and strikingly colored red, green, or pink or with a combination of different colors, and some are iridescent. The most common and visible polychaetes found on coral reefs are feather dust and Christmas tree worms. Hence, in the present survey, a total of 24 species belonging to 14 genera, 7 orders, and 11 families were identified Three species of Phyllocidae, 8 species of Nereidae, 5 species of Eunicidae, 2 species of Spionidae, 1 species of Opheliidae, Sabellariidae, Terebellidae, Polynoidae, Amphinomidae, and Sabellidae of coral-reef associate polychaetes are so far reported from Great Nicobar Island coastal waters. Fauvel [7] gave about

450 species from the waters in and around India and rightly stated that this was probably half of the total number occurring in these waters. A total of 30 species of polychaetes belong to 8 families and 23 genera. Each species has specific features for the representative family, and all species were recorded for the first time from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, of which 15 species are new to Indian waters. Prior to the study periods in Great Nicobar Islands, very little polychaete taxonomical study has been reported; the present study clearly highlights the polychaete taxonomical tools of Great Nicobar Island.

#### **5. Conclusion**

This chapter concludes the taxonomy status and identification tools of polychaete diversity in Great Nicobar Islands. Polychaeates are one of the best indicator species in marine environment. Coral associated polychaete identification is very difficult to carry out. The study of polychaete taxonomy is a better tool for understanding the conventional taxonomy. In recent trends various molecular tools have been used for identification purpose. In spite of molecular techniques, conventional taxonomy is one of the basic important tools. Taxonomic identification is very dif-ficult in the coral-reef region. This could be solved by re-establishing species names at present regarded as subordinate synonyms; formerly the type or topotype resources were analyzed. Our hope is that the present list may prove useful for such a major reconsideration of this distinctive fauna and that it may encourage regional colleagues to expand our worldwide understanding of the polychaete diversity in Great Nicbar region, This region may very well be the Island ecosytem of the uppermost polychaete diversity in India. The results highlight the importance of the taxonomical keys and evaluate the species information in around Great Nicobar Islands. In many of the previous literature only line drawings were used, but the present study describes the clear illustration of digital snapshots of animal parts.

#### **Acknowledgements**

The authors are thankful to the director of CAS in Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Annamalai University, for providing the necessary facilities. The first author (V. S.) thanks to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, New Delhi, for financial support.

**31**

**Author details**

India

Veeramuthu Sekar1

Digha, West Bengal

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

and Ramamoorthy Raguraman4

Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India

provided the original work is properly cited.

\*, Ramadoss Rajasekaran<sup>2</sup>

2 Centre of Advanced in Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences,

3 Marine Aquarium and Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India,

4 National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM),

\*Address all correspondence to: sekarveera15@gmail.com

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India,

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India,

© 2019 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,

1 OMCAR Palk Bay Environmental Education and Research Centre, Tamil Nadu,

, Srinivasan Balakrishnan3

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great…*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

*Taxonomical Keys for Morphological Identification of Coral-Associated Polychaetes from Great… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88668*

#### **Author details**

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

taxonomical tools of Great Nicobar Island.

**5. Conclusion**

**Acknowledgements**

Change, New Delhi, for financial support.

450 species from the waters in and around India and rightly stated that this was probably half of the total number occurring in these waters. A total of 30 species of polychaetes belong to 8 families and 23 genera. Each species has specific features for the representative family, and all species were recorded for the first time from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, of which 15 species are new to Indian waters. Prior to the study periods in Great Nicobar Islands, very little polychaete taxonomical study has been reported; the present study clearly highlights the polychaete

This chapter concludes the taxonomy status and identification tools of polychaete diversity in Great Nicobar Islands. Polychaeates are one of the best indicator species in marine environment. Coral associated polychaete identification is very difficult to carry out. The study of polychaete taxonomy is a better tool for understanding the conventional taxonomy. In recent trends various molecular tools have been used for identification purpose. In spite of molecular techniques, conventional taxonomy is one of the basic important tools. Taxonomic identification is very dif-ficult in the coral-reef region. This could be solved by re-establishing species names at present regarded as subordinate synonyms; formerly the type or topotype resources were analyzed. Our hope is that the present list may prove useful for such a major reconsideration of this distinctive fauna and that it may encourage regional colleagues to expand our worldwide understanding of the polychaete diversity in Great Nicbar region, This region may very well be the Island ecosytem of the uppermost polychaete diversity in India. The results highlight the importance of the taxonomical keys and evaluate the species information in around Great Nicobar Islands. In many of the previous literature only line drawings were used, but the present study describes the clear illustration of digital snapshots of animal parts.

The authors are thankful to the director of CAS in Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Annamalai University, for providing the necessary facilities. The first author (V. S.) thanks to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate

**30**

Veeramuthu Sekar1 \*, Ramadoss Rajasekaran<sup>2</sup> , Srinivasan Balakrishnan3 and Ramamoorthy Raguraman4

1 OMCAR Palk Bay Environmental Education and Research Centre, Tamil Nadu, India

2 Centre of Advanced in Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India

3 Marine Aquarium and Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, Digha, West Bengal

4 National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

\*Address all correspondence to: sekarveera15@gmail.com

© 2019 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Natural, Paris. 1905;**11**:319-326

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[66] Willey A. Report on the Polychaeta collected by Prof. Herdmann, at Ceylon in 1902. Ceylon Pearl Oyster Fisheries Supplementary Reports.

[67] Gravier C. Contribution a l'etude des annelids polychetes de la Mer Rouge (suite). Nouvelles Archives du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle. Paris.

[68] Rajasekaran R, Fernando OJ. Polychaetes of Andaman and Nicobar

1854;**1854**:610-614

1927;**11**:1-184

1917;**5**:39-258

1905;**4**(30):243-324

1908;**4**(10):67-168

2001;**4**:21-32

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[59] Rao CAN. Polychaete fauna of the godavari estuary. Zoological Survey of India, Esturine Ecosystem Series. 2001;**4**:21-32

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

[50] Grube AE. Beschreibung neuer oder wenig beakannten von Heron Ehrenberg gesammalter Anneliden aus den Rothen Meeres. Monatsberichte der Königlichen Preussische Akademie

des Wissenschaften zu Berlin.

Naturelles. 1833;**27**:187-247

[53] Blake JA, Kudenov JD. The

[51] Audouin JV, Milne-Edwards H. Classification des Annelides et descriptions de celles qui habitent les cotes de la France. Annales des Sciences

[52] Fauvel P. Polychaeta new Morocco. Bulletin Zoological Society France.

Spionidae from South-Eastern Australia and adjacent areas with a revision of the genera. Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria. 1978;**39**:171-280

[54] Imajima M. Spionidae (Annelida: Polychaeta) from Japan VI. The genera *Malacoceros* and *Rhynchospio*. Bulletin of the National Science Museum, Tokyo, Series A.

[55] Foster NM. Spionidae of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Studies of Fauna Curaçao Caribbean Island.

[56] Muller OF. Zoologia Danica Seu Animalium Daniae et Norvegiae rariorum ac minus notorum

descriptiones et Historia. Havniae; 1806.

[57] Fauvel P. Polychetes sendentaries. Addenda aux Errantes, Archiannelida,

[58] Day JH. The Polychaeta of South Africa. Part 3: Sedentary species from cape shores and estuaries. Journal of the Linnean Society of London, Zoology.

Myzoztomaires. Fauna France.

1870;**1870**:484-521

1928;**53**:9-13

1991;**17**(1):5-17

1971;**36**:1-183

1927;**16**:1-494

1955;**42**:407-452

160 pp

[40] Misra A, Chakraborty RK. Further records of polychaetes from Gujarat coast. Records of Zoological Survey of

[41] Grube AE. Annulata Oerstediana. Videnskabelige Meddelelser Dansk Naturhistorisk Forening, Kobenhavn Pt.

[42] McIntosh WC. Marine Annelids (Polychaeta) of South Africa. Pt. 1 & 2. Marine Investment South Africa.

[43] Misra A, Chakraborty RK,

Soota TD. Fauna of Orissa: Polychaeta. Zoological Survey of India. 1987;**1**:69-89

[44] Savigny JC. Systeme des annelids, principalement de celles des cotes de l'Egypte et la Syrie, etc. Paris. 1820. 128 pp

[45] Crossland C. On the marine fauna of Zanzibar and British East Africa from collection made by Cyril Crossland in the years 1901 and 1902. Polychaeta. Pt. III. Proceedinds of Zoological Society

[46] Gravely FH. The littoral fauna of Krusadai Island in the Gulf of Mannar. Chaetopoda. Bulletin of Madras Government Museum (N.S). Natural History Section. 1927;**I**(I):55-86

[47] Delle CS. Memorie sulla storia e notomia degli animali senza vertebre del regno di Napoli. Naples. 1825;**3**:1-232

[48] Peters WC. Uber die Gattung Bdella Savigny, (Limnatus, Moquin-Tandon) und die in Mossambique beobachteten Anneliden. Monatsberichte der Königlichen Preussische Akademie des Wissenschaften zu Berlin.

[49] Day JH. The polychaete fauna of South Africa. Part 4: New species from Natal and Mozambique. Annals of the Natal Museum. 1957;**14**:59-129

Londan. 1903;**73**(1):169-176

India. 1983;**81**(1&2):69-75

II., 1857. 158-166 pp

1904;**3**:17-56, 57-92

**34**

1854;**1854**:610-614

[60] Fauvel P. Annelides Polychaetes de Madagascar, de Djibouti et du Golfe Persique. Archives Zoological Experimental General. 1919;**58**:315-473

[61] Day JH. The polychaete fauna of South Africa. Part I: The intertidal and estuarine Polychaeta of Natal and Mosambique. Annals of the Natal Museum. 1951;**12**(1):1-67

[62] Peters WC. Scientific trip to Mozambique ausgefürt in 1842- 1848. Akademie Knowledge Berlin. 1854;**1854**:610-614

[63] Johansson KE. Beitrage zur Kenntniss der Polychaeten-Familien Hermellidae, Sabellidae und Serpulidae. Zoologiska Bidrag Fran Uppsala. 1927;**11**:1-184

[64] Gravier C. Sur les annilides polychetes de la Mer Rouge (Cirratuliens (suite), Mald'aniens, Amphictenians, Terebelliens). Bulletin Museum History Natural, Paris. 1905;**11**:319-326

[65] Hessle C. Zur Kenntniss der terebellomorphen Polychaeten. Zoologiska Bidrag Fran Uppsala. 1917;**5**:39-258

[66] Willey A. Report on the Polychaeta collected by Prof. Herdmann, at Ceylon in 1902. Ceylon Pearl Oyster Fisheries Supplementary Reports. 1905;**4**(30):243-324

[67] Gravier C. Contribution a l'etude des annelids polychetes de la Mer Rouge (suite). Nouvelles Archives du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle. Paris. 1908;**4**(10):67-168

[68] Rajasekaran R, Fernando OJ. Polychaetes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In: Venkataraman K, Raghunathan C, Sivaperuman C. editors. Ecology of Faunal Communities on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Berlin, Heidelberg, Germany: Springer; 2012:1-22. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-28335-2\_1.2012

**Chapter 2**

**Abstract**

44 t C ha<sup>1</sup>

**1. Introduction**

181 m<sup>3</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> and 82 t C ha<sup>1</sup>

inventory, sustainable forest management

cies [8, 9] and an estimated area of 621,705 km<sup>2</sup>

earthquakes and flooding [10].

**37**

Ground Forest Inventory and

Sierra Leone, West Africa

*Stephen Brima Mattia and Sampha Sesay*

Assessment of Carbon Stocks in

Forest and woodland are renewable natural resources providing basic human necessities. They have the ability to sequester carbon and mitigate climate change. Sustainable forest management is guided by forest mensuration and inventory which include measuring and calculating growth and changes in trees and forests. The objective of the study was to estimate timber resources and carbon stock using simple hand tools in Kasewe and Singamba forests in the southern part of Sierra Leone. All trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 10 cm were measured in every plot for DBH, and three trees were measured for height. The correlation between mean wood volume and carbon stock was highly significant. For Kasewe plantation forest, mean wood volume and carbon stock were 151 m<sup>3</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> and

, respectively, and for the Singamba natural forest, they were

and volume, DBH and volume and basal area and total biomass was significant for the plantation species tested. Realistic national forest inventory and community forestry are inevitable for sustainable forest management in Sierra Leone.

**Keywords:** biomass, community forestry, carbon stock, forest mensuration and

Forest and woodland (tree and shrub savannah, parklands and bush fallows [1]) are renewable natural resources providing basic human necessities [2, 3]. Although both ecosystems are wooded habitats where trees predominate [3], the former consists of closed canopy [4, 5] which permits very little sunlight to penetrate to the ground below, while the later has a more open canopy [5] and its sparse woody midstorey allows more sunlight to reach the ground [4]. They have the ability to sequester carbon and mitigate climate change [6]. Forest ecosystems are mostly viable carbon sinks [6, 7] globally due to net growth in planted trees [7] with the majority of sequestered carbon held in woody biomass [8] but can also be a carbon source when degraded [7]. The rainforest of West Africa, a hotspot of biodiversity, has approximately 9000 species of vascular plant, including 1800 endemic spe-

through anthropogenic activities [1] and natural disasters such as landslides,

, respectively. The linear correlation between basal area

. This forest area declines every year

#### **Chapter 2**

## Ground Forest Inventory and Assessment of Carbon Stocks in Sierra Leone, West Africa

*Stephen Brima Mattia and Sampha Sesay*

#### **Abstract**

Forest and woodland are renewable natural resources providing basic human necessities. They have the ability to sequester carbon and mitigate climate change. Sustainable forest management is guided by forest mensuration and inventory which include measuring and calculating growth and changes in trees and forests. The objective of the study was to estimate timber resources and carbon stock using simple hand tools in Kasewe and Singamba forests in the southern part of Sierra Leone. All trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 10 cm were measured in every plot for DBH, and three trees were measured for height. The correlation between mean wood volume and carbon stock was highly significant. For Kasewe plantation forest, mean wood volume and carbon stock were 151 m<sup>3</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> and 44 t C ha<sup>1</sup> , respectively, and for the Singamba natural forest, they were 181 m<sup>3</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> and 82 t C ha<sup>1</sup> , respectively. The linear correlation between basal area and volume, DBH and volume and basal area and total biomass was significant for the plantation species tested. Realistic national forest inventory and community forestry are inevitable for sustainable forest management in Sierra Leone.

**Keywords:** biomass, community forestry, carbon stock, forest mensuration and inventory, sustainable forest management

#### **1. Introduction**

Forest and woodland (tree and shrub savannah, parklands and bush fallows [1]) are renewable natural resources providing basic human necessities [2, 3]. Although both ecosystems are wooded habitats where trees predominate [3], the former consists of closed canopy [4, 5] which permits very little sunlight to penetrate to the ground below, while the later has a more open canopy [5] and its sparse woody midstorey allows more sunlight to reach the ground [4]. They have the ability to sequester carbon and mitigate climate change [6]. Forest ecosystems are mostly viable carbon sinks [6, 7] globally due to net growth in planted trees [7] with the majority of sequestered carbon held in woody biomass [8] but can also be a carbon source when degraded [7]. The rainforest of West Africa, a hotspot of biodiversity, has approximately 9000 species of vascular plant, including 1800 endemic species [8, 9] and an estimated area of 621,705 km<sup>2</sup> . This forest area declines every year through anthropogenic activities [1] and natural disasters such as landslides, earthquakes and flooding [10].

#### *Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

Forest resource assessment in relation to timber volume [11–13] and carbon stocks [14, 15] provides information about the status of the productivity of the forest. This assessment is traditionally done through ground forest inventory. Forest assessment is very important for decision-making and policy formulation [11] and establishment of sustainable management plans at both national and international levels.

The objective of the study was to estimate timber resources and carbon stock using simple hand tools in Kasewe and Singamba forests in the southern part of Sierra Leone.

#### **2. Materials and methods**

#### **2.1 Sampling design**

#### *2.1.1 Method of sampling in Kasewe plantation forest*

A systematic sampling design was established for conducting timber inventory in this plantation forest at the age of 14 years. A trunk road (Bo-Freetown highway at Moyamba Junction) passing through the forest served as the baseline.

In the *Gmelina arborea* stand, three transects, 40 m apart and at right angle to the baseline—the Bo-Freetown Highway—were established; and every transect was 75 m long. Two square plots, 30 30 m, were demarcated along each transect at an interval of 5 m, making sure that each plot was bisected by its corresponding transect and the first plot was located 5 m away from the baseline. The plots were considered to be representative of the stand [15]. For the purpose of this research, a total of six plots were laid out covering a sampling area of 0.54 ha (**Figure 1**) in the *Gmelina* stand.

This method was replicated in the adjacent *Tectona grandis* stand about 100 m away from the *Gmelina* stand, giving a total of 12 plots. The above sampling design is demonstrated in the forest as shown in **Figure 2**.

#### *2.1.2 Sampling design in Singamba natural forest*

Within the Singamba mixed forest, two vegetation communities or ecology types, namely, secondary forest (aged over 5 years after its last farming disturbance) and forest regrowth (resulting from shifting cultivation farming about 2–- 5 years ago), adjacent to each other, were identified for data collection. Systematic sampling was employed for this study area. Circular plots of radius of 10 m were adopted for data collection. These have the advantage of reducing the edge effect in the sample. Using an existing footpath as a baseline, two quadrants, 100 m by 80 m and 100 m by 60 m, respectively, were demarcated; a total of 20 plots, 12 and 8 plots in the respective quadrants, was laid out systematically on transects that were 25 m apart (**Figure 3**) in each ecology type.

#### **2.2 Data collection**

#### *2.2.1 Data collection in Kasewe plantation forest*

All trees within each plot were measured for diameter at breast height (DBH) at 1.3 m above the ground, and three dominant trees were measured for total height. A minimum of 10 cm DBH [16, 17] was considered for a tree to be enumerated, targeting commercial stems. Tree height was measured using a Suunto hypsometer,

and DBH was measured using a diameter tape. A linear function of DBH and height (**Figure 4**) was developed from the data for dominant trees for estimating the

height of the remaining trees not measured in the field.

*Photograph of plot layout in Kasewe plantation forest.*

**Figure 1.**

**Figure 2.**

**39**

*Plot layout and dimensions in systematic sampling design.*

*Ground Forest Inventory and Assessment of Carbon Stocks in Sierra Leone, West Africa*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88950*

*Ground Forest Inventory and Assessment of Carbon Stocks in Sierra Leone, West Africa DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88950*

#### **Figure 1.**

Forest resource assessment in relation to timber volume [11–13] and carbon stocks [14, 15] provides information about the status of the productivity of the forest. This assessment is traditionally done through ground forest inventory. Forest assessment is very important for decision-making and policy formulation [11] and establishment of sustainable management plans at both national and international

The objective of the study was to estimate timber resources and carbon stock using simple hand tools in Kasewe and Singamba forests in the southern part of

A systematic sampling design was established for conducting timber inventory in this plantation forest at the age of 14 years. A trunk road (Bo-Freetown highway

In the *Gmelina arborea* stand, three transects, 40 m apart and at right angle to the baseline—the Bo-Freetown Highway—were established; and every transect was 75 m long. Two square plots, 30 30 m, were demarcated along each transect at an interval of 5 m, making sure that each plot was bisected by its corresponding transect and the first plot was located 5 m away from the baseline. The plots were considered to be representative of the stand [15]. For the purpose of this research, a total of six plots were laid out covering a sampling area of 0.54 ha (**Figure 1**) in the

This method was replicated in the adjacent *Tectona grandis* stand about 100 m away from the *Gmelina* stand, giving a total of 12 plots. The above sampling design

Within the Singamba mixed forest, two vegetation communities or ecology types, namely, secondary forest (aged over 5 years after its last farming disturbance) and forest regrowth (resulting from shifting cultivation farming about 2–- 5 years ago), adjacent to each other, were identified for data collection. Systematic sampling was employed for this study area. Circular plots of radius of 10 m were adopted for data collection. These have the advantage of reducing the edge effect in the sample. Using an existing footpath as a baseline, two quadrants, 100 m by 80 m and 100 m by 60 m, respectively, were demarcated; a total of 20 plots, 12 and 8 plots in the respective quadrants, was laid out systematically on transects that were

All trees within each plot were measured for diameter at breast height (DBH) at 1.3 m above the ground, and three dominant trees were measured for total height. A minimum of 10 cm DBH [16, 17] was considered for a tree to be enumerated, targeting commercial stems. Tree height was measured using a Suunto hypsometer,

at Moyamba Junction) passing through the forest served as the baseline.

levels.

Sierra Leone.

**2. Materials and methods**

*2.1.1 Method of sampling in Kasewe plantation forest*

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

is demonstrated in the forest as shown in **Figure 2**.

*2.1.2 Sampling design in Singamba natural forest*

25 m apart (**Figure 3**) in each ecology type.

*2.2.1 Data collection in Kasewe plantation forest*

**2.1 Sampling design**

*Gmelina* stand.

**2.2 Data collection**

**38**

*Plot layout and dimensions in systematic sampling design.*

#### **Figure 2.**

*Photograph of plot layout in Kasewe plantation forest.*

and DBH was measured using a diameter tape. A linear function of DBH and height (**Figure 4**) was developed from the data for dominant trees for estimating the height of the remaining trees not measured in the field.

identified by a local tree spotter in the Mende language; this was recorded and later translated to botanical name using Trees of Sierra Leone [18] and further verified from [19]. Diameter measurement was taken for all trees 10 cm and above at 1.3 m above ground level in each plot. The total height of three dominant trees was also

*Linear function for estimating tree height of Gmelina at Kesewe plantation forest. Note: y* ! *tree height (m),*

*Ground Forest Inventory and Assessment of Carbon Stocks in Sierra Leone, West Africa*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88950*

For the estimation of tree yield (stem count, basal area and volume), biomass and carbon non-harvest techniques [4] were adopted for the following parameters:

A linear function was first developed (from the dominant trees) for estimating

The DBH tally was used to determine stand density for the standing trees [20–22]:

the height of all the trees not measured for height in the field.

measured in every plot.

*2.3.1 Kasewe plantation forest*

• Volume over bark

• Standing biomass

*2.3.1.1 Yield parameters*

*2.3.1.1.1 Stem count*

**41**

• Carbon stock in standing trees

**2.3 Data analysis**

**Figure 4.**

*x* ! *DBH (cm).*

• Basal area

**Figure 3.** *Plot layout in Singamba natural forest.*

Bark thickness of all sample trees in every plot was measured in both the *Gmelina* and *Tectona* stands. In the absence of a Swedish bark gauge, a knife and a ruler were used to measure the bark thickness of the trees in the sample plots. The knife was used to cut a small square portion of the bark at the point of measurement for DBH. This was done carefully, and the bark removed was measured in millimetres using a ruler.

#### *2.2.2 Data collection in Singamba natural forest*

In each circular plot located in both secondary forest and forest regrowth (within the natural forest), tree or shrub species of a minimum DBH of 10 cm was *Ground Forest Inventory and Assessment of Carbon Stocks in Sierra Leone, West Africa DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88950*

**Figure 4.**

*Linear function for estimating tree height of Gmelina at Kesewe plantation forest. Note: y* ! *tree height (m), x* ! *DBH (cm).*

identified by a local tree spotter in the Mende language; this was recorded and later translated to botanical name using Trees of Sierra Leone [18] and further verified from [19]. Diameter measurement was taken for all trees 10 cm and above at 1.3 m above ground level in each plot. The total height of three dominant trees was also measured in every plot.

#### **2.3 Data analysis**

#### *2.3.1 Kasewe plantation forest*

For the estimation of tree yield (stem count, basal area and volume), biomass and carbon non-harvest techniques [4] were adopted for the following parameters:


#### *2.3.1.1 Yield parameters*

A linear function was first developed (from the dominant trees) for estimating the height of all the trees not measured for height in the field.

#### *2.3.1.1.1 Stem count*

The DBH tally was used to determine stand density for the standing trees [20–22]:

Bark thickness of all sample trees in every plot was measured in both the *Gmelina* and *Tectona* stands. In the absence of a Swedish bark gauge, a knife and a ruler were used to measure the bark thickness of the trees in the sample plots. The knife was used to cut a small square portion of the bark at the point of measurement

In each circular plot located in both secondary forest and forest regrowth (within the natural forest), tree or shrub species of a minimum DBH of 10 cm was

for DBH. This was done carefully, and the bark removed was measured in

millimetres using a ruler.

*Plot layout in Singamba natural forest.*

**Figure 3.**

**40**

*2.2.2 Data collection in Singamba natural forest*

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

$$\mathbf{N} = (\mathbf{1}/\mathbf{n}) \sum \left( \mathbf{x}\_{\mathrm{i}}/\mathbf{a}\_{\mathrm{i}} \right) \tag{1}$$

*2.3.1.2.2 Belowground biomass*

*2.3.1.2.3 Carbon stock for* Gmelina arborea

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88950*

CO2 was calculated as follows:

according to Eqs. (6)–(9), respectively.

*2.3.2 Data analysis for Singamba forest*

*2.3.2.1 Wood production parameters*

*2.3.2.1.1 Number of stems ha*�*<sup>1</sup>*

*2.3.2.1.2 Basal area ha*�*<sup>1</sup>*

*2.3.2.1.3 Wood volume ha*�*<sup>1</sup>*

**43**

nearly 50% of the biomass is made up by carbon [28–30].

adopting the following equation for initial estimate [26]:

This was estimated using Eq. (1) (Section 2.3.1.1)

The formula used was Eq. (2) (Section 2.3.1.1).

*2.3.1.3 Estimation of live tree biomass and carbon for* Tectona grandis

The belowground biomass (BGB) was estimated according to the recommenda-

Carbon (C) stock was derived from aboveground biomass by assuming that

The AGB for teak was estimated using a method similar to that for *Gmelina* but

The quantitative metric data was used to estimate three parameters for wood production: the number of stems ha�<sup>1</sup> (N), basal area ha�<sup>1</sup> (G) and wood volume ha�<sup>1</sup> (V).

This was estimated using the formulae according to Eqs. (12) and (13) [23]; a form factor of 0.562 from Mattia and Dugba [25] for natural mangrove forest

(comprised of seven mangrove species) in Tanzania was employed:

The BGB, total biomass, carbon stock and CO2 for teak were calculated

BGB ¼ AGB ∗ 0*:*235*,* i*:*e*:*23*:*5% of AGB*:* (6) Total biomass <sup>¼</sup> AGB <sup>þ</sup> BGB in t ha�<sup>1</sup> (7)

<sup>C</sup> <sup>¼</sup> Biomass t ha�<sup>1</sup> � � <sup>∗</sup> <sup>0</sup>*:*47*:* (8)

CO2 <sup>¼</sup> Carbon t Cha�<sup>1</sup> � � <sup>∗</sup> <sup>44</sup>*=*12*:* (9)

AGB <sup>¼</sup> <sup>0</sup>*:*<sup>5043</sup> <sup>∗</sup> DBH2*:*<sup>0636</sup> (10)

<sup>V</sup> <sup>¼</sup> X Xvij n o � � *<sup>=</sup>*na (11)

vij ¼ gi hi f (12)

tion of the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) [28]:

*Ground Forest Inventory and Assessment of Carbon Stocks in Sierra Leone, West Africa*

where *N* is number of stems per ha, *n* is number of plots, *xi* is number of stems in plot and *ai* is area of plot *i* in ha.

#### *2.3.1.1.2 Basal area calculation*

The basal area (m2 ) of all trees in the sample plots in both the *G. arborea* and *T. grandis* stands were calculated using the formula [23, 24]:

$$\mathbf{G} = \sum \left( \sum \pi d\_i^2 / 40,000 \right) / \text{A} \tag{2}$$

where *G* is basal area per hectare and *A* and *di* are the total sampling area (ha) and DBH (cm) of stem *i*, respectively.

#### *2.3.1.1.3 Volume estimation of trees per hectare*

The volume (m3 ) of all trees in the sample plots in both the *T. grandis* and *G. arborea* stands was estimated using separate predetermined allometric equations, initially in m3 per tree and then converted to m3 ha�<sup>1</sup> . For *G. arborea*, the volume over bark (ob) was estimated by the following volume equation according to Mattia and Dugba [25]:

$$\text{Volume (ob)}: \text{V} = 0.24950005 + 0.000018027(\text{DBH}^2 \text{ht})\tag{3}$$

(Note: Eq. (1) is applied best to trees with DBH ≥ 10 cm) Volume under bark (ob) was estimated from DBH under bark. For *T. grandis* the volume (ob) was estimated according to [26]:

$$\mathbf{V} = \mathbf{0}.0012 \mathbf{D} \mathbf{B} \mathbf{H}^{1.9912} \tag{4}$$

where *V* = total volume over bark in m<sup>3</sup> , DBH = tree diameter at breast height, 1.3 m aboveground level in cm and ht = total height in m.

#### *2.3.1.2 Estimation of live tree biomass and carbon stock for* Gmelina arborea *stand*

For the purpose of this study, biomass carbon has been considered and studied for only trees of minimum DBH of 10 cm in both natural and plantation forests. The accumulated biomass and carbon contained in the standing trees of *G. arborea* were estimated by individual trees and by plots.

#### *2.3.1.2.1 Aboveground biomass*

To estimate the aboveground biomass (AGB), the equation according to Arias [27] was adopted for *Gmelina*, initially in kg per tree:

$$\text{AGB} = 0.075 \ast \text{DBH}^{2.4167} \tag{5}$$

Then, it was converted to tonne ha�<sup>1</sup> (t ha�<sup>1</sup> ) after multiplying by a scaling up factor (SF) [28]: SF = 10,000/NA; NA is the area of single plot in m<sup>2</sup> .

$$\text{SF} = \text{10,000/NA} = \text{10,000/900}$$

*Ground Forest Inventory and Assessment of Carbon Stocks in Sierra Leone, West Africa DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88950*

#### *2.3.1.2.2 Belowground biomass*

<sup>N</sup> <sup>¼</sup> ð Þ <sup>1</sup>*=*<sup>n</sup> <sup>X</sup>ð Þ xi*=*ai (1)

) of all trees in the sample plots in both the *G. arborea* and *T.*

*=*A (2)

ht � � (3)

where *N* is number of stems per ha, *n* is number of plots, *xi* is number of stems in

2

where *G* is basal area per hectare and *A* and *di* are the total sampling area (ha)

stands was estimated using separate predetermined allometric equations, initially in m3

estimated by the following volume equation according to Mattia and Dugba [25]:

(Note: Eq. (1) is applied best to trees with DBH ≥ 10 cm) Volume under bark (ob) was estimated from DBH under bark. For *T. grandis* the volume (ob) was estimated according to [26]:

Volume ob ð Þ : <sup>V</sup> <sup>¼</sup> <sup>0</sup>*:*<sup>24950005</sup> <sup>þ</sup> <sup>0</sup>*:*000018027 DBH2

*2.3.1.2 Estimation of live tree biomass and carbon stock for* Gmelina arborea *stand*

To estimate the aboveground biomass (AGB), the equation according to

SF ¼ 10*,* 000*=*NA ¼ 10*,* 000*=*900

For the purpose of this study, biomass carbon has been considered and studied for only trees of minimum DBH of 10 cm in both natural and plantation forests. The accumulated biomass and carbon contained in the standing trees of *G. arborea* were

*=*40*;*000 � �

) of all trees in the sample plots in both the *T. grandis* and *G. arborea*

. For *G. arborea*, the volume over bark (ob) was

<sup>V</sup> <sup>¼</sup> <sup>0</sup>*:*0012DBH<sup>1</sup>*:*<sup>9912</sup> (4)

AGB <sup>¼</sup> <sup>0</sup>*:*<sup>075</sup> <sup>∗</sup> DBH<sup>2</sup>*:*<sup>4167</sup> (5)

) after multiplying by a scaling up

.

, DBH = tree diameter at breast height,

plot and *ai* is area of plot *i* in ha.

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

*2.3.1.1.2 Basal area calculation*

and DBH (cm) of stem *i*, respectively.

per tree and then converted to m3 ha�<sup>1</sup>

*2.3.1.1.3 Volume estimation of trees per hectare*

where *V* = total volume over bark in m<sup>3</sup>

estimated by individual trees and by plots.

*2.3.1.2.1 Aboveground biomass*

**42**

1.3 m aboveground level in cm and ht = total height in m.

Arias [27] was adopted for *Gmelina*, initially in kg per tree:

factor (SF) [28]: SF = 10,000/NA; NA is the area of single plot in m<sup>2</sup>

Then, it was converted to tonne ha�<sup>1</sup> (t ha�<sup>1</sup>

*grandis* stands were calculated using the formula [23, 24]:

<sup>G</sup> <sup>¼</sup> X X*πd*<sup>i</sup>

The basal area (m2

The volume (m3

The belowground biomass (BGB) was estimated according to the recommendation of the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) [28]:

$$\text{BGB} = \text{AGB} \ast \text{0.235, i.e.23.596 of AGB.} \tag{6}$$

$$\text{Total biomass} = \text{AGB} + \text{BGB in t} \,\text{ha}^{-1} \tag{7}$$

#### *2.3.1.2.3 Carbon stock for* Gmelina arborea

Carbon (C) stock was derived from aboveground biomass by assuming that nearly 50% of the biomass is made up by carbon [28–30].

$$\mathbf{C} = \mathbf{B}\mathbf{i}\mathbf{om}\mathbf{as}\ \left(\mathbf{t}\,\mathbf{h}\,\mathbf{a}^{-1}\right) \* \mathbf{0}.47.\tag{8}$$

CO2 was calculated as follows:

$$\text{CO}\_2 = \text{Carbon} \left( \text{t Cha}^{-1} \right) \* 44/12. \tag{9}$$

#### *2.3.1.3 Estimation of live tree biomass and carbon for* Tectona grandis

The AGB for teak was estimated using a method similar to that for *Gmelina* but adopting the following equation for initial estimate [26]:

$$\text{AGB} = \text{0.5043} \ast \text{DBH}^{2.0636} \tag{10}$$

The BGB, total biomass, carbon stock and CO2 for teak were calculated according to Eqs. (6)–(9), respectively.

#### *2.3.2 Data analysis for Singamba forest*

#### *2.3.2.1 Wood production parameters*

The quantitative metric data was used to estimate three parameters for wood production: the number of stems ha�<sup>1</sup> (N), basal area ha�<sup>1</sup> (G) and wood volume ha�<sup>1</sup> (V).

#### *2.3.2.1.1 Number of stems ha*�*<sup>1</sup>*

This was estimated using Eq. (1) (Section 2.3.1.1)

*2.3.2.1.2 Basal area ha*�*<sup>1</sup>*

The formula used was Eq. (2) (Section 2.3.1.1).

#### *2.3.2.1.3 Wood volume ha*�*<sup>1</sup>*

This was estimated using the formulae according to Eqs. (12) and (13) [23]; a form factor of 0.562 from Mattia and Dugba [25] for natural mangrove forest (comprised of seven mangrove species) in Tanzania was employed:

$$\mathbf{V} = \left\{ \sum \left( \sum \mathbf{v}\_{\vec{\mathbb{N}}} \right) \right\} / \mathbf{na} \tag{11}$$

$$\mathbf{v}\_{\text{ij}} = \mathbf{g}\_{\text{i}} \,\, \mathbf{h}\_{\text{i}} \,\, \mathbf{f} \tag{12}$$

where *V* = average volume ha�<sup>1</sup> in m<sup>3</sup> estimated from *n* sample plots, *vί<sup>j</sup>* = volume (m<sup>3</sup> ) of individual standing tree measured on the *ί* th plot, *gi* = basal area (m<sup>2</sup> ) of *j* th stem in the *i* th plot, *n* = number of sample plots, *a* = area of a single plot in ha, *hi* = total height (m) of *j* th stem and *f* is form factor, i.e. the coefficient employed to reduce the volume of a cylinder.

#### *2.3.2.2 Estimation of live tree biomass and carbon stock for Singamba rainforest*

The following equation was adopted for estimating biomass of the natural forest [31]:

$$\text{AGB} = 0.0547 \ast \text{DBH}^{2.2148} \ast \text{Ht}^{0.6131} \tag{13}$$

And the scaling factor applied was 10,000/(314.16).

The calculation of BGB, AGC, BGC, total biomass and total carbon followed the same method as that for Kasewe plantation forest (Section 2.3.1.2; definitions of all terms remain the same as before).

#### *2.3.3 Statistical analysis*

The above tree parameters were calculated using Excel software. Means, standard deviations, variances, standard errors and confidence intervals [32, 33] for various wood production parameters were computed. Relationships between basal area and wood volume, between basal area and total biomass and between total biomass and carbon stock, were determined using regression analysis.

#### **3. Results**

#### **3.1 Kasewe plantation forest**

#### *3.1.1 Wood volume*

The mean DBH and height are shown in **Table 1**. The overall mean wood volume of Kasewe plantation forest was 151.06 m<sup>3</sup> ha�<sup>1</sup> ; the mean volumes over bark for *G. arborea* and *T. grandis* were 157.88 and 144.23 m<sup>3</sup> ha�<sup>1</sup> , respectively (**Table 1**).

The volume of wood for *Gmelina* was recorded by plots (**Figure 5**).

The percentage of volume (ob) of *Tectona* generated by plots is given in **Figure 6**.

*3.1.2 Stem count and basal area*

*3.1.3 Relationship among different growth parameters*

*Percentage volume (ob) of Tectona by plots at Kasewe plantation forest.*

(**Table 1**).

**Figure 6.**

**Figure 5.**

*Volume of Gmelina by plots at Kasewe plantation forest.*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88950*

*Ground Forest Inventory and Assessment of Carbon Stocks in Sierra Leone, West Africa*

(**Table 1**).

**45**

The stem density of the plantation forest at Kasewe was 253 stems per ha; 264 and 240 stems per ha were recorded for *Gmelina* and *Tectona* stands, respectively

The number of *Gmelina* stems enumerated was 143, with a minimum DBH of 13.80 cm and maximum of 52.90 cm; and the tree height ranged from 16.61 to 26.20 m. A positive and linear correlation was found between the wood volume of *G. arborea* and the basal area (**Figure 7**), which implies that the basal area is a good

The mean basal area of the Kasewe plantation forest was 14.22 m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>1</sup>


*Values in the table are means* � *CI = confidence interval at 95%. M. BA is mean basal area; M. D. DBH is mean dominant diameter at breast height; M. D. ht is mean dominant height; ob is over bark; ub is under bark.*

#### **Table 1.**

*Wood production parameters for Kasewe plantation forest.*

*Ground Forest Inventory and Assessment of Carbon Stocks in Sierra Leone, West Africa DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88950*

**Figure 5.** *Volume of Gmelina by plots at Kasewe plantation forest.*

where *V* = average volume ha�<sup>1</sup> in m<sup>3</sup> estimated from *n* sample plots, *vί<sup>j</sup>* = vol-

*2.3.2.2 Estimation of live tree biomass and carbon stock for Singamba rainforest*

The following equation was adopted for estimating biomass of the natural

The calculation of BGB, AGC, BGC, total biomass and total carbon followed the same method as that for Kasewe plantation forest (Section 2.3.1.2; definitions of all

The above tree parameters were calculated using Excel software. Means, standard deviations, variances, standard errors and confidence intervals [32, 33] for various wood production parameters were computed. Relationships between basal area and wood volume, between basal area and total biomass and between total

The mean DBH and height are shown in **Table 1**. The overall mean wood volume

The percentage of volume (ob) of *Tectona* generated by plots is given in **Figure 6**.

**Wood volume ob (m<sup>3</sup> ha**�**<sup>1</sup>**

> 157.88 (�10.42)

144.23 (�11.67) **)**

**M. D. DBH (cm)**

The volume of wood for *Gmelina* was recorded by plots (**Figure 5**).

**M. BA (m<sup>2</sup> ha**�**<sup>1</sup> )**

(�1.28)

(�0.79)

Plantation 25.38 18.13 14.22 151.06 39.7 22.23 253 *Values in the table are means* � *CI = confidence interval at 95%. M. BA is mean basal area; M. D. DBH is mean dominant diameter at breast height; M. D. ht is mean dominant height; ob is over bark; ub is under bark.*

biomass and carbon stock, were determined using regression analysis.

th plot, *n* = number of sample plots, *a* = area of a single plot in ha,

th stem and *f* is form factor, i.e. the coefficient employed to

AGB <sup>¼</sup> <sup>0</sup>*:*<sup>0547</sup> <sup>∗</sup> DBH2*:*<sup>2148</sup> <sup>∗</sup> Ht0*:*<sup>6131</sup> (13)

th plot, *gi* = basal area (m<sup>2</sup>

; the mean volumes over bark for *G.*

**M. D. ht (m)**

43.97 24.01 264

35.4 20.44 240

**Stem count (stem ha**�**<sup>1</sup>**

**)**

, respectively (**Table 1**).

) of

) of individual standing tree measured on the *ί*

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

And the scaling factor applied was 10,000/(314.16).

ume (m<sup>3</sup>

forest [31]:

**3. Results**

*3.1.1 Wood volume*

**Species Mean**

**Table 1.**

**44**

**DBH (cm)**

*G. arborea* 29.01 20.34 18.73

*T. grandis* 21.56 15.81 9.71

*Wood production parameters for Kasewe plantation forest.*

th stem in the *i*

*hi* = total height (m) of *j*

reduce the volume of a cylinder.

terms remain the same as before).

**3.1 Kasewe plantation forest**

of Kasewe plantation forest was 151.06 m<sup>3</sup> ha�<sup>1</sup>

*arborea* and *T. grandis* were 157.88 and 144.23 m<sup>3</sup> ha�<sup>1</sup>

**Mean height (m)**

*2.3.3 Statistical analysis*

*j*

#### **Figure 6.** *Percentage volume (ob) of Tectona by plots at Kasewe plantation forest.*

#### *3.1.2 Stem count and basal area*

The stem density of the plantation forest at Kasewe was 253 stems per ha; 264 and 240 stems per ha were recorded for *Gmelina* and *Tectona* stands, respectively (**Table 1**).

The mean basal area of the Kasewe plantation forest was 14.22 m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> (**Table 1**).

#### *3.1.3 Relationship among different growth parameters*

The number of *Gmelina* stems enumerated was 143, with a minimum DBH of 13.80 cm and maximum of 52.90 cm; and the tree height ranged from 16.61 to 26.20 m. A positive and linear correlation was found between the wood volume of *G. arborea* and the basal area (**Figure 7**), which implies that the basal area is a good

**Figure 7.** *Linear correlation between basal area and volume of G. arborea standing trees of Kasewe plantation forest.*

**Figure 8.** *Linear correlation between basal area and biomass of G. arborea trees at Kasewe plantation forest.*

predictor of volume (*R*<sup>2</sup> = 0.9937). The basal area explains 99% of the variation in volume.

24 to 64 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> with a mean of 19 tonne ha<sup>1</sup>

*Kasewe plantation forest*

**Figure 9.**

*plantation forest.*

**Plots DBH (cm)** **Height (m)**

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88950*

Mean **29.0 20.34 76.33**

*biomass; Av = average per plot.*

**Table 2.**

**47**

**AGB (t ha<sup>1</sup> )**

**34.30**

from 72 to 190 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> with a mean of 131.21 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> (**Table 2**).

*Biomass and carbon stock in standing trees of Gmelina arborea of Kasewe plantation forest.*

stock ranges from 22 to 66 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> with a mean of 44 tonne ha<sup>1</sup>

*3.1.5 Accumulated biomass and carbon in teak trees at Kasewe plantation forest*

**17.94 8.06**

*Values in the table are mean CI = confidence interval at 95%; AGB = aboveground biomass; BGB = belowground*

As in the case of *G. arborea*, the accumulated biomass and carbon contained in the standing trees of teak were estimated by individual trees and by plots. The estimated total biomass ranges from 47 to 141 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> with a mean of 94 tonne ha<sup>1</sup>

*Perfect and positive linear correlation between total biomass and carbon stock of G. arborea trees at Kasewe*

1 26.33 19.69 30.75 7.23 37.97 17.85 52.98 2 29.70 20.51 65.42 15.37 80.80 37.97 112.75 3 32.98 21.32 104.94 24.66 129.60 60.91 180.84 4 30.00 20.59 73.38 17.24 90.62 42.59 126.45 5 26.26 19.67 61.39 14.43 75.82 35.63 105.79 6 28.14 20.13 122.08 28.69 150.77 70.86 210.39 Total 173.41 121.91 457.95 107.60 565.57 265.82 789.21

**Total biomass (t ha<sup>1</sup> )**

> **94.26 42.36**

**BGB (t ha<sup>1</sup> )**

*Ground Forest Inventory and Assessment of Carbon Stocks in Sierra Leone, West Africa*

sequestered ranges from 66 to 197 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> with a mean of 131 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> (**Table 3**).

*3.1.6 Estimation of wood volume, biomass and carbon stock in standing trees of teak of*

Estimation of volume, biomass and carbon stock using DBH and height was highly significant (*p* = 0.000 < 0.0001) according to ANOVA of the regression,

; and the CO2 sequestered ranges

**44.30 19.91**

**Carbon stock (t ha<sup>1</sup> )**

**CO2 (t ha<sup>1</sup> )**

**131.53 59.11**

; the carbon

; and the CO2

Similar to the volume, the total biomass of trees varied positively and linearly with variation in its basal area (**Figure 8**). The basal area explains slightly higher proportion (i.e. 99.5%) of variation recorded in total biomass than the volume.

The carbon stock of trees of *G. arborea* varied positively and linearly with variation in its total biomass (**Figure 9**). The biomass explains the highest proportion (i.e. 100%) of variation recorded in total carbon stock, denoting perfect and positive correlation.

#### *3.1.4 Accumulated biomass and carbon in* Gmelina *trees*

The estimated net biomass of the stems and roots (total biomass) ranges from 51 to 136 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> with a mean of 94.26 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> ; the carbon stock ranges from *Ground Forest Inventory and Assessment of Carbon Stocks in Sierra Leone, West Africa DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88950*

**Figure 9.** *Perfect and positive linear correlation between total biomass and carbon stock of G. arborea trees at Kasewe plantation forest.*


*Values in the table are mean CI = confidence interval at 95%; AGB = aboveground biomass; BGB = belowground biomass; Av = average per plot.*

#### **Table 2.**

predictor of volume (*R*<sup>2</sup> = 0.9937). The basal area explains 99% of the variation in

*Linear correlation between basal area and biomass of G. arborea trees at Kasewe plantation forest.*

*Linear correlation between basal area and volume of G. arborea standing trees of Kasewe plantation forest.*

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

Similar to the volume, the total biomass of trees varied positively and linearly with variation in its basal area (**Figure 8**). The basal area explains slightly higher proportion (i.e. 99.5%) of variation recorded in total biomass than the volume. The carbon stock of trees of *G. arborea* varied positively and linearly with variation in its total biomass (**Figure 9**). The biomass explains the highest proportion (i.e. 100%) of variation recorded in total carbon stock, denoting perfect and

The estimated net biomass of the stems and roots (total biomass) ranges from

; the carbon stock ranges from

volume.

**46**

**Figure 8.**

**Figure 7.**

positive correlation.

*3.1.4 Accumulated biomass and carbon in* Gmelina *trees*

51 to 136 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> with a mean of 94.26 tonne ha<sup>1</sup>

*Biomass and carbon stock in standing trees of Gmelina arborea of Kasewe plantation forest.*

24 to 64 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> with a mean of 19 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> ; and the CO2 sequestered ranges from 72 to 190 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> with a mean of 131.21 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> (**Table 2**).

#### *3.1.5 Accumulated biomass and carbon in teak trees at Kasewe plantation forest*

As in the case of *G. arborea*, the accumulated biomass and carbon contained in the standing trees of teak were estimated by individual trees and by plots. The estimated total biomass ranges from 47 to 141 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> with a mean of 94 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> ; the carbon stock ranges from 22 to 66 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> with a mean of 44 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> ; and the CO2 sequestered ranges from 66 to 197 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> with a mean of 131 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> (**Table 3**).

#### *3.1.6 Estimation of wood volume, biomass and carbon stock in standing trees of teak of Kasewe plantation forest*

Estimation of volume, biomass and carbon stock using DBH and height was highly significant (*p* = 0.000 < 0.0001) according to ANOVA of the regression,


*Values in the table are mean CI = confidence interval at 95%; AGB = aboveground biomass; BGB = belowground biomass; Av = average per plot.*

#### **Table 3.**

*Biomass and carbon stock in standing trees of teak of Kasewe plantation forest.*


*3.2.3 Accumulated biomass and carbon sequestration in Singamba natural forest*

*Means and variances for selected wood production parameters in Singamba natural forest.*

.

*3.2.4 Estimation of wood volume, biomass or carbon stock for the entire Singamba forest*

ANOVA of the regression showed that estimation of wood volume, biomass or carbon stock using DBH, height or basal area was significant (*p* < 0.05), denoting that variation in volume or biomass was regulated by the independent variables of

In the present study, it was found that volume and biomass and subsequently the carbon stock increased with growth of DBH and height of the stems of all the

mean of 60.66 tonne ha<sup>1</sup>

**Ecology Mean DBH**

Forest regrowth

Whole forest

*biomass.*

**Table 5.**

**Table 6.**

Basal area (m<sup>2</sup>

Volume (m<sup>3</sup>

Secondary forest

**(cm)**

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88950*

15.85 44.72

21.87 240.01

20.02 142.36

*Biomass and carbon stock of Singamba natural forest.*

**AGB (t ha<sup>1</sup> )**

(11.33)

(77.98)

(49.12)

**Wood production parameters Plot count Mean (value ha<sup>1</sup>**

**BGB (t ha<sup>1</sup> )**

*Ground Forest Inventory and Assessment of Carbon Stocks in Sierra Leone, West Africa*

10.51 (2.66)

56.42 (18.32)

38.45 (11.54)

*Values in the table are mean CI = confidence interval at 95%; AGB = above ground biomass; BGB = belowground*

/ha) 40 16.50 0.159 0.063

/ha) 40 181.75 24.454 0.782

AGB (t/ha) 40 142.31 23590.442 24.285 AGC (t C/ha) 40 66.91 5211.129 11.414 CO2 (t/ha) 40 245.34 70060.732 41.841 BGB (t/ha) 40 33.43 1302.782 5.707 BGC (t C/ha) 40 15.72 287.785 2.682 Total biomass (t/ha) 40 175.82 35980.733 29.992 Total carbon (t C/ha) 40 82.63 7948.144 14.096

**Total biomass (t ha<sup>1</sup> )**

> 55.22 (13.99)

> 296.41 (96.31)

175.82 (60.66) **Carbon stock (t ha<sup>1</sup> )**

> 25.95 (6.57)

139.31 (45.26)

82.63 (28.51)

**) Variance Standard error**

**CO2 (t ha<sup>1</sup> )**

77.06 (19.52)

413.62 (134.39)

245.34 (84.65)

mean of 28.51 tonne ha<sup>1</sup>

**4. Discussion**

*4.1.1 Stand volume*

**49**

ha<sup>1</sup> with a mean of 84.65 tonne ha<sup>1</sup>

**4.1 Stand yield of plantation species**

DBH and height. Statistic is shown in **Table 6**.

The biomass and carbon stock of the natural forest are presented in **Table 5**. For the whole forest, the estimated biomass ranges from 115 to 236 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> with a

; the carbon stock ranges from 54 to 111 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> with a

; and the CO2 sequestered ranges from 160 to 330 tonne

#### **Table 4.**

*Wood volume, basal area and stocking for Singamba natural forest.*

which implies that variability in volume or biomass was regulated by the independent variables of DBH and height. From the model summary table, *R*<sup>2</sup> is 0.998 meaning that 99.8% of the variability in carbon stock was accounted for.

#### **3.2 Results for Singamba natural forest**

#### *3.2.1 Diameter and height*

The overall mean diameter for all the trees enumerated in the whole forest was 20.02 cm; the mean diameter for the secondary forest ecology was 21.87 cm, and the forest regrowth ecology was 15.85 cm. The overall mean height for the entire forest was 16.59 m, 18.45 m for the secondary forest and 12.40 m for the forest regrowth.

#### *3.2.2 Wood volume, basal area and stocking of Singamba natural forest*

The mean wood volume is summarized in **Table 4**. The overall wood volume and basal area for the entire forest were 181 and 16 m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> , respectively, and the stocking was 920 stems ha<sup>1</sup> .

*Ground Forest Inventory and Assessment of Carbon Stocks in Sierra Leone, West Africa DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88950*


*Values in the table are mean CI = confidence interval at 95%; AGB = above ground biomass; BGB = belowground biomass.*

#### **Table 5.**

*Biomass and carbon stock of Singamba natural forest.*


#### **Table 6.**

which implies that variability in volume or biomass was regulated by the independent variables of DBH and height. From the model summary table, *R*<sup>2</sup> is 0.998 meaning that 99.8% of the variability in carbon stock was accounted for.

The overall mean diameter for all the trees enumerated in the whole forest was 20.02 cm; the mean diameter for the secondary forest ecology was 21.87 cm, and the forest regrowth ecology was 15.85 cm. The overall mean height for the entire forest was 16.59 m, 18.45 m for the secondary forest and 12.40 m for the forest regrowth.

The mean wood volume is summarized in **Table 4**. The overall wood volume

, respectively, and the

*3.2.2 Wood volume, basal area and stocking of Singamba natural forest*

and basal area for the entire forest were 181 and 16 m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>1</sup>

.

**3.2 Results for Singamba natural forest**

*3.2.1 Diameter and height*

**Plot DBH (cm)** **Height (m)**

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

Mean **21.41 15.75 76.59**

**Av. DBH (cm)**

*biomass; Av = average per plot.*

**Table 3.**

**Vegetation type**

Forest regrowth

Whole forest

**Table 4.**

Secondary forest

**AGB (t ha<sup>1</sup> )**

**37.87**

*Biomass and carbon stock in standing trees of teak of Kasewe plantation forest.*

**Av. height (m)**

15.85 12.40 6.33

21.87 18.45 26.65

20.02 16.59 16.49

*Wood volume, basal area and stocking for Singamba natural forest.*

**BGB (t ha<sup>1</sup> )**

> **18.00 8.90**

*Values in the table are mean CI = confidence interval at 95%; AGB = aboveground biomass; BGB = belowground*

**Av. basal area (m2 ha<sup>1</sup> )**

0.07

0.40

0.13

*Values in the table are mean CI = confidence interval at 95%, Av = average per forest ecology.*

1 19.16 14.86 26.17 6.15 32.31 15.19 45.09 2 21.90 15.95 64.39 15.13 79.52 37.37 110.96 3 24.32 16.90 101.56 23.87 125.43 58.95 175.02 4 22.54 16.20 70.91 16.66 87.58 41.16 122.20 5 19.15 14.86 64.91 15.25 80.17 37.68 111.87 6 21.36 15.73 131.62 30.93 162.55 76.40 226.82 Total 128.43 94.50 459.56 108.0 567.55 266.75 791.97

**Total biomass (t ha<sup>1</sup> )**

> **94.59 46.77**

> > **Av. stocking (stems ha<sup>1</sup>**

**)**

283 54.94

637 308.55

920 181.75

**Carbon stock (t ha<sup>1</sup> )**

> **44.46 21.98**

**CO2 (t ha<sup>1</sup> )**

**131.99 65.27**

**Av. wood volume (m<sup>3</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> )**

0.72

4.99

1.58

stocking was 920 stems ha<sup>1</sup>

**48**

*Means and variances for selected wood production parameters in Singamba natural forest.*

#### *3.2.3 Accumulated biomass and carbon sequestration in Singamba natural forest*

The biomass and carbon stock of the natural forest are presented in **Table 5**. For the whole forest, the estimated biomass ranges from 115 to 236 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> with a mean of 60.66 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> ; the carbon stock ranges from 54 to 111 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> with a mean of 28.51 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> ; and the CO2 sequestered ranges from 160 to 330 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> with a mean of 84.65 tonne ha<sup>1</sup> .

#### *3.2.4 Estimation of wood volume, biomass or carbon stock for the entire Singamba forest*

ANOVA of the regression showed that estimation of wood volume, biomass or carbon stock using DBH, height or basal area was significant (*p* < 0.05), denoting that variation in volume or biomass was regulated by the independent variables of DBH and height. Statistic is shown in **Table 6**.

#### **4. Discussion**

#### **4.1 Stand yield of plantation species**

#### *4.1.1 Stand volume*

In the present study, it was found that volume and biomass and subsequently the carbon stock increased with growth of DBH and height of the stems of all the plantation species. Various allometric equations for volume and biomass (developed by different researchers) were used to estimate these parameters. Of the two species in Kasewe, *Gmelina arborea* proved better in terms of vertical and horizontal growth with mean DBH and height of 29.0 cm and 20.34 m, respectively, compared to *Tectona grandis* with mean DBH and height of 21.57 cm and 15.81 m, respectively. The results were in agreement with the findings of [12, 13] in Nigeria and [14] in India.

*Gmelina* stand having larger-sized stems than the teak stand. This resulted to higher volume yield of wood for *Gmelina* stand than that of teak. In other words forest yield depends mainly on the size and age of the stand [23, 31]. By comparing growth

*Ground Forest Inventory and Assessment of Carbon Stocks in Sierra Leone, West Africa*

As already stated, volume and biomass and subsequently the carbon stock increased with the increase in growth of DBH and height of the stems of all the plantation species. The range of coefficient of determination was found to be 98 and 99% for *Tectona grandis* and *Gmelina arborea*, respectively. This could be explained by the fact that volume and aboveground components of trees were highly depen-

The means of carbon stock of living trees (stems DBH ≥ 10 cm and roots), in the present study, from all plots were 94.26 and 94.59 t ha<sup>1</sup> for *Gmelina* and teak, respectively. The carbon stock appears to be the same for the two species since the initial estimation of biomass differed in allometric equations applied. They are, however, efficient in storing carbon. These results are comparable to those obtained by [14] in India—185 and 139 for 10-year-old plantation of *Gmelina* and teak,

secondary forest ecology was found to be more productive than the forest regrowth, meaning the former has more usable trees than that of the latter. The basal area was 21.87 m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> for Singamba forest. This parameter estimate seems to be relatively high for Singamba forest and can be compared with other tropical areas [31], generally serving as an indication for good site potential for wood production. As suggested before, deforestation was actively reducing the potential wood production of Kasewe plantation forest as a result of intensive sawmill and farming activ-

The wood volume and basal area of Singamba forest are in close agreement with that for Gola rainforest [17]. This could be attributed to these two being natural forests which have higher soil nutrient for tree growth from litter fall, decomposition and high rate of microbial activities. Also, they could be less undisturbed than the forests of National Agricultural Training Centre (NATC), Njala University [32] and Kasewe plantation forest in Sierra Leone and are of high stand density and species diversity [32] which can help in increasing growth variables such as height and diameter at breast height which are responsible for the volume and basal area

The quantitative estimates of current and future wood volume and biomass of timber and other forest products are essential for forest management practices. Thus the information (e.g. mean height, DBH, volume and stem density) derived from the natural stands could be used by forest managers, researchers and policy

The present study has attempted to provide the first estimate of tree biomass and carbon stock in Singamba based on representative field sampling. This has

. Within Singamba forest the

variables, *Gmelina* grows faster than *T. grandis* [12–14].

The estimated wood volume was 245.24 m<sup>3</sup> ha<sup>1</sup>

ities, and farming was also evident in Singamba natural forest.

*4.1.4 Biomass and carbon stock of plantation stands*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88950*

dent upon DBH and height [14].

respectively.

measurement.

**51**

makers at national and local levels.

*4.2.2 Biomass and carbon stocks of the natural stand*

**4.2 Natural stands**

*4.2.1 Forest productivity*

The results showed that the *G. arborea* stand produced a higher yield than the *T. grandis* in Kasewe plantation forest, both species being of the same age. This may be as a result of *Gmelina* being a fast growing species [32] of *Verbenaceae* family. It is a medium to large deciduous tree that attains a height of 35 m or more, with a DBH of over 120 cm in natural stands in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia [30, 31]. In Oyinmo forest (Nigeria), the estimated volume for both *Gmelina* and teak stands ranges from 347.92 to 508.33 m<sup>3</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> and from 21.25 to 259.06 m<sup>3</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> , respectively [13]; similarly, in Oluwa State [12] report a volume of 422.8 m<sup>3</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> (10 years) and 1023.4 m<sup>3</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> (25 years) for *G. arborea* and 445.8 m<sup>3</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> (10 years) and 978.3 m<sup>3</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> (25 years) in Omo State in Nigeria for the same species. This high productivity in Nigeria is attributed to the management practices leading to fast growth rate and high stand density [11]. The increase in the yield in their result could be attributed to the proper management of their plantation sites as there were intensive silvicultural treatments adopted, whereas the management of Kasewe plantation forest (14 years) is poor; thinning and clearing are most times not done which have led to the development of undergrowth, thus competing with trees for nutrients, space and water. As reported, plantations receiving various silvicultural treatments such as pruning, irrigation, fertilization and intercultivation have better growth and timber productivity than sole trees or poorly managed plantations [33].

#### *4.1.2 Basal area*

Basal area is known to be an indication of site potential [23] which gives support to the growth rate of trees in the forest. The result of this research for Kasewe is in agreement with those of other researchers, for example, in Nigeria. A basal area of 17.5–20.0 m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> was recorded for *Gmelina* and 9.0–10.0 m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> for teak; similar result was also obtained by Adekunle et al. [13] in Nigeria's rainforest ecosystem, and they reported the basal area in *G. arborea* stand to be 46.41 m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> , while the basal area per hectare ranged between 9.50 and 27.81 m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> in the *T. grandis* stand. Onyekwelu et al. [12] obtained mean basal area of 45.6 m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> (10 years) and 80.7 m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> (25 years) in the *Gmelina* stands at Oluwa, while 44.4 m2 ha<sup>1</sup> (10 years) and 77.8 m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> (25 years) were obtained at Omo State, respectively, in Nigeria. The basal areas reported by [2, 13] are larger than those for Kasewe forest which can be as a result of better site quality in those forest stands in Nigeria. If age and management are similar, good sites are capable of supporting more species of trees, higher densities of trees and larger, faster growing trees as compared to poor sites [13].

#### *4.1.3 Stocking*

The estimated stem density for Kasewe plantation forest was 253 stems per ha; *Gmelina* (with mean DBH and height of 29.01 cm and 20.34 m, respectively) contributed 52%, while *T. grandis* (with mean DBH and height of 21.56 cm and 15.81 m, respectively) contributed 48%. The former was more better stocked than the latter, not only for its higher proportion of stems, but this could be attributed to *Gmelina* stand having larger-sized stems than the teak stand. This resulted to higher volume yield of wood for *Gmelina* stand than that of teak. In other words forest yield depends mainly on the size and age of the stand [23, 31]. By comparing growth variables, *Gmelina* grows faster than *T. grandis* [12–14].

#### *4.1.4 Biomass and carbon stock of plantation stands*

As already stated, volume and biomass and subsequently the carbon stock increased with the increase in growth of DBH and height of the stems of all the plantation species. The range of coefficient of determination was found to be 98 and 99% for *Tectona grandis* and *Gmelina arborea*, respectively. This could be explained by the fact that volume and aboveground components of trees were highly dependent upon DBH and height [14].

The means of carbon stock of living trees (stems DBH ≥ 10 cm and roots), in the present study, from all plots were 94.26 and 94.59 t ha<sup>1</sup> for *Gmelina* and teak, respectively. The carbon stock appears to be the same for the two species since the initial estimation of biomass differed in allometric equations applied. They are, however, efficient in storing carbon. These results are comparable to those obtained by [14] in India—185 and 139 for 10-year-old plantation of *Gmelina* and teak, respectively.

#### **4.2 Natural stands**

plantation species. Various allometric equations for volume and biomass (developed by different researchers) were used to estimate these parameters. Of the two species in Kasewe, *Gmelina arborea* proved better in terms of vertical and horizontal growth with mean DBH and height of 29.0 cm and 20.34 m, respectively, compared to *Tectona grandis* with mean DBH and height of 21.57 cm and 15.81 m, respectively. The results were in agreement with the findings of [12, 13] in Nigeria and [14] in

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

The results showed that the *G. arborea* stand produced a higher yield than the *T. grandis* in Kasewe plantation forest, both species being of the same age. This may be as a result of *Gmelina* being a fast growing species [32] of *Verbenaceae* family. It is a medium to large deciduous tree that attains a height of 35 m or more, with a DBH of over 120 cm in natural stands in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia [30, 31]. In Oyinmo forest (Nigeria), the estimated volume for both *Gmelina* and teak stands

Basal area is known to be an indication of site potential [23] which gives support to the growth rate of trees in the forest. The result of this research for Kasewe is in agreement with those of other researchers, for example, in Nigeria. A basal area of 17.5–20.0 m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> was recorded for *Gmelina* and 9.0–10.0 m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> for teak; similar result was also obtained by Adekunle et al. [13] in Nigeria's rainforest ecosystem,

and they reported the basal area in *G. arborea* stand to be 46.41 m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>1</sup>

basal area per hectare ranged between 9.50 and 27.81 m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> in the *T. grandis* stand. Onyekwelu et al. [12] obtained mean basal area of 45.6 m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> (10 years) and 80.7 m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> (25 years) in the *Gmelina* stands at Oluwa, while 44.4 m2 ha<sup>1</sup> (10 years) and 77.8 m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> (25 years) were obtained at Omo State, respectively, in Nigeria. The basal areas reported by [2, 13] are larger than those for Kasewe forest which can be as a result of better site quality in those forest stands in Nigeria. If age and management are similar, good sites are capable of supporting more species of trees, higher densities of trees and larger, faster growing trees as compared to poor

The estimated stem density for Kasewe plantation forest was 253 stems per ha;

*Gmelina* (with mean DBH and height of 29.01 cm and 20.34 m, respectively) contributed 52%, while *T. grandis* (with mean DBH and height of 21.56 cm and 15.81 m, respectively) contributed 48%. The former was more better stocked than the latter, not only for its higher proportion of stems, but this could be attributed to

, respec-

, while the

ranges from 347.92 to 508.33 m<sup>3</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> and from 21.25 to 259.06 m<sup>3</sup> ha<sup>1</sup>

tively [13]; similarly, in Oluwa State [12] report a volume of 422.8 m<sup>3</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> (10 years) and 1023.4 m<sup>3</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> (25 years) for *G. arborea* and 445.8 m<sup>3</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> (10 years) and 978.3 m<sup>3</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> (25 years) in Omo State in Nigeria for the same species. This high productivity in Nigeria is attributed to the management practices leading to fast growth rate and high stand density [11]. The increase in the yield in their result could be attributed to the proper management of their plantation sites as there were intensive silvicultural treatments adopted, whereas the management of Kasewe plantation forest (14 years) is poor; thinning and clearing are most times not done which have led to the development of undergrowth, thus competing with trees for nutrients, space and water. As reported, plantations receiving various silvicultural treatments such as pruning, irrigation, fertilization and intercultivation have better growth and timber productivity than sole trees or poorly

India.

managed plantations [33].

*4.1.2 Basal area*

sites [13].

**50**

*4.1.3 Stocking*

#### *4.2.1 Forest productivity*

The estimated wood volume was 245.24 m<sup>3</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> . Within Singamba forest the secondary forest ecology was found to be more productive than the forest regrowth, meaning the former has more usable trees than that of the latter. The basal area was 21.87 m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>1</sup> for Singamba forest. This parameter estimate seems to be relatively high for Singamba forest and can be compared with other tropical areas [31], generally serving as an indication for good site potential for wood production. As suggested before, deforestation was actively reducing the potential wood production of Kasewe plantation forest as a result of intensive sawmill and farming activities, and farming was also evident in Singamba natural forest.

The wood volume and basal area of Singamba forest are in close agreement with that for Gola rainforest [17]. This could be attributed to these two being natural forests which have higher soil nutrient for tree growth from litter fall, decomposition and high rate of microbial activities. Also, they could be less undisturbed than the forests of National Agricultural Training Centre (NATC), Njala University [32] and Kasewe plantation forest in Sierra Leone and are of high stand density and species diversity [32] which can help in increasing growth variables such as height and diameter at breast height which are responsible for the volume and basal area measurement.

The quantitative estimates of current and future wood volume and biomass of timber and other forest products are essential for forest management practices. Thus the information (e.g. mean height, DBH, volume and stem density) derived from the natural stands could be used by forest managers, researchers and policy makers at national and local levels.

#### *4.2.2 Biomass and carbon stocks of the natural stand*

The present study has attempted to provide the first estimate of tree biomass and carbon stock in Singamba based on representative field sampling. This has

demonstrated how carbon density can vary across a disturbed forest ecosystem [17] with respect to human activities. Patterns of biomass [17] largely reflected past farming history in Singamba forest, demonstrating impact of disturbance on forest biomass, as had been noted for logging impact on Gola forest [17]. Despite human disturbance in the forest in the recent past (forest regrowth), there is clearly an indication (secondary forest) that the Singamba forest still retains substantial carbon stocks and can accumulate further if left undisturbed.

The estimates of C stock for the entire Singamba forest (from all 40 plots) were found to be 82 t C ha<sup>1</sup> (**Table 5**), and this included all above- and belowground biomass of living trees over 10 cm DBH but excluded standing dead wood, woody debris and leaf litter [17]. There was variation in C biomass for the plots and ecology, but the higher biomass was found in the secondary forest which seems relatively stable.

The overall C stock for Gola forest was 160 t C ha<sup>1</sup> [17], but the overall carbon stock for Singamba was far lower than that of Gola in the present study. Although values of Singamba did not accord well with those for Gola, if disturbance by the forest edge communities is minimized, especially the slash and burn farming; this could improve the carbon stock for Singamba.

#### **5. Conclusion**

Timber inventory using simple hand tools is an efficient measure to manage these resources especially for land owners. One hundred percent enumeration of trees in a discrete forest is tedious, time-consuming and not economical. Hence forest sampling is professionally accepted.

Management of forest carbon is a concern across the globe for mitigation of global warming. The two plantation species being studied at Kasewe, *Gmelina arborea* and *Tectona grandis* have high yield of volume and biomass and exhibited significant carbon sequestration.

This chapter enhances foresters and related technicians to be able to estimate and give account of carbon stocks in the forests of West Africa which are undergoing rapid deforestation, degradation and even encroachment [17]. In Sierra Leone, community-based forestry and forest inventory at national level are recommended for sustainable exploitation and conservation of forests.

**Author details**

**53**

Stephen Brima Mattia<sup>1</sup>

Njala University, Freetown, Sierra Leone

2 Miro Forestry Company, Sierra Leone

provided the original work is properly cited.

\*Address all correspondence to: sbmattia@njala.edu.sl

\* and Sampha Sesay<sup>2</sup>

1 Department of Forestry, School of Natural Resources Management,

*Ground Forest Inventory and Assessment of Carbon Stocks in Sierra Leone, West Africa*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88950*

© 2020 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,

*Ground Forest Inventory and Assessment of Carbon Stocks in Sierra Leone, West Africa DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88950*

### **Author details**

demonstrated how carbon density can vary across a disturbed forest ecosystem [17] with respect to human activities. Patterns of biomass [17] largely reflected past farming history in Singamba forest, demonstrating impact of disturbance on forest biomass, as had been noted for logging impact on Gola forest [17]. Despite human disturbance in the forest in the recent past (forest regrowth), there is clearly an indication (secondary forest) that the Singamba forest still retains substantial car-

The estimates of C stock for the entire Singamba forest (from all 40 plots) were found to be 82 t C ha<sup>1</sup> (**Table 5**), and this included all above- and belowground biomass of living trees over 10 cm DBH but excluded standing dead wood, woody debris and leaf litter [17]. There was variation in C biomass for the plots and ecology, but the higher biomass was found in the secondary forest which seems

The overall C stock for Gola forest was 160 t C ha<sup>1</sup> [17], but the overall carbon stock for Singamba was far lower than that of Gola in the present study. Although values of Singamba did not accord well with those for Gola, if disturbance by the forest edge communities is minimized, especially the slash and burn farming; this

Timber inventory using simple hand tools is an efficient measure to manage these resources especially for land owners. One hundred percent enumeration of trees in a discrete forest is tedious, time-consuming and not economical. Hence

Management of forest carbon is a concern across the globe for mitigation of global warming. The two plantation species being studied at Kasewe, *Gmelina arborea* and *Tectona grandis* have high yield of volume and biomass and exhibited

This chapter enhances foresters and related technicians to be able to estimate and give account of carbon stocks in the forests of West Africa which are undergoing rapid deforestation, degradation and even encroachment [17]. In Sierra Leone, community-based forestry and forest inventory at national level are recommended

bon stocks and can accumulate further if left undisturbed.

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

could improve the carbon stock for Singamba.

forest sampling is professionally accepted.

for sustainable exploitation and conservation of forests.

significant carbon sequestration.

relatively stable.

**5. Conclusion**

**52**

Stephen Brima Mattia<sup>1</sup> \* and Sampha Sesay<sup>2</sup>

1 Department of Forestry, School of Natural Resources Management, Njala University, Freetown, Sierra Leone

2 Miro Forestry Company, Sierra Leone

\*Address all correspondence to: sbmattia@njala.edu.sl

© 2020 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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[12] Onyekwelu JC, Mosandl R, Stimm B. Productivity, site evaluation and state of nutrition of *Gmelina arborea* plantations in Oluwa and Omo forest reserves, Nigeria. Forest Ecology and Management. 2013;**229**:214-227

[13] Adekunle VAJ, Alo AA, Adekayode FO. Yields and nutrient pools in soils cultivated with *Tectona grandis* and *Gmelina arborea* in Nigerian rainforest ecosystem. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences. 2011;**10**: 127-135. Available from: http://www. ksu.edu.sa and www.sciencedirection. com [Accessed: 2014/11/4]

[14] Bohre P, Chaubey OP, Singhal PK. Biomass accumulation and carbon squestration in *Tectona grandis* Linn. f. and *Gmelina arborea* Roxb. International Journal of Bio-Science and Bio-Technology. 2013;**5**(3):153-174

[15] Daouda BO, Aliou S, Léonard AE, Yasmine AJF, Vincent EA, Irénikatché APB, et al. Assessment of organic carbon stock in cashew plantations (*Anacardium occidentale* L.) in Benin (West Africa). International Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Research. 2017;**03**(4): 3601-3625. Available from: http://www. ijaer.in [Accessed: 2019/5/25]

[16] Beets PN, Kimberley MO, Oliver GR, Pearce SH, Graham JD, Brandon A. *Ground Forest Inventory and Assessment of Carbon Stocks in Sierra Leone, West Africa DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88950*

Allometric equations for estimating carbon stocks in natural forest in New Zealand. Forest Ecology and Management. 2012;**3**:818-839. DOI: 10.3390/f30308818

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Italy: FAO; 2003. 214 p

[Accessed: 2015/9/11]

[1] West Africa: Forest cover. Available from: http://www.fao.org/3/Y1997E/ y1997e0k.htm#TopOfPage. [Accessed:

*Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences*

revisited—A biogeographical analysis of West African amphibians. Diversity and Distributions. 2011;**17**:1077-1088. DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-4642.2011.00801.x

International Development. West Africa Environmental threats and opportunities assessment. In: Final Report. 2013. 119 p

[11] Mercker D, Henning J. Alabama's Treasured Forests. 2011. Available from: http://www.forestry.alabama.gov

[12] Onyekwelu JC, Mosandl R, Stimm B. Productivity, site evaluation and state of nutrition of *Gmelina arborea* plantations in Oluwa and Omo forest reserves, Nigeria. Forest Ecology and Management. 2013;**229**:214-227

[13] Adekunle VAJ, Alo AA, Adekayode FO. Yields and nutrient pools in soils cultivated with *Tectona grandis* and *Gmelina arborea* in Nigerian rainforest ecosystem. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences. 2011;**10**: 127-135. Available from: http://www. ksu.edu.sa and www.sciencedirection.

[14] Bohre P, Chaubey OP, Singhal PK. Biomass accumulation and carbon squestration in *Tectona grandis* Linn. f. and *Gmelina arborea* Roxb. International

com [Accessed: 2014/11/4]

Journal of Bio-Science and Bio-Technology. 2013;**5**(3):153-174

ijaer.in [Accessed: 2019/5/25]

[16] Beets PN, Kimberley MO, Oliver GR, Pearce SH, Graham JD, Brandon A.

[15] Daouda BO, Aliou S, Léonard AE, Yasmine AJF, Vincent EA, Irénikatché APB, et al. Assessment of organic carbon stock in cashew plantations (*Anacardium occidentale* L.) in Benin (West Africa). International Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Research. 2017;**03**(4): 3601-3625. Available from: http://www.

[10] United States Agency for

[Accessed 2015/9/11]

[2] Fore TA. State of the World Forest. Issue Paper. DP 501/87/0101. Rome,

[3] Laar A, Akça A. Forest Mensuration: Managing Forest Ecosystems. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer; 2007. 384 p

[4] What are the differences between forest and woodland? Available from: http://www.quora.com/What-are-thedifference-between-forest-andwoodland/answer/Melody-Burke-3.

[5] Global Forest Resources Assessment 2015. Country Report Sierra Leone. Rome:

http://www.fao.org [Accessed: 2015/9/11]

[6] Karki S, Joshi NR, Udas E, Adhikari MD, Sherpa S, Kotru R, et al. Assessment of forest carbon stock and carbon sequestration rates at the ICIMOD knowledge park in Godavari, Nepal. In: ICIMOD Working Paper 2016/6. Kathmandu: ICIMOD; 2016. p. 52

[7] IPCC Climate Change. Synthesis report. In: Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Geneva, Switzerland.

[9] Penner J, Wegmann M, Hillers A, Schmidt M, Rodel MO. A hotspot

[8] Mittermeier RA, Robles GP, Hoffmann M, Pilgrim J, Brooks T, Goettsch Mittermeier C, et al. Hotspots Revisited: Earth's Biologically Richest and Most Endangered Terrestrial Ecoregions. Mexico City, Mexico: University of Chicago Press; 2004

2007. 104 p.

**54**

FAO; 2014. 76 p. Available from:

[17] Lindsell JA, Klop E. Spatial and temporal variation of carbon stocks in a lowland tropical forest in West Africa. Forest Ecology and Management. 2013; **289**:10-17. Available from: https://www. journals.elsevier.com/forestecology-and-management/ [Accessed: 2017/12/4]

[18] Savill PS, Fox JED. Trees of Sierra Leone. 1967. 316 p. Available from: h ttp://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/users/millsr/ isbes/ODLF/TSL.pdf [Accessed: 2019/ 05/25]

[19] Hawthorne W, Jongkind C. Woody Plants of Western African Forests: A Guide to the Forest Trees, Shrubs and Lianes from Senegal to Ghana. Kew, UK: Royal Botanic Gardens; 2006. 1023 p.

[20] Mattia SB. Species and structural composition of natural mangrove forest case study of Rufiji delta [thesis]. Morogoro, Tanzania: Sokoine University of Agriculture; 1997

[21] Mattia SB, Kargbo S. Species richness and structure of natural Gola Forest, Eastern Province, Sierra Leone. Njala Journal of Agriculture, Science and Technology. 2013;**2**(1):74-84

[22] Mattia SB, Omiyale O, Sesay S. Productivity and tree species richness in mixed forest of National Agricultural Training Centre (NATC), Njala University. Journal of Sustainable Environmental Management. 2015;**7**: 93-104

[23] Philip MS. Measuring Trees and Forests. 2nd ed. Wallingford, UK: CAB International; 1994. 310 p.

[24] Hamilton GJ. Forest Mensuration Handbook. Forestry Commission

Booklet No. 39. London, UK: Forestry Commission, Her Majesty's Stationery Office; 1988. 274 p.

[25] Mattia SB, Dugba SA. Allometric equations for volume estimation of *Gmelina arborea* Roxb wood at Singamba forest reserve in Njama, Sierra Leone. Journal of Sustainable Environmental Management. 2015;**7**:1-10

[26] Mwangi JR. Volume and biomass estimation models for *Tectona grandis* grown at Longuza forest plantation [thesis]. Morogoro, Tanzania: Sokoine University of Agriculture; 2015

[27] Arias D, Calvo-Alvarado J, Richter DD, Dohrenbusch A. Productivity, aboveground biomass, nutrient uptake and carbon content in fast-growing tree plantations of native and introduced species in the southern region of Costa Rica. Biomass Bioenergy. 2011;**35**: 1779-1788. Available from: http://www. sciencedirect.com [Accessed: 2015/09/11]

[28] IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories: Agriculture, Forestry, and other Land Use. 2006. Available from: http:// www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp [Accessed: 2015/09/12]

[29] Basuki TM, van Laake PE, Skidmore AK, Hussin YA. Allometric equations for estimating the above-ground biomass in tropical lowland Dipterocarp forests. Forest Ecology and Management. 2009;**257**:1684-1694

[30] Hung ND, Giang LT, Tu DN, Hung PT, Lam PT, Khanh NT, et al. Tree allometric equations in evergreen broadleaf and bamboo forests in the North East region, Vietnam. Canadian Journal of Forestry Research. 2012;**16**: 390-394. Available from: www.Glob AllomeTree [Accessed: 2016/05/01]

[31] Hossain MK. *Gmelina arborea*: A popular plantation species in the tropics. Quick guide multipurpose trees from

around the world. In: FACT 99-05. Arkansas, USA: Forest, Farm and Community Tree Network; 1999

[32] Dvorak WS. World View of *Gmelina arborea*: Opporunities and Challenges. Recent Advances with *Gmelina arborea*. Raleigh, USA: CAMCORE, North Carolina State University; 2003. CD-ROM

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**57**

Section 2

Impacts of Environmental

Factors and Human

Activities on Natural

Resources

### Section 2
