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Kappaphycus alvarezii is a commercially important red alga being intentionally introduced in marine waters worldwide for the production of kappa carrageenan. Its introduction into the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve during the 1990s and its subsequent escape from cultivation sites have paved the way for its invasion into the coral reef ecosystem of Kurusadai Island. Since the report of its invasion in 2008, removal of K. alvarezii from the reefs has been started by means of manual removal (hand plucking). This article details the unsuccessful attempt and negative impact of the eradication programme. Regrowth of K. alvarezii from removal points and drifting broken fragments resulting during removal have led to further establishment in the reef environment. Variation in the morphology of K. alvarezii populations after their removal has been observed. A significant reduction in the cover of coral and native algae due to the increase in abundance of K. alvarezii was evident from the study. The need for immediate scientific control measures to eradicate the invasive alga is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the importance of coral reefs in palaeontological studies in India. It briefs about various characteristics of coral reefs, its importance for marine biodiversity and its role as an environmental indicator. It also briefs about its importance in the studies of evolution and ecology. It also describes a survey of the utilization of corals in the region of Gulf of Mannar (GoM) for construction works.

Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) Doty (Rhodophyta: Solieriaceae) is a Philippine-derived macroalga introduced into the Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, South India for mariculture in 2000. Here we report its bioinvasion on branching corals (Acropora sp.) in the Kurusadai Island. Qualitative data collected using underwater photography clearly indicated its invasion and establishment on live and dead corals as well as coral rubbles and pavements. It specifically invaded Acropora sp. as monospecific beds with extraordinary phenotypic plasticity in the form of thallus, thickness of its major axis and lateral branching. It shows remarkable shadowing and smothering effects over the coral colonies. The primary and secondary branches are much reduced in the invaded algal colonies. Quantitative data on its live cover on corals and biomass production are also reported. These observations are discussed with available limited information on bioinvasion of K. alvarezii on coral reefs. Our findings disprove all arguments and misapprehensions reported earlier about this species as coral-friendly and as a safe candidate for mariculture for the production of carrageenan under wild conditions in the Gulf of Mannar. Our observations underscore the need for urgent reconsideration of its cultivation in a biologically diverse ecosystem, the Gulf of Mannar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on qualitative and quantitative data which reports the foraging shift of honey bees and reduction in the population of honey bees. As stated, colony collapse disaster is considered as the main cause for decline in bee population and agricultural productivity. It is further mentioned that urbanization has resulted in excessive use of disposable cups which may lead to bee collapse in India and in rest of the world.