Coromandel Coast Research Articles

Finding of Myripristis botche (Holocentridae) in coastal waters of south Vietnam

The holocentrid fish Myripristis botche was first described by Cuvier (Cuvier, 1829; Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1829) from the Indian Ocean off the Coromandel Coast of Hindustan. Later, Weber and Beaufort (1929) reduced this name, in doubt, to the synonym of M. murdjan (Forsskal). In the revision of the genus Myripristis made by Greenfield (1974), the name botche is not even mentioned as a synonym of any species. The validity of M. botche was recovered by Soetikno (1975) who provided a detailed description of this species from the Northern Pagai Island (the Mentawai Islands, the Indian Ocean). In the new revision of the Indo-Pacific species of the genus Myripristis , Randall and Greenfield (1996) once again confirmed the validity of the species under consideration with an extended justification of this fact. Currently M. botche is known from a few findings in the tropical parts of the Indian Ocean and the western part of the Pacific Ocean. In June 2003, while conducting underwater studies under the framework of the program of the Tropical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, M. botche was discovered by the first author in Nha Trang Bay, south of the Noc Island (South Vietnam, Khanh Hoa Province), at a depth of 23 m. Two individuals of the considered species were found in the daytime (about 3 p.m.) under the margin of a massive mushroom coral Porites sp. having a diameter of 1.8 m (figure). A onemeter encrusting colony of coral Favia sp. was situated on the bottom near the Porites sp. The margins of the coral Porites sp. were thinned as a comb; they were underlain by deep pockets extending inward from the colony and formed as a result of the erosion of the skeletal material of the colony. The coral was approximately 60‐80 m remote from the margin of the rock socle of the Noc Island and was situated on a mediumgrained weakly silted coral sand with inclusions of the fragmentary material. The bottom at this place was even and had a slight slope, gradually lowering further down to a depth of 50 m. Larger fragments of dead corals and rocky ground where low colonies of

Reproductive Traits and Phenology of Plants in Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest on the Coromandel Coast of India

Qualitative reproductive traits of 84 plant species belonging to 41 families were studied in tropical dry evergreen forest on the Coromandel coast of India. Majority of species had rotate type, white-coloured, scented flowers, rewarding nectar and pollen and pollinated chiefly by bees. An association between floral traits and pollination spectrum is evident. Bee pollination was prevalent in pollination systems. Among the fruit types, drupe and berry were common in black and red colour respectively, and dispersed by zoochorous mode. Seeds of brown- and green-coloured dry fruits, without any reward were disseminated by wind and explosion. The reproductive phenophase of trees and lianas occurred mostly during the dry period from January to June, which receives rainfall of less than 50 mm a month. However, shrubs showed a peak in flowering and fruiting in wet period. Detailed phenological observations of 22 woody species revealed a seasonal and unimodal pattern in flowering. Although some species were in flower round the year, flowering activity was skewed towards the dry season. The fruiting activity showed a bimodal pattern, one peak in dry season and another in wet season. Many species displayed a temporal aggregation in flowering and fruiting. The significant relation was obtained between reproductive traits and phenology of plants in the tropical dry evergreen forest.

Understanding Fisheries Conflicts in the South—A Legal Pluralist Perspective

ABSTRACT Fifty years after the launching of a blue revolution in the capture fisheries of developing countries, conflicts between small-scale and industrialized fishers continue to be vehement. Our understanding of backgrounds, however, lags behind. This article seeks to give content to the issue of conflict in the context of marine capture fisheries. By connecting the conflicts that are taking place to the livelihoods of small-scale and industrialized fishers and to their varied social and legal systems, a deeper understanding of the problem is achieved. According to the legal pluralist perspective, conflicts of the kind considered are related to the fact that participants adhere to different sea tenure systems, the tenets of which vary substantially. The perspective is illustrated by means of an example from the Coromandel Coast, India.

Patterns of liana diversity in tropical evergreen forests of peninsular India

The quantitative liana inventories made in five peninsular Indian independent forest sites, distributed in the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats and on the Coromandel coast, were examined particularly with reference to site altitude and forest stature. Liana diversity totaled 148 species in 101 genera of 47 families, in a total sample of 47 ha. The coefficient of variability in species distribution among the five sites was used to identify an oligarchy in liana species by taking 55 abundant species from the species pool. Ordination analysis, based on presence–absence as well as relative density of liana species indicated a geographical differentiation among the five sites in both the ordinations with respect to site altitude. Liana density (stems>1.6 cm diameter) decreased with increasing altitude, whereas richness was highest at intermediate elevations. The mean liana density across the forest sites showed a weak negative correlation with forest stature. The lianas encountered in the five study sites fell under six climber types, of which twining was the chief climbing mechanism, both in terms of species diversity and density, and tendril climbers were more abundant in dry evergreen forests than in the wet evergreen forests. In liana diaspore dispersal modes, the majority of evergreen forest species possessed animal dispersal guilds, whereas wind-dispersal was prevalent in semi-evergreen and dry evergreen forests.

Reviews of Books:The Politics of Trade: Anglo-French Commerce on the Coromandel Coast 1763-1793 Arvind Sinha

Reviews of Books:The Politics of Trade: Anglo-French Commerce on the Coromandel Coast 1763-1793 Arvind Sinha

The Coromandel Coast and Its Hinterland: Economy, Society and Political System (A.D. 1500-1600)

This book examines the interaction between the Coromandel coast and its hinterland during the 16th century. Topical issues such as the territorial, geographical and administrative units, political structures, the agrarian economy, manufacturing sector, markets, inland trade, overseas commerce, the impact of the portugese business, prices and social changes are dealt in this work by assessing the strength and weakness of the Coromandel system, of which key aspects are linked to the opening of the portugese colonial world.

Liana diversity and distribution in four tropical dry evergreen forests on the Coromandel coast of south India

Liana diversity was inventoried in four tropical dry evergreen forest sites that are characterized by numerous trees, of short stature and small diameter, and a varying degree of anthropogenic disturbance, on the Coromandel coast of south India. A 1-ha plot was established in each of the four sites and was subdivided into 100 quadrats of 10 m× 10 m. All lianas ≥1 cm diameter at breast height (dbh) rooted within the plot were enumerated. The species richness and density of lianas, with respect to site disturbance and forest stature, varied across the sites. Liana density totaled 3307 individuals (range 497–1163 individuals ha−1) and species richness totaled 39 species (range 24–29 species ha−1) representing 34 genera and 24 families. Combretaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Capparaceae and Vitaceae were the well-represented families. The top five species Strychnos minor, Combretum albidum, Derris ovalifolia, Jasminum angustifolium and Reissantia indica contributed 55% of total density. The slopes of the species–area curves were different for each of the four sites and the curve stabilized in only one site. Of the four climbing modes recognized among the total 39 species, 18 were twiners (56% of the total density). Eight species (24% of density) were tendril climbers and 12 species (16% of density) were scramblers. Hugonia mystax was the only hook climber. All the 39 species and 88% of liana density were encountered within a category of 6 cm dbh or less, and a similar pattern prevailed in the individual sites. Of the three diaspore dispersal modes found among the 39 liana species, animal (64%) and wind (23%) dispersal were predominant over the autochorous mode (13%). Liana diversity and distribution in dry forest communities appear to be influenced by forest stature and site disturbance levels. In the light of the extent of liana diversity and sacred grove status of the study sites, the need for forest conservation, involving local people, is emphasized.

Surat to Bombay: Transfer of Commercial Power

The island of Bombay is the ancient property of the English East India Company; it hath hitherto been, of all her settlements, the most conducive to the greatness of the nation in Asia; yet, through the splendour of achievement, great acquisition of the territory, and immense harvests of wealth in Bengal and the Coast of Coromandel, it hath been in some measure overlooked, and, as if in a corner of the world, unnoticed.

Jaina ideology and early Mughal trade with Europeans

At the beginning of the seventeenth century there were three prominent commupities of Indian traders involved in the international market: the Muslims of the seaboard, the Chettis of the Coromandel coast, and the Bapiyis ~ of Gujarat (see Moreland 1962: 229). As the European presence increased in western India, it was primarily the Baniyi community through whom important dealings took place when non-indian traders negotiated with the Mughal government for a profitable position in the new economy. The social and religious placement of the BaniyAs was somewhat usual, however, for, while normally situated in the Vai~ya caste, this group could have either Hindu or Jaina affiliation; in either ease, however, Jaina ideology played an important role in defining the group's ethical and religious values.

Plant biodiversity inventory and conservation of two tropical dry evergreen forests on the Coromandel coast, south India

Species diversity, population structure, abundance and dispersion patterns of all woody plants ≥10cm gbh were inventoried in two 1-ha plots of tropical dry evergreen (sacred grove or temple) forests at Kuzhanthaikuppam (KK) and Thirumanikkuzhi (TM) on the Coromandel coast of south India. Site KK is a stunted forest (average tree height ca 6 m) and TM a tall forest (average tree height ca 10 m). A total of 54 species (in 47 genera and 31 families) were recorded. Species richness and stand density were 42 and 38 species and 1367 and 974 individuals ha−1 respectively for the sites KK and TM. About 50% of the total species were common to both the sites. Site TM is twofold more voluminous (basal area 29.48 m2 ha−1) than KK (basal area 15.44 m2 ha−1). Nearly one third of the individuals are multi-stemmed in the low-statured site KK whereas one fourth of the tree density is multi-stemmed in TM. Species abundance pattern varied between the two sites. The abundance of three species in KK and two species in TM is pronounced. Memecylon umbellatum, the most abundant species contributing to one third of total stand density in KK, is least represented in TM. Species richness, density and diversity indices decreased with increasing girth threshold. Most species exhibited clumped dispersion of individuals both at 0.25 and 1-ha scales. Population structure for girth frequency is an expanding one for both the sites, except for basal area distribution in KK. Variations in plant diversity and abundance are related to site attributes and human impacts. In the light of habitat uniqueness, species richness and sacred grove status, the need for conservation is emphasized.

Notes concerning the Typification of Names of William Roxburgh's Species of Phanerogams

Summary. An outline is given of William Roxburgh's botanical work in India leading to the publication of 'Hortus Bengalensis', 'Plants of the Coast of Coromandel' and 'Flora Indica'. The locations of the main sets of Roxburgh's specimens and drawings are discussed. Problems in typifying the names of Roxburgh's species are discussed as well as the relevance of the Flora Indica drawings. A partial list of Roxburgh specimens of his species is given: this is largely based on a manuscript list at Brussels of specimens there from the Martius herbarium, and on entries in Wallich's 'Catalogue'. Other specimens at Edinburgh, Liverpool, Oxford etc. are included. The corresponding drawings at Kew or Calcutta are listed where these are present.

Fisher regulations along the Coromandel coast: a case of collective control of common pool resources

A string of fishing communities along the east coast of India recently decided to ban the use of a new kind of fishing gear, a snail net, in spite of its obvious profitability. The logistics of this measure as well as the reasons which inspired it are investigated in this article. It is argued that the banning of gear is part of a customary system of fisheries regulation and is rooted in local perceptions of ecological interdependency as well as conceptions of social justice. The case demonstrates, for an old and important fishery, that decision-making structures within a community of common property users are suited for taking action towards what is perceived to be a collective good.

English private trade on the Coromandel coast, 1660-1690: Diamonds and country trade

English private trade on the Coromandel coast, 1660-1690: Diamonds and country trade

Morphology of dunes of the Coromandel coast of Tamil Nadu: A satellite data based approach for coastal landuse planning

The 1000 km long coast of the Tamil Nadu state of India forms part of the Coromandel coast. The dunes which consist of Quaternary to Recent sediments are a major part of the various coastal landforms such as lagoons, estuaries, bays, beaches, spits, bars, deltas, marshes, tidal flats, mud flats, etc. The dunes occupy a large part of the Coromandel coast and have a key role in the morphology and landuse planning of this coastal zone. These dunes are an important source of ground water, heavy minerals, silica (glass) sands and are also potential avenues for social forestry, mixed forests, plantations and recreational resorts. As a first step in coastal zone management, mapping of these dunes and study of their relation to landuse is to be carried out. Their large extent and widespread habit make conventional mapping techniques difficult to use. Hence, the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS-1A) imagery has been used to map them. This paper gives an account of mapping these coastal dunes using IRS-1A imagery, a study of their morphology, the related landuse/land cover details, and also suggestions for optimal landuse management techniques.

Dutch ‘Calvinists’ on the Coromandel coast and in Sri Lanka*

Dutch ‘Calvinists’ on the Coromandel coast and in Sri Lanka*

Holocene sediment lithofacies and dispersal systems on a storm-dominated, back-arc shelf margin: The east Coromandel coast, New Zealand

Holocene sediment lithofacies and dispersal systems on the east Coromandel shelf, New Zealand, are mainly characterised by an accommodation-dominated regime in which autochthonous siliciclastic sediments were reworked through erosional shoreface retreat during the post-glacial marine transgression (12.0–6.5 ka). Stabilisation of sea level at its present position ca. 6.5 ka initiated onshore reworking of the autochthonous deposits into fine-grained regressive barrier and shoreface sands, while coarser sands remained offshore to form an erosional-lag inner-shelf deposit. Modern episodes of shoreface erosion rework fine and coarse autochthonous sands offshore and northwards into very large ( η = 0.5–2.5 m; λ = 250–1500 m) submarine dunes. The submarine dunes are similar in form to sand ridges on the North American Atlantic shelf, but with crests striking perpendicular to both the shoreline and generating flows. Allochthonous siliciclastic lithofacies are also important aspects of east Coromandel shelf sedimentation, and are transported offshore from infilled estuary systems to form very fine-grained upper shoreface and muddy mid-shelf sands. The regional geology has a strong influence on shelf lithofacies and dispersal systems off the east Coromandel coast. Southern shelf regions are associated with deep back-arc basins which have formed major late Cenozoic depocentres for sediments sourced from the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Further north, a shallow volcanic platform extends out across the shelf and forms a barrier to any large-scale along-shelf dispersal of sediments. Consequently, lithofacies in northern shelf regions tend to be highly variable and reflect local catchment lithologies.

Fine root dynamics in two tropical dry evergreen forests in southern India

Seasonality in fine root standing crop and production was studied in two tropical dry evergreen forests viz., Marakkanam reserve forest (MRF) and Puthupet sacred grove (PSG) in the Coromandel coast of India. The study extended from December 89 to December 91 in MRF and from August 90 to December 91 in PSG with sampling at every 2 months. Total fine interval. Mean fine root standing crop was 134 g m−2 in MRF and 234 g m−2 in PSG. root production was 104 g m−2 yr−1 in MRF and 117 g m−2 yr−1 in PSG. These estimates lie within the range for fine roots reported for various tropical forests. Rootmass showed a pronounced seasonal pattern with unimodal peaks obtained during December in the first year and from October–December in the second year in MRF. In PSG greater rootmass was noticed from June–October than other times of sampling. The total root mass in MRF ranged from 114 to 145 g m−2 at the 13 sampling dates in the three sites. The live biomass fraction of fine roots in MRF ranged from 46 to 203 g m−2 and in PSG it ranged from 141 to 359 g mm−2 during the study periods. The dead necromass fraction of fine roots ranged from 6 to 37 g m−2 in MRF and from 12 to 66 g m−2 in PSG. Fine root production peaked during December in both the forest sites. The necromass fraction of newly produced roots was negligible. Total N was slightly greater in PSG than in MRF. Whereas total P level was almost similar in both the sites. The study revealed that season and site characteristics influenced fine root system.

Notes on an important botanical trip (1799-1800) of J. P. Rottler on the Coromandel Coast (India) with a translation of his original text, explanatory notes and a map

Matthew, K. M., 1993. Notes on an important botanical trip (1799-1800) of J. P. Rottler on the Coromandel Coast (India) with a translation of his original text, explanatory notes and a map. J. P. Rottler (1749-1836) made extensive collections on the Coromandel Coast in south India. The paper presented here in translation was one of Rottler's major publications, which, along with four indexes and a map, now newly prepared, should prove useful for a new study of Rottler's contributions.

Notes on an important botanical trip (1799-1800) of J. P. Rottler on the Coromandel Coast (India) with a translation of his original text, explanatory notes and a map

Matthew, K. M., 1993. Notes on an important botanical trip (1799-1800) of J. P. Rottler on the Coromandel Coast (India) with a translation of his original text, explanatory notes and a map. J. P. Rottler (1749-1836) made extensive collections on the Coromandel Coast in south India. The paper presented here in translation was one of Rottler's major publications, which, along with four indexes and a map, now newly prepared, should prove useful for a new study of Rottler's contributions.

Architecture of the Muslim Port of Qā'il on the Coromandel Coast, South India. Part One, History and the 14th–15th Century Monuments

(1993). Architecture of the Muslim Port of Qā'il on the Coromandel Coast, South India. Part One, History and the 14th–15th Century Monuments. South Asian Studies: Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 137-166.